Uncle Elvie was a bit of a mystery man in my family. He left Hopkins County, Kentucky, as a young man and rarely returned. His sister Verda’s children knew little about his life. When I first became interested in genealogy nearly twenty years ago, four of Verda’s daughters told me what they knew about him. And that was not much.

They said that Elvie lived in Idaho, worked as an insurance salesman, and married seven times but had no children. They knew the first name of one wife—Harriet. They said he had a heart attack on a plane while returning home to Idaho from a trip. They said the plane landed in Arizona and he died there.¹Elizabeth McCauley Carver, Lois McCauley Dockins, Kathryn McCauley Tomes, and Jimmie McCauley Knight; grandchildren of Thomas Leander Hankins and Samantha Angeline Petty, aunts of the author. Some of that is true, some of it is not, but Elvie and his wives left a trail in newspapers and other records that tells much more. Elvie’s story relies heavily on newspaper articles and “personals” columns, which are not always completely accurate. But in many instances, they are the only window to his life.

Elvie was named for his paternal grandfather, Albert Hankins, who died when his father was a young boy.²“Kentucky Death Records, 1852–1965,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1222 : accessed 4 Sep 2013), death certificate no. 12076 (1929), Thomas Lee Hankins; from microfilm 7016130–7041803, KY Dept. for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort. Family story, passed down through the family from Albert’s granddaughter, Aggie Ann Hankins (daughter of Lee’s brother, James W. Hankins), is that Albert was found with a friend in a barn in the company of Confederate deserters, was accused of desertion, and shot. His full name was Albert Elvie Hankins, but family and friends called him Elvie, Ev, or Al.³ 1900 U.S. census, Hopkins Co., KY, population schedule, Dalton, enumeration district (ED) 70, sheet 4A, p. 215 (stamped), dwelling 63, family 61, Lee Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 8 Jan 2010); from NARA microfilm T623, roll 528; named listed as Albert El. James Bailey Hankins (California) to (his cousin) Thomas Hankins, Letter (copy), Nov 1956; privately held by Linda McCauley, Mt. Vernon, KY, 2002; Jimmy named his siblings, including Elvie, whom he also called Ev in the letter. “Al Hankins, brother of local resident,” Birmingham (AL) News, 8 Jun 1959, p. 7, col. 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 Jan 2021). He was the second of Thomas Leander Hankins and Samantha Angeline Petty’s children, born on 16 October 1882 in Dalton in the western part of Hopkins County.⁴ 1880 U.S. census, Hopkins Co., KY, population schedule, Earlington, enumeration district (ED) 198, p. 40, dwelling 338, family 364, Lee Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742 : accessed 21 Nov 2009); from NARA microfilm T9, roll 421; Dick 4 mos. old, living with parents. “Texas, U.S. Death Certificates, 1903–1982,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2272 : accessed 25 Dec 2012), death certificate no. 31916 (1959), Albert E. Hankins; from TX Death Certificates 1903–1982, TX Dept. of State Health Services, Austin; Elvie’s DOB 16 Oct 1882 and parents’ names.

The family still lived in Dalton in 1900, and seventeen-year-old Elvie worked as a farm laborer.⁵ 1900 U. S. census, Hopkins Co., KY, pop. sch., Dalton, ED 70, p. 215, dwell. 63, fam. 61, Lee Hankins. He worked for St. Bernard Coal Company when he married for the first time on 26 June 1901.⁶“Edmonds-Hankins,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 27 Jun 1901, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013); Elvy employee of St. Bernard Coal Company. Hopkins Co., KY, Marriages, 5-1901–9-1902: 34-35, Hankins-Edmonds, 1901; Hopkins Co. Clerk, Madisonville. His bride, Mary Ella Edmonds, lived in Earlington in Hopkins County with her sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Frank Richardson, who hosted the wedding.⁷ “Edmonds-Hankins,” Bee, 27 Jun 1901; notes the wedding was at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. F. M. Richardson in Earlington. 1900 U.S. census, Hopkins Co., KY, population schedule, Earlington, enumeration district (ED) 64, sheet 8B, dwelling 144, family 177, Frank Richardson; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 10 Nov 2020); from NARA microfilm T623, roll 528; Frank’s wife’s name is Clara.

Ella was born on 1 January 1879 in Richland County, Illinois, to Joseph Edmonds and Mary Van Meter.⁸“Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852–1965,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1222 : accessed 10 Jan 2021), death certificate no. 18075 (1930), Ella Edmunds Willis; from microfilm 7016130–7041803, KY Dept. for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort. In 1900, she worked as a telephone operator but was the bookkeeper for John M. Victory and Company when she married Elvie.⁹1900 U.S. census, Hopkins Co., KY, pop. sch., Earlington, ED 64, sheet 8B, dwell. 144, fam. 177, Frank Richardson; Ella’s occupation telephone operator. “Edmonds-Hankins,” Bee, 27 Jun 1901; Ella bookkeeper for John M. Victory and Co.

