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David Walter Moore

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David Walter Moore was born on 14 August 1914 in Washington County, Virginia. He married Dorothy Lynn Vencill, daughter of William A. Vencill and E. Gladys Fields, on 11 October 1944 in Washington County, Virginia. He died on 12 February 1968 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.

On these facts, the records (marriage certificate, death certificate, Draft Record, grave marker) all agree. The records are also in agreement that his parents were Oliver Trigg Moore and Lillie Mae Harless, but were they?

The marriage record for Oliver and Lillie shows they were married on 20 July 1921 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, almost 7 years after the birth of David.

I have been unable to find a birth record for David and I have not found Lillie Mae Harless or David Walter Moore in the 1920 census.

On 5 June 1917, “Trig” Moore registered for the draft. He was a married man, listing a wife but no children as needing his support.

In 1920 Oliver Trigg Moore appears in the census with a wife named Hattie and no children. Oliver’s wife, Hattie M. Price, died on 22 January 1921 of pulmonary tuberculosis, leaving a daughter Juanita Moore, born 24 May 1920 in Benhams, Washington County, Virginia. Juanita was subsequently raised by her grandparents, John Campbell Price and Amanda Keith, taking the surname Price. These records seem to eliminate Oliver Trigg Moore from being the father of David Walter Moore.

Oliver Trigg Moore died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 26 January 1922, leaving a pregnant widow, Lillie Mae Harless. Their son Charles Trigg Moore was born on 9 May 1922.

Following Oliver’s death in 1922, Lillie Mae Harless married George Robert Swartz and had 2 more children, Genevieve Aileen Swartz born in 1927 and Virginia Estelle Swartz born in 1931.

David Walter Moore appears in the 1930 census as David Swartz, the son of George and Lillie Swartz. His younger brother Charles Trigg Moore is not listed in this household.

In the 1940 census, David Walter Moore and his brother Charles are listed as stepsons of George Swartz. 

Unexpected Find at Find-a-Grave

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I made an interesting and unexpected find today. I was following some descendants of Abraham Harless and this particular branch, like so many other families, had moved from Missouri to California in the 1920’s. I was having fairly good luck in finding them on Find-a-Grave and in various census records, adding new generations and more details to the generations I had already found, when my computer program flashed a warning. “Possible matching people: 1”  Because this is a one name study, I have my preferences set so that this warning only comes up when both the first and last names are spelled identically AND the birth date is within 10 years. It still flashes up from time to time and it is about 50/50 on whether or not I am entering a duplicate person. Obviously I check all of the warnings, but this time I found something I really didn’t expect.

Laura Ethel Compton was the name that triggered the warning. According to Find-a-Grave she was the mother of Kenneth Odell Cook and Kenneth Odell Cook had married Lillian Elizabeth Harmon, the 4th great-granddaughter of Abraham Harless. So Laura was an in-law. Surely this was just a coincidence. When I looked at the other Laura Ethel Compton in my database I was even more puzzled.

The new Laura was married to Samuel Cook. The other Laura was married to Archie Marion Cook. This was a crazy coincidence. Two Laura Ethel Comptons and both were married to men named Cook? I had to make sure.

The original Laura descends from Henry Harless and was born in Oklahoma, but she died in California and is buried in Santa Maria Cemetery. The same cemetery as Kenneth Odell Cook’s wife’s grandfather.

The Find-a-Grave page for Kenneth Odell Cook didn’t link to his parents, but a quick search found her. And other Laura. This was no coincidence. Ethel Laura Compton, daughter of Charles Byrd Compton and Mary Etta Harless, married Samuel Paton Cook AND Archie Marion Cook. Find-a-Grave lists four children for her, and although Kenneth is not among them, the 1940 Census has both Kenneth, the four children named on Find-a-Grave and a few others.

I have more research to do of course, but at the moment it looks like Kenneth Odell Cook married his 6th cousins twice removed. I wonder if they knew.

Harless Twins

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Twins are said to run in families. Do they run in yours? Or do they walk? (sorry, I had to). This page lists all the sets of twins I have come across while searching the Harless name, with links so that you can easily find them in the family tree.

