Chasing Our Tales - Bowden and Routh Families

I recently had a telephone call from a woman named Chelsea Merriman from Brownwood, Texas. She had found my name online and had tried many times to contact me, but the email addresses she had were old and failed. Finally she discovered my telephone number.

Chelsea asked me about the Bowden and Routh families. At first I didn’t understand her because she pronounced Bowden with a long “o” and Routh with an “ow” sound. Finally, though, I understood that she was speaking about my family, that of my mother’s father (Bowden) and mother (Routh).

Then she mentioned two names, Lord Byron and Hattie. I was amazed. These were my great-uncle and aunt. And, yes, I knew exactly who they were. I had visited in their home many times in the small village of Blanket, Texas, and I knew they were buried in the Blanket Cemetery beside one of Lord Byron’s brothers, Amazhar (or Em as he was called). Oh, and I forgot to mention, Lord Byron was called Kaiser.

Now, Lord Bryron Routh had married Hattie Bowden, his sister, my grandmother, Lora Day (Bee) had married my grandfather, Marvin Tilden (Dock) Bowden. So, of course, their children were double cousins.

Now back to Chelsea. It appears that her great-grandmother, Lillian Marie Routh, was the daughter of Lord Byron and Hattie...my mother’s double first cousin. I had met Marie when I was a child, but I really didn’t know anything about her.

Here is what Chelsea said in an email after our conversation:

Lord Byron Routh & Hattie Ethel Bowden had a daughter, Lillian Marie Routh. Lillian Marie Routh and an unknown Davis had daughter Nancy Jo Davis. Nancy Jo Davis is my Father's Mother & died before I was born. I'm trying to find out the name of the Davis that Lillian Marie Routh married and where. I am also trying to find out where Nancy Jo Davis was born. I believe it was in the year 1932. Any information on the Routh and Bowden family is greatly appreciated. Feel free to pass along. My telephone number is (325) 642-8679.

So, long story, short, that is Chelsea’s tale, and she needs help. Here are some additions to the story.

My Father's name is Joe Cotten Drisdale. He was born in El Paso TX to Thomas Roscoe Drisdale Jr. and Nancy Jo Davis. Nancy Jo Davis, she went by Jo, was born around 1932 but I'm not sure where. I already checked Brown County since her Mother was born here and I live in Brownwood. Nancy Jo Davis and Thomas Drisdale divorced in 1966 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I found that in a newspaper archive but don't know the year they married. Lillian Marie Routh, she went by Marie, did marry a Deininger. Marie also had a sister named Mary that was the city auditor in El Paso and was Married to a Lon Chambers. Nancy Jo Davis died around 1980 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I'm pretty sure was buried there too. I don't know what her last name would have been at the time. I know she married a John Eaton after her divorce from Drisdale. I got in contact with Eaton, but he said she may have married after him as well. They weren't married very long. He also said that he thought Nancy Jo's father was from Oklahoma and went by Joe, but wasn't at all sure. I wish I had more information to give. Her children didn't keep up with her as she was a heavy alcoholic. I've never even seen a picture. Thanks again for your help, Chelsea Drisdale Merriman

I turned to a Bowden cousin, John Casall, who does a lot of research, and this was the what he could find:

Bernalillo County, New Mexico: Twain Sorenson & Nancy J. Drisdal 7-7-1966 #67952
John M. Eaton & Nancy J. Drisdale 5-1-1968 #73446
Roy L. Jones & Nancy J. Eaton 6-10-1977 #110701

Lillian Marie Deininger Feb 22, 1908 - May 31, 1987 Fort Bliss National Cemetery
resided El Paso

Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe Co, New Mexico: DEININGER FREDRICK E 03/21/1902 12/07/1964 US ARMY SSGT S 0 354 12/10/1964 SS issued WI

Mary Pearl Routh Chambers May 6, 1921 - May 22, 1995 Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Recent Marriages Index 1908-1982 Doña Ana County Courthouse Records

Chambers Lon Elton Routh Mary Pearl 47 15394 27 Jun 1947

Marriage Records 1890 to 1940, Eddy County, New Mexico

Bride Groom Date Book Page

Routh, Halyce (Holyce) Sprouse, Mckinley (Jack) 06021937 0011 05836

So that is what the family is up to at this point. If you have more information about Lilliam Marie Routh, please contact me and Chelsea!

On to other things.

Nancy Bienhorn in California is searching for her family. If you have information, please contact us!

Nathan Nall + Sarah Eldridge
Elizabeth/Betsey Nall + William Fielder (d. Valley Forge ca 1778, smallpox)
Mary/Polly Fielder + William Sparks
Richard Sparks + Elizabeth Cooper
Elizabeth Ann Cooper Sparks + Samuel Everett Rogers
James Carroll Rogers + Nancy Elizabeth Howard
Thomas Pitts Rogers + Florence Virginia Womack (my grandparents)

Stacey writes:

I am interested in connecting with any family member of the Nathaniel Parker/Elizabeth Lockhart family of Parker County, Texas. Nathaniel Parker was my 4th great-grandfather. Hs daughter, Phoebe, married Richard W. Dawson. Their daughter, Jennie A. Dawson, married Warren Gillelen. Their son, Frank Gillelen, was my great-grandfather. I would love to share information and find out more about this side of my family.

Here is another request:

I am researching a man Named Reuben P. Segrest/Segrist/Sechrist/Siegrest and other variations. He was in Palo Pinto County Texas in the 1860’s, 1870’s, and possibly into the 1880’s. He was in the Battle of Little Salt Creek in Young County in 1869, but he was brought to the doctor in Palo Pinto or the doctor came to him from Palo Pinto. The doctor’s name was Getzweller or Getzwelder and lived at the time in Old Black Springs. Segrest was born in Switzerland in 1840 and died in New Mexico in 1916. Segrest later married a woman name A. V. Getzweller with a son named Joseph Getzweller. Mrs. Getzweller and Joseph appear on the 1880 census of Palo Pinto County. I believe she may have been a relative of Ira Graves who was also in the Battle of Little Salt Creek and possibly a relative of Samuel Swearingen. Can anyone help me with him or direct me to information about him in Palo Pinto County?

I discovered that Segrest was n the Eddy County, New Mexico, census both in 1900 and 1910. I also found this for a column I wrote in 2001:

"Can anyone help me with a McLean/McLain/McClain family living in Palo Pinto Co. in the 1860's, 1870's and 1880's. One of the men was either Jason or Jesse McLean. He was in the Battle of Little Salt Creek in 1869 in Young Co. I am especially interested in a woman whose name I believe was Alma Vance/Vanse McLean who married Joseph Getzwelder/Getzweller in Palo Pinto in October of 1870. She may have been a niece of Ira Graves who was also in the Battle of Little Salt Creek. In 1880 she was living in the Graves household in Palo Pinto with her ten year old son, Joseph Getzweller. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information on this family. Thanks. Please respond to."

This sounds like it is referring to the same Joseph Getzweller! So, if anyone out there can find a connection, please let me hear from you!

Well, time’s about up, so I guess I’ll close. Hope you all have a very blessed and happy Christmas. God bless us, everyone!

Until next time!

©2009 Sue Seibert