Caledonia West1
b. 22 September 1869, d. 21 February 1940
Father | James West |
Mother | Eliza Jane Sorrey2 b. abt 1832 |
Birth | 22 Sep 1869 | Caledonia West was born on 22 Sep 1869 in Rusk County, Texas.3 |
Name Other | She was known as "Callie." | |
Marriage | 1 Mar 1888 | She married Walter Clark Gardner, son of Jeremiah Caleb Gardner and Margaret Montgomery Edmiston, on 1 Mar 1888 in Somervell County, Texas.3 |
She was 18 and he was 41. Callie's sister Florence was married to Walter's nephew Samuel Gardner McCamant.1 | ||
Cens-1900 | 8 Jun 1900 | Callie and Walter lived in Granbury, Hood County at the time of the 1900 census. Walter worked as a stock grower; Callie reported that she was the mother of 4 children, all of whom were living.4 [this count does not reflect the birth of her eldest son Willie who died before 1900] |
Residence | 1907 | Around 1907 Callie left Walter in a home she owned in Granbury, and with their youngest son moved to Walnut Springs in Bosque County [2 counties to the south of Hood Co.]. Walter had lost an arm in the war and struggled to support the family on his own. |
Cens-1910 | 22 Apr 1910 | There she was enumerated in 1910, working as a seamstress and providing a home for her 11 year old son Toby and her mother, Eliza. Callie's entry states that she was widowed and the mother of 6 children, 4 of whom were living.5 |
In reality Walter was not deceased but was living back in Hood County with their older sons Walter and Edwin. Walter's entry lists him as divorced.6 | ||
Cens-1920 | 3 Jan 1920 | The situation was much the same in 1920 with Callie still living in Walnut Springs. This year she was listed as divorced. Toby now worked as a locomotive fireman. Eliza's mother was still present as were 5 lodgers.2 |
Walter was enumerated twice in 1920, once with his widowed sister Marguerite [Virginia] Johnson and once as the head of his own household (both in Granbury, Hood Co.). In both instances his son Walter was present. In the second situation, Walter and Callie's daughter Eliza (Gardner) Ker and her family were also present. In 1910 Eliza and her husband had been living in Walnut Springs not far from Callie.7,8 | ||
Widowed | 17 Aug 1924 | Walter died in August 1924. |
Cens-1930 | 8 Apr 1930 | Six years later, in April 1930 Callie was enumerated again. She was 60 years old and owned her own home which was valued at $2,500. She was still employed as a dressmaker. But now, instead of her younger son Toby living with her, Walter, who had previously been with his father, had moved to Walnut Springs and was working as a machinist helper in the railroad shops.9 |
Military | 1 May 1930 | The following month Callie applied for and later received a pension from the state of Texas as the widow of a Confederate soldier.10 |
But 3 years later things started to get complicated. The Confederate Pension Bureau began to receive annonymous typed letters stating that Callie was not entitled to a pension because she and Walter had not lived together for years. They also stated that Callie did not speak to Walter, did not attend his furneral, never spoke kindly of him, etc., etc. | ||
10 Apr 1933 | In response, on 10 Apr 1933 Mr. George H. Sheppard, the Comptroller of Public Accounts for the state of Texas directed the State Treasurer to stop payments on Callie's pension.11 | |
10 Apr 1933 | On the same date Mr. Sheppard wrote Callie in Walnut Springs advising her of the stop payment and asking if she had been separated from W.G. Gardner at the time of his death.12 | |
12 Apr 1933 | Apparently aware of what was brewing, Callie had written the comptroller on April 10th, stating he would receive a letter from a Mr. Doyle explaining her relationship with her husband [Doyle was commander of the "Granbury Camp" a part of the U.C.V., a Confederate Veterans organization].13 | |
11 Apr 1933 | What Callie didn't expect was for Mr. Doyle to tell the comptroller that "she ran old Walt off while they lived here, and never lived together as man and wife after."14 | |
Then began a series of letters to the comptroller on Callie's behalf. The letters generally stated that Callie had gone to Walnut Springs with the full consent of Walter because the family was struggling financially and it was felt she could make a good living as a seamstress in Walnut Springs (sent money home for Walter, helped to educate children, very fine lady, etc.). Several letters wrote about how she returned to Granbury as often as possible to look after Walter who was disabled due to his Civil War injury. The correspondence included letters from her attorney as well as a Bosque County judge.15,16,17 | ||
