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Surname: Cavender, Seney, Biswell, Coffman, Howard, Sleeth, Thayer, Canada
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Was in the Union Army During war times he came to Missouri and Married
Marinda Howard
traveling circuit preacher
1860 CAVENDER JAMES W. Macon County MO 067 Callas Township Federal
Population Schedule MO 1860 Federal Census Index MO06019678
The Cavenders
My knowledge of Cavender Family History does not go back many
generations
We will begin with our Grandfather
James Wesley CAVENDER, who was born December 18, 1833 and died
near Callas In Macon County, Missouri September 30.1910.
I do not know his parents given names Probably Uncle Steve and my
father knew more about them, but the names were never told to me Grandpa
might have only spoken of them as Ma: and Pa Neither do I know how
many brother and sisters he had
Grandpa James Wesley CAVENDER was a soldier in the Union
Army of the Civil War(1861-1865) During war times he came to Missouri
from Michigan. Here met and married Marinda HOWARD whose family
came to Missouri from North Carolina
I do not know whether he was born in Michigan , But several of the
family were living there after Grandpa settled here, one of his brothers
Thomas CAVENDER came from Michigan and settled on a farm in the
same county but about several miles west of Charleston River, He spent
the
rest of his life there and was buried in a nearby cemetery (White Oak)
Later
Some of his family moved to Kansas, but we did not keep in contact with
then, One of his daughter of his first family Married Perry LOVERN of the
Ethel Missouri
Territory, This cousin , Ella (CAVENDER ) Lovern used to write to my father
occasionally . The
last letter we received form her was in the 1930s They were then at Miles
City Montana Some of
the LOVERN family might still be living in that area. Another brother William
CAVENDER(whom our father was named stayed in Michigan where he reared his
family, His
children were
William CAVENDER
Elisabeth CAVENDER called Lizzie and
Mattie CAVENDER
I do not know anything about Williams family Mattie married a CURTIS I
do not remember his first name They had several children I remember
hearing of a daughter Bessie. Elizabeths husband was Earl HOGOBOOM. They
had no children
living Elizabeth (Lizzie and Mattie came to Missouri to visit Grandpa
Cavender and family
about 1897 Our father Will corresponded with Lizzie
through the years. As I grew older I took over the correspondent for him
We
exchanged postal cards and pictures and she used to send me Christmas gifts
when I was a child. The last time I wrote to them after a long delay ,
her husband answered
to tell us that she had passed away in the 1930s.
This cousin lived near Sherwood Michigan which was their address It
was a small town of less than 300 population . I found the location on
older
map . Later maps do not list it was about 10 miles north of Cold Water.
We have several pictures of their home and family in our parents
picture book. I am sure you would enjoy seeing them if you could ever come
to our home again
I remember hearing my father relate stories his father told of the deep
snows in Michigan, The
only way roads and path were cleared was by man power in those days before
1860.
One of the pictures Cousin Lizzie sent us was of their house where all
of the buildings were connected together so that all the winter chores
could
be done under cover. They had a large two story house , then I think the
wood shed came next
where the winter fuel was stored and a smoke house where home cured meat
was kept Then
the chicken house , followed by a large barn where the various farm animals
were housed from
the winter weather.
Grandpa had a sister who lived in Wisconsin ( I think that was the
state ) I do not remember her name but her daughter , Mrs. Emma
JACKSON used to write to my parents . She sent them a picture of her baby
,
Ruth a child about my age. I suppose it was exchanged for my baby pictures
Grandfather James Wesley CAVENDER was left in a sad situation when his
wife
Marinda HOWARD CAVENDER died leaving him with three babies. Our
father was 3 years old and the baby was 9 days old.
Grandpa and grandma HOWARD took the baby Marinda (Marinda
nick named her Sissy) CAVENDER to their home where she was tenderly
cared for by their daughter Melissa Angeline HOWARD Auntie , as we
always called her, took the place of a mother to this motherless child,
and in
turn was card for by Aunt Sissy in her old age. Auntie lived to her 85th
year.
We all loved her, She was in our home when I was born and also when Willie
was born. She usually came for a short visit in our home each year as long
as
she was physically able.
Grandpa Cavender kept the two boys ( Arthur and William Henry) in
their own home and cared for them alone as best he could Often it was
necessary to leave them alone in the house for a short time Our father
remembers on one of those occasions that they decided to make bread. They
got the flour out and Uncle Arthur sifted most of it on the floor.
Their housekeeping chore was over when their father married Lucinda
Seney As the years went by 4 more children were born into the home
( Martha, Wesley, Johnnie and Steve)
It is easy to understand that in the busy years that followed the children
learned little about their ancestors. And should their father have told
them
other past they would not have remembered names and dates
My father scarcely remembered his mother and after her death he
bestowed all his child love and affection on his father who also seemed
to
depend on him as he grew old . Will was 15 years older than Steve and
seemed to have a big brothers love and concern for the baby of the family
This closeness of brotherly love continued between then all their lives.
They
did not see eye to eye on all things, by they never lost this fellowship.
In later
years Will seemed to take the place of their father to Steve who often
came to
him with his problems.
I do not remember much about Uncle Steves mother I was just 5 years
old when she died. She was a cousin of my Grandmother Harriet Seney
Thayer. My mother had always called her Aunt Lucinda. Uncle or Aunt was
a little of respect for older people in these days regardless of whither
they
were relatives. My father called her Ma as her own children did. Johnnie
(John Hobert CAVENDER) called her Grandma and I said Grandma Aunt
Lucinda.
She passed away just 2 years before Grandpas death. Uncle Arthur and
family lived with him a few months until Uncle Steve took him into his
home
where he was cared for the rest of his life. He had palsy and was very
feeble.
