This is info on Sarah Jane Briles line. She was my gr gr gr grandmother and she is the daughter of Andrew Jackson Briles and Rebecca Permial Hicks (Hix) Hope this helps someone and maybe i will find some family i never knew i had

This is the obiturary of Sarah Jane Briles Giddens, wife to J. W. Giddens. It is from
old Gower newpaper called "The Gower Enterprise" dated January 14, 1916. It
reads as follows

AT REST

Sarah J Briles, wife of J. W. Giddens was born in North Carolina December 30,
1855. When a small girl her parents moved to Pettis county, Mo., where they resided during the Civil War. Her father A. J. Briles, was a soldier in the Union Army, Com A. of the 78th Missouri Calvary. During this time the family suffered many privation, the mother often taking the children and sleeping out of doors in hiding. Her father had his horse killed in the battle of Lexington, MO., and was left on the battle field sick and was taken prisoner. After recovery he was exchanged and returned to the Union Army and received his discharge. At the close of the war they moved from Pettis co. to the south-eastern part of Buchanan co., near the Rising Sun school house on the Dryden farm, a year later moving to Platted township living about a quarter of a mile east of the present Giddens home. While living here her mother suffered a lingering illness and died on September 20, 1869, leaving her at the age of nearly 14. Her mother's grave was the first one made in
the Rock House cemetery. Sarah Jane being the oldest child assumed care of two younger brothers, Henry Erastus being eight years of age and James Churchwell of only five. A younger brother William Fincher died while they lived in Pettis county and was buried there. February 23rd, 1871, she was united in marriage to John Wesley Giddens and two this union were born nine children, six sons and three daughters. She lived to rear all of them to manhood and womanhood and were present at her bedside at the time of death. In May 1909 the wife of James A. Garfield died leaving him with three little children, ages three years, twenty months and two months. With these he moved back to the parental home and the grandmother after rearing the nine children of her own assumed the care of these little ones having kept up this care nearly seven years until her death. She was reared by Christian parents and young in life she made a religious profession and united with the Rock House, now Layman's Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.
In the spring of 1871 she, with her husband moved to Butler co., Kansas driving
through with wagon and team, Here they took a homestead and lived there for two years then moving back to Buchanan co., Mo., living on his father farm near No. 5
schoolhouse in Platted Township. Here all the children were born. December 26th
Her life has been on of care and toil and not a few in number have enjoyed the hospitality of this home, it being one of her pleasures to have and do for company. About two years ago she became afflicted with diabetes and since has been ailin in health and strength. On Thursday December 30, she celebrated her sixtieth birthday, all the children and grandchildren were at home. The day before she had taken the Lagrippe and was able to sit up only part of the time.
Her disease became complicated and together with her diabetes she became
suddenly worse and on Tuesday January 4, 1916 at two p. m. she quietly and peacefully passed away at the age of 60 years and five days. She was always kind and tender hearted, a faithful wife a devoted and sacrificing mother and a friend to all., In March 1871 when they moved to Kansas she was given a church letter by the Rev. E. V. Roof, then the pastor but there being no church near them in Kansas she never had her letter enrolled. She had faith in god and often spoke of the
Lord's will being done, always being reconciled unto his will. Her favorite hymn was "When Jesus comes to Reward his Servants", and while lying in the sick bed on her birthday asked Henry Bledsoe, who formerly had made his with them for many years, if he would not play her favorite hymn on the violin, naming the above hymn and it was in this faith that she passed away. She leaves to mourn her , the husband J. W. Giddens, none children as follows; Mary, Ransom; Jackson of Audubon, Iowa; George; James A. Garfield; Henry; Delia; William, Mrs. Dora Holder of Agency; also thirteen grandchildren, one brother, Henry E. Briles of Guinar, Colo., a step mother, Mrs. Rebecca Briles, one half brother, S. J. Briles, two half sister, Mrs. Lou Fard and Mrs. Ella Smyth all of Douglas , Kan., many other relatives and numerous friends. The funeral service were conducted from Layman's Chapel M . E. church on Thursday afternoon by the Rev. C. J. Chase, District Supt. of St Joseph District M. E. church, in the presence of a large concourse of people who had gathered out of respect and sympathy. After the service the mortal remain were carried for the church by the six sons who were the pallbearers, to the Rock House Cemetery and there laid to rest.




In this same paper "The Gower Enterprise" date January 14, 1916, was the
following, talking about Sarah Jane Briles and Jessye Holder Giddens Birthday
Celebration, Sarah Jane passed away less than a week later. It read as follows:



In this same paper "The Gower Enterprise" date January 14, 1916, was the
following, talking about Sarah Jane Briles and Jessye Holder Giddens Birthday
Celebration, Sarah Jane passed away less than a week later. It read as follows:


BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

This reached us to late for last week. In another column we publish this good
womans obituary, she having passed away just five days after the celebration of her 60th Birthday.
One of the most enjoyable occasions of the holidays was the birthday celebration
of Mrs. Sarah Jane Giddens, wife of J. W. Giddens at their beautiful country home three miles south of Frazier Thursday Dec. 30th it being her 60h birthday. There are nine children and thirteen grand children all of whom were present and who live at or near home excepting Rev. Jackson Giddens of Audubon., Iowa.
Mrs. Giddens was reminded of her remarkable family there being only one death
in the immediate family that being the wife of James A. Garfield Giddens.
Mrs. Giddens was the recipient of many gift among those a magnificent rocker by
the children. An elaborate dinner was served from two table each being decorated with a hugh birthday cake bearing the names and ages of Mrs. Giddens and Miss Jessye Holder this being her birthday also. A few near relatives and friends were invited to share the pleasure of the occasion as follows; Henry Bledsoe and family. Mr. Bledsoe having made his home here a number of years before his marriage, J. R. Patterson, wife and son of Hiawatha, Kan., Mrs. Elleu Woods and family, Misses Edna and Ann Woods, Carried Watkins, Jessye and Bessie D. Holder of Frazier.
At a late hour the guest departed for their homes after congratulations were
extended to Mrs. Giddens. And as they extended congratulation to Miss Jessye in various ways and tolded her it would be Leap Year soon and that before another year rolls around they would again extend to her their congratulations , only in a different way.

