Barbara Neal Posted to Poythress Mailing List on September 6th, 2017
Linda Clark Smith & Marianne & I have all 3 at times worked on trying to
definitively connect back J A Poythress, who I think we initially saw in
the 1860 Census of Caddo Parish, LA with an intriguing Poythress relative
in the household, John M Poythress, 26-yr old carpenter born in FL. While
this email doesn’t connect either JA or John M further back, it does give
us more info on J A Poythress’ family and descendants.
Al’s posting about a John D Poythress applying in 1940 for a US Patent for
air conditioning, had “Dallas Texas” in the see-it-here link.
The Dallas TX & John D Poythress rang a bell for me, prompting me to look
back in my stuff for a Dallas, TX Poythress.
John D Poythress was son of John Henry Poythress. And John Henry Poythress
was son of J A Poythress, who was in the 1860 Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Census.
The connection was made, tying together for those 3 generations, thanks to
the TX Death Certificates of John Douglas Poythress in 1967, and John Henry
Poythress in 1922. Further below I’ve transcribed both the Death
Certificates. A number of Census records are here, too.
First, however here is J D Poythress is in the 1940 Census, just a month
before “John D Poythress” applied for his Patent. The Application date of
May 9, 1940 is seen on p.2 of the 6-page PDF that Al posted at the website
J D Poythress 1940 Census hh, as I transcribed it from image:
Enumerated on 16 Apr 1940 in town of University Park, Dallas Co, TX, at
3446 Pateman, hh #33 (in order of visitation), which address is Rented for
$45/mo:
– Poythress, J D, head, Male, White, 36, Married; no did not attend school
since 1 March 1940; highest grade of school completed was c-4 [college 4
yrs]; b. Texas; on 1 April 1935 lived “same place” [same city, county, &
state as currently]; No that was not on a farm; Yes this person was at work
for pay the week of March 24-30; -, -, -, – ; 44 hours worked that
week; -; occupation “manager” in industry of “wholesale heat & ventilatn
Co,” Pw [Paid a wage], 52 wks worked in 1939; $2,400 income in 1939; No did
not receive income of $50 or more from source other than wage or salary in
1939
” , Dorothy [circled x mark indicates she was the person furnishing
the info], wife, Female, White, 35, Married; no did not attend school since
1 March 1940; highest grade of school completed was c-2 [college 2 yrs]; b.
Texas; on 1 April 1935 lived “same place” [same city, county, & state as
currently]; No that was not on a farm; No this person was not at work for
pay the week of March 24-30; no this person was not at work assigned to
public emergency work [WPA, NYA, CCC, etc]; no this person was not seeking
work; no this person does not have a job/ business, etc; H [home
housework], – [blank for # hours worked week of March 24-30] , 0 wks
worked in 1939; 0 income in 1939; No did not receive income of $50 or more
from source other than wage or salary in 1939.
By happenstance, I learned that J D Poythress had only one child (a
daughter) who was born the same year as that 1940 Census. I saw this obit
when checking periodically for Poythress obits online. Since she was an
amazing person, I’m quoting her whole obit, as published in The [Colorado
Springs, CO] Gazette from January 23 to January 25, 2007:
Susan “Jane” Poythress entered eternal life January 17, 2007, due to
complications following a stroke. She was born on October 23, 1940, an only
child, to Dorothy Ann Mosley Poythress and John Douglas Poythress at the
Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas. After graduation from Highland Park
High School in Dallas, she attended the University of Oklahoma and received
her BA degree in geology with a minor in French. She also took courses at
Southern Methodist University and later took graduate courses at
Pennsylvania State University. Her career included working for the
Department of the Interior at the Office of Geography in Washington, D.C.,
then at the Department of Geography at Penn State University. Later she
joined IBM and became a Systems Engineer working with customers throughout
the U.S. The need to care for her mother took her back to Dallas and she
continued to work for IBM as an Administrative Assistant. In 1985 she
transferred from the Dallas office of IBM to Colorado Springs along with