Allen Harless
David Harless

Amanda Harless
Ashley Elizabeth Harless

Milly Harless b. 22 Sep 1798
Philip Henry Harless b. 22 Sep 1798

George Richard Crowson Harless b. 19 May 1813
Mary Hannah Harless b. 19 May 1813

Christopher Harless b. 18 Jul 1834
Daniel L. Harless b. 18 Jul 1834

Laura M. Harless b. 14 Feb 1866
Martha J. Harless b. 14 Feb 1866

Olive Harless b. 2 Jul 1892
Thomas Monroe Harless b. 2 Jul 1892

Harry Lee Harless b. 4 Sep 1892
Hattie Lou Harless b. 4 Sep 1892

Edith Harless b. 18 Mar 1897
Ethel Harless b. 18 Mar 1897

Margaret Anna Harless b. 17 Jan 1903
Mary Jane Harless b. 17 Jan 1903

Dena Mae Harless b. 24 Jan 1909
Zena Clyde Harless b. 24 Jan 1909

Lucy May Harless b. 24 Jan 1910
Walter Aria Harless b. 24 Jan 1910

Evelyn R. Harless b. c 1920
Kathlyn Harless b. c 1920

Carl Eugene Harless b. 8 Mar 1921
Kyle Harless b. 8 Mar 1921

Lou Ellen Harless b. Apr 1921
Lou Helen Harless b. Apr 1921

Maybelle Harless b. 18 Aug 1922
Ozelle Harless b. 18 Aug 1922

Sybil Harless b. 11 Aug 1923
Sydney P. Harless b. 11 Aug 1923

Eileen Harless b. 13 Feb 1926
Pauline Harless b. 13 Feb 1926

Martin Wayne Harless b. 1929
Teddy Duane Harless b. 1929

Darrell Ray Harless b. Feb 1930
Harold Fay Harless b. Feb 1930

Della Faye Harless b. 18 Feb 1930
Nellie Gray Harless b. 18 Feb 1930

Richard Harless b. 22 Apr 1930
Robert Harless b. 22 Apr 1930

Myrtle Harless b. 19 May 1931
Shirley T. Harless b. 19 May 1931

Billy Wilson Harless b. 4 Dec 1933
Bobby Richardson Harless b. 4 Dec 1933

Charles William Harless b. 22 May 1936
unknown

Jereld L. Harless b. 17 Jul 1937
Jerry Harless b. 17 Jul 1937

Laura Jane Harless b. 18 Oct 1938
Erma Kay Harless b. 18 Oct 1938

Fred Stapel Harless b. 6 Jun 1939
Shirley Ann Harless b. 6 Jun 1939

Nolen William Harless b. 26 Aug 1939
Olen C. Harless b. 26 Aug 1939

David Lee Harless b. 19 Dec 1940
John Thomas Harless b. 19 Dec 1940

Billy Harless b. 24 May 1941
Bobby Harless b. 24 May 1941

Harold Clifford Harless Jr. b. 7 Jun 1941
Henry Claude Harless b. 7 Jun 1941

Glynn Lee Harless b. 9 Feb 1945
Lynn B. Harless b. 9 Feb 1945

Larry R. Harless b. 24 Feb 1945
Linda K. Harless b. 24 Feb 1945

Darrell Gay Harless b. 8 Jan 1947
Garrell Lynn Harless b. 8 Jan 1947

Donald Harless b. 10 Jul 1947
Ronald Harless b. 11 Jul 1947

Terry Lee Harless b. 16 Jun 1947
Tommy Leroy Harless b. 16 Jun 1947

Carla Montaine Harless b. 14 Nov 1947
Marla Fontaine Harless b. 14 Nov 1947

Brenda Gay Harless b. 16 Aug 1948
Glenda Fay Harless b. 16 Aug 1948

Genvia Harless b. 10 Sep 1949
Janette Harless b. 10 Sep 1949

Martha L. Harless b. 1952
Mary Harless b. 1952

Kerry Don Harless b. 21 Jan 1952
Larry John Harless b. 21 Jan 1952

Bonnie Lou Harless b. 28 Mar 1953
Connie Sue Harless b. 28 Mar 1953

Brenda Gay Harless b. 19 May 1953
Johnnie Ray Harless b. 19 May 1953

Billy Wayne Harless Jr. b. 26 Jul 1954
Clarence Ray Harless III b. 26 Jul 1954

Gregory Jean Harless b. s 16 Jun 1955
Kelly June Harless b. 18 Jun 1955

Earl Richard Harless b. 5 Jan 1956
Ella Renee Harless b. 6 Jan 1956

Jeffery Ray Harless b. 23 May 1957
Vanessa Kay Harless b. 23 May 1957

David Ray Harless b. 8 Jun 1958
Debra Fay Harless b. 8 Jun 1958

Donald Timothy Harless b. 17 Jun 1959
Ronald Anthony Harless b. 17 Jun 1959

Carole Harless b. c 1958, d. 2 Jul 1961
Joni Harless b. c 1958, d. 2 Jul 1961

Amanda Leigh Harless b. 2 Mar 1967
Amy Denise Harless b. 2 Mar 1967

Carolyn Renee Harless b. 5 Jun 1971
Marilyn K. Harless b. 5 Jun 1971

Cristi Jean Harless b. 26 Feb 1976
Misti Jo Harless b. 26 Feb 1976

Jason Glenn Harless b. 20 Jul 1976
Joshua P. Harless b. 20 Jul 1976

Jennifer Suzanne Harless b. 19 Oct 1978
Jeremy Lee Harless b. 19 Oct 1978

Maggie Leigh Harless b. 15 Sep 1979
Meagan Harless b. 15 Sep 1979

Brandy Lynn Harless b. 2 Feb 1980
Curtis Bradley Harless b. 2 Feb 1980

Annabelle Harless b. c 1989
Melissa Harless b. c 1989

Bradley Allen Harless b. 24 Aug 1992
Christopher Glenn Harless b. 24 Aug 1992

Kindle Nicole Harless b. 2 Dec 1993
Kollin Wade Harless b. 2 Dec 1993

Joseph Hale Harless b. c 2002
Robert William Harless b. c 2002

Patrick Harless, Last Will and Testament

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Patrick Harless

The State of Ohio, Darke County ss.