4. John Westly Giddens Sr. - son to Mary and William Giddens
John Giddens was born March 15, 1820 in Tennesse and died January 23, 1901.
He married Anna Clark. Anna was born on March 7, 1824 in Star County, Ohio and
died September 15, 1898. In 1839, John and Anna Giddens left the Indiana in a prairie
schooner and headed for Missouri. They encountered many hardships and problems
common to the early pioneers. In Hannibal, Missouri, they crossed the Mississippi
River. From Hannibal they followed the stage coach trail across the state into St. Joseph,
Missouri. There they found a small settlement, the only store being a trading post
conducted by Joseph Robidioux, principally with the Indians.
Having left the prairies, they located near Frazier and homesteaded a quarter
section of land covered with timber, many of the trees being the kind used in making
clap-boards. Some of the trees were cut and removed to make room for a house which
was constructed of logs.
They had four children.
Their first child was William O’Connel. He was born August 12, 1847 and died
April 26, 1882. He married Catherine Roberts who was born April 8, 1850 and died
June 1, 1937. Catherine’s mother was Margaret Roberts who was born June 8, 1820
and died June 16, 1903. She is buried in the Frazier Cemetery.William O.C. and
Catherine had five children.
1) William Jesse married Ada Snead and had Katherine, Ester and
Thomas. He ran a blacksmith shop in Frazier, Missouri. His shop was
located behind the General Store in Frazier. He was known to his friends
as “Sandy” and they called Katherine “Kate”
2) Laura was born on February 1, 1872 and died January 16, 1902. She
married James Kirkpatrick Auxier. James was born April 25, 1871 and
died August 17, 1956. They had one child. Her name was Lucy and she
married Jesse Watkins. Lucy and Jesse had three children; Franklin,
Kenneth and Victor
3) Orvilla - married John Russell and had Marie Russell.
4) George E. was born in 1878 and died on January 24, 1881. He was 3
years old and 17 days. He is buried at the Frazier Cemetery.
5) John W.- was born in 1889 and died on December 29, 1889. He was
only 1 month old and 8 days. He is also buried in the Frazier Cemetery


Their second child was George Biron Giddens. George was born July 6, 1850
and died September 27, 1905. George was a professional gambler. He was quite the
dresser. He would travel with a friend and he alone would travel into town. Then once
he arrived he would get a dice game going and then his friend would travel into town and
join them. Together they would work, unknown to the others, and sometimes they won
and sent money home and other times they would lose and have money sent to them. The
dice that George used in his gambling is in the hands of Curtis Giddens. George never
married. He is buried in the Frazier Cemetery.

Their third child was Ellen Giddens. She married Jessee Wood. Jessee Wood
was a witness to the marriage of Susan Cobb and William Clark Russell in 1864. They
had four children.
a) William Wood married Molly Scarett and they had three children.
1. Noah Wood
2. Sarah Wood who married Frank Middleton
3. Elsie P. Wood was born in 1895. She married Henry
Cobb.Henry was born in 1897 and died 1973. Henry is the son of Thomas Cobb Jr and
Margaret Riley Cobb. They had seven children: Thomas Cobb married Bernice Keel
and had 3 children, James P. Cobb married Mary C. Long and had foru children, Henry
Lee Cobb married Jo Ann Murphy and had six children, Kathleen Cobb married Richard
Bush and had four children, Eugene Cobb married Jeane Mesbarger and had one child,
Darlenn Cobb married Albert Magness and had five children, Francis A. Cobb was born
in 1932 in Agency, Missouri and married Doris Readenour. They had three children:
Jerri Cobb was born in 1956 and married Chuck Pendleton and had a son named John.,
Carre Cobb was born in 1962 and married Timothy Daughtery from Easton and Allen
Cobb was born in 1963.,
b) John Wood married Sally Helfrey and had Anna and Frank Wood.
c) Eliza Wood married James Boyle and have three children in
California. Norma, Louise and John.
d) Fred married Emma Cunningham and had three children. Clifford in
in Denver and Louie and Joe are in Saint Jospeh, Missouri.

Their fourth child was John Westly Giddens Jr. John was born on January 29,
1853 and died May 28, 1932. He married Sarah Jane Briles and she was born Febuary
30, 1855 and died Janaury, 4, 1916. They are both buried in the Frazier Cementery.
John Wesley, had the first steam powered threshing machine, when they moved from
place to place with oxen and mules. They did their field threshing and stack mill in
different communities each winter and sawed lumber to build houses and barns in the
territory.