her devoted workgroup. Her activities and offices included French Club,
Gamma Theta Upsilon historian, Alpha Gamma Delta House President, Dean’s
list, Kappa Phi, Bible Study Fellowship, and orchestra. As a child she
attended summer camp in Colorado, where she mastered riflery, swimming, and
archery. In the summer of 1960, she was a camp counselor at Camp
Ton-A-Wandah in Henderson, North Carolina. Retirement allowed her more time
to pursue sewing and she became an avid quilter. She was also an
accomplished musician, playing the piano, violin and flute. Susan loved
football and always followed the OU team. She had season tickets to the
Cowboys games while in Dallas, and loved them when they were tops. After
moving to Colorado Springs she adopted the Denver Broncos. Susan loved
riding in the Colorado mountains, with the car window down, breathing in
cool, fresh air. Shrine Pass from Red Cliff to Vail was one of her
favorites. Loyalty and generosity were her dearest and most treasured
traits. She remained in close contact with, and cherished dearly her
childhood and college friends, as well as neighbors, co-workers, church,
and quilting buddies. Her faith remained strong through her cancer
treatments and stroke. A Memorial Service celebrating Susan’s life will be
held Friday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1515 North
Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, phone (719) 632-8836. Susan has
requested that any donations be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
My transcription of J D Poythress’ TX Death Certif, from the image:
TX Death Certificate, State File # 08297, for death of John Douglas
Poythress on 17 Feb 1967 in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX, who died on arrival at
Baylor Medical Center; his usual residence was 3429 Hanover in University
Park, Dallas Co, TX. He was listed as having died at age 63, and as a
Married White Male, born 4 Dec 1903, in Dallas, TX, whose father’s name was
John H Poythress and mother’s maiden name was Minnie Brown. His usual
occupation was Sales Engineer at Barber Coleman Heating & AirConditioning;
he was never in the US Armed Forces; his Social Security # was 478-01-4875.
Informant was [presumably his wife] Mrs. Dorothy Poythress. His immediate
cause of death was Acute Coronary Occlusion with death occurring Instantly.
Contributory condition was listed as “Coronary Scleronia(?)” for “10 yrs
(?). Listed as Part of Other Significant Conditions Contributing to Death
was “Chronic aortic valvular heart diesase.” No autopsy was performed. John
Bradfield, M.D. of Dallas, TX certified on 20 Feb 1967 that he attended him
from 1 Jan 1960 to 17 Feb 1967; that he last saw him on 17 Feb 1967; and
that death occurred at 7:55 pm. Under “Burial, Cremation, Removal
(Specify)” is listed “Entombment” to be on 20 Feb 1967 at Restland Garden
Mausoleum, Dallas, TX, with Sparkman’s Inc Funeral Home of Dallas, TX
handling arrangements. Certificate was received by local registrar on 20
Feb 1967.
John D Poythress was the Informant for the 1960 TX Death Certif of his
mother, Minnie Brown Poythress & his father John Henry Poythress in 1922 in
TX.
My transcription of the TX Death Certif for JDP’s father, John Henry
Poythress, from the image:
TX Death Certificate Reg. Dis. # 7414 (stamped) Registered # 618
(handwritten) for John Henry Poythress who died in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX at
St Paul Sanitarium [hospital], and whose residence was 3411 Asbury St. He
had resided in the city for 33 years. The certificate records that he was a
married white male, born 19 Jan 1863; at death was age 59 yrs, 2 mo, 4
days. His occupation was Dept. Mgr & Buyer for Sanger Bros. He was born in
LA; father J.A. Poythress, who was listed as having been born in LA; maiden
name of mother Martha Susan Farmer, listed as having been born LA.
Informant for the info was [his son] J.Douglas Poythress of 3411 Asbury.
The Medical Particulars: died 23 Mar 1922; attended the deceased only on
that date of death; death occurred at 3 p.m. Cause of death was chronic
Myocarditis, of 1 year duration. A check mark is all shown on the
Contributory (Secondary) cause line. Disease contracted at Dallas; no
operation preceded death; no autopsy; no test was done to confirm
diagnosis. Signed C.H. Bellaney, MD, on 24 Mar 1922. Place of Burial
Oakland Cemetery on 25 Mar 1922. Filed 25 Mar 1922.