Little blurbs in the Earlington newspaper over the next few years give a glimpse of Elvie’s life. Sometime between the wedding in June 1901 and March 1902, Elvie moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to work for the railroad.¹⁰“Mrs. Ella Hankins,” Bee (Earlington, KY) 3 Apr 1902, p. 1, col 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013); Ella moved to Kansas City, MO to join her husband who is employed in a powerhouse; specific railroad not mentioned. Ella advertised their furniture for sale in late March and left Hopkins County on 31 March to join Elvie.¹¹“Furniture for Sale,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 27 Mar 1902, p. 2, col 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). “Personal,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 3 Apr 1902, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013); date she left.

When The Bee reported Elvie was visiting his parents in the summer of 1903, Ella was not mentioned. Between July 1903 and April 1904, Elvie moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, to work for the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad as a switcher and brakeman.¹²“Personals,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 18 Jun 1903, p. 2, col 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013); notes Elvy, from Kansas City, was visiting friends and relatives, did not mention his wife. “Personals,” Bee (Earlington, KY) 23 Jul 1903, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013); Elvy returned to Kansas City, did not mention his wife. Elvie and Ella may have separated for a time. She apparently returned to Hopkins County and went back to work for J. M. Victory but again resigned her position and moved to St. Louis in April 1904.¹³“Personals,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 28 Apr 1904, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 Jan 2021); Ella resigned from J. M. Victory to go to St. Louis. Whether or not that move was to re-join Elvie is not known, but they appear to be together a few years later.

Elvie resigned from the L&N in March 1905 and returned to Hopkins County.¹⁴“Locomotive Blasts,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 30 Mar 1905, p. 1, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). He lived in Nortonville, a community in the southern part of the county, and was reported in The Bee in May, June, and July 1905 as conducting business in Earlington and Madisonville.¹⁵“Mining Notes,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 25 May 1905, p. 8, col. 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). “Mining Notes,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 8 Jun 1905, p. 8, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). “Mining Notes,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 20 Jul 1905, p. 3, col 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). During this time he worked for a coal mine company in Nortonville.¹⁶“Mining Notes,” Bee (Earlington, KY), 10 Aug 1905, p. 3, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Sep 2013). In August 1905, Elvie again accepted a position with the L&N Railroad—this one in the transportation department.¹⁷“Mining Notes,” Bee, 10 Aug 1905.

The next mention of Elvie in any of the Hopkins County newspapers was three years later. On 17 July 1908 in The Hustler reported “The one-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elvy Hankins, of near Nortonville, died Wednesday morning of summer complaint. The little one was laid to rest at New Salem that afternoon.”¹⁸“Additional Locals,” Hustler (Madisonville, KY), 17 Jul 1908, p. 6, col 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 Feb 2021).

Four days later, on 21 July, The Hustler published this under “Nortonville Items.”¹⁹“Nortonville Items,” Hustler (Madisonville, KY), 21 Jul 1908, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 Feb 2021).

“A large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends attended the funeral of little Herbert Hankins Wednesday.

Herbert, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Elvy Hankins, ages 13 months and 15 days, departed this life July 15^th. He was a bright child and loved by all who knew him. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. S. B. Presley and interment occurred at New Salem.”

Based on the details from the 21^st, the child was a boy, but were Elvie and Ella the parents? That is impossible to say for sure, but they likely were. Hopkins County birth records for 1907, when Herbert was born, and death records for 1908 do not have a Hankins child with a father named Elvie or a mother named Ella. They also do not have a child who died on 15 July 1908 under any name.²⁰Browsed “Kentucky, U.S., Birth Records, 1847–1911” and “Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852–1965” page by page on Ancestry for a Hankins child born in 1907, a Hankins child who died in 1908, and any child who died on 15 July 1908 in Hopkins County. None were found. No other Elvie/Elvy Hankins has been identified in Hopkins County in this period.²¹Searched 1900 and 1910 U.S. censuses on Ancestry for Elvie/Elvy Hankins, Hankin, and Hank* (wildcard for any surname beginning with Hank) in Hopkins County. None were found. Ella’s 1910 census record indicates that she had lost a child. The answer to the question “Number of Children Born” was one and “Number of Children Living,” was zero.²²1910 U.S. census, Muhlenberg Co., KY, population schedule, Magisterial District #2, enumeration district (ED) 79, sheet 13A, dwelling 73, family 73, Ed L. Willis; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884 : accessed 10 Jan 2021); from NARA microfilm T624, roll 496.

If Elvie and Ella were still together in 1908, they soon divorced as she married Edgar Leo Willis in 1909.²³1910 U.S. census, Muhlenberg Co., KY, pop. sch., Mag. Dist. #2, ED 79, sheet 3A, dwell. 73, fam. 73, Ed L. Willis. Ella and Edgar had one child—a son named Lyle who was born in 1916.²⁴1930 U.S. census, Muhlenberg Co., KY, population schedule, Greenville, enumeration district (ED) 89, stamped 216, sheet 3B, dwelling 59, family 73, Frank Richardson; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224 : accessed 14 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T626, roll 751. Ella died of breast cancer on 26 July 1930 at her sister’s home in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville.²⁵“Kentucky Death Records, 1852–1965,” 18075 (1930) Ella Edmunds Willis. 1930 U.S. census, Muhlenberg Co., KY, pop. sch., Greenville, ED 89, stamped 216, sheet 3B, dwell. 59, fam. 73, Frank Richardson; address is West Cross St which is where Ella died per death certificate.