9 Oct 1935 | Finally, in late 1935 the comptroller sent a letter to W.P. Bryan, a tax supervisor, asking him to investigate whether Callie's pension should be reinstated.18 | |
23 Oct 1935 | Mr. Bryan visited Walnut Springs and was prompt in returning the results of his investigation. His letter to Mr. Sheppard, dated Oct. 23, 1935, outlined his opinion that: - the attempt to remove Mrs. Gardner from the pension roll was the result of jealousy and small town spite - Walter C. and Callie were never 'separated" nor did they "live apart" in so far as the man and wife relationship was concerned. Although the "best people" of the town would not provide the details of the spiteful feelings against Callie, she herself had an opinion as to their source. She stated that she was providing an education for a granddaughter in Walnut Springs and paying for her music lessons. The girl's talent surpassed that of a child of another family and Callie's granddaughter won a music contest at the expense of the other child. Mr. Bryan recommented that Callie's pension be restored.19 | |
23 Oct 1935 | However the comptroller was not convinced. He wrote back to Mr. Bryan asking him to go to Granbury and investigate Mr. Doyle's letter.20 | |
16 Nov 1935 | This he did and in November 1935 Mr. Bryan wrote the comptroller that he had learned that J.H. Doyle was a drunkard who had a fuss with Mr. Gardner over a grocery bill that Gardner could not pay. Mr. Doyle wanted Mrs. Gardner to pay the bill from her pension. Mr. Bryan did not think Mr. Doyle was honorable.21 | |
19 Nov 1935 | Three days later the comptroller wrote Callie stating that they were unable to fully determine her right as a pensioner but had decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Her pension was reinstated as of December, 1935.22 | |
In hindsight, it is perhaps interesting to note that on the two census records created while Callie and Walter lived apart, neither of them indicated they were married. Each record indicates they were either widowed or divorced, although neither assesment was accurate. | ||
Death | 21 Feb 1940 | Caledonia died of stomach cancer on 21 Feb 1940 in Walnut Springs, Bosque County, Texas, at age 70.23 |
Burial | She was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Walnut Springs.24 |
Family | Walter Clark Gardner b. 30 Oct 1846, d. 17 Aug 1924 | |
Children |
|
Last Edited | 8 Dec 2013 |
Citations
- [S1644] Mary Taylor, "Susan Wells Gardner" in History and Families of Somvervell Co., Texas, 1875-2001, p. 310-11.
- [S1648] Callie Gardner household, 1920 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 40, sheet 3B, dwelling 59, family 62, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2007, image 6 of 28. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 49, Div, b. TX, dressmaker, T.C., son, 20, sgl, b. TX, locomotive fireman; Eliza J. West, mother, 88, Wid, b. Mississippi; also 5 lodgers; resid on 4th Street.
- [S1646] Application dated 1 May 1930 at Bosque Co., Texas, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1556] Walter Gardner household, 1900 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Ohio, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 92, sheet 10A (p. 249 stamped), dwelling 179, family 179, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 19 of 29. Enumeration includes: Walter Gardner, 51, b. Oct. 1848, marr 12 yrs, b. VA, parents b. VA, stock grower; Callie, wife, 30, b. Sept. 1869, marr 12 yrs, mother 4 children, all living, b. TX, father b. Georgia, mother b. Mississippi; Eliza M., dau, 10, b. Oct. 1889; Walter D., son, b. 8, May 1892; Edwin J., son, 5, b. Feb. 1895; Toby, son, 1, b. Jan. 1899; all children b. TX, all their father's b. VA, mothers: TX.
- [S1558] Callie Gardner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 6, sheet 6A (p. 65 stamped), dwelling 110, family 115, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 11 of 28. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 40, b. TX, wid, mother of 6 children, 4 living, seamstress; Toby, son, 11, b. TX; Eliza J. West, mother, 79, wid, b. Mississippi, mother of 9 children, 5 living.
- [S1557] Walter C. Gardner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 34, sheet 7A (p. 176 stamped), dwelling 134, family 140, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 13 of 28. Enumeration includes: Walter C. Gardner, 63, divorced, b. VA, cattle buyer, father b. England, mother b. VA, owns home, not a farm; Walter B., son 17, laborer, odd jobs; Edwin, son, 15; both b. TX, father b. VA, mother b. TX.