Be it remembered that on the twenty ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty three, before the Probate Court of said county a writing was produced purporting to be the last will and testament of Patrick Harless late of said County dec’d and Riley Gard and Seth Gard the subscribing witnesses to said will appeared in open court and on oath testified to the due execution and attestation of said will, and said testimony reduced to writing and by said witnesses subscribed is annexed to and filed with said will. And it appearing to the court that said will was duly attested and executed, and at the time of the execution thereof the said testator was of full age, of sound mind and memory, and not under any restraint, the court admit said will to probate, and order the same together with the said testimony to be recorded, and the same is in the words and figures following to wit

I, Patrick Harless, of the County of Darke in the State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following that is to say:-

First, it is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.

Second, it is my will after all is settled up for my wife Catharine Harless to have all that is left, that is now in my possession, and is now owned by me.

And lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my said wife Catharine Harless, and Samuel Deniston to be the executors for this my last will and testament, and satisfying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of April 1853.

Patrick x Harless
his mark

Signed published and declared by the above named Patrick Harless for his last will and testament in presence of us, at his request have signed as witnesses to the same.

Riley Gard
Seth Gard

The State of Ohio, Darke County ss.

In Probate Court, August 29th AD 1853, Personally came into open court, Riley Gard & Seth Gard subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of Patrick Harless late of said county deceased who being duly sworn depose and say that they were present at the execution of the will – that they saw the testator sign, and heard him acknowledge the same as his last will and testament, and that at the time of the execution thereof the said testator was of full age, of sound mind and memory and not under any apparent restraint.

Riley Gard
Seth Gard

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year first above written.

John Wharry
Probate Judge

And afterwards on the fifth day of October in the year aforesaid, before the court aforesaid came Catharine Harless widow of the said testator, and the court having explained to her the provisions of said will, and her rights under it, and also her rights by law in the event of her refusing to take under said will, whereupon she made her election in open court to take the provision made for her in the said last will and testament.

And now at this day to wit on the day and year last aforesaid before the court aforesaid came Catharine Harless one of the Executors named in said will and renounced said trust, and Samuel Deniston the remaining executor named therein accepted said trust and gave bond in the sum of ten hundred dollars with Benjamin Wilson and London Arnold his sureties conditioned according to law which is accepted and approved by the Court, whereupon it is ordered that letters testamentary on the said last will and testament issue to the said Samuel Deniston as the Executor thereof.

John Wharry
Probate Judge

Patrick Harless

Born: circa 1818.
Died: before 29 August 1853.
Parents: Paul Harless.
Spouse: Catharine Deniston.
Known Children: Belinda Harless, David Harless, Nancy Ann Harless, Powell Harless, Almira Harless, Mary M. Harless, Catharine Harless, Chrissey E. Harless, Lovina Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 2nd great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Ferdinand Harless.
  4. Paul Harless.
  5. Patrick Harless.

Billy Lee Harless Obituary

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Harless, Billy L.; age 85; of Alma; passed away Thursday, March 31, 2016 at his home. Funeral Services for Billy will be Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene on 335 E. Elizabeth St. in Alma with Pastor Darryl Harless officiating. There will be Visitation on Monday, April 4, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd. Billy was born February 11, 1931 in Sod, West Virginia the son of Chester and Emma (Tyler) Harless. He served in the Army and was stationed in Japan following W.W.II. Upon returning home Billy married Nona Phillips on December 23, 1950. He worked for Total as a pipe fitter for over 30 years when he and Nona retired together in 1993. Billy was a member at the Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a great family man. Billy had a wonderful sense of humor and was the spiritual patriarch of the family. Billy is survived by his wife, Nona; his 5 children, Patricia (William) Brunson Jr. of Austin, Texas, William Lee (Kathy) Harless of Alma, Boyd (Vicky) Harless of Ithaca, Darryl (Elaine) Harless of Bad Axe, and Mark (Jodi) Harless of Ithaca; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and his sister, Annie (Richard) Lumbert of Mt. Pleasant. Billy is preceded in death by both his parents; his sister, Sybil Flegel; and his 2 brothers, Boyd and James Harless. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Heartland Hospice.

Published in Morning Sun on Apr. 2, 2016.

Billy Lee Harless

Born: 11 February 1931.
Died: 31 March 2016.
Parents: Chester Boyd Harless and Emma Susan Tyler.
Spouse: Nona A. Phillips.
Known Children: William Lee Harless, Mark Harless, Patricia Lynne Harless, Boyd Rodney Harless, Darryl Eugene Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Philip Harless.
  4. William A. Harless.
  5. James Harrison Harless.
  6. Walter Winton Harless.
  7. Chester Boyd Harless.
  8. Billy Lee Harless.