Elvie left Hopkins County again, this time for good. In 1910 he lived at 16 4th Avenue East in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. He was a roomer in Dick Garrison’s household. Garrison was a conductor and Elvie a brakeman.²⁶1910 U.S. census, Reno Co., KS, population schedule, Hutchinson, enumeration district (ED) 171, sheet 1B, dwelling 10, family 12, Dick S. Garrison; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884 : accessed 4 Sep 2013); from NARA microfilm T624, roll 453. From Hutchinson, Elvie moved to Anthony in Harper County, Kansas, for a few months. He visited friends in Spivey in nearby Kingman County in February and March 1910 and moved to Spivey by May of that year to work as brakeman on a local train run (probably for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company which had a depot in Spivey).²⁷“Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier (Kingman, KS), 24 Feb 1910, p. 3, col. 1 and 17 Mar 1910, p. 14, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); both note A. E. Hankins of Anthony was visiting friends in Spivey. “Spivey,” Zenda (KS) Citizen, 6 May 1910, p. 1, col 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : 1 Feb 2021); Elvie moved to Spivey to work as brakeman on a local train run. If Elvie resumed visiting his parents in Hopkins County after moving out of state again, it did not make the newspaper over the next ten years.

Elvie married Frances McDavitt on 17 October 1910 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.²⁸FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004665233 : accessed 1 Feb 2021), digital film 004665233, image 1196, Sedgwick Co., KS, Marriages Sep 1909–Nov 1910: pages not numbered, Albert Hankins-Francis McDavid (sic), 17 Oct 1910; Hankins indexed as Hawkins. Frances, the daughter of John L. McDavitt and Frances Thompson, of Spivey, was born on 2 December 1892.²⁹Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : viewed 2 Jan 2021), memorial 148123462, for Frances Joan Lillian McDavitt Romine, (Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, CA), digital image, 21 Jun 2015, by K. B; DOB. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 8 Mar 1912, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); identifies Mrs. Albert Hankins’s parents as Mr. and Mrs. J. L. McDavitt of Spivey. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004661388 : accessed 10 Feb 2021), digital film 1301880, image 596, Edgar Co., IL, Marriage Records, 1-A: 5, McDavitt-Thompson, 14 Jan 1875; mother’s maiden name. Elvie and Frances moved to Hutchinson in November 1910 and by March 1911 lived in Thief River Falls in Pennington County, Minnesota.³⁰“Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier (Kingman, KS), 17 Nov 1910, p. 4, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); moved to Hutchinson. “Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier (Kingman, KS), 9 Mar 1911, p. 4, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Frances returned home to MN. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 22 Nov 1912, p. 10, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Frances visiting Spivey from Thief River Falls, MN. Elvie worked for the railroad in both places.³¹“Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier, 17 Nov 1910; noted he “will brake on the H & S out of that place” (Hutchinson). MN Division of Vital Statistics, birth certificate no. 22007 (1913), Ella Louise Hankins; digital copy, Minnesota Historical Society (https://www.mnhs.org).  

Frances arrived back in Spivey in November 1912 to spend the winter with her parents.³²“Spivey,” Kingman Journal, 22 Nov 1912; arrived from Thief River Falls, MN last Tuesday, expects to spend the winter with relatives. She was pregnant but returned to Thief River Falls in time to give birth to their daughter, Ella Louise, on 24 March 1913.³³MN Division of Vital Statistics, birth certificate no. 22007 (1913), Ella Louise Hankins. While Ella Louise is the name on their daughter’s birth certificate, her name always appeared as Eloise in newspaper personals.³⁴“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 27 Nov 1914, p. 3, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Frances and Eloise visiting her parents. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 26 May 1916, p. 4, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Albert visiting his little daughter, Eloise, and McDavitts.