This is the obiturary I found on John Wesley Giddens, husband of Sarah Jane Briles
Giddens. He was the father to nine children. He was born on January 29, 1853 and
died on May 28, 1932.
J. W. Giddens

J. W. Giddens, 79 years old, passed away at a St. Joseph hospital Saturday, May
28. Death was due to Heart Disease.
He was the son of J. W. Giddens, Sr., pioneer who settled in Buchanan County
when Joseph Robidoux’s Trading post was the only store in the section where St. Joseph
is now.
Mr. Giddnes had been in failing health for the year and made his home with his
daughter, Mrs. C. C. Holder in St. Joseph.
Beside the daughter with whom he lived, he is survived by a daughter, Delia of
Frazer; five sons, Rev. Jackson Giddens of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Henry, George and
William of Frazier, and Ransom of Gower.
The body was brought to the H. A. Sullins Funeral Home and later taken to the
family home near Frazer.
Funeral services were conducted at Frazer Church Tuesday afternoon and
interment was in Frazer cemetery


John Westly Jr and and Sarah Jane Briles Giddens had nine children.
1) Geoge Giddens (Leo) married Jessye Holder. George was born in 1879 and
died in 1953. They married late in life. They had no children. Jessye Holder
was the second child of David and Eldora Holder. She was born of December
30, 1892. She was in the Gower Convelsent Center when she fell and broke her
hip. She was later moved to Smithville in a Long Term Care Facitly where she
died January 8, 1975.
Charles Hiland Holder (Boone) told me that when he was a boy, he would go
to his Uncle George and Aunt Jesseye Holder Giddens to visit. His Uncle
George would whip them up a cocktail with whiskey. Jesseye Holder Giddens,
his wife did not think to highly of this early morning drink. George would tell
Jesseye that it would’nt hurt the boy. And Boone thought it was alright, too.
Jessye Holder was married to George Giddens on _________________.
Jessye and her husband George Giddens owned an operated the General Store
in Frazier, MO for many years. Jessye also worked in Gower at the Weakley’s
Grocery Store located on Main Street at the time. It was owned by Jack and
Milred Weakly. Jessye was a member of the Mount Moriah Methodist Church
in Gower. Jessye and George resided in Gower and the home they lived in was
built by the founder of the town of Gower, Daniel Smith. It was a two story
home. I remember visiting there and can still see the large rooms of the down
stairs, My best memory is of the China Hutch she had located in the kitchen
and seeing Aunt Jessye open that cabinet and giving us a piece of Beemans
chewing gum. Her body was laid to rest at the Frazier Cementary outside of
Frazier, MO.
2) Ransom was born in 1875 and died in 1949. He married Martha Jane
Ottinger. She was born in 1880 and died in 1967. They had three children.
2a.) Bessie Giddens was born on August 7, 902 and died November 16,
1989. She married Jake Amos who was born on September 14, 1895
and Died January 8, 1972. They had 4 children. One as and infant that
was born on June 30, 1936 and died the same day. Their next child
was Delbert who married Naioma Spires and they had three children.
Gene Alan, Cindy Sue and Kenneth Roy Amos who died of cancer and
is laid to rest in the Frazier Cemetery.. Their third child was
Juanita Amos who married Charles Routh. They had many children.
their fourth child was Jo Ann Amos who married William Connaley
Walker and they had 2 children. De Ann Marie Walker and an infant
that died.
2b. Norman Giddens was born June 28, 1905 and died November 16,
1976. He married Catherine Ratclift. Catherine was born on Ocotber
2, 1911. They had two children.
Their first child was John Vincent who married Mary Garnett and they
had three children. John, Carolyn and Nancy.
Their second child was Norma Jean who was born January 11, 1938
and died from cancer on June 2, 1997. She was laid to rest at the
Frazier Cementery. On August 10, 1957 she married James Richard
“Dick” Powell. Richard born on Febuary 28, 1937. Thye had two
children. Susan and Catherine.
2c. Clyde Argyle Giddens was born Janu 30, 1912 and died Febuary 5,
1995. He married Goldie Bernice Tyler who was born on April 27,
1912. Clyde was a welder. They had three children.
Their first child was Jerry Wayne. Jerry was born on July 14, 1936. He
served in the United States Navy and was an Ensign. While serving in
Adak Alaska he froze to death on Febuary 23, 1960. He was laid to rest
in the Frazier Cemetery.
Their second child was Joyce Elaine who married Clebern R. Hatchette
and have two children. Berna Sue and Clifford Roy. They presently
live in England.
Their third child Ora Jane had a position with the city of Kansas City,
Missouri. Where she now resides with her mother. Ora Jane never
married.
3) Rev Jackson Giddens was born in 1877 and died in 1945. He married
Bertha A Patterson. Bertha was born in1880 and died in1964. They are both
laid to rest in the Frazier Cementery. They had four children.
3a. Their first child was Grace Lillian who was born in 1905 and died
in 1988. She never married. She is laid to rest beside her parents in the
Frazier Cemetenty.
3b. Dorothy Giddens married a Pagano. She was born in 1912 and died
at the age of 35 in 1947. She is laid to rest beside her parents in the
Frazier Cementry.
3c. Paul Henry
3d. Bertie lives in Keokuk Iowa.
4) James A. Garfield Giddens was born in 1882 and died in 1931. He married
a V. May Hankins and they had three children.
4a. Ruby Giddens was born and died . She married Tibbets Rowls
and lived in Chicago at the time of her death. They had three children.
Their first child was Janice Marie
Their second child was Elizabeth Ann
Their third child was Tibbets Edmund Rowls and he married Collett
Toynton and had two children. Micheal and David
4b. Earl Giddens married Ruth Mudgett first. They had two children,
James Roy who lives in Saint Joseph and Joella Giddens who lives in
Colorado.
4c. Jewell Giddens married Mildred Poage and they had a son named
Dallas
5) Delia E Giddens and she was never married. Delia shared the chores of the home
with her older sister Mary. Delia was born on 1886 and died 1955. She is buried in the
Frazier Cemetery. Delia lived her most of her life with her mother and father. She
helped to take care of her sister Mary during her final days while ill. She went with her
brother George to Colorado on vaction at one time. Aunt Deliah lived across the street
from the school house with her brother William (Bill) at one time. He farmed and she
raised geese. Wilma Holder Adkins told of how her Aunt Delia used to make flour sack
dresses for her. And while Wilma was in school her Aunt Delia would come to the
school house and fit the dresses and then she would go back home and finish sewing
them.


