Francis Marion Deeds 1845-1939

Apparently they first moved to Iowa. according to the 1860 census, Marion's brother, William Gail, was born in Iowa in 1855. But John R., Sarah and six of their children are listed in the 1860 census of Sullivan County. That same census lists Marion as a farm hand owning property valued at several hundred dollars-livestock, etc. Already he seemed to have begun a lifetime of hard work.

April 7, 1864, he enlisted in the Union Army at St. Louis for three years. His home address was Judson, MO (a county post office in northwest Sullivan County). He was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, September 1, 1865.

Description; gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, 5'5 tall.

I have found no record of his life again until his marriage to Mary Jane Hayward, March 31, 1869. They were married in Sullivan County by Pleasant M. Blythe a minister of the Gospel. Filed for record April 15, 1869, George W.A. Preston, Recorder.

However, Preacher Blythe made one super-colossal error and it is recorded Francis Marion to Mary Jane Haworth, Deeds is not mentioned. I have taken steps to have this corrected. I have their obituaries for proof.

In the 1870 census of Sullivan County taken in May, Marion, Mary Jane, and their month old baby Adrian are listed as a part of Amanda McClaskey's household. More than likely he worked for her as a hired hand or tenant farmer.

I haven't been able to learn where the next two children Tressa and Charles were born.

The first record of his purchasing land is January 31, 1876, consisting of 240 acres in Clay township, purchased from Colonel W.H. Craig. In 1879, he acquired 40 acres more from his father. It adjoined the first purchase. They lived there until Mary Jane's death in 1916 except for a short time they rented the farm and went to Colorado hoping to improve her health. They were there from 1907 or 1908 until 1911.

Grandfather enjoyed hard work and was very skilled. In addition to his farming, he was a housemover who was well known not only in Sullivan County, but adjoining counties where he moved many buildings. He also raised and trained the heavy draft horses he used to move the houses, many of which are still standing. My husband's aunt, Mrs. Stillwell, told me of the time he moved her house. She was ready to pack her dishes, etc. for the move, but Grandpa assured her it wasn't necessary so she didn't. In fact she stayed in the house and cooked dinner on wood burning stove for the crew as they moved a distance of two or three miles over hilly terrain.

I don't know when the house that I remember was built, but their seven youngest children were born on that farm, possibly in that house as I never heard any of them mention another.

At this point I would like to digress from the bare facts and share my memories of the farm home and grandparents with my younger cousins who cannot remember them. Especially for Dorothy Tanner.

I thought it was the most beautiful place in the world. The house was built in a T shape which was the most popular style at that time. It was always painted a soft shade of maroon and had the usual abundance of white gingerbread trim and a portico. Pale green shutters that really shut were at the windows. The house faced the east and on the south there was a long porch off the kitchen. It had a long sloping ramp to make it easier to wheel grandmother out after she became an arthritic cripple. There were numerous trees on the north and east sides. The southwest corner of the yard was filled with hollyshocks of every color and some birdhouses. Grandma loved birds and often sat watching them.

There were two large orchards containing pear and cherry trees as well as a variety of apples.

Inside the house was cosy and comfortable. The parlor, which was not often used after their children were grown and gone, had an organ, rocking chairs, a set tee, dainty lace curtains and a small portable parlor heater. I remember the rug quite well. Today I would describe it as hideous, but at the time I thought it was gorgeous! It had a dark green back ground with one very large red rose in the center and a border of roses about one foot wide at least.

A large room on the south east corner served as a living and bedroom for Grandpa and Grandma. The brass trimmed bed was always made up neatly with pillow shams and a snowy white bedspread which Grandma called a counterpane.

There was a huge range with much chrome trim in the kitchen. I remember Grandma used bright blue and white granite kitchen ware. And in one corner was a big stoneware dasher type churn.

There was a large closed-in porch on the northwest corner of the house. They always referred to it as the "back kitchen." It served the same purpose as our modern utility rooms. There were three bedrooms upstairs.

I was always so happy when my parents would take me and go there to spend the night. After supper Grandpa would invite me to help him. Taking a large pan and a lantern we would go to the cellar. There the apples and pears, each individually wrapped in a page from a catalogue, were stored in bins. Grandpa carefully selected a variety and then it was back to the cosy living room. Oftentimes I was permitted to stay for a week and how they did coddle me!

Grandma, as I recall her, was always kind and cheerful. She was neat and look dignified with her gold-rimmed glasses and hair piled into a bun on top of her head. She was a very good cook and managed to do her own work on crutches until her final illness. Grandpa was devoted to his "Molly", as he always called her, and did everything he could to help her. She liked to knit. I was the recipient of many pairs of mittens and hose and I'm sure some of her other grandchildren were also.

Grandma died from pneumonia March 21, 1916, and is buried in the Deeds Cemetery. She was 67 years, 8 months, and 21 days old at the time of her death. Birthdate 6-30-1848.

Grandfather was a short, stalwart squarely built little man, as sturdy as an oak. His shiny bald head was completely bereft of hair and he wore a goatee type of beard. He was very spunky and had a very "hot" temper; nevertheless he was a kind and loving man who never scolded me in all my life. He loved all children.

Grandpa was an excellent horseman and in my memory I can see him yet perched on a horse-ramrod straight, head high and looking very proud and dignified.

He was skilled with his hands too and until a tornado demolished my parents home I still had several cherished toys he had made for me.

Grandpa and Grandma were a happy devoted couple and theirs was a very happy home.

Six of their children- Bertha, Pearl, Frank, Willie, Adrian, and my mother Sallie- played instruments and they had their family orchestra. They were a lively fun-loving bunch, who liked to sing, dance, and make merry far into the night. Their home was a frequent gathering place for all the young people in the neighborhood.

Mother said she couldn't remember either of her parents ever complaining of noise, etc.

One by one the children were married and Grandpa and Grandma were left to themselves.

After her death he spent part of his time with Adrian and his family who moved into the home then. The rest of the time he spent with my parents and me. But he was not just an old man wanting or needing to be cared for. Although he was 71 when Grandma died, he still could (and did) work harder than many younger men. As a matter of fact, when he was with us, my father paid him the same wages as he did the other farm hands. He probably earned more!

I was his constant companion during his stays with us. I tagged him when he worked, I went with him when he hitched his team to his spring wagon for a trip to town or to visit his other children. He always seemed delighted to have me.

But there was a rift between my grandfather and my parents when I was eleven years old, so I was deprived the pleasure of his company until I was grown. Then I went to see him. His glad cry of recognition, the warm "bear hug" embrace, and the hours I sat by his chair and talked with him will remain in my heart forever.

Grandpa died November 24, 1939, and is buried beside Grandma in Deeds Cemetery.

I feel so privileged to have been a part of their lives. For the grandchildren who have never saw or cannot remember them, I hope I have given you a glimpse of this wonderful, wonderful couple.

• Tressa May Deeds
• Charles Joseph Deeds
• John Frank Deeds
• William Robinson Deeds
• Effie June Deeds
• Bertha Deeds
• Pearl Deeds
• Sarah Eulalie Deeds
• Adrian Deeds
• Descendants of Francis Marion Deeds and Mary J. Hayward
• Francis Deeds headstone at Deeds Cemetery
• Picture of Francis grandfather, John George Deeds 1784-1878

Feel free to contact Francis Deeds great-great grandson, Delbert Adair Jr. at dtadair@att.net

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