Elvie, Frances, and Eloise spent a month with Frances’s parents in Spivey starting 9 March 1914.³⁵“Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier (Kingman, KS), 12 Mar 1914, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); arrived to visit Frances’s parents on previous Monday. They returned to Thief River Falls around 6 April 1914.³⁶“Spivey Department,” Leader-Courier (Kingman, KS), 9 Apr 1914, p. 4, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); returned to MN first of the week. Frances and Eloise again visited her parents in Spivey at the end of November that year.³⁷“Spivey,” Kingman Journal, 27 Nov 1914. It is unclear if they ever returned to Minnesota. By 1 March 1915 when the Kansas state census was taken, Frances and Eloise lived with Frances’s parents in Kingman County without Elvie.³⁸1915 Kansas state census, Kingman Co., population schedule, Chikaskia, p. 5, dwelling 21, family 21, for Francis and Eloise Hankins in J. L. McDavitt household; Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1088 : accessed 1 Feb 2021); from Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, roll ks1915_115. Frances soon moved to Hutchinson but left Eloise with her parents.³⁹“Advertised Letters,” Hutchinson (KS) Gazette, 2 Apr 1915, p. 6, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); letter at PO for Mrs. Frances Hankins. “Advertised Letter List,” Hutchinson (KS) Gazette, 30 Apr 1915, p. 7, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); letter at PO for Mrs. A. E. Hankins. In May, Elvie visited the McDavitt’s, likely to see his daughter, and in July Frances visited her parents and her daughter.⁴⁰“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 28 May 1915, p. 11, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Albert Hankins visiting McDavitts. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 2 Jul 1915, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Mrs Albert Hankins from Hutchinson visiting her baby, Eloise. Frances’s mother and Eloise visited Frances in Hutchinson in August.⁴¹“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 6 Aug 1915, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Mrs. McDavitt and Eloise visiting Mrs. F. Hankins in Hutchinson.

When and where Elvie and Frances divorced is unknown, but she probably married George Roland Clark in 1915, although a marriage record has not been found. When Frances’s mother and daughter visited her in Hutchinson in August 1915, her last name reported in the Kingman newspaper was still Hankins, but she was four months from giving birth to George’s daughter.⁴²“Spivey,” Kingman Journal, 6 Aug 1915; Mrs. McDavitt and Eloise visiting Mrs. F. Hankins in Hutchinson. “U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901 : accessed 19 Jan 2021), Beatrice Faye Clarke, SSN 510108243; from Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936–2007; Beatrice gave her parents as Geo. R. Clarke and Frances L. McDavitt. Frances and George had two children–Beatrice Faye born 14 December 1915 and Jack Roland born 24 February 1919.⁴³“U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007,” Beatrice Faye Clarke, SSN 510108243; born 14 Dec 1915. “California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5180 : 10 Feb 2021), Jack R. Clarke, 1962, Riverside, CA;  from California Death Index, 1940-1997, Dept. of Health Services, Sacramento; born 24 Feb 1919.

Eloise remained with the McDavitt’s, but Frances visited them, and they visited her.⁴⁴“Spivey,” Leader Courier (Kingman, KS), 18 Aug 1916, p. 5, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Frances visiting her parents. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 25 Jul 1919, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Mr. & Mrs. J. L. McDavitt and Eloise Hankins visited their daughter, Mrs. Clark, in Topeka. Elvie visited Eloise at her grandparents’ home on 26 May 1916.⁴⁵“Spivey,” Kingman Journal, 26 May 1916; Elvie visiting the McDavitts and his daughter Eloise. If Elvie ever visited his daughter after that, the Kingman newspapers did not report it.

Frances and George divorced at some point, and by 1930 she married Alfred E. Romine.⁴⁶1930 U.S. census, Sedgwick Co., KS, population schedule, Wichita, enumeration district (ED) 87, sheet 17B, dwelling 242, family 453, Alfred E. Romine; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224 : accessed 10 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T626; Frances and Beatrice in the household. Frances died on 8 April 1961 in Los Angeles County, California, and was buried in Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside, California.⁴⁷Find A Grave, memorial 148123462, Frances Joan Lillian McDavitt Romine, gravestone photo by K.B.

On 29 May 1916, three days after visiting his daughter, Elvie married Kathryne “Katie” Wilcox Harmon in Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas. Elvie still lived in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Katie lived in Wichita.⁴⁸No title (Albert E. Hankins, Thief River Falls, Minn), Evening Free Press (Winfield, KS), 1 Jun 1916, p. 6, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Albert E. Hankins, Thief River Falls, Minn, age 33 and Catherine Harmon, Wichita, age 24, married by Probate Judge Guy. Katie, born 10 March 1891 in Illinois, was the daughter of Joseph Wilcox and Emma Peterson.⁴⁹“California, U.S., Death Index, 1940–1997,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5180 : accessed 13 Feb 2021), Kathryne W. Sweet, 1975, Los Angeles Co.; from California Death Index, 1940-1997, Dept. of Health Services, Sacramento; DOB and birthplace. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/005204693 : accessed 10 Feb 2021), digital film 005204693, image 567, Warren Co., IL, Marriage Records, D: 117, no. 1502, Wilcox, Peterson, 9 Aug 1885; Emma J. Peterson, daughter of Hiram Peterson and Emily Smith, married Joseph Wilcox. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/005203008 : accessed 10 Feb 2021), digital film 005203008, image 10, Warren Co., IL, Marriage Records, E: 5, Simmons-Fee, 17 Apr 1894; Alice Peterson Fee, daughter of Hiram Peterson and Emily Smith, married J. F. Simmons. 1900 U.S. census, Warren Co., KS, population schedule, Roseville Township, enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 3B, dwelling 53, family 53, John F. Simmons; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 2 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T623; nine-year-old Katie Wilcox lived with John and Alice Simmons and was listed as niece. But she had lived with her mother’s sister Alice Peterson Simmons and her husband, J. F., in Spivey since at least 1900.⁵⁰1900 U.S. census, Warren Co., KS, pop. sch., Roseville Twnshp, ED 95, sheet 3B, dwell. 53, fam. 53, John F. Simmons; Katie lived with Alice and John.

