Katheryn May Abbey

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks was born November 3, 1914, in Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., MT, and died May 12, 1992, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, at age 77. He is the son of Walter Hughes "Huey" Brooks of Potosi, Washington Co., MO, and Irma Frances Hostetter of Spring Valley, Fillmore Co., MN.

Katheryn May "Kay" Abbey was born November 20, 1915, in Ovando, Powell Co., MT, and died March 24, 1995, in Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Ravalli Co., MT, at age 79. She is the daughter of Samuel Benton Abbey of South Byron, Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, and Edna May Morgan of Philipsburg, Granite Co., MT.

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks and Katheryn May "Kay" Abbey were married Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1936, in Philipsburg, Granite Co., MT.

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks and Katheryn May "Kay" (Abbey) Brooks had two children:

Dear Sir:

While doing research on Walter Hughy Brooks, I came upon your research on the Abbey family. Samuel's daughter Katheryn was my Aunt Kay. She was married to my uncle Chick Brooks, son of Walter Hughy Brooks of Potosi, MO. I was wondering if you had any more information on the Brooks line. I know Walter moved to Montana with his Aunt and Uncle, Daniel. L. and Ella Miles where he met and married my grandmother Irma Hostetter. He later died, in 1941, and is buried at my hometown of Philipsburg, MT. Since he was only 7 at the time of coming to Montana, no one seems to know who his parents were, so it is hard to trace back. I admire those of you who so patiently persist in genealogy research, sorting out the facts and then sharing them.

I would appreciate any information or tips you can offer to help my further my research as this is one of 5 family lines in my family I am attempting. The others are WILLIAM BOWEN of Wales, THOMAS HUFFMAN of Virginia, GEORGE HICKAM of Illinois, AND EDWARD GADDIS of Illinois.

Thanks in advance.

Janet Bowen Gaddis

September 4, 2011

Hi, Jan.

Thanks for discovering my Web site.

As you may have discovered by now, I have spent considerable time searching for additional information about Walter Brooks. What I found was that Hughey’s father, Walter H. Brooks, was married once before Irma. This marriage was a troubled one, and there was a killing in 1903 in which Walter was implicated, although he claimed is was accidental. He eventually got a divorce from Bertha, and married Irma in 1910. The Coroner’s inquest and subsequent trial was one of the most sensational in Montana around that time. There are numerous articles available in the Newspaper Archive paid subscription, including some courtroom sketches that were on the newspaper front page. It is a useful service to subscribe to for genealogy buffs.

I don’t know how much more time I want to devote to such a remote genealogical lineage connection for me, but I hope you find it interesting.

Leigh

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 6, 1900, shows C. W. Abbey (age 38) is a laborer living in Milladore Twp., Wood Co., WI. With him are his wife of 17 years, Cora Abbey (age 33), along with five of their six children (all six living at the time): Maud (age 14); Samual Abbey (age 7); Phebe Abbey (age 5); Ida Abbey (age 3); and Orin Abbey (age 9/12). Claire Abbey is not at home on that date.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 1, 1900, shows Harry Morgan (age 32) born January 1868 in Montana to Montana-born parents and married for 15 years is a day laborer renting his home in South Philipsburg Pct., Granite Co., MT. Living with him is his wife, Opha E. Morgan (age 29) born March 1871 in Nebraska to Kentucky and Illinois-born parents who has 5 of the 7 children born to her still living. All 5 children are at home, born in Montana to Montana-born parents: Henry C. Morgan (age 13) born March 1887; Mary D. Morgan (age 11) born October 1888; Rosa R. Morgan (age 9) born August 1890; Edna L. Morgan (age 5) born April 1895; and Harry Morgan (age 1/12) born April 1900.

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks was born November 3, 1914, in Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., MT.

Katheryn May "Kay" Abbey was born November 20, 1915, in Ovando, Powell Co., MT.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 15, 1920, shows Walter H. Brooks (age 43) born in Missouri to Pennsylvania and Missouri-born parents is a Miner in Mines who is renting his home and is living at 1323 Missouri Avenue, 7th Ward, City of Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT. Living with him is his wife, Irma F. Brooks (age 26) born in Minnesota to Pennsylvania and Georgia-born parents. Also living there are his three children, all born in Montana to Missouri and Minnesota-born parents: Violet Brooks (age 8); Virgil Brooks (age 5); and Virginia Brooks (age 2).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930, shows Samuel B. Abbey (age 36) born in Wisconsin to United States-born parents and first married at age 21 is a Metal Miner renting his home for $15/month and is living on Sutter Street, 2nd Ward, City of Philipsburg, Granite Co., MT. Living with him is his wife, Edna M. Abbey (age 34) born in Montana to Montana and Nebraska-born parents and first married at age 19. Also living there are his children, both born in Montana to Wisconsin and Montana-born parents: Katheryn M. Abbey (age 14); and Herbert W. Abbey (age 9).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 28, 1930, shows Walter H. Brooks (age 53) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents and first married at age 22 is a Miner in Metal Mines owning his home with a mortgage and is living on Main Street,, 1st Ward, Philipsburg, Granite Co., MT. Living with him is his wife, Irma Brooks (age 36) born in Minnesota to Pennsylvania and Georgia-born parents and first married at age 16. Also living there are his four unmarried children, all born in Montana to Missouri and Minnesota-born parents: Virgil Brooks (age 15); Virginia Brooks (age 12); Walter Brooks (age 9); and Eleanor Brooks (age 7). Also living there are his married daughter and his son-in-law: Ernest Cody (age 27) born in Idaho to United States and German-born parents and first married at age 26, a Metal Mine Miner; and Violet Cody (age 18) born in Montana to Missouri and Minnesota-born parents and first married at age 17.

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks and Katheryn May Abbey were married November 26, 1936, in Philipsburg, Granite Co., MT.

Walter Hughes "Huey" Brooks was born November 25, 1876, in Petosi, MO, and died June 21, 1942, in Montana at age 65.

From 1959 - 1992, Virgil and Katheryn Brooks lived in Hamilton, Ravalli Co., MT, where he worked as an accountant and Katheryn was a Professional Artist.

Virgil Wilmer "Chick" Brooks died May 12, 1992, in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA, at age 77.

Katheryn May "Kay" (Abbey) Brooks died March 24, 1995, in Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Ravalli Co., MT, at age 79.