My 3rd great grandmother, Frances America Clarkson, was the second of three daughters of Thomas Clarkson and Jane Woodrum. Frances, who also went by “Fannie,” was born on 21 June 1848 in St. Louis, Missouri. On 14 November 1869, at the 4th Baptist Church in St. Louis, she was married to John Nicholas Graham. Over the next twelve years, while the couple cpntinued to live in St. Louis and John worked as a butcher in a “pork house,” Frances gave birth to six children: Amelia Jane, William, Eugene (“Gene”), John George (my 2nd great grandfather), Harry August (“Gus”), and Henrietta (“Nettye”) Graham. When their youngest daughter was a year and a half old, Frances’ husband, John Nicholas Graham, passed away on 27 February 1884. Frances was remarried to William Dowling, who was born in Louisiana, on 1 December 1885. Frances and William had two daughters: Pearl and Violet Ruth Dowling. By 1900 Frances was listed as the the 'head of household’ on the census, and William Dowling was not listed as living with the family. Although family stories recall William Dowling as an unfaithful gambler who deserted his wife and children, it has not yet been proved if William actually did leave the family, or if he possibly passed away. We do know, however, that Frances’ children started working at young ages, probably in an effort to help support the family. Frances’ son, John George Graham, started working as a messenger boy at the nearby Granite City Steel Mill at the age of 7. Frances America Clarkson Graham Dowling lived a long life. She passed away at the age of 83 years on 6 November 1931 in Granite City, Illinois.
About 5 years ago I found this paper at the home of my grandmother in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Because there are at least four distinct handwritings on the page, I assume that this may have been a draft that family members used to prepare the obituary for Frances when she passed away. I am not sure of who the authors were, although I assume that it was written by some of her children.
She was married to Wm Dowling Dec. 1st 1885, to this Union 2 Children were born Pearl Flemming and Ruth Gilmore of St. Louis Surviving are 7 Children 36 Grandchildren 25 Great Grand children.
Francis Clarkson was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 21, 1850 and went to sleep in Jesus on Friday, Nov. 6, 1931. She was united in marriage to John N. Graham, Nov. 14, 1869, who died Feb. 27, 1884. For this union -
Francis Clarkson Was Born In St. Louis, Mo., J
Frances Clarkson was born June 21 - 1850
Frances Clarkson was born in St. Louis, June 21, 1850. She was united in marriage John Nicholas Graham, Nov. 14, 1869. To their union were born six children, Amelia Bennett, William (deceased), Eugene, John, and Gus Graham, and Nettye Dunn.
36 Grandchildren.”
This is the only photograph I have of Frances Clarkson (she is the one sitting in the chair on the right).
back row: Henrietta O. Graham Dunn, Eugene H. or William T. Graham, John George Graham, Pearl Dowling Fleming, Henry August Gus Graham, and Ruth Dowling Gilmore
center: Barbara Henrietta Clarkson Heislein (Frances’ younger sister), an unknown man, and Frances America Clarkson Graham Dowling
front: Elva and Edwin Fleming (children of Pearl)
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