6) Mary Giddens- she never married. She was the first child of John Westley and Sarah
Janes to be born on November 13, 1873 and she was the first to pass away. She was sick
with cold that turned into pnueumonia and she died April 2, 1918. She was laid to rest
at the Frazier Cemetery.

Here is an old obituary I found stuck in a box of news clippings: Mary Giddens was
never married and was the daughter of John Wesley Giddens and Sarah Jane Briles
Giddens.

Mary Giddens was born near Frazer, MO, November 13, 1873. Here she grew up to
womanhood and lived until her death which occurred April 2, 1918 at the age of 44 years, 4 months
and 19 days. She was converted in a revival meeting at the Methodist church in Truxton, MO.,
while visiting her brother, Jackson who was then the pastor at Truxton and the Rev. J. M. Miller
who was conference evangelist holding the meeting. After returning home she united with the
Laymen Chapel Methodist church, Rev. A. D. Davis being the pastor, remaining a member until her
death. She was the oldest of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Giddens and the first death of the
children. Two years ago her mother died and since then she shared in the duties of the home with
her sister, Delia, weakened from care due to sickness in the home and suffering from a cold she
developed pneumonia and when told she had pneumonia she said to the others of the family she
would not recover and ask them to send for her brother Jack. While all was done that was know to
do, she could not overcome the disease, being conscious to the last, she peacefully passed away to her
reward on Tuesday morning.
She always made friends of her acquaintances and had a host of them. She leaves to mourn
her, her aged father, two sisters, six brothers, other relatives and a host of friends while she is gone,
she will not soon be for gotten.
The funeral services were conducted from Laymen Chapel Methodist church by Rev. C. J.
Chase of Hamilton, MO, a former district Superintendent of the St. Joseph district.
She was a member of the Superior Rebecca Lodge No. 202 of Agency, and they attended in
a body and took part in burial service. The mortal remain were laid to rest beside her mother in the
cemetery near the church.


7) Henry Giddens was born on July 16, 1884 and died in 1961. He married Susan
Hinds on September 11, 1907. Susan was born in 1887 and died in 1981. They
are both laid to rest in the Frazier Cemetery. You will find in the next few
inserts the life and children of Henry Giddens.



This article was written by Thelma Giddens Walkup
and was found in “The Buchanan County History Book”



Giddens, Henry

In the year 1839, John and Anna Giddens left the prairies of Indiana in a
prairie schooner and headed for the West. They encountered all the hardships and
anxieties common to pioneers. They crossed the Mississippi River at Hannibal,
Missouri, this being as far West as any railroad extended at that time. From here
they followed the stage coach trail across the state to St. Joseph, Missouri. There
they found a small settlement, the only store being a trading post conducted by
Joseph Robidioux, principally with the Indians.
Having left the prairies, they located near Frazier and homesteaded a
quarter section of land covered with timber, many of the trees being the kind used
in making clap-boards. Some of the trees were cut and removed to make room for a
house which was constructed of logs.
Here four children were born, three sons and a daughter. the youngest of
these was John Wesley Giddens, my grandfather, born January 29, 1853. As there
were no schools, he did not have the advantage of an education , only attending a
subscription school a few months. The timber on the farm was gradually cleared
from the land and the land broke for farming,. Here he grew to manhood and on
February 23, 1871 was married to Sarah Jane Briles. To this union were born nine
children, six sons and three daughters Ranson, George, Henry, Jackson, William,
Mary, Delia, and Dora. All nine children grew to maturity before the family circle
was broken, The children were all born on the farm homesteaded by their
grandfather.
In the summer of 1894, John Wesley purchase the George Roberts farm near
the home of his father, where he lived until death. After his parents deaths, he
acquired 120 acres of the farm homesteaded by his father. When a young man, in
addition to farming, he engaged in the threshing and sawmill business which he
operated for forty years. As he became older, he was commonly called by everyone
“Old J” and later “Uncle Wes”. His home was one that belonged to the community
where neighbors and friends both old and young, were always welcome. A friend,
Henry Bledsoe made his with the family for more that twenty years.
He was laid to rest May 28, 1932, in the Frazier Cemetery beside his wife
who died January 4, 1916. All nine children are buried at this cemetery, in lots
surrounding, and purchased by him. All of the children, except The Rev. Jackson
Giddens, who moved to Iowa, lived their entire lives in Buchanan County.
Henry Giddens, who was my father, was born July 16, 1884 at the family
farm. He helped his father with the framing and threshing, He was interested in
education. In 1903, he took the county teacher’s examination and received a
Teacher’s Certificate. He taught one year before being appointed as rural letter
carrier May 1, 1905. He was the first and only mail carrier to carry mail from
Frazier on a regular basis. He retired on May 1, 1935, after 30 years of service.
The earlier years, especially, were very rough. roads were bad and the buggy didn’t
have a heater. he tried to keep his feet warm by the use of hot irons and bricks. he
had the first car in the community and the women and children o the route would
watch for him to bring the mail so they could see the car. After retirement, he
continued to farm.
Soon after he started carrying mail, he married Susan Dean Hines, daughter
of John R. and Martha Ann Courtney Hines, on September 11, 1907. They lived in
the Frazier vicinity all during their marriage. Their home was always open to
anyone. It was often referred to as “the pastors home”.
Henry was ordained a deacon in the Frazier Baptist Church March 27, 1944.
He and Susan were faithful members.
Henry and Susan were parents of five children; Ruth, Lillian, Charles
Henry, Georgia Pearl, Thelma Lorene, and Melba Maxine.
Ruth, born November 23, 1905, married Thomas J. Grooms, February 22,
1930. They had five children; Thomas J. Jr., Baby Grooms who died at birth,
Kenneth Eugene who Died September 14, 1939 at the age of eight months when
their house burned, Bobby Eugene, and Pasty.
Charles, born August 29, 1912 married Lillian Boyd August 9, 1933. they
had one child, Charles Curtis, born February 26, 1941. Charles died May 23, 1974.
Georgia, born February 22, 1917, married Alan Spencer July 14, 1939.
Their daughter Betty Sue, died September 30, 1970 at age 37. Georgia married
Walter Trout January 21, 1947. Judith Kay was born to them.
Thelma, born August 25, 1919 married Vincent Walkup July 21, 1943
?They are parents of three children ; Daryl, Cheryl, and Rita.
Melba born May 20, 1923 married Desmond (Eddie) Paul June 14, 1941.
They are parents of two sons; Donald and Richard.
All of the family except Ruth’s children and grandchildren and
Donald Paul, are still residing in Buchanan County.




