Person Page 1,658

John Bartlett Saunders was born on 30 Aug 1840 in Wetumpka, AlabamaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his parents, Dr. Reuben Saunders and Adeline S. Roberts.¹⁴
     His mother died on 2 Sep 1852, when John was 12 years old.¹² He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his father, and stepmother, Rebecca. He is listed as a medical student.¹⁵
     John attended the University of Virginia, Richmond, VirginiaG, in the 1858-59 session, studying chemistry, medicine, physiology and surgery, anatomy, and botany.¹⁶ He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaG, on 9 Mar 1861 with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. His thesis was on the "Pathology and Treatment of Scarlatina" [scarlet fever].¹⁷

Serving in the Confederate Army --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John enlisted 5 Jul 1861 at Camp Boone, TennesseeG, as a private in the 3rd Regiment, Kentucky Infantry.¹⁸ By 1 Jan 1862 he was acting assistant surgeon of the regiment.¹⁹ On 17 Apr 1862 President Jefferson Davis submitted a group of nominations to the Provisional Confederate Congress which included John, as an assistant Surgeon. The nominations were confirmed by the congress the same day. His was effective 4 Feb 1862.^20,21,22
      He was examined by Dr. Thomas F. Clardy, Senior Surgeon, Gen. A. Buford's Brigade in Canton, MississippiG, on 23 Nov 1863, who found him unfit for duty because of chronic disease of the lungs. He was then being treated at the officers hospital at Lauderdale Springs.²³ On 8 Jan 1864 he submitted his resignation, stating that pulmonary hemorrhage had made him unfit for service, and he believed that "freedom from official duty will more readyly allow me to use means for the restoration of my health." He submitted a second certification from Dr. Clardy, stating that he had been suffering from phthisis pulmonalis [tuberculosis] for 18 months and was unfit for duty. His resignation was passed up the line, but apparently not ultimately approved.²⁴
      He applied for examination to be retired as an invalid 5 Dec 1864, on the grounds that he had suffered from haemoptysis [coughing up blood], extreme emaciation and debility, for 13 months. On 27 Feb 1865 he was officially certified as suffering from those illnesses, contracted in the line of duty. He was classified as permanently disabled, unable to perform any duty, and ordered to report to the military post at Meridian, MississippiG. He was admitted to Way Hospital there on 1 Mar, and to Yandell Hospital 12 Apr 1865.²⁵
      Lt. General Richard Taylor surrendered his command, the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, on 4 May 1865, making John a prisoner of war. He was paroled at Meridian, MississippiG, in 9 May 1895.²⁶
     After the war he practiced for sereral years in Paducah, KentuckyG.^27,28 With his health not improving, he went to Southern California thinking the dry climate would be helpful. He settled in Los Angeles, operating a drug business and practicing medicine.^29,30 He registered to vote in Los Angeles Co. on 26 Jun 1869.³¹

Moving to the Kingdom of Hawaii --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

      His health improved for a time, but he then suffered a relapse. Seeking a better climate, he went to San Francisco, then to the Kingdom of HawaiiG, where he did regain his health.²⁹ He arrived in Honolulu 28 Dec 1869, aboard the S.S. Idaho from San Francisco.³²
     John married Bobella Cobb, daughter of Robert Livingston Cobb and Cornelia Barbour Mims, on 10 Nov 1870 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, at her parent's residence. Her brother Joshua married his sister Manie the following year.^7,8,9 John and Bobella returned to the Kingdom of Hawaii after their marriage, arriving in Honolulu aboard the S.S. Moses Taylor from San Francisco on 2 Dec 1870.^33,34
     In Hawaii he became the traveling physician of Maui, a government position. It has been reported that he was also Court Physician to the King of Hawaii, and as such would have treated the royal family, but no documentation of that has been found.^35,36
     He was involved in two business ventures in addition to his medical practice, both in WaiohinuG on the island of Hawaii. He held a one-third interest in a general store there operated by the firm of H. Meinecke & Co., of which Heldebert Meinecke was the principal. He held a three-eights interest in Kau Tannery, operated by a Mr. Swain, in which Meincke also held an interest.^37,38
     John died on 16 Aug 1873 in Wailuku, Maui, Kingdom of HawaiiG, at age 32.^10,11 He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG.^12,13

