Laura B. Saunders1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 16575, (1873 - 1967)
FatherJohn Bartlett Saunders4,7,5 (30 Aug 1840 - 16 Aug 1873)
MotherBobella Cobb4,5,6 (3 Sep 1848 - 20 Oct 1922)

Key Events:

Birth: 12 Sep 1873, Kingdom of Hawaii8,9,10
Marriage: 4 Dec 1894, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, Walter S. Johnson (Aug 1870 - 23 Jun 1911)11,12
Divorce: about 1902, Walter S. Johnson (Aug 1870 - 23 Jun 1911)13
Marriage: 16 Apr 1904, Manhattan, New York, Robert Campbell Clarke Jr. (9 Sep 1874 - 23 Apr 1924)14,15
Death: 22 May 1967, Los Angeles Co., California16,17
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee18
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Laura B. Saunders was born on 12 Sep 1873 in Kingdom of Hawaii.8,9,10
     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.19,20,21
     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.22
     She moved to Clarksville with her mother and stepfather by 1891.23,24,25 Laura attended Bellwood Female Seminary in Anchorage, Kentucky. 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.26,27
     Laura married first Walter S. Johnson, son of Alvah Johnson and Jane Parrett, on 4 Dec 1894 in Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, with Rev. W. Northey Jones officating.11,12
     Laura and Walter lived at 14 Chandler Ave., Evansville, for several years after their marriage.28 They moved to Kentucky about 1898.29 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.30
     Laura and Walter appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at 106 Jefferson St., enumerated 7 Jun 1900, listed as guests in a hotel. Their daughter Nell was listed as living with them.31
     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."32,33
     Laura and Walter were divorced about 1902 apparently, as she remarried in Apr 1904.13
     Laura moved to New York City about 1903 to "enter a professional career."34
     Laura married second Robert Campbell Clarke Jr., son of Robert C. Clarke and Mary H. Lowry, on 16 Apr 1904 in Manhattan, New York.14,15 After their marriage they sailed to Bermuda, to return by 1 May 1904 to the Hotel Alabama, East Eleventh St., New York, a new "fireproof" apartment hotel.33
     Laura and Robert moved to Colorado by 1910. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado, at 737 Newport St., enumerated 26 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgatge.35
     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.36,37
     Laura and Robert appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Maricopa Co., Arizona, as "guests" at the Desert Inn Sanitarium, enumerated 4 Feb 1920. Her daughter Nell was listed as living with him.38 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.39
     Her husband died on 23 Apr 1924 in Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., California.40,41,42
     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.43,44
     It appears that Laura moved in with her daughter, at 1312 North St. Andrews, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, 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 1939.45,46
     When her daughter died, Laura accompanied the body by train to Clarksville, Tennessee, for burial, arriving 16 Mar 1926.47
     Laura appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, at 1312 North St. Andrews, enumerated 2 Apr 1930, reporting she owned a home valued at $5,000.48
     Laura appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, at 6651 Yucca St., enumerated 12 Apr 1940, reporting that she was renting her home, for $50 per month, and had lived in the same city in 1935.49
     Laura died on 22 May 1967 in Los Angeles Co., California, at age 93.16,17 She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.18

Children:
     Child with Walter S. Johnson:

  • Nell Saunders Johnson50,51,52 (Jan 1896 - 11 Mar 1926)

Children:
     There were no children with Robert Campbell Clarke Jr.