Obitury of Mrs Norwood Carpenter; she would be the sister to Susan Dean Hines
Giddens, wife to Henry Giddens.

MRS NORWOOD CARPENTER

Mrs. Norwood Carpenter, aged 32 years, passed away at her home in Colorado
Springs , Colo., Sunday after an illness of several month. The body was brot to the home
of her sister, Mrs. Henry Giddens at Frazier Tuesday evening. Funeral services were
held at the Frazier Baptist church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock conducted by Rev
Shemwell of Agency. Interment was in No. 6 cemetery.
Mrs. Carpenter is survived by her husband, six children whose ages range from 12
years to 18 months.. They are Raymond, Homer, Lavern. Clifford. Carl and Mattie
Belle. She is also survived by her father John R. Hines, three brother W. H. Hines of
Gower, Chas of Edgerton, Robert of Fountain, Colo., three sisters, Mrs. B. F. Riley of
Gower, Mrs. Henry Giddens of Frazier and Mrs. Belle Lowery of Maysville.



They had five children.
5a. Melba married Eddie Desmond Paul and they had two children.
Donnie and Dickey Paul.
5b. Thelma married Vincent Walkup and had three children. This
family is dicussed in the Walkup Chapter.
5c. Georgia married twice. First to Allen Spencer and they had Betty
Sue. She then married Walter Trout and they had Judy Trout.
5c. Charles was born August 29, 1921 and died May 23, 1974. He
married Lillian Boyd and they had a son named Curtis Giddens. Curtis
was born on Curtis married Erma Clark on . Erma was
born on . Curtis and Erma had one child. Their daughter Susan
was born on . Susan married Jason Perry, son of John and
Sandy Perry on May 26, 2001. They were married at the Frazier Baptist
Church in Frazier, Missouri. Jason was born on and moved to the
Gower area in 1979 from . Susan and Jason met while attending
school at East Buchanan High School located in Gower, Missouri. They
are both animal lovers and they train dogs and also help find homes for
unwanted pets. Jason farms with his father. Their Farm is called Harvest
Moon. They have a dog named Molly who likes riding with them on the
truck. Jason’s mother, Sandy works for the Post Office in Gower as a
route carrier, and on her days off their she is along with the guys doing the
farm work.
5d. Ruth married T. J. Grooms. They had five children. Two who died
young. One died in infancy and the other lost his life by a fire at the
family home. The three surviving children are;
aa. T J. Jr married Beverly Banks. They had three children.
Ann, Lynn, and Ruthie. T. J. then married Dorothy and had four
more chilren. Twins, Daren and Kathy, Cindy and Beth. They
reside in Lubbock, Texas.
bb. Bobby Eugene married Karen Dodge and their chidren were
Jeffery Scott, Jamie who died of Lukemeia and Patrick Joseph.
Bobby resides in sunnydale, California.
cc. Pasty Grooms married Wendell Ray and had a son named
Bradley Scott. She then married a second time to Richard Pierce
and they had five children. Twins, Richard and Laura, Sarah
and a second set of twins Rachel and Stephanie. Pasty and
Richard reside in Denver, Colorado.

This is the story on the fired that claimed the life of Kenneth Eugene Grooms. Son
to T. J. Grooms and Ruth Giddens Grooms. Thomas J. Grooms was born December
27, 1901 and died October 27, 1976. His wife Ruth Lillian Giddens (daughter to
Henry Giddens) Grooms was born on 11/23/1908 and died August 2, 1984 It reads
as follows:

CHILD DIES OF BURNS

Kenneth Eugene Grooms 8
Months Old, Is Victim.
___________________
Fire Destroys Farm Home of
Mr. and Mrs. T. J. grooms,
Near Frazer.


Fire which destroyed the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Grooms, three miles
northeast of Frazer late yesterday afternoon resulted in fatal burn to the Grooms
eight-month son, Kenneth Eugene.
The mother’s frantic efforts to save her little son. As the strong wind sucked the
flames from the kitchen to the porch where the child lay, were futile. Before she could
reach him he had been critically burned. The boy lived two hours after the accident,
dying in a local hospital.
Mrs. Grooms was burned about the hands, arms and face in her rescue attempt.
She was alone at the time of the tragedy, She was treated at the hospital and then was
removed to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Giddens, at Frazer.
Mrs. Grooms lighted the oil stove in the kitchen and then went into the garden.
Glancing toward the house a short time later she beheld the kitchen ablaze and the flames
moving toward the porch. The home and almost all of the contents were destroyed.
The Grooms have another son, T. J. Jr. Mr. Grooms is the son of Mrs. Ella
Grooms, rural route No. 1.
The child’s body was taken to the H. A. Sulling mortuary at Gower, Service were
this afternoon and burial was in Frazer Cemetery.


