William Cargill Cornelius (1852-1908)

Great grandfather - Paternal Side

When I started this blog, I knew it would be a challenge to accomplish my goal. I did not take that challenge lightly. It has taken me this long to come to a point that I might write again after one of life's obstacles. I will endeavor to "catch up" over the remaining course of the year.

William Cargill Cornelius was the 4th child of  Cargill and Nancy C. Blackwood Cornelius  He was born on the family farm in Walker County, AL in August of 1852. By 1870 the family had moved to Winston County, AL on a new farm with 11 children at home. Apparently William did not attend school during his early years since he could not read or write as some of his sibling could. On 30 August 1877 at 25 years old he married Mary Elizabeth Patrick who had moved to Blount County from Walton County, Georgia. By 1880 they were living on a farm with their first and only daughter, Emma Ida Cornelius. There were 15 tilled acres plus 145 acres of unimproved woodland all worth around $320 including implements. He spent $15 in 1879 on repairs to his dwelling. There were an estimated value of $75 of farm products produced. He owned 1 Milch cow who had a calf in 1879 and produced 50 pounds of butter, 8 swine, 6 poultry, and produced 24 dozen eggs.

Before 1886, the family had 4 children and moved to Ferris, Texas accompanied by Mary Elizabeth’s family. There were other relatives already living in the Mt. Peak area of Ellis County, TX. William and Mary’s last 2 sons were born in Texas in 1895 and 1898. It is recorded on the 1900 Census Delta County, Mary bore 8 children but only 6 were living. It is unknown where these were born but it is likely in Texas since they moved around the time James Emanuel was born in Alabama. One should also note that Emma Ida was married in Ellis County, TX.

Children of William Cargil and Mary Elizabeth Patrick Cornelius:

1. Emma Ida Cornelius (1878-1961); married Luther Berry Hobson
2. Albert W. Cornelius (1880-1946); married Josephine “Josie” Ozella McKinley*
3. John Luther Cornelius (1883-1955); married Carrie Edna - last name unknown
4. James Emanuel “Manuel” Cornelius (1886-1957); never married and lived only with family members
5. Professor “Fess” Cornelius (1895-1975); married Dartha “Dorothy” Esther  Hembree
6. Thomas “Tom” E. Cornelius (1898-1979); married Bella Mae Ketchum

There are no more records to date of William but family lore places them in or around Ardmore, OK before his death. It is rumored that William was working on a road crew away from home when he complained of a severe stomach ache and sent for quinine but before it could be administered had died of a heart attack. There is a William C. Cornelius buried in Payne, OK even though attempts have been made this has not been verified.

*Note: Rumored to be related to William McKinley but no attempt has been made to verify at this time.

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[1] 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Walker, Alabama; Roll: M653_26; Page: 870; Image: 108;

[2]  Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 12, Winston, Alabama; Roll: M593_45; Page: 554A; Image: 812; Family History Library Film: 545544.

[3] https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQ9F-H9H; Blounty County Marriage Records, Book xxxxx, page 411

[4] Year: 1880; Census Place: Beat 5 and 22, Blount, Alabama; Roll: 2;

[5] Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Township 11, Blount, Alabama; Archive Collection Number: M279; Roll: 27; Page: 22; Line: 01; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

[6] Probate records of Cargle Cornelius, Blount Co. AL files.

[7] Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 3, Delta, Texas; Roll: 1627; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 0036;

[8] Original data: Lawson Cemetery, Payne County, Oklahoma.