Citations

  1. [S8325] John B. Saunders, probate packets, petition for guardianship 14 Dec 1873, shows name as Laura B. Saunders.
  2. [S1073] "John Bartlett Saunders", shows name as Laura B. Saunders.
  3. [S2321] Barclay James household, 1880 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows name as Barclay Saunders, which seems likely to be in error. While the "B" could stand for Barclay, it seems much more likely that her half-sister, recorded as Laura, was the one named for her father than this child would be named for her step-father.
  4. [S8325] John B. Saunders, probate packets, petition for guardianship 14 Dec 1873.
  5. [S8293] Mrs. B. A. James obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
  6. [S885] "California Death Index, 1940-1997," Ancestry.com, record for Laura S Clarke, Soc. Sec. No. 571-72-1286, shows mother's maiden name as Cobb.
  7. [S1073] "John Bartlett Saunders."
  8. [S885] "California Death Index, 1940-1997," Ancestry.com, record for Laura S Clarke, Soc. Sec. No. 571-72-1286, shows date.
  9. [S1073] "John Bartlett Saunders", shows she was born after her father's death.
  10. [S2321] Barclay James household, 1880 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows age 6 and state, as Sandwich Islands.
  11. [S8335] Marriages Record, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, 17: 548, Walter S. Johnson and Laura B. Saunders, shows date and officiant.
  12. [S8282] Charles Reed household, 1900 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows them as boarders in the hotel, but listed as though married, and each married 5 years.
  13. [S8306] "Wed in New York," The Paducah Sun, 18 Apr 1904, shows married Saturday, she had been a widow two years. [but her first husband actually died in 1911]
  14. [S7782] "New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937," Ancestry.com, record for Robert C Clarke and Laura S Johnson, citing Cert No. 7510, show date, city, and state.
  15. [S8277] Albert J. Carpp household, 1910 U.S. Census, Denver City & Co., Colorado, shows married 7 years.
  16. [S885] "California Death Index, 1940-1997," Ancestry.com, record for Laura S Clarke, Soc. Sec. No. 571-72-1286.
  17. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 111239053, Laura Saunders Clarke, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same and state.
  18. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 111239053, Laura Saunders Clarke, includes tombstone photo.
  19. [S3009] Saunders, "Terry  Re: Saunders genealogy," e-mail to author, 3 Jul 2009, shows she returned to the US shortly after his death with her children an the nurse.
  20. [S1073] "John Bartlett Saunders", shows death date and his daughter Laura was born posthumously.
  21. [S8322] D. C. Murray departure 27 Dec 1873, Records of Passenger Arrivals and Departures.
  22. [S2321] Barclay James household, 1880 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
  23. [S8357] "Leaflets," Semi-Weekly Tobacco Leaf-Chronicle, 28 Jul 1891, shows Bart James, of Evansville, was visiting his family at Mrs. Allen Johnson's.
  24. [S8355] "With Our Neighbors," The Daily American, 7 Jun 1891, in section dateline Clarksville, 5 Jun, shows Nell Saunders had returned home after visiting friends in Paducah, and Laura returned home from Anchorage, Ky.
  25. [S8310] Bennett & Co.'s Evansville City Directory, 1892, pg 315, shows residence as Clarksville.
  26. [S8356] Schmidt, Kentucky Illustrated, pg 111, describes school.
  27. [S8355] "With Our Neighbors," The Daily American, 7 Jun 1891, shows Laura has been attending school at Anchorage, Ky.
  28. [S8310] Bennett & Co.'s Evansville City Directory, 1896, pg 351; 1897 pg 353, show him as Mrs. Laura and address.
  29. [S8310] Bennett & Co.'s Evansville City Directory, they do not appear after the 1897 directory.
  30. [S8299] "About People," The Paducah Sun, 18 Oct 1899.
  31. [S8282] Charles Reed household, 1900 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky.
  32. [S8298] "The Week in Society," The Paducah Sun, 3 Aug 1901.
  33. [S8306] "Wed in New York," The Paducah Sun, 18 Apr 1904.
  34. [S8306] "Wed in New York," The Paducah Sun, 18 Apr 1904, shows she moved a year ago, and career.
  35. [S8277] Albert J. Carpp household, 1910 U.S. Census, Denver City & Co., Colorado.
  36. [S8294] Robert Campbell Clarke obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, shows him as moving to California for his health, and having resided in Pasadena the past 12 years.
  37. [S8293] Mrs. B. A. James obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, shows Laura as residing in Los Angeles.
  38. [S8285] Dr. Francis H. Redewill household, 1920 U.S. Census, Maricopa Co., Arizona.
  39. [S8303] "Desert Inn - Phoenix, Arizona."
  40. [S8294] Robert Campbell Clarke obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, shows died Wednesday, city, as Pasadena, and state.
  41. [S8290] Robert C. Clarke, Organization Index to Pension Files, shows date, city, as Hollywood, and state.
  42. [S4443] "California Death Index, 1905-1939," Ancestry.com, record for Robert C Clarke, shows date and county.
  43. [S8290] Robert C. Clarke, Organization Index to Pension Files, shows her name, date, cert. issued, and state.
  44. [S8291] John G. Hallick, Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, shows date, cert. issued, and state.
  45. [S4473] Los Angeles City Directory, 1934, pg 377; 1939, pg 446.
  46. [S8281] Nell Saunders Johnson obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, shows Laura had been a resident of Hollywood for some time.
  47. [S8281] Nell Saunders Johnson obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
  48. [S8296] Laura Saunders Clark household, 1930 U.S. Census, Los Angeles Co., California.
  49. [S8295] Laura Clarke household, 1940 U.S. Census, Los Angeles Co., California.
  50. [S8282] Charles Reed household, 1900 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows them as boarders in the hotel, but listed as though parent and child.
  51. [S8285] Dr. Francis H. Redewill household, 1920 U.S. Census, Maricopa Co., Arizona, shows shows both as guests, with Nell listed between Laura and Laura's second husband.
  52. [S8280] Nell Saunders Johnson obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.