Katie was married twice and had two children before she married Elvie. Her first husband was James Earl Van Landingham. They married at her Aunt Alice’s home in Spivey in April 1908 and had a son named Carl.⁵¹“Wilcox-VanLandingham,” Leader Courier (Kingman, KS), p. 4, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 Mar 2021); wedding. “No. 6694, Katie VanLandingham vs Earl VanLandingham,” Leader Courier (Kingman, KS), 27 Apr 1911, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 Mar 2021); divorce filing lists child Carl. Katie filed for divorce in April 1911 in Kingman County District Court, and it was granted in June.⁵²“No. 6694, Katie VanLandingham vs Earl VanLandingham,” Leader Courier (Kingman, KS), 27 Apr 1911. “In District Court,” Leader Courier, 29 Jun 1911, p. 1, col. 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 Mar 2021). She married George Harmon, who was a dentist, on 20 December 1911, and they had a daughter named Maxine. Katie’s divorce from George, filed in December 1914 in Sedgwick County, Kansas, was granted in May 1915.⁵³“Divorce Cases Filed,” Wichita (KS) Eagle, 22 Dec 1914, p. 9, col 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 Mar 2021); wedding date, daughter’s name, divorce filing. “Caught on the Wing,” Wichita (KS) Eagle, 14 May 1915, p. 8, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 Mar 2021); divorce granted.

Elvie and Katie lived in Thief River Falls until late 1917.⁵⁴“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 6 Jul 1917, p. 3, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Alice visiting Katie in Minnesota. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 14 Dec 1917, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Albert, Katie, and Maxine visiting Alice from Their River Falls, MN. They moved to Herington in Dickinson County, Kansas, in December 1917 for Elvie to work for the Rock Island Railway Company.⁵⁵“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 28 Dec 1917, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). Less than three months later, Spivey was their address when Elvie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 20 March 1918. He joined Company B of the 62^nd Engineer’s 4^th Railway Division.⁵⁶“U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925–1970,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2375 : accessed 21 December 2012), Albert E. Hankins, serial no. 891559; from Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92, NARA, Washington, D.C. This unit, which included railroad men from practically every state, trained at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, starting in May 1918.⁵⁷Roster of 62nd Engineers, American Ex. Forces France 1918–1919, (Auxerre, France, 1919); digital images, Indiana Memory (https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/scc/id/213 : accessed 26 Dec 2012); from Sullivan County Community Collection, Sullivan County Public Library; p. 1.

Elvie served in France during World War I. He left New York City on 14 July 1918 aboard the Zeelandia, headed to Europe in a convoy of thirteen vessels.⁵⁸ “U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910–1939,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61174 : accessed 12 Dec 2020), Outgoing > Zeelandia > 30 Jun 1918–12 Nov 1919 > image 150, entry for Albert E. Hankins, serial no. 891559; from Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92, NARA, College Park, MD; ship name, departure port and date. Traveling thirteen knots per hour, the crossing took thirteen days. They arrived in Liverpool, England, on 26 July 1918. Two days later, they boarded the channel boat Antrim and departed for Cherbourg, France. The Regiment disembarked at Cherbourg on the 29th.⁵⁹Roster of 62nd Engineers, American Ex. Forces France 1918–1919; Indiana Memory; p 1.

On 31 July, they reached the camp at St. Pierre Des Corps, which consisted of only a few barracks. Most of the men stayed in pup tents pending the arrival of barracks. The camp, constructed almost entirely by the 62^nd Engineers, included a large Y.M.C.A. While at St. Pierre Des Corps, the Regiment operated the round-house and car repair shops for the P and O Railroad.⁶⁰Roster of 62nd Engineers, American Ex. Forces France 1918–1919; Indiana Memory; p 1–2.

Starting in October, detachments were sent to several locations, including the “Advance Section” (to run the Est Railroad communication line), St. Florentine, Chatillon sur Seine, and Connantre.⁶¹Roster of 62nd Engineers, American Ex. Forces France 1918–1919; Indiana Memory; p 2. Exactly where Elvie was during this time is unknown but, at some point in 1918, he was with his two youngest brothers, Perry and Jimmy, who were also in France. How or where the brothers were together is not known, but it was at least long enough for a photo.⁶²James Bailey, Albert Elvie, and William Perry Hankins photograph, 1918, from James Bailey Hankins’s album, privately held by Martha Carver Abbott, Greenville, KY; abt. 1972, Jimmy gave his photo album to his McCauley nieces in Greenville during one of his last trips to KY, Elizabeth McCauley Carver held it, Martha received it from Elizabeth (her mother) abt. 2003; image digitized by Linda McCauley 23 Jul 2013; annotated AEF-1918. AEF = American Expeditionary Forces.

