Grandfather, Luther Lunsford
Grandfather, Luther Lunsford, was born Nov. 1894 in Estill County, KY. His sister, Tallitha was three years old, and his brother, John W. was two years old. In July of 1896, his younger sister, Annie was born.
Luther’s mother, Laura Frances Fox, was born in Estill County, KY in Nov. of 1868-69. His father, George Washington Lunsford, was born in Jackson County, KY in March of 1863. George was the only son of Margaret Portwood and John Lunsford. Note: Margaret died when George was about three years old (approx. 1872), or alternatively, Margaret left George.
Luther was about six years old when his cousin, Laura Kansas Bowles (born March 1893), came to live with her Aunt Laurie, for whom she was named. Laura’s father had gone to prison for shooting and killing his father, William Teddy Bowles, on a Christmas Eve early in 1901-03. Laura’s mother died of tuberculosis in Indiana, perhaps in a TB sanitorium. Laura Bowles described her Aunt Laurie as “so mean” that she married Robert Williams “just to get away from her.” This treatment might have been the beginning of ill-feelings between the Williams and Lunsford-Wells families. Later in life, Laura Williams and her cousin, Tallitha Wells were not on speaking terms.
In 1903-04, George Lunsford got drunk and went to see his father, John. He took a shot at John, missed him and hit the clock on the mantle, shattering it. John Lunsford happened to have company, the Manus brothers, Charley and Irvin. When they objected to George’s drunken behavior, he shot them both. Charley Manus died and Irvin was badly wounded. This event caused outrage and George was almost lynched. George is in both the 1910 and 1920 Census in prison. George Washington Lunsford died in prison.
It’s possible that Luther’s parents were separated by the 1900 Census, Station Camp, Estill County, KY. At this time, Laura is listed as head of household. She has all four children and an uncle, Jesse Lunsford, age 78, living with her. Jesse is listed as “a pensioner.”
By 1910, Laura Fox Lunsford, had married Elisha Tudor. Elisha was thirteen years younger than Laura. In the 1910 Census, Station Camp, Estill County, KY, Luther’s brother, John has left home and his sister, Tallitha has married Solomon Wells. James Bowles, nephew, age seven is living with Laura’s family.
Between 1910 and 1919, Luther arrived in Oklahoma. On May 3, 1919, he married Vida Annie Willson in Lawton, Comanche, OK. Luther was twenty-five years old and Vida was twenty. They are listed in the 1920 Census in Lawton Comma, Comanche, Washita
County, OK. Luther is described as a “Barber Maker” “working in a shop.” Luther and Vida’s first child, George Edward was born in Lawton in March of 1920.
[A geographical note: Evidently, Washita County and the town of Cloud Chief was/is divided between Comanche and Caddo. There are two Washita Counties and two towns called Cloud Chief. One county/town is in Comanche and the other in Caddo.]
Luther Lunsford returned to Estill County, Ky before Oct. of 1921/22, when his daughter, Laura Kate was born. On Sept 5, 1923, a son named Luther was born and died shortly after birth. On Jan 24, 1925, a second daughter, Tallitha Annie was born in Estill County.
Three years later, in 1928, Luther Lunsford was shot and killed by his stepfather, Elisha Tudor. He died at age 32, leaving his wife, Vida (age 27) and three children: George (age 8), Laura Kate (age 7), and Lithy (age 3).
Luther Lunsford’s Pedigree (Short Version):
Father’s Side:
Lemuel Lunsford (1774-1840, NC) and Martha Hollingsworth (1775-1850, NC) were the parents of: Ephraim Lunsford (b. 1792 NC) who married Sarah Collins (b. 1801 NC). Ephraim and Sarah were the parents of John Lunsford, born May 1836 KY. John was the father of George Washington Lunsford (b. March 1863) and the grandfather of Luther Lunsford (b. Nov. 1894, Estill County, KY). Lunsford Family researchers have noted that Lemuel and Martha Hollingsworth Lunsford were Full Blood Cherokee, as were their children, including Ephraim.
George Lunsford’s mother was Margaret Portwood, born between 1836-1846 in Madison County, KY. Margaret’s parents were William Hardin Portwood and Mariah Brandenburg. Mariah’s parents were Joseph Henson Brandenburg and Nancy Snowden.
[Interesting note: The Brandenburg’s were rumored to be royalty from the Dukedom of Brandenburg in Teck.]
Mother’s Side:
Laura Fox’s father was John Fox, born about 1823 in TN. John Fox’s father was William Fox, born in NC and his mother was Catherine Briggs, born in VA. John Fox married LouVina Elkins June 15, 1857 in Estill County, KY.
[Close family members have described Laura Fox’s sister, LouAna, as “definitely Native American.” LouAna Fox was the mother of Laura Bowles, previously mentioned as Luther Lunsford cousin.]
The Elkins Family Tree is well-documented and goes back almost to the Jamestown Settlement. Elkins Family researchers have described Ralph Elkins as a “favorite” of Chief Powhatan. LouVina Elkins was born about 1834 in Estill or Clark County KY. Her parents were Zachariah Thomas Elkin and Anna Stokley. Zachariah Elkin was the son of James Elkin and Martha Jackson. Family historians state that Martha Jackson was a cousin of President Andrew Jackson. Anna’s parents were Jacob Stokley and Anne Lacey. The Lacey sisters were said to be full-blood Cherokee. LouVina Elkins is a descendant of Pocahontas. -- by Karen Mitchell
