Cora Eda Townsend Waddill 1879-1957
Cora Eda was born May 27, 1879 in David City, Nebraska, fifth child and second daughter to Horatio and Annie Young Townsend.
Very little is known about Cora prior to her marriage. She attended the local grade school and high school. After graduating Cora had some training in the nursing field and worked locally as a nurse's aid. Before and after her marriage she was often called on to attend births, illnesses, deaths and other health problems of the neighbors within the communities where she lived. Cora often mentioned that she wished she had kept track of the exact number of babies that she had assisted in bringing into the world, but proudly recalled that none of the babies had been stillborn. Cora also recalled that she had never assisted with twins or multiple births.
Cora was also quite talented in the art of sewing and did a lot of custom sewing before and after her marriage, for the women of the various communities in which she lived. One of the most pleasant tasks was that of sewing bridal dresses, which she was called on to do quite often.
Sometime during her twentieth year, Cora met and fell in love with the 'cowboy' that was to become her husband. John Wright Waddill, three years Cora's senior, was traveling from Texas to Nebraska with a cattle drive. The pair could not be kept apart and on April 3, 1901, at the age of 21, Cora became the wife of John W. Waddill, in Valentine, Nebraska. John found work as a rancher and a carpenter and the family moved frequently, following the work.
Sometime between 1905-07, the growing family of six, moved to Plainview, Texas.
In 1907-08, the family moved to a farm in Floyd Co. near Lockney, Texas. Here in the frame, clapboard, one-story house, three more births occurred.
In 1916, the family moved once again, west one county, to Hale Co., Texas. Where they single handedly established the town of Wilson by moving an old schoolhouse to a site. The family of eight made quarters for themselves in the back room.
The family moved several more times but after raising the children the final home for John and Cora was in Lovington, NM. in 1947 after they had retired..
As the pair aged together, their health began to fail. Cora was plagued with hardening of the arteries and senility. John had several strokes. Cora died on September 19, 1957. John died on August 4, 1959.
Both John W. Waddill and his loving wife, Cora Eda Townsend-Waddill are buried together in Lovington Cemetery, Lovington, New Mexico.
Cora was basically a happy person and when she wasn't reciting poetry, verses of lengthy prose, she could be heard singing religious songs while she went about her work. Her songs were always happy, cheerful songs, as was her nature.
Her parents were Horatio Gates Townsend and Annie Lois Young. Her children were:
Lenora Emma, Lois Alene, Warren Wright, Lewis Grant, John Dean, and Wilma Ruth Waddill.
Very little is known about Cora prior to her marriage. She attended the local grade school and high school. After graduating Cora had some training in the nursing field and worked locally as a nurse's aid. Before and after her marriage she was often called on to attend births, illnesses, deaths and other health problems of the neighbors within the communities where she lived. Cora often mentioned that she wished she had kept track of the exact number of babies that she had assisted in bringing into the world, but proudly recalled that none of the babies had been stillborn. Cora also recalled that she had never assisted with twins or multiple births.
Cora was also quite talented in the art of sewing and did a lot of custom sewing before and after her marriage, for the women of the various communities in which she lived. One of the most pleasant tasks was that of sewing bridal dresses, which she was called on to do quite often.
Sometime during her twentieth year, Cora met and fell in love with the 'cowboy' that was to become her husband. John Wright Waddill, three years Cora's senior, was traveling from Texas to Nebraska with a cattle drive. The pair could not be kept apart and on April 3, 1901, at the age of 21, Cora became the wife of John W. Waddill, in Valentine, Nebraska. John found work as a rancher and a carpenter and the family moved frequently, following the work.
Sometime between 1905-07, the growing family of six, moved to Plainview, Texas.
In 1907-08, the family moved to a farm in Floyd Co. near Lockney, Texas. Here in the frame, clapboard, one-story house, three more births occurred.
In 1916, the family moved once again, west one county, to Hale Co., Texas. Where they single handedly established the town of Wilson by moving an old schoolhouse to a site. The family of eight made quarters for themselves in the back room.
The family moved several more times but after raising the children the final home for John and Cora was in Lovington, NM. in 1947 after they had retired..
As the pair aged together, their health began to fail. Cora was plagued with hardening of the arteries and senility. John had several strokes. Cora died on September 19, 1957. John died on August 4, 1959.
Both John W. Waddill and his loving wife, Cora Eda Townsend-Waddill are buried together in Lovington Cemetery, Lovington, New Mexico.
Cora was basically a happy person and when she wasn't reciting poetry, verses of lengthy prose, she could be heard singing religious songs while she went about her work. Her songs were always happy, cheerful songs, as was her nature.
Her parents were Horatio Gates Townsend and Annie Lois Young. Her children were:
Lenora Emma, Lois Alene, Warren Wright, Lewis Grant, John Dean, and Wilma Ruth Waddill.
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.