Members of the Regiment handled railroad operations from several months starting on 8 November 1918. Operations ceased on 31 May 1919 in anticipation of the formal end of the war, and the companies prepared to return to the United States.⁶³Roster of 62nd Engineers, American Ex. Forces France 1918–1919; Indiana Memory; p. 2.

After Elvie left for the service, Katie started nursing training at Kingman Hospital in Kingman, Kansas, in August 1918.⁶⁴“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 9 Aug 1918, p. 9, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 15 Nov 1918, p. 7, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). By January 1919, she again lived in Wichita and continued her training there.⁶⁵“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 10 Jan 1919, p. 3, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). Her daughter Maxine lived with her aunt, Alice, in Spivey, while Katie trained to become a nurse. Katie visited them several times over those months, and Alice and Maxine visited her at least once.⁶⁶“Spivey,” Kingman  Journal, 2 Aug 1918; Alice & Maxine visiting Katie. “Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 15 Nov 1918, p. 7, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021), Katie visiting. “Spivey,” Kingman Journal, 10 Jan 1919.

Elvie returned to the United States onboard the Aeolus on 17 June 1919 from St. Nazaire, France, and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the 28th.⁶⁷“U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910–1939,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61174 : accessed 12 Dec 2020), Incoming > Aeolus > 30 May 1919–15 Aug 1919 > Image 439, entry for Albert E. Hankins, serial no. 891559; from Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92, NARA, College Park, MD. He was discharged from the army on 11 July 1919.⁶⁸“U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925–1970,” Albert E. Hankins, serial no. 891559.

After his discharge from the army, Elvie returned to Katie in Kansas, and they left at the end of July to live in Denver, Colorado.⁶⁹“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 1 Aug 1919, p. 11, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). Less than three months later, they moved to Idaho.⁷⁰“Spivey,” Kingman (KS) Journal, 10 Oct 1919, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Katie & Maxine visiting Alice from Idaho. By 10 January 1920, Elvie lived in Elmore County, Idaho, and was again single. He worked as a yardmaster for Oregon Short Line Railroad and lived on Idaho Avenue in Glenns Ferry in the home of Effie M. Mesinnell. Elvie and another railroad employee, Edward Masterson, were lodgers in Mrs. Mesinnell’s home.⁷¹1920 U.S. census, Elmore Co., ID, population schedule, Glenns Ferry, enumeration district (ED) 145, sheet 8B, dwelling 159, family 184, Effie M. Mesinnell; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061 : accessed 4 Sep 2013); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 291. Katie was back in Kansas, working as a nurse in Wichita and lodging with John and Orvetta Henley. She was listed as married.⁷²1920 U.S. census, Sedgwick Co., KS, population schedule, Wichita, enumeration district (ED) 133, sheet 6B, dwelling 45, family 169, John D. Henley; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061 : accessed 10 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 549.

Katie filed for divorce from Elvie in April 1920 in Butler County, Kansas.⁷³“Publication Notice, Kathryn Hankins vs Albert Hankins,” Douglass (KS) Tribune, 30 Apr 1920, p. 9, col. 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). She eventually married William Denver Sweet.⁷⁴1940 U.S. census, Los Angeles Co., CA, population schedule, Los Angeles, enumeration district (ED) 60-931, sheet 62B, household 358, Adren Redman; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442 : accessed 13 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 412; Katie & Denver Sweet living with her daughter Maxine. Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : viewed 13 Feb 2021), memorial 3434456, for Denver Sweet, (Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA), digital image, 10 Jan 2020, by Jon Verdick; plot A-C 4. Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : viewed 13 Feb 2021), memorial 76036763, for Kathryne W Sweet, (Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA), digital image, 4 Jun 2015, by Harold Barraclough; plot A-C 4, “his wife Kathryne W.” “California, U.S., Death Index, 1940–1997,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5180 : accessed 13 Feb 2021), William D. Sweet, 1964, Los Angeles Co.; from California Death Index, 1940-1997, Dept. of Health Services, Sacramento; Denver’s first name William. In 1940, Katie and Denver lived with her daughter Maxine and her husband, Adren Redman, in Los Angeles, California.⁷⁵1940 U.S. census, Los Angeles Co., CA, pop. sch., Los Angeles, ED 60-931, sheet 62B, hshld. 358, Adren Redman. Katie died on 30 July 1975 in Los Angeles and was buried beside Denver in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.⁷⁶Find A Grave, memorial 76036763, Kathryne W Sweet, gravestone photo by Harold Barraclough.