After John Henry Poythress died, John D Poythress is still in the hh of his
mother, Minnie Poythress, in the 1930 Census. Transcribed from image:
1930 Census; University Park, Dallas, TX, ED 100, Sheet 10-A, Lines
23-28, at 3410 Asbury St, Dwelling 91, Family # 92, enumerated on 6 April
as of 1 Apr:
– Minnie B Poythress, Head, owns home, home valued at $12,000; no radio;
not on a farm; Female, White, 67 at last birthday, widowed, age 27 at first
marriage, did not attend school since Sept 1 1929, yes can read & write,
b.TX, fa b.MO, mo b.SC, “none” occupation
– John D Poythress, Son, Male, White, 27, Single, yes attended school
since 1 Sep 1929, yes can read & write, b.TX, fa b.LA, mo b.TX, “none”
occupation
– Sarah Wheeler, Roomer, Female, White, 26, Single, b.MS, fa b.MS, mo
b.MS, Public School Teacher
– Louise Wheeler, Roomer, Female, White 30, Single, b.MS, fa b.MS, mo
b.MS, Public School Teacher
– Claudia Pangle, Roomer, Female, White, 26, Single, b.TX, fa b.TX, mo
b.TX, Public School Teacher
– J T Barfield, Roomer, Male, White, 21, Single, yes attended school since
1 Sep 1929, b.TX, fa b.AL, mo b.TX, “none” occupation
Now, having seen, above, in John Henry Poythress’ Death Certif, the
Informant listing his name as “J. Douglas Poythress” we can spot him, as
son “Douglas J Poythress” in the 1920 Census for John Henry Poythress’ hh.
I’ve transcribed it from image:
1920 Census Dallas County, TX, J Precinct 1, Supv Dist 5, ED 29,
Precinct 16 of Dallas City, Sheet 21-B enumerated 15 Jan 1920, Lines 94-97,
address of 4826 Junius, Dwelling 413, Family 487:
– Poythress, John H, Head, R[ents], Male, White, 56, Married, Yes able to
read, Yes able to write, b.Louisiana, fa b.United States, mo b.United
States, [fa & mo Mother Tongue was English, by ditto from above], Yes
speaks English, Trade/profession Buyer, Dry Goods, Wage
– ” , Minnie, Wife, Female, White, 56, Married, Yes able to read, Yes
able to write, b.Texas, fa b.Kentucky, mo b.Alabama, [fa & mo Mother Tongue
was English, by ditto from above], Yes speaks English, Trade/profession
“none”
– ” , Mattisu, Daughter, Female, White, 25, Single, Yes able to read,
Yes able to write, b.Texas, fa b.Louisiana, mo b.Texas, [fa & mo Mother
Tongue was English, by ditto from above], Yes speaks English,
Trade/profession Teacher, Public School, Wage
– ” . Douglas J, Son, Male, White, 16, Single, Yes attended school, Yes
able to read, Yes able to write, b.Texas, fa b.Louisiana, mo b.Texas, [fa &
mo Mother Tongue was English, by ditto from above], Yes speaks English,
Trade/profession “none”
That sister, Mattisu (or Mattie-Sue in the 1900 Census, below) died at age
27 in TX in 1921; married surname Lyon; her father, as J.H. Poythress was
the Informant. My transcription from the image:
TX Death Certificate, Reg Dis # 21796 (stamped), Registered # 1275
(handwritten), in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX, for Mattisu Poythress Lyon,
resident of 4826 Junius, who had lived in the city for 27 years. The form
lists her as a married white female, born 28 Jan 1894, age 27 years, 6 mo,
11 days, whose occupation was Housewife. Her birthplace was Dallas, Tex;
name of father J.H.Poythress, born LA; maiden name of mother Minnie Brown,
born TX; Informant for that information was [her father] J.H. Poythress of
4826 Junius. Medical Particulars: death occurred 9 Aug 1921 at 11:15 a.m;
attended the deceased from June 29, 1921 to Aug 9, 1921 and last saw her
alive on Aug 9, 1921. Cause of Death was Pernicious Vomiting of Pregnancy –
Toxic [in?] Neuro[—] type, duration of 1 mo 15 days. Contributory
(Secondary) cause: Acidosis accompanied with acute dilation of heart,
duration of 30[?] days. Disease contracted at Dallas; no operation preceded
death; no autopsy. An illegible word appears beside “What test confirmed
diagnosis?” Signed by C.R. Hannah[?], M.D. on Aug 9, 1921. Burial at
Oakland Cemetery on 10 Aug 1921, Dallas. The record was filed 10 Aug 1921.