This another story on the fire that took the life of Kenneth Eugene Grooms:
It reads as follows:
BABY LOSES LIFE
AS HOME BURNS

Eight-month Old Son of Frazer
Couple is Victim; Mother’s
Injuries Not Serious

Kenneth Eugene Grooms, eight months old, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Grooms,
was fatally burned late yesterday afternoon in a fire which destroyed the Grooms’ farm
home, three miles Northwest of Frazer, Mo. The child lived two hours, dying in a local
hospital without regaining consciousness.
Mrs. Grooms, who was alone with the baby, suffered burns on the arms, hands
and face in a vain attempt to saved her son’s life. She was treated at the hospital and
later was removed to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Giddens at Frazer.
Her condition is not serious.
Relatives said that Mrs. Grooms went to the garden after lighting the oil stove in
the kitchen, leaving the baby on a porch adjoining the kitchen. A few minutes later she
noticed that the kitchen in flames, with a strong draft pulling the fire out onto the porch
where the baby lay. Before she could reach him the child had been burned beyond
recovery.
Although the burning house attracted motorist from U. S. highway 169. near by,
the house could not be saved and practically all of the contents was destroyed. Mrs.
Grooms and the infant were rushed to the hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Grooms have another son. Junior, nine years old, The grandparents
are Mrs. Ella Grooms, rural route No. 1, St. Joseph, and Mr. and Mrs. Giddens.
The body was removed to the H. A. Sullins mortuary at Gower and will be taken
to the Giddens home this morning, Funeral services will be conducted the afternoon at
the Frazer Baptist Church, with burial in the Frazer Cemetery.

8) Dora Giddens born in and died December 18, 1962. She married Charles
Collie Holder who was born on Febuary 20, 1890 and died on Febuary 17, 1988.
Charles Collie Holder was born to David and Eldora Thompson Holder. He was their
first child. He was born at the old homestead that was located on what is now Crabapple
road, down from the OLE No. 5 school house. When he was born Indians still roamed
the hills in Buchanan County. Charles and Dora Giddens were married on March 15,
1911. She is the daughter to John Wesley and Sarah Jane Briles Giddens. They resided
and farmed in Agengy, MO until 1916 when they moved to Saint Joseph, MO. In 1930
they moved to Kansas City, MO and then in 1940 they returned to the Agency area where
they farmed and made their home. Charles Collie Holder worked for Standard Oil in
Saint Joesph for 17 years. He also worked at Schuster Brothers Farms near Gower for
several years. Dora Giddens Holder died December 18, 1962, after fighting a long battle
with leukemia. They are both laid to rest in the Frazier Cemetery.
They were blessed with four children:
The first child was Helen C. Holder. She was born September 5, 1913.
Lawrence Eugene Holder was the second child and he came into the world
on December 9, 1915. Helen Christine Woods Gilbert was the oldest
child of Dora Giddens Holder and Charles Collie (C.C.) Holder. She was
born on September 5, 1913. Helen was born near Agency, Missouri. She
grew up in Saint Joseph and attended and graduated from Central High
School. Helen then attended Beauty School in Saint Joseph and worked
as a beautician in Saint Joseph for many years. In 1945 she moved to
Penn Grove, New Jersey where she worked as a drug store clerk. Helen
fell and broke a hip a few years prior to moving to Washington State in
1994 to be with her only son and closer to her two grand daughters,
Ursula Woods Nichol and Cathleen Woods Boyvart, who both reside in
Seattle, Washington. She died in Bremerton on February 26, 1999. They
sent here body back to Gower, Missouri where her funeral was held. She
was laid to rest at the Frazier Cemetery, near Frazier, Missouri.
They had one child named Charles F. Woods (Freddie). He was born in
____________ on _______,19____. Freddie served in the United States Navy and while
stationed in Scotland and married Theresa Boyers of Mt. Carmel, Argyll, Scotland.
Theresa was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Peter Boyers. They were married on March 3rd,
19__. The wedding was took place in the Church of Our Lady and St. Mun’s, Dunoon,
Scotland.
Lawerence E. Holder was the second child of Charles Collie and Dora
Giddens Holder. He was born on December 9, 1915. He was laid to rest
at the Frazier Cemetery after his death on August 10, 2000.
The Meeting: The first time Alma met Lawrence was at Frazier
Missouri. The Frazier Club was having a wiener roast and Alma seen a
young man and asked her friend who that boy was. Her friend told her he
was Lawrence Holder. Alma then hollered his name and Lawrence ask
her “How did you know my name?” That is all Alma remembers but it
must of been some meeting because they were married April 19, 1934.
Alma was born August 2, 1917.she was the daughter of Pearl Walkup
Hiland and Tom Hiland. Before they were married Alma recalls a young
girl after Lawrence’s heart, she says she and the other gal got in a scrap
over Lawrence and Alma came out the winner.Lawrence attended school
in St Joseph, Missouri and went to Roubidox High. Alma went to school
in Gower all her life, except she attend Frazier School for her 8th grade
year. In 1943 Lawrence was drafted into the United States Army and was
stationed at Camp Bowie in Brownwood Texas. There he received
training for his duties for the Army. Upon arrival to the base, Lawrence
was put into the hospital because of Pneumonia. After his recovery and
prior to being sent to Germany Dora Giddens Holder (his mother), Alma
Glorina Hiland Holder (his wife) and Charles Hiland “Boone” Holder (his
oldest son) all went to Texas to visit and spend time together prior to his
leaving. While visiting an illness struck the other three children at home.
They all came down with Scarlet Fever.
Once he was shipped over seas, he worked as an engineer helping make
bridges and roads during the war. The job he choose to do in the army
was greated used after the war. Lawerence became the Buchanan County
Highway Engineer for 19 years. In 19___, he resigned his position in
order to spend more time on his farm outside of Gower. Alma’s first job
outside the home was at Fox Laundry in Saint Joseph. She worked there
for ____________. After that she went to work at the Sun and Garment
sewing factory in Saint Joseph. She was employeed there for 7 years.
She also worked for Earl Jackson “Jack” Weakley at Weakley’s Grocery
Store in Gower.
During World War II, while Lawerence was stationed Germany, Alma
took care of the farm with the help of her father-in-law Charles Collie
Holder. With a team of horses and a plow they would turn the soil and
plant crops and tend to the livestock. Lawerence and Alma had four
children.
Charles Hiland (Boone) Holder was the oldest. He was born on
January 29, 1935. Charles Hiland Holder married Gail Lorriane Thomas
from Edgerton.
Second was James Lawerence Holder. James L Holder married
Janet Kay “Katie” Stanton from Frazier, Mo. He was born on
October 2, 1936.
Third came John Thomas Holder. John T. Holder married Judith
Kay Cone from Plattsburg, Mo. He was born on June 2, 1938.
Their fourth child was Wilma Louise Holder and she was born on
July 2, 1941. Wilma L. Holder married Roger Merith Adkins from
Edgerton, Mo
The third born was Charles C. Holder, JR. He was born on April, 28, 1922
and died the same day. He was laid to rest in the Holder family plot located in
the Frazier Cementary.
The fourth child was Mary Elizabeth Holder born on June 1, 1923. Mary
died on Febuary 21, 1984 from a long battle with breast cancer. She married
William Branscum and they had two boys. Larry Bob and Billy Joe. She then
married James Lee Thompson. They were married on September 3, 1949.
They lived in the Kansas City area where all four of their children were born.
The oldest child was Jimmie Lee Thompson born on __________,19____.
Second came Susan Gaye Thompson who was born on ________,19_____.
Third came Danny Rae Thompson born on ________, 19____. And their
youngest child was Dianna Lynn Thompson born on ________, 19____.
In 1967 they packed up and moved to Dallas Texas.
Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a radical mastectomy in
________. She took her treatments and was later in reemission. Later in life
the cancer returned and she succumbed to it on February 21, 1984.