Aunt Jane Mary BISWELL) was a good Christian women. Although she
was in very poor health herself, she was good and kind to Grandpa, as she
was to everyone. Grandpa was a pensioner and paid for his keep but the
would have cared for him anyway. My father stood by then to help when
needed.
In those last years grandpa probably told Will and Steve more about
His early life in Michigan They never realized that the days would come
when their children and grandchildren would be searching for family Roots
Aunt Jane was still a young woman when she died 2 years later in
1912 leaving 5 motherless little boys. Like his father before him Uncle
Steve
cared for his boys in his own home until his marriage to Minnie COFFMAN.
She was a good kind woman and was good to the boys. They had great
respect for her and loved the brother, Drew and sister Ola who were born
into
the home
The boys John ( my Father ) Paul, Floyd, Gilbert and Elmer were in
our home often. They all seemed to have a wonder lust in their make up
and
wanted to go to far away places to try their wings. But they never forgot
home ties and often returned for visits after they were settled in their
own
homes. John and Elmer both served in the regular army in peace time (John
was in China).
Paul, Gilbert and my brother Willis were often together in their teen
age years.
Floyd was never a very strong child. When about 5 years old he was
stricken with some kind of a ailment the left him with a stiff back. In
his teen
age years he attended a revival with us at the old Cooks Chapel Methodist
Church. Conviction came to him and he knelt at the altar, praying in his
heart to be saved from sin and became a child of God.
Like his brother Floyd was anxious to get out and work at a job. He
went tot Chicago and worked until disease fastened on his body (quinsy).
He
came home and lived a few months, dying at the age of nineteen years, His
was a triumphant death with his faith in God.
Just three of Uncle Steve boys left as we come to the year 1979---
John Gilbert and Drew and the Daughter Ola.
Elmer died suddenly in California where he had been living for several
years. It was in November 1963
Pauls death was so recent that we need no reminder that it was May
17,1977. It was less than a year after we lost our own dear on William
Rene
Cavender, Willie and Thelmas only child.
We miss Paul so much, We always looked forward to a visit each year
from Paul and Lois. Another thing I want to mention again those plated
glass
mirrors you brought for our new house after we lost so much wen our other
house burned. And I'm still crocheting floor balls by your pattern. Grownups
like them for foot stools.
Precious memories how they linger.
And we appreciated your (Lois) son Finns Cavenders Remarks
Concerning Paul.
I should bring these lengthy memories to a close but thoughts keep crowding
in I would like to mention. the religious faith of our Grandfather James
Wesley Cavender.
The Cavenders were reared in the Methodist faith and doctrine
preached by John Wesley . Grandpa was a faithful member of the Cooks
Chapel ME Church located revival miles north east of their home. He
occasionally conducted the services when the pastor was unable to be there.
He was not an ordained minister but a local preacher ( he would be called
a
prayer meeting leader now) I've heard it said that Daniel in the lions
den was
one of his favorite subjects.
But sad to say the church became worldly and dropped from the
Bible doctrine on which it was founded Because of the worldliness of a
pastor My father cast his lot with the Valley Chapel Holiness Church in
the
1920s Cooks Chapel was soon disbanded and the building sold. Our
church, Valley /Chapel stands for the Bible doctrine of salvation, but
is not
charismatic.
Our father Will CAVENDER was a good Christian man. He was kind
and patient. If he ever had an enemy I did not know it. He was Honest and
up
right in his dealings with others We were indeed blessed to have such a
father
and good mother too. Papa loved children He was so proud of Willie when
he
was a baby and his one grand child Rene was the apple of his eye.
Since these memories have been written mainly for the families of Will
and
Steve, I have not mentioned their brothers and sister in detail of course
they
are all listed in the family record although I do not have all the dates,
nor the
names of the younger generation
We will now mention the rest of Grandpa family briefly.
Uncle Arthur and family lived near Cooks Chapel and were members
of that church We attended there once a month preaching service and usually
spent the rest of the day in their home. They often visited in our home.
Later
they moved form that place. He died at their home in Elmer in 1945
His wife spent her last days with their youngest son, Marion, in the Chicago
area where he still lives, the usually exchange Christmas Greetings.
Aunt Sissy was never very closely associated with her brothers and
sister since she was not reared with them My parents exchanged visits with
them and our Auntie kept us informed of family activities. We attended
Ada
Lea Burks 67th birthday celebration at her home in New Cambna last fall
1978@ We met several of the relative one of her daughters who lives in
Kansas City was very much interested in Howard and Cavender family
History/ She had been visiting cemetery in this area.
Aunt Martha died in her early 40s leaving her husband Homer E.
Lemmon and little son Earl(8 years old) Earl had a rather rugged life with
only his father to care for him but they stayed together until the father
death
in 1937 Earl continued on alone until World War II when he was called into
the service. Most of his army life was spent in Texas After the war closed
he
returned to his little place back in the hills. He was blessed with good
principles inherited from his ancestors. While in camp he attended services
at
the Nazarene Church in El Paso where he found the Lord as his Savior.
These last few years Earl has been in and our of Veteran hospitals and
nursing homes In January 1978 he had a light stroke on his left side He
is
now a wheel chair patient in the nursing home department of the hospital
Wesley CAVENDER married and lived alone after his mothers
death He became a mental patient and spent the last few years of his life
in
the State Mental hospital He died in 1951.
Johnnie Died at the age of 18 years a sudden serious illness struck him
The Doctor who was called to the home did all he could for him but he could
not save his life In later years some thought it might have been appendicitis.
You see we Cavenders are what the world calls common people.
Someone said that the Lord must have loved the common people because He
made so many of them