Edith Mary Coons 2 June 1909 – 11 March 1967

My maternal grandmother Edith Mary Coons, was born 2 June 1909 in Boulder, Colorado. She was the oldest daughter of Marshall H. Coons (1872-1915) and Julia Etta Wellman Coons (1882-1955)

Julia Etta “Etta” Wellman & Marshall H. Coons
Wedding Day, 15 June 1907
Sydney, Nebraska
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

Edith Mary Coons, Marshall Hartwell Coons & Matilda Perry Coons
Fall 1909, Boulder, Colorado
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

Nana, as we called her, had black curly hair, blue eyes, very fair skin, and a petite build. She passed away on 11 March 1967 in Los Angeles, California, at age 57, from ovarian cancer.

Edith Coons Barrett c 1936
San Gabriel, California
(Photo courtesy of Mary Hardaway Eylar)

One of things I love best about doing family history research, is when I come across personal letters written by my ancestors. The letters often give invaluable insight into the personality and life of the writer.

Edith Upton Coons White, who was my grandmother’s paternal aunt, passed away on 20 January 1965. Upon going through her personal belongings, Edith’s daughter, Mabel White Bosmajian, came across a photograph of Nana’s father, Marshall H. Coons, and sent it to her.

Edith Upton Coons White c 1920
Kelso, Missouri
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

Mabel White Bosmajian c 1919
Fresno, California
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

The following is a transcription of a letter written by Nana to her cousin, Mabel White Bosmajian, thanking her for the picture. This is what my mother would have called a “wonderfully newsy letter”. There is a bit of family history information, along with the current events in my grandmother’s life.

Sunday, February 21, 1965

My Dear Mabel,

Are you always so prompt in arranging to do things for someone else? I think it especially thoughtful of you to send along the pictures, when I’m sure you must have many things to attend to at this time.

This is the first time I’ve have ever had any concept of my fathers appearance, for we found nothing among mothers things. I have a small New Testament that was hers, and in it was the place of my fathers birth, but that was all.

Also, my birth certificate showed the same thing, but my name is Edith Mary. I don’t know what became of “Floretta” which was in the birth announcement. (In 1910 Census, my grandmother’s name was listed as “Floretta E.” Coons. At some point they obviously decided to change her name.)

I’m going to see if the small picture can be enlarged, and if it can, I shall make one for you if you would like it.

Marshall Hartwell Coons c 1900
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

As I remember, you have a family near you, don’t you? It seems to me that mother told me something about them, but the details are gone from my mind. I’d love to learn of them, and your grandchildren, if you have some. Does Amy (Mabel’s sister) have a family? Gracious, what a lot of catching up to do.

Now, about my family. My husband has been a semi-invalid for the past ten years, but is better now than he has been for some time. We have one daughter, Beverly Jean, who lives in La Puente, which is about twenty miles east of here. I think she became involved in the population explosion, for she has a family of eight, 4 boys and 4 girls! The oldest boy has red hair. The next one, also a boy, has my coloring (black curly hair and very fair skin) and the rest are assorted blondes and brunettes. I will send you some pictures in the near future.

Red is going into technical high school next fall to pursue his interest in things mechanical, and the rest are too young to have found themselves yet. They are a wonderful family and we enjoy them in small sessions. I think I’m getting beyond the age to handle that many at once.

I handle 85 a week in my studio (she was a piano teacher) but I have them one at a time! I love my work and have the largest class in the valley.

I’m sure you know that Opal had two sons, one of whom is a doctor in Kansas City, and the other lives in Phoenix. I’m not just sure what he is doing there, a retail business of some kind I think. He married a girl with three little ones, and they’ve added two of their own. Dr. Glenn is not yet married.

It seems reasonable to believe that you have something to do besides read, so I will close this for now. I do hope to meet you and Amy in the near future.

Sincerely,

Edith

Letter written by Edith Coons Barrett to her cousin, Mabel White Bosmajian
21 February 1965
(Copy of letter courtesy of George Bosmajian)

My great grandfather, Marshall H. Coons, disappeared sometime after 1915, leaving behind his wife Etta and two young daughters, Edith age 5, and Opal age 4. The last record I have for him is documentation of his honorable discharge from the Army on 29 January 1915. I have not yet been able to find a death record for him.

Marshall Hartwell Coons c 1912
(Photo courtesy of George Bosmajian)

Register of Enlistment, United States Army 1912-1916
(Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Transcription of above record:

Name: Coons, Marshall H.
Enlisted: 30 June 1912 
Where: Ft. Logan, Colorado
Where Born: Olney, Illinois
Age: 39
Occupation: Cement Worker
Description:
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dk. Brown
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5′ 8 1/2″
Regiment: Infantry 11 Co. M
Number of Enlistment: 2nd
Last Service
Regiment: Cavalry Co. 26
Date of Discharge: 26 April 1906
Honorable Discharge: 29 January 1915