Resolving his Estate --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John died intestate (without leaving a will). Letters of administration for his estate were issued on 11 Sep 1873, to Thomas W. Evertt, after testimony from a witness that he had seen the dead body, that the deceased had left a wife and one child, no will, cash of about $1,800, household furniture, and an interest in a store and tannery worth about $700. The U.S. Consul had been consulted and declined to act in the case. The administrator was ordered to post a bond of $2,500.³⁹
     The final account of the estate was filed on 15 Mar 1875. He reported he had recovered a total of $7,791, from the following sources:     After settling accounts due of $164, paying taxes and expenses of $182, and paying $501 for the family's expenses, $6,888 was paid to the heirs, one-third to his widow and two-thirds shared by his daughters and paid to their mother as guardian. The death of his business partner, Heldebert Meinecke, in Oct 1873 at age 25, and the many small accounts at the store, delayed final settlement of the estate.^40,41,38

Cornelia Saunders was born on 23 Jan 1871 in Wailuku, Maui, Kingdom of HawaiiG.^4,5,6
     Her father died on 16 Aug 1873, when Cornelia was 2 years old.^12,13 Her mother returned home to Paducah with Cornelia and her infant sister shortly afterwards.^14,15,16
     She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Eddyville, Kentucky in the household of her mother, Bobella Cobb, and Barclay Arney James, her step-father.¹⁷
     She moved to ClarksvilleG with her mother and stepfather by 1891.^18,19,20
     Cornelia married Morris Kerr Clark, son of Micajah Henry Clark and Elizabeth Watts Kerr, on 1 Dec 1891 in Montgomery Co., TennesseeG, with Rev. William M Pettis, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, officiating.^7,8
     Cornelia and Morris appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 320 Main St. G, enumerated 10 Jul 1900, reporting that the family rented its home. Their children Morris and Dorothy were listed as living with them, as was Azeline Johnson, a 26-year-old cook.²¹
     Cornelia and Morris appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 1004 Madison St. G, enumerated Apr 1910, reporting that the family rented its home., as were her mother, Bobella Cobb, her half-brother, Robert Lawrence James, her sister's daughter Nell Saunders Johnson, and a Black servant, Anna Johnson, age 25.²²
     Her husband died on 2 Nov 1916 in Marion St., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.^23,24
     Cornelia appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at Main St. G, enumerated 8 Jan 1920, reporting that she rented her home. Her daughter Dorothy was listed as living with her, as were her mother, Bobella Cobb, and her half-brother, Robert Lawrence James.²⁵
     Cornelia appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at Madison St. G, enumerated 17 Apr 1930, reporting that she rented her home for $55 per month, and did not own a radio. It appears she was living in a multi-unit building. There are two roomers listed as living in her unit, Martha Buchman, age 50, as public school teacher, and Thomas M. Daniel, age 25, a lawyer.²⁶
     Cornelia moved to IndianaG between 1930 and 1935. She appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, G in the household of her daughter Arney and her husband, Charles Viele. Her daughter's mother-in-law and a 73-year-old lodger were also listed, all of them reporting they had lived in the same house in 1935. Three other lodgers, a chemist, an engineer, an attorney, and two servants were also listed.²⁷
     Cornelia died on 19 Dec 1944 at "White Hall", Princess Anne, MarylandG, at age 73, at the home of her son Morris.^9,10 She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.¹¹

