1880 Joseph R. Brenizer (age 53) and wife Sarah A. Brenizer (age 47) were listed at East Jackson, Darke County, Ohio with children Clara V (age 17), Anna M (age 14), Ella M (age 10), and John A (age 7). [1] [2]
1906 John Albert Brenizer married Mary Parker in 1906. Joe Lee Etheridge was an adopted son to John A. Brenizer and Mary Emma (Parker) Brenizer. John A, Mary, and Joe moved from Mississippi to Georgia.
1910 J. A. Brenizer (age 36) and Mary P Brenizer (age 23) lived in Lauderdale County, Mississippi with adopted son Joe E (age 9). They had been married 6 years and Mary had had no children. John was an engineer in a stave mill. Sister-in-law Rebecca Parker (age 17) lived with them. [3]
1918 John Albert Brenizer was a mill superintendant at the General Cooperage TC in McIntosh, Washington County, Alabama when he registered for the draft. He was married to Mary Parker Brenizer. He was of medium height and build with brown eyes and hair. [4]
1920 John A Brenizer (age 46) and Mary (age 34, born in Mississippi) lived on Church Street in Dublin Twp, Laurens County, Georgia with son Joe (age 20). John was a sawmill operator. [5] [6] [7]
1926 Mary Parker Brenizer died on September 19, at age 41, in Wilkes County, Georgia. She was born on September 13, 1885, in Wayne Co., Miss., daughter of Geo. B. Parker and Willie C. Falconer. [8] [9]
1926 There are two memorials for Mary P. Brenizer. The first has a grave marker. The second has no picture of a grave.
1926 Mary P. Brenizer was buried at Resthaven Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia. Mary P. Brenizer was born in 1885. [10] [11]
1926 Mary Emma Parker Brenizer died on September 19 and was reported buried at De Soto Cemetery, De Soto, Clarke County, Mississippi. Mary Emma Parker Brenizer was born on September 13, 1885. [12] [13]
1927 John Brenizer married Mattie Willoughby from Washington, Georgia. He was 53 and she was 21 with a son which he adopted and they had 2 children together: John Albert and Zelda Iukie (the name Iukie came from a school teacher of John's).
1930 John A Brenizer (age 57) was a lumber broker with wife Mattie Brenizer (age 25) living on Jefferson Street, in Washington City, Wilkes County, Georgia with one son Jack (age 1). [14] [15]
1931 John Brenizer wrote a letter to his nephew, Charles Wolfe [16]:
Washington, Ga. June 11th, 1931.
My Dear Nephew Charley & Family:- I will try to write you a short letter, I hate to have to write such a letter, but such is the case, I am having an awful time, it seems I cannot get well and no one seems to know exactly what my trouble is, the Dr, just says it is a nervous trouble, I suffer with my Head all the time can hardly see to write. I havent been able to work or make a dollar for six month, and things look awful gloomy, that too is against my condition.
I almost have to cry when I look at my dear and only little Boy, Jack Jr, He is so sweet and smart and pretty, and to think he wont have a chance in the world. if he only could get an education, and we too have a Baby Girl 3 Month old, We named her Zelda Iuka. She is doing fine, Mattie her Mother is well and a Fine Wife and Mother, Does everything she can for me and the Children, She keeps a bold appearance, but I know she is worried. I have always been healthy, but this came on me ever night,
I did appreciate your nice long letter and I hope you will write again soon, I lost Sister Clara's address, but hated to write her a gloomy letter anyway, She is holding up wonderfully, I would love to see you all, but am afraid it cannot be, If I was able to go to some specialist, or first class Hospital I might have a chance, but that is impossible.
I am getting weak and nervous from writing now and will have to stop for this time, Can just say I love you all and would like to see you, as ever. your Uncle. (signed) John. [handwritten]
I hate to mail such a letter.
1931 John Albert Brenizer died on December 12, at age 59, in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia. He was born at Shpinsberg [Shippensburg, Cumberland County], Pennsylvania. He was buried at Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia by undertaker J. E. Hanspeed. [17] [18] Mary Parker was buried with him. [19] [20]
1931 Jno Albert Brenizer died on December 12, at age 59, in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia. [21]
1942 John's sister, Clara Brenizer Wolfe, died in Dallas Texas, living with or near her daughter, Grace Wolfe. Mattie Brenizer wrote a letter to Grace expressing sorrow at the loss. [22] [Photocopy, Mattie Brenizer's letter to Grace Wolfe, 1942.]
1973 Mattie Brenizer died on April 18, in Greene County, Georgia, at age 67. [23]
An obituary for Mattie Brenizer reports [24] [25]:
Mrs Mattie Brenizer.
Greensboro, Ga.
Mrs Mattie Willoughby Brenizer died Wednesday in the Greensboro Hospital.
Graveside services were held Friday at 3 p.m. in Rest Haven Cemetery, Washington.
She was a native of Washington.
Survivors include one son, John A. Brenizer, Greensboro; one daughter, Mrs. James B. Moon, Madison, Ga.; one sister, Mrs. Mildred McKenzie, Belvedere; two brothers, Watkins Willoughby, Romeo, Mich, and S.J. Willoughjby, Columbus, Ga. [26]
1978 Daughter Zelda Iukie Brenizer died on December 1. She was born on March 30, 1931, in Washington Way, Georgia, daughter of John A Brenzie and Mattie Willoughby. [27] [28]
Research Notes:
DNA [29]
[1] United States Federal Census, 1880, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[2] United States Federal Census, 1880, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[3] United States Federal Census, 1910, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[4] United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[5] United States Federal Census, 1920, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[6] United States Federal Census, 1920, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[7] United States Federal Census, 1920, [AncestryRecord].
[8] Georgia, Deaths Index, 1914-1940, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[9] Georgia, Death Index, 1919-1998, [AncestryRecord].
[10] Find A Grave Memorial 45370276, [FindAGrave].
[11] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[12] Find A Grave Memorial 136110725, [FindAGrave].
[13] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[14] United States Federal Census, 1930, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[15] United States Federal Census, 1930, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[16] Family Document, Files of Douglas Wolfe.
[17] Georgia deaths, 1928-1942 (Georgia State Archives: Atlanta, Georgia), [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[18] Georgia, Deaths Index, 1914-1940, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[19] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[20] Find A Grave Memorial 45370274, [FindAGrave].
[21] Georgia, Deaths Index, 1914-1940, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[22] Family Document, Files of Carol Wolfe.
[23] Georgia Death Index, 1933-1998, [FamilySearchRecord].
[24] Find A Grave Memorial 45370277, [FindAGrave].
[25] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[26] Newspaper, The Chronicle, Augusta, GA, 21 Apr 1973.
[27] U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, [AncestryRecord].
[28] U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, [AncestryRecord].
[29] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].