Almira May Purviance and John Reeves Abernathy
JOHN REEVES ABERNATHY was born January 28, 1876 in Texas,250 and died January 11, 1941 in Long Beach, Los Angeles, California.250, 12195
He married ALMIRA MAY PURVIANCE on July 5, 1908 in Guthrie, Logan, Oklahoma,6738 daughter of MARY ALMA DILLEY and JAMES A. PURVIANCE. She was born May 2, 1889,4532 and died March 16, 1969.4532 She is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Major County, Oklahoma.456
Children of ALMIRA MAY PURVIANCE and JOHN REEVES ABERNATHY:
- THEODORA LUCILLE ABERNATHY, b. January 21, 1910;56 m. MORRIS LEE PHILLIPS on December 14, 1930 in Stillwater, Payne, Oklahoma10691; d. January 18, 1984.456
Theodora
Marriage Announcements and News
Enid Events, July 9, 190811275
Abernathy Elopes
John Abernathy, United States marshal, wolf catcher and friend of President Roosevelt, eloped to Guthrie, Sunday, was married there, went to Oklahoma City after spending a few hours, the newly-wed went to Lawton. They will make their home in Guthrie.
The bride is Miss Almira A. Purviance, 19 years old, daughter of a well-to-do farmer, who lives three miles south of Guthrie. Mr. Abernathy's age is 43.
"I guess it will come out all right," said Mr. Abernathy. "Mr. Purviance objected to the marriage and a couple of weeks ago he told me to get out and stay out, but he is a sensible man."
"It is real mean of papa to act the way he has done," said the new Mrs. Abernathy, "but I don't care. I know my own mind and I shall not regret this step."
The courtship was romantic. Five months ago, Mr. Abernathy rode past the Purviance farm. He saw by the road a girl. She was picking flowers. It chanced that he passed down the same road the next morning. He halted near the spot where he had seen the vision before. It was not there, but someone in a nearby house was singing. The marshal rode to the house and asked if he might get breakfast. He was introduced to the maiden of the flower patch. That was the beginning.
Convinced that they would be unable to gain Papa Purviance's consent to a marriage, they decided to elope. ALthough warned to keep away from the Purviance home, Mr. Abernathy drove there Sunday afternoon. The girl's father was on the back porch. THe girl slipped through the front door and joined Mr. Abernathy in the buggy. They drove to Guthrie, where the ceremony was performed at 9 o'clock Sunday night by the Rev. E. D. Cameron, pastor of the First Baptist church. THree hours later the marshal and his bride were en route to Oklahoma City. They spent yesterday the the Threadgill.
Mr. Abernathy has two children by a former marriage. His wife died nearly a year ago.
Marriage Information
- Almira May Purviance and John Reeves Abernathy were divorced.10693
Newspaper Articles
Guthrie Daily Leader, June 25, 191010693
SUES FOR SUPPORT OF CHILD
Suit has been filed by Mrs. ALma Purviance Abernathy against United States Marshal John R. Abernathy for $5,500 for support of their child. Abernathy secured a divorce recently and it is said there was an agreement whereby Mrs. Abernathy was to get the above amount from the sale of a farm. Papers filed in Oklahoma City allege the farm has been sold but the money has not been paid.
Stillwater Gazette, June 11, 192611274
MRS. ABERNATHY STARTS DEMONSTRATION SERIES
First of a series of June demonstrations to be conducted by Mrs. Almira Purviance-Abernathy, county home demonstration agent, was held Tuesday at the home of Mrs. George Gilbert, eight miles north of Stillwater. Jelly-making was the subject. Ten farm women were present. Dewberries were used for the jelly. Tests for pectin were made.
A salad demonstration was conducted Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Ethel Cordis, in the Pleasant Valley community, southwest of Stillwater.
Next on the schedule is a fruit and vegetable canning demonstration, to be held Friday for the Fairview club.
Obituaries
Long Beach Press-Telegram, January 12, 194112195
Noted Author Dies Here at Age of 65
John R. Abernathy Close Friend of Theodore Roosevelt
John A. Abernathy, 65, author and lecturer and old-time friend of Theodore Roosevelt, died yesterday at his home, 123 Esperanza Avenue.
Abernathy claimed the distinction of being the only man who ever caught wolves with his bare hands, an exploit that he recounted in a book "Catch 'em Alive, Jack." He said that with the aid of dogs he had caught 1040 wolves alive in Texas. His other books included "Frontier Days" and "In Camp With Theodore Roosevelt." He had camped in Texas with Roosevelt and also was closely associated with Roosevelt for four years in Washington. He was appointed United States marshal in Oklahoma by Roosevelt, and Taft reappointed him to the position.
Surviving relatives are two sons, L. V. and Temple Abernathy of Wichita Falls, Texas; daughters, Sister M. Stanislaus, Miss Lucille Abernathy of El Reno, Okla.,Mrs. John Branham of Wichita Falls, Mrs. Charles Walker of Kentucky, Mrs. John Ashton of Oklahoma City; a sister, Miss Annie Abernathy of Winchester, Ky.
Funeral arrangements will be directed by Sheelar-McFadyen Mortuary.
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| June 21, 190010688 | Waco, Sedgwick, Kansas |
|
| May 16, 19104733 | Guthrie, Logan, Oklahoma | |
| May 13, 192010695 | Guthrie, Logan, Oklahoma | |
| April 19, 193010094 | Stillwater, Payne, Oklahoma |
|
| April 12, 194010094 | Stillwater, Payne, Oklahoma |
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