9) William H Giddens who was born in 1888 and died in 1953. He never married.
They used to call William “Wild Bill”.

5. William Giddens the fifth son of William and Mary Giddens.
William Giddens was born in March 28, 1825 and died in October 29, 1910. He
married Polly K. Clark. Polly was born June 11, 1827 and died August 22, 1911. They
had 4 children.
Their first child was Joseph who was born in 1867 and died in 1927. He married
Mary Francis Chenoweth. Mary Francis was born in 1870 and died in 1964. Mrs.
Dorothy Wolfe of Agengy claimed in one article. That the only person she could recall
running the hotel in Agengy was Miss Fannie Giddens and her son Standley. She said
that Standley had a big shepard dog and every summer he would sheer the dogs mane and
tail as to make it look like a lion. After the hotel closed, the building was used for a
grocery store, Post Office and families used it as their homes. Joseph and Fannie had
three children. Howard, Allie and Standley.
Their second child was Winfield who married Evelyn White and they had a son
William Giddens.
Their third child was Bett who married a Barnes and they had five children. Lora
Harris, Leona Bodine, Cary Gruble, Effie Williams and George Barnes. George had a
son named Burt.
Their fourth child was Sarah who married James Marion Lee and they had Allie
Lee who married John Hannaway. Allie and John had four children. John who married
Nellie Barnes. Lela who married Sam Alpha Harris amd they had a saughter named
Edith Lee Alpha who marrie Roy William Giller of Atchinson, Kansas and they had six
children. Paul, James, Roy William, May Caroline, Katherine and one whose name is
unknown.. Louis, and Lizzie who married Curtis Barnes and then went on to marry
Charles King.

6. Eli Giddens son of William and Mary Giddens;
Eli was born in 1827 and die on August 31, 1897 at the age of 70 years, 8 months and 7
days. He is buried at the Frazier Cememtery. He first married Jane Miller Giddens. She
died December 14, 1894. She was 67 years , 11 months and 14 days old. They had 2
children.
Their first child was Eli Bird Giddens (Bud) who married Becky June Osborn.
They had Bird Giddens and Annie Giddens.
1) Eli Bird Giddens
2) Annie married Bill Williams.
Their second child was Mary Ann (Sis) who was born on May 26, 1921 and died
Febuary 24, 1985. Mary Ann married a Richard T. Deakins. Richard was born
in 1849 and died in 1932. They had 2 children. Elmer Eli and Edith.
1)Their first child, Elmer Eli was born June 26, 1876 and died on
August 25, 1960. He married Emma Angie Gartin. Emma was born on
October 22, 1876 and died on March 26, 1965. They married on August 27,
1895. They had two children. Mary and Loie. The first child was Mary
Elizabeth Deakins was born June 13, 1899. She married John Edward
Holt on June 1, 1918. They had two children. Forrest Eugene Holt and Vernon
Richard Holt.
Their first child was Forrest “Frosty” Eugene. He was born
November 9, 1919. He was married on July 19, 1945 to Roberta Rae Moss.
Roberta was born on March 26, 1924 and died in a car accident on
____________. Her and her boyfriend were returning back to
Neosho, Mo., went a car crossed the meduim and hit them head on. They
were killed instantly. Forrest and Roberta had one child. Cheryl Rae
Holt. Cherly was born on June 15, 1949. She married Frankie Kelly and
together they had two children, Shawn Forrest and Dana Brooks Kelly.
Vernon Richard Holt was born September 27, 1921. He served in
the Armed Forces with the Army in World War II. He married Mary Darlene
Barton on December 13, 1941. They later divorced. He then married
Magorie Gladys Watson on March 27, 1948. They were too divorced and
then he remarried his first wife Mary Darlene Barton Holt. They had 3 children.
Barbara Verlene Holt who married Robert P. Reynolds and they had 1 child;
Christopher Paul Reynolds. Luan Lynn Holt who married Ronnie Kerns on
January 19, 1968; they had 3 children; Kelly, Paul Brian and Bradley Mikel.
Their last child was Bobby Joe Holt and he married Laura Wilson on September
22, 1979 and they later divorced. They had a little girl named Sarah Beth
who was born November 11, 1980.
The second child was Loie E Deakins who was born on May 19, 1904
and died on April 29, 1981. She married Ralph Mc Cray who was born
on August 14, 1901 and died on January 19, 1979. They had twchildren;
Connie Sue who was born Febuary 24, 1940 and died the same. Their
second child was Anna Loie who was born in 1936 and died in 1937.
Mary Ann Deakins married a second time to Clifton Miles. Clifton was
born in 1895 and died in 1970. They are buried at the Frazier Cemetery.
2) Edith married Charles Lafollett and had Ellis and Ruby. Ruby married
Thomas M Gipson, and had Floyd and Ronnie Gipson