Laura B. Saunders was born on 12 Sep 1873 in Kingdom of HawaiiG.^4,5,6
     Her father died 16 Aug 1873, shortly before she was born. Her mother returned home to Paducah with Laura and her sister shortly after her birth.^15,16,17
     She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Eddyville, Kentucky in the household of her mother, Bobella Cobb, and Barclay Arney James, her step-father.¹⁸
     She moved to ClarksvilleG with her mother and stepfather by 1891.^19,20,21 Laura attended Bellwood Female Seminary in Anchorage, KentuckyG. The school has been established about 1860 by Rev. Dr. William W. Hill, pastor of the Middletown Presbyterian Church, and was known for its wide range of classes and subjects offered.^22,23
     Laura married first Walter S. Johnson, son of Alvah Johnson and Jane Parrett, on 4 Dec 1894 in Vanderburgh Co., IndianaG, with Rev. W. Northey Jones officating.^7,8
     Laura and Walter lived at 14 Chandler Ave., EvansvilleG, for several years after their marriage.²⁴ They moved to KentuckyG about 1898.²⁵ She seems to have returned frequently to Evansville for extended periods to visit friends and family. An Oct 1899 newspaper item reports she and her little daughter were returning from a visit of several months.²⁶
     Laura and Walter appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at 106 Jefferson St. G, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, listed as guests in a hotel. Their daughter Nell was listed as living with them.²⁷
     Laura was well received in Paducah. A newspaper article noting her departure with her daughter for a stay of several months in Evansville said she was "one of Paducah's most popular and gracious society favorites and will be much missed here." Another, after her second marriage, said she "has always been a recognized belle and beauty."^28,29
     Laura and Walter were divorced about 1902 apparently, as she remarried in Apr 1904.⁹
     Laura moved to New York CityG about 1903 to "enter a professional career."³⁰
     Laura married second Robert Campbell Clarke Jr., son of Robert C. Clarke and Mary H. Lowry, on 16 Apr 1904 in Manhattan, New YorkG.^10,11 After their marriage they sailed to Bermuda, to return by 1 May 1904 to the Hotel Alabama, East Eleventh St., New YorkG, a new "fireproof" apartment hotel.²⁹
     Laura and Robert moved to Colorado by 1910. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado, at 737 Newport St. G, enumerated 26 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgatge.³¹
     They moved to California about 1912, reportedly living in Pasadena, though they have not been found in the city directories there. While living there it seems they also spent time in other locations seeking to improve his health.^32,33
     Laura and Robert appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Maricopa Co., Arizona, as "guests" at the Desert Inn Sanitarium G, enumerated 4 Feb 1920. Her daughter Nell was listed as living with him.³⁴ The facility was identified in the census as a "hospital or sanatorium," but the doctor's name as "head" makes it clear they were at Dr. Francis Redewill's Desert Inn Sanitarium six miles east of Phoenix. The inn catered to a wealthy clientele, was situated on 100 acres in a grove of ash and pepper trees. A large building "with every modern convenience" included "luxurious guest rooms." There was also a "delightful colony of cozy cottages" each with a living room and a fully screened sleeping room, "so that one sleeps practically out-of-doors." Guests could take the "Luxurious touring cars" that ran frequently to the city, ride horses, or play tennis.³⁵
     Her husband died on 23 Apr 1924 in Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., CaliforniaG.^36,37,38
     On 29 Jul 1924 Laura applied from California for a widow's pension based on her late husband's service in the Spanish-American war. It was subsequently approved.^39,40
      It appears that Laura moved in with her daughter, at 1312 North St. Andrews, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, G after the death of her husband though she does not appear in the city directories there until 1934. She continued to live there until about 1939.^41,42
     When her daughter died, Laura accompanied the body by train to Clarksville, TennesseeG, for burial, arriving 16 Mar 1926.⁴³
     Laura appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, at 1312 North St. Andrews G, enumerated 2 Apr 1930, reporting she owned a home valued at $5,000.⁴⁴
     Laura appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, at 6651 Yucca St. G, enumerated 12 Apr 1940, reporting that she was renting her home, for $50 per month, and had lived in the same city in 1935.⁴⁵
     Laura died on 22 May 1967 in Los Angeles Co., CaliforniaG, at age 93.^12,13 She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.¹⁴