On 23 December 1921, Elvie married Harriet Edna Ellis Massey in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.⁷⁷FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004173127 : accessed 6 Jun 2019), digital film 004173127, image 197, Canyon Co., ID, Marriages, 11: 170, Hankins-Massey, 23 Dec 1921. He lived in the Canyon County town of Nampa at the time and was still working as a yardmaster for Oregon Short Line Railroad. Harriet also lived in Nampa and taught school.⁷⁸No title (marriage announcement for Albert E. Hankins and Harriet E. Massey), undated clipping, 1921, from unidentified newspaper, privately held by Sue Morgan London, AZ, copy provided to Linda McCauley, Mt. Vernon, KY, 2004; about the marriage of Albert E. Hankins and Harriet E. Massey on 24 Dec 1921; note date on marriage record is 23 Dec 1921. She was born in Illinois about 1890, the daughter of John R. and Mary Ellis.⁷⁹“Idaho, U.S., Birth Index 1861–1917, Stillbirth Index, 1905–1967,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8973 :accessed 2 Jan 2021); birth certificate no. 9563 (1912), Harriet Edna Massey; from State Birth Index, ID Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Boise; identified mother as Harriet Edna Ellis, age 22, birthplace IL. No title (marriage of Albert E. Hankins and Harriet E. Massey), undated clipping from unidentified newspaper; identifies Harriet’s parents as Mr.& Mrs. John R. Ellis. 1900 U.S. census, McHenry Co., ID, population schedule, Grafton Township, enumeration district (ED) 155, sheet 1B, dwelling 17, family 17, John Ellis; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 10 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T623; Harriet’s mother’s name Mary. Harriet was a divorced mother of two daughters, Harriett Edna and Maryetta Massey.⁸⁰1920 U.S. census, Jerome Co., ID, population schedule, Jerome, enumeration district (ED) 184, sheet 15A, dwelling 331, family 339, Harriet E. Massey; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061 : accessed 8 Jan 2010); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 293; daughters Edna and Mary E Massey. “Idaho, U.S., Birth Index 1861–1917, Stillbirth Index, 1905–1967,” birth certificate no. 9563 (1912), Harriet Edna Massey; full name for Edna. 1930 U.S. census, Park Co., MT, population schedule, Livingston, enumeration district (ED) 6, sheet 18A, dwelling: not listed, family: not listed, Albert E. Hankins; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224 : accessed 20 Jan 2010); NARA microfilm T626, roll 1259; Maryetta’s full name. She married Charles F. Massey on 5 October 1911 in Jerome, Idaho, which was in Lincoln County at that time.⁸¹FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004533527 : accessed 10 Feb 2021), digital film 004533527, image 224, Lincoln Co., ID, Marriage Register, (book not numbered) p. 6, no. 124, Massey-Ellis, 5 Oct 1911. They divorced before 1920 after Charles went to prison in 1915.⁸²1920 U.S. census, Jerome Co., ID, pop. sch., Jerome, ED 184, sheet 15A, dwell. 331, fam. 339, Harriet E. Massey; Harriet’s marital status divorced. “Idaho, U.S., Old Penitentiary Prison Records, 1882–1961,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61475 : accessed 2 Feb 2021), Charles F. Massey, no. 2299; from Old Penitentiary Prison Records, 1882–1961, ID State Archives and Historical Society, Boise; nearest relative in 1915 Mrs. Harriet E. Massey, wife.

Elvie and Harriet still lived in Nampa a year after their marriage. They made at least one trip together to Kentucky. According to the 22 December 1922 edition of the Idaho Statesman, they stopped to visit Harriet’s parents “while en route from Kentucky to their home in Nampa.”⁸³“Jerome News Items,” Idaho Statesman (Boise, ID), 26 Dec 1922; digital image, Genealogy Bank (https://www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 2 Aug 2010).

In 1929, Elvie and Harriet moved to Livingston in Park County, Montana and lived at 104 N. E. Street, Apartment 1. Elvie had changed careers from the railroad to insurance sales, and Harriet was no longer teaching school.⁸⁴Polk’s Livingston (Montana) City Directory 1929 (Butte, MT: R. L. Polk & Company of Montana), p. 48, entry for Albert E. and Harriet E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 10 Jan 2021) > Montana > Livingston > 1929 > Livingston, Montana,, City Directory, 1929> image 24. 1930 U.S. census, Park Co., MT, pop. sch., Livingston, ED 6, sheet 18A, no dwell. or fam. #, Albert E. Hankins; no occupation listed for Harriet; Elvie was salesman for sick and accident insurance. The family moved several times in Livingston living at 118 S. 6^th Street in 1931, 215 S. 3^rd Street in 1935, and 206 S. Yellowstone in 1937.⁸⁵Polk’s Livingston (Montana) City Directory 1931 (Butte, MT: R. L. Polk & Company of Montana), p. 46, entry for Albert E. and Harriet E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 10 Jan 2021) > Montana > Livingston > 1931 > Livingston, Montana,, City Directory, 1931> image 23. Polk’s Livingston (Montana) City Directory 1935 (Salt Lake City, UT: R. L. Polk & Company of Montana), p. 44, entry for Albert E. and Harriet E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 10 Jan 2021) > Montana > Livingston > 1935 > Livingston, Montana,, City Directory, 1935> image 24. Polk’s Livingston (Montana) City Directory 1937 (Salt Lake City, UT: R. L. Polk & Company of Montana), p. 47, entry for Albert E. and Harriet Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 10 Jan 2021) > Montana > Livingston > 1937 > Livingston, Montana,, City Directory, 1937> image 24.