Before J D Poythress was born, his parents and sisters 1900 Census,
transcribed from image:
1900 Census, Ward 9 of city of Dallas, Dallas Co, TX, Supv Distr 6, ED
118, sheet 12-B, enumerated 8 Jun 1900, Lines 92-95, address of 125 Allen,
Dwelling 255, Family 277:
– Poythress, John H, Head, White Male, b.Jan 1863, age 37, Married for 10
years, b.Louisiana, father b.Georgia, mo b.Alabama, Occupation “Salesman
(Dry G[oods]), 0 months not employed, Yes reads, writes & speaks English,
Owns, Mortgage, Home
– , Minnie B, Wife, White Female, b.Feb 1863, age 37, Married for 10
years, 2 children born & 2 living, b.Texas, fa b.Missouri, mo b.Alabama, no
occupation, Yes reads, writes & speaks English
– , E.J, Daughter, White Female, b.Apr 1891, age 9, Single, b.Texas,
fa b.Louisiana, mo b.Texas
– , Matti-Sue, Daughter, White Female, b.Jan 1894, age 6, Single,
b.Texas, fa b.Louisiana, mo b.Texas
Below are both the 1860 & 1870 Census records that have names of the
parents of John Henry Poythress as listed in his TX Death Certif, (J A
Poythress & Martha).
1860 Caddo Parish, Louisiana Census, Shreveport Post Office, enumerated
27th July 1860; lines 7-12; dwelling 408; family 413:
– James A Poythress, age 38; M; farmer; $1,000 in real estate; $500 in
personal; born Georgia; married 1851 (Note: this was put by the
census-taker in column 11, even though noting that date was not required)
– Martha A Poythress, age 30; F; born Virginia; [ditto for the 1851
marriage, in column 11]
– Emma J Poythress, age 8; F; born La; attended school within the year
– Mary V Poythress, age 6; F; born La
– Wm. H Poythress, age 4; M; born La
– John M Poythress, age 26; M; carpenter; born Florida
By 1870, their son John Henry Poythress is listed, called Henry:
1870 (taken as of 1 Jun) US Population Census taken at Beat No.3, Panola
Co, TX, Evergreen Post Office, enumerated 17 Aug, Page 147 (handwritten) &
303 (stamped), Lines 24-31, Dwelling 1261, Family 1261:
– Poythress, J A, 47, M, W, Farmer, 800 [land value], 800 [personal
property value], b.Georgia
– ” , Martha, 40, F, W, Keeping house, b.Virginia
– ” , Emma, 14, F, W, b.Louisiana
– ” , Mary, 12, F, W, b.do [ditto of Louisiana]
– ” , William, 9, M, W, b.do [ditto of Louisiana]
– ” , Samuel, 7, M, W, b.do [ditto of Louisiana]
– ” , Henry, 5, M, W, b.do [ditto of Louisiana]
– ” , James, 3, M, W, b.Texas
By the 1880 Census, J A Poythress has died, and Martha is hh:
Panola Co, TX Enumeration District 62, p.15, Supv District 1; enumerated 15
Jun 1880 by F.A. Cadenhead, household is Dwelling #142, Family #142, listed
on lines 5 through 9:
– Martha Poythress, W, F, 50, widow, Keeps House, b. VA, father b. VA,
mother b. VA;
– William Poythress, W, M, 21, son, works on farm, b. LA, father b. GA,
mother b. VA
– Samuel Poythress, W, M, 19, son, works on farm, b. LA, father b. GA,
mother b. VA
– Henry Poythress, W, M, 17, son, works on farm, b. LA, father b. GA,
mother b. VA
– James Poythress, W, M, 13, son, works on farm, b. Texas, father b. GA,
mother b. VA
I’ve not yet seen any burial record or obit in any old newspaper for J A
Poythress who likely died in Panola County, TX — just across the state
line from Shreveport, LA. IF we should ever be so fortunate to see one,
MAYBE it would even name who J A Poythress’ father was.
Barbara