After the death of his first wife Jane Miller Giddens, Eli Bird Giddens married a
second time to Kizziah (Kizzie) M. Giddens. Kizziah was born in 1841 and died in
1931. They had no children. But in his will Eli speaks of a step daughter and step son. I
believe these children were from Kizziah’s first marriage, but am not sure. They are
named Sarah Moore and John Mitchell.
Eli and Mary Miller, his first wife are buried together at the Frazier Cemetery in
Frazier, Missouri. Kizziah is laid to rest right beside them.

Last Will and Testament of Eli Bird

In the name of God Amen: I, Eli Giddens of the county of Buchanan and state of
Missouri, being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and
testament, hereby revoking all former will, by me at any time made.
1st I direct that all my just debt including funeral expenses and the expense of
administration be paid by my executor.
2nd I give and bequeath to me beloved wife Kizziah, during her natural life, the
right and privileges for her support, of my real estate, now possessed by me, with all the
appurtenances thru to belonging described as follows: Beginning at the Wold Pen Creek,
on the North Line of section Thirty Three-Township Fifty Six of range Thirty three in the
County of Buchanan and state of Missouri; Thence East 31 61/100 Chains; Thence south
12 40/100 Chains. thence North East with the meandering of said creek to the place of
beginning, containing 39 1/2 acre and after her death, to be sold and the proceeds to be
divided as follows. to my step daughter Sarah Woods - $100 - To my grand daughter
Mary Ann Long $100. To my grandson Eli Bird $100. To my step son John Mitchell,
providing that he shall remain with me and care for me during my life time or until he
shall marry $300. In case the said John Mitchell shall leave me before my death or
before his marriage; then this $300 with all the remaining residue derived from my
personal and real effect to go to Mary Ann Deakins, my daughter.
And hereby appoint R. T. Deakins the executor of this my last will. In witness
where of 4 have here unto set my hand this 22 day of July 1896.

His will was signed by and X and witnessed by B. F. Gray and S. H. Gray

J. W. (John Wesley) Giddens

This is a piece I located at the genealogy
Liabary in Saint Joseph, Missouri. It was in the
History of Buchanan County. It is written by Clyde A. Giddens.

GIDDENS FAMILY

William and Mary Giddens with their children, Elizabeth, James, Nancy, John,
William, and Eli, packed up their personal belonging and traveled from Indiana by
covered wagon to Buchanan County in 1839. The Platte Purchase had been opened up
and became part of the state of Missouri in 1837. They purchased their land a t $1.25 per
acre and settled about 15 miles southeast of St. Joseph, near what is now Frazier,
Missouri. They were farmers and acquired quite a bit of land in that area.
In 1847 William took the measles and died. Mary lived to be 102 years old.
They were both buried in the Elder Cemetery, located a few miles north of Frazier. Most
of their children and descendants are buried in Rock House Prairie ( Frazier) Cemetery.
When they settled in Missouri, the oldest son, James was not impressed with the
looks of the territory and returned to Indiana. Later, when visiting his family, he was
impressed with improved conditions and returned to Missouri to stay. As others grew up,
they married and settled in the area.
To help with the development of the community of Buchanan County, William’s
grandson, John Wesley, had the first steam powered threshing machine, when they
moved from place to place with oxen and mules. They did their field threshing and stack
mill in different communities each winter and sawed lumber to build houses and barns in
the territory.
In later years the family has branched out into various occupations including
farmers, minister, educators, writers, bankers and other professions. A large percentage
of their descendants still live in the territory and most of the original land remains in the
family.

Joan,

May be related send me an email: brysonhatfield20032003@yahoo.com

Hi, My Great grandmother and grandfather; Susan and Henry Giddens of Gower were mentioned in your thread and I am the Granddaughter of Ruth and TJ Grooms, father Thomas Grooms and mother Beverly. I so enjoyed your info and wanted to establish contact and say Hello

Hello! I am Cynthia Grooms, younger sister of Lyn DeMoss. Daughter to Tom Grooms, Jr. and Dorothy (Cherry) Grooms, Grandparents are Thomas Jefferson Grooms, Sr. And Ruth (Hinds) Grooms, Great Grandparents are Henry and Susan (Giddens) Grooms.

Lyn responded to you previously and shared this information with the rest of us. How exciting to find information about the extended family. I would love to keep in touch,update and share information on the family.