- [S1647] Walter C. Gardner household, 1920 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 24, sheet 10B, dwelling 224, family 238, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2006, image 20 of 28. Enumeration includes: Walter C. Gardner, 73, Wd, b. VA, laborer on stock farm; Walter D., son, 27, sgl, b. TX, farmer; Maggie Ker, dau, 29, b. TX; Sidney Ker, son-in-law, 37, b. TX, laborer, oil __; resid. is a farm; enumeration continues on top of page 203 (stamped) which was overwritten as 11A and filmed PRIOR to 10B (match dwelling and family numbers): Jack Ker, grandson, 9; Marcus, grandson, 8; Lucille, granddaughter, 5; Edna Earl, granddaughter, 3 2/12; Lorraine, granddaughter, 11/12; all children b. TX.
- [S1647] Margurete Johnson household, 1920 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Justice Precint 6, ED 30, sheet 3B, dwelling 64, family 65, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2006, image 6 of 12. Enumeration includes: Margurete Johnson, 78, Wid, b. VA, owns home, is mortgaged; Walter C. Gardner, employee, 74, Div, b. VA, Ranchman; Walter, employee, 25, sgl, b. TX, laborer on ranch; resid is farm.
- [S1649] Callie Gardner household, 1930 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 15, sheet 5A, dwelling 134, family 128, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2007, image 9 of 17. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 60, wid, owns home val $2,500, b. TX, dressmaker; cont. next page: Walter Gardner, 36, sgl, b. TX, machinist helper in RR shops; resid on 4th St.
- [S1646] Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter, dated Apr. 10, 1933 to Hon. Charles Lockhart from the TX State Comptroller, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter, dated Apr. 10, 1933 to Mrs. Callie Gardner, Walnut Springs, TX, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mrs. Callie Gardner, Walnut Spring, TX, dated Apr. 12, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from J.H. Doyle, commander of the Granbury Camp, U.C.V. #67 at Granbury, TX to Mr. Geo. Sheppard at Austin, dated Apr. 11, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from B.F. Word, County Judge of Bosque Co., TX, to mr. Geo. Sheppard, Comptroller at Austin, rec'd Apr. 22, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Sworn and notarized statement of Earl Cogdell, Mrs. Earl Cogdell, D. C. Cogdell and W. Juliff, made at Hood Co., TX, and dated 20 Sept. 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Sworn affidavit of May Ramfield of Somervell Co., TX dated 1 Jan. 1934 at Somervell County, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from TX State Comptroller to Mr. W. Bryan, Tax Supervisor, dated Oct. 9, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from Mr. W. Bryan, Tax Supervisor, to Mr. Geo Sheppard, Comptroller, received Oct. 23, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mr. W. Bryan, dated Oct. 23, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from Mr. Bryan, Tax Supervisor to Mr. Geo Sheppard, Comptroller, dated Nov. 16, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mrs. Callie Gardner at Walnut Springs, TX, dated Nov. 19, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
- [S1646] "Application for mortuary warrant", Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas. Includes statement of son, Tobe C. Gardner, also undertaker and physician.
- [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed May 2012). Callie Gardner memorial #40491272, Oak Grove Cemetery, Walnut Springs, Bosque Co., TX (headstone photo reads: Callie Gardner 1869-1940).
- [S2945] Robert Gardner research, 2881 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, California, 95051, email to: e-mail address ; Mr. Gardner cites a letter from Toby Gardner dated 6 Jan. 1972 from Cleburne, Texas in which Mr. Gardner stated that his father had 5 sons and a daughter. The letter states that Willie was the first born.
- [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : downloaded May 2012). Mrs. Maggie Elizabeth Ker certificate #83100; family information provided by Mrs. Joseph J. Johnson.
- [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : downloaded May 2012). Walter Dennis Gardner certificate #10507; family information provided by Mrs. W.D. Gardner.
- [S1663] "Hood County [TX] Register of Births, 1903-1928", database, Hood County [Texas] (http://www.granburydepot.org/home/HCGShomepage.htm : viewed Jan. 2007), child's name not provided; parents listed as Walter Gardner and Callie (West) Gardner (cert # 150).