For decades, I’ve been wondering; Who was this Mary Walters listed on the 1910 census with my Great Grandmother Anna Laura and my Grandparents, Leo and Mary Anna? Very little is known about this Mary Walters. What happened to her?
From what I recall, my mother, Lula shared with me about her mother, Mary’s siblings; she had a stepsister and a stepbrother. And about ten years ago, I asked my mother’s sister, Josie what she knew about her mother’s siblings. As far as Aunt Josie heard, her aunt’s name was Bonita Walters and her uncle was Joe Walters.
The first known record of Mary Walters can be found on the 1910 United States Federal Missouri Census in Buchanan County in St. Joseph, Ward 6, District 0078. She was listed as the daughter of Laura Walters. “Mary” was 20 years old.
When I was looking over Laura Walters’ household on the 1910 census, I assumed that the first Mary was Laura ‘s stepdaughter. Because, the other Mary was Laura’s daughter. I noticed that both Marys were 20 years old. I think it would be odd with two daughters with the same name. Mary Lankfard was born on December 21, 1889.
Although, through searching, I began to think. Could the first “Mary” have been Laura’s daughter too? Laura was listed as having three children on that 1910 census and all were listed in her household.. (By the way, Laura was her middle name.. Anna was her first name, Anna’s second husband’ was Thornton Walters.)
A Record of birth of a Walters child in 1907
The child on listed on the 1910 Census.
Birth Record of a child ~ “Bo” Walters colored, gave birth to a male colored at 23rd and Charles. The father’s name wasn’t listed ( Info discovered on Dec 22, 2019.) On the index, there was a B.O. Walters who had a child in 1907. ID #30875 via .St. Joseph, Missouri birth record.
Records of John Walters as Laura Walters’ grandson and not her nephew:
His name was listed once as John WALTERS on the 1920 census with Laura Walters who was listed as his grandmother. John surname was NELSON on the 1910, 1930 1940 and 1950 censuses. And on his tombstone and obituary, his surname is recorded as NELSON.
Searching the City Directory 1906 and 1907 ~ City Directory in St Joseph, Missouri, USA There was a Mary Walters listed with a Laura Walters at 2223 Charles. I’m not for sure which Mary this was. But, more likely she was the one with the son. Then again where was the other Mary during this time. ? The other Mary was Mary ALLEN who was Anna LAURA’s daughter, from her first husband William Allen. Unfortunately, I haven’t located Mary / Bonita Walters’ birth record.
City Directories 1908 and 1909 ~ There was no Mary Walters listed.
The only information about Mary Walters appears to be on the 1910 census. However, the 1906 and 1907 city directories connects a mother who had a son born in 1907 living with a Laura Walters at the same address. The Walters household was not listed on the 1900 census.
A Mystery Still
I can’t find any trace of Mary Walters or Bonita Walters. What happened to Bonita? She wasn’t listed on the 1920 census or any others. Did she have a different surname? Or did she passed before 1920? It’s possible that she passed. This could explain why John was living with his Grandmother Anna.
I’m lead to believe that the first Mary’s named was Bonita. It’s a mystery to why her name was recorded as Mary. . ~ Wondering if her name was Bonnette WALTER? There is a Bonnette listed in the city 1911 directory. But, still there is the wonder of the surname NELSON. I even searched for a Bonita Nelson and a Mary Nelson. I couldn’t find leads.
I was told a story of who John Nelson’s father was. It could be true. However, I have no evidence of that. I can’t obtain John Nelson’s death certificate due to that I’m not a direct relative. John’s parents were not mentioned in his obituary. This mystery is still mystery.
I still wondered, if Bonita’s mother was Anna Laura. Walters. Anna was listed as Joseph Walters’ mother on two other documents. There is a news article listing Joseph Walters as Leo Lankfard’s brother in law. Then I though this would make Joseph was Mary (Allen) Lankford’s half brother and not stepbrother.
Could it be that Anna raised Bonita as her daughter after Bonita’s father passed in August 1903? Ironically, Anna’s daughter Mary ALLEN took the Walters surname at some point. She married Leo Lankford as Mary WALTERS in April of 1909. They were married in Andrew County Missouri.
I hope someone will discover the names of John Nelson’s parents were. I don’t think John had any children. He had a step daughter, name Gordinna (Parker) Hatton. Yes, she was listed as a Nelson on records.
Additional wonders to this mystery:
Could this Bonita be the Mary Walters who was black, living at 1213 S 15th in 1924 and 1926 in St. Joseph? And there was a David Walters listed at the same address with Mary Walters at 1213 S. 15th. Don’t know if they were married.
There was a Mandy Walters living at 116 Coffee in 1924. Anna LAURA Walters lived at 110 Coffee along with her son Joseph Walters who passed in 1926. This makes me wonder about Mandy. I can’t find leads on her either.
In all, I believe that Anna’s other daughter “Mary” passed and that Anna cared for John. And my Grandmother Mary did carry the Walters name. Perhaps, her father stepfather, Thornton Walters raised Mary Allen as his daughter. So she went by Mary Walters as well. When Thornton passed in 1903, he was listed as the father of three. So was Anna when she passed in 1947, she was a mother of three.
What was her name? Mrs. Mary Walters, Bonita Walters or Bonnette Walter?
The Wonder Of Mysteries Still Unsolved ~ Week 35 In 2022
Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley
October In Remembrance:
Dade Family Connections
Bartlett Family Connections
Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections
The Wonder Of Mysteries Still Unsolved ~ Week 35 In 2022
September 2, 2022
Week 35 ~ Amy Johnson Crow ~ Generations Cafe #52Ancestotd 52 Weeks ~ facebook group
Week 35’s theme is “Free Space.” I intended for this to be a week for you to choose whatever you want to write about. (Though that’s true every week!) But also feel free to riff off of the theme — maybe an ancestor who went West for land, going to a family vacation spot, or a bingo-playing ancestor? Have fun with this theme!
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