Harriet’s daughters lived with them when they moved to Livingston.⁸⁶1930 U.S. census, Park Co., MT, pop. sch., Livingston, ED 6, sheet 18A, no dwell. or fam. #, Albert E. Hankins; Edna and Maryetta Massey listed in household. It is unclear if Elvie adopted the girls, who were seven and nine years old when he married their mother, but they started using Hankins as their last name at some point. In the 1930 census, their last name was Massey and each girl’s relationship to Elvie was step-daughter.⁸⁷1930 U.S. census, Park Co., MT, pop. sch., Livingston, ED 6, sheet 18A, no dwell. or fam. #, Albert E. Hankins; Harriet’s daughters last name Massey. However, mentions later in newspaper personals call them Hankins and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hankins.⁸⁸“Miss Hankins Arrives,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 22 Oct 1942, p. 7, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Edna Hankins visiting her parents. No title (Miss Marietta Hankins), Billings (MT) Gazette, 3 Sep 1933, p. 11, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Maryetta Hankins visiting her parents. Edna went to work for U.S. Congressman James F. O’Connor as an office assistant and stenographer in December 1936. The article about that published in The Independent-Record identifies her as Edna Hankins.⁸⁹“James F. O’Connor Leaves for D.C. To Take Up His Work,” Independent-Record (Helena, MT), p. 6, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). Maryetta gave Hankins as her name for the record when she married Kyle Henry Leveau on 4 October 1936 in Rapid City, South Dakota.⁹⁰“South Dakota, U.S., Marriages, 1905–2017,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8561 : accessed 2 Feb 2021); Kyle H. Leveau-Maryetta Hankin (sic), 4 Oct 1936, Pennington Co.; from SD Marriage Records, 1905–2016, SD Dept. of Health, Pierre; Maryetta Hankin (sic) of Livingston, MT.

Elvie and Harriet moved to Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, between May 1938 and December 1939.⁹¹ “Dinner Club Meets,” Montana Standard (Butte, MT), 8 May 1938, p. 44, col 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Elvie and Harriet won a prize at “Dinner Club” in Livingston, MT. No title (Members of Esther Reed chapter), Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 11 Dec 1939, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Harriet transferred her D. A. R. membership to the Spokane chapter. In 1940, they lived in an apartment building at 2216 W. 1st Avenue, and Elvie was a supervisor for Health and Accident Insurance Company.⁹²1940 U.S. census, Spokane Co., WA, population schedule, Spokane, enumeration district (ED) 41-54, sheet 1A, household 14, Albert E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442 : accessed 13 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm 627, roll 4386.

They moved several times in Spokane. In 1942 they lived at 714 E. 33^rd Street and Elvie worked as the northwest supervisor for Continental Casualty Company.⁹³Polk’s Spokane City Directory 1942 (Spokane, WA: R. L. Polk & Company), p. 308, entry for Albert E and Harriet Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 1 Feb 2021) > Washington > Spokane > 1942 > Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1942> image 157. “U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1002 : accessed 4 Nov 2020), Albert E. Hankins, serial no. 2731; from Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group 147, NARA, St Louis, Missouri. They moved to 1311 6^th Avenue, Apartment B by 1943 and lived at 618 W. 25^th Street in 1945.⁹⁴Polk’s Spokane City Directory 1943 (Spokane, WA: R. L. Polk & Company), p. 314, entry for Albert E and Harriet Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 1 Feb 2021) > Washington > Spokane > 1943 > Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1943> image 162. Polk’s Spokane City Directory 1945-46 (Spokane, WA: R. L. Polk & Company), p. 382, entry for Albert E and Harriet E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 1 Feb 2021) > Washington > Spokane > 1945 > Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1945> image 194.

Harriet was an active member of the El Karnak temple, Daughters of the Nile, serving as queen of that temple from March 1946 to March 1947.⁹⁵“Nile Induction Colorful Event,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 31 Mar 1946, p. 12, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). The Daughters of the Nile is an international organization for women related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason, a Daughter of the Nile, or a former patient at a Shriners Hospital for Children.⁹⁶Daughters of the Nile, (https://daughtersofthenile.com/ : accessed 2 Feb 2021). Elvie’s membership in the El Katif Shrine in Spokane gave Harriet the eligibility for membership.⁹⁷“Albert Hankins Is Dead,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 9 Jun 1959, p. 5, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 Dec 2012); notes he was a member of the Spokane consistory of Scottish Rite Bodies, El Katif Shrine.

After more than twenty-five years together, Harriet filed for divorce in Superior Court in Spokane in April 1947.⁹⁸“New Suits Filed in Superior Court,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 4 Apr 1947, p. 5, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Harriet E. Hankins vs Albert E. Hankins, divorce filed. The court granted their divorce on 9 May.⁹⁹FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007406872 : accessed 2 Feb 2021), digital film 007406872, images 325 and 330, Spokane Co., WA, Civil Recording Superior Court 278: 324 and 329, divorce decree no. 119106, Hankins-Hankins, 9 May 1947; from Eastern Washington Regional Archives, Cheney. Elvie lived at 514 W. 1^st Avenue, which was the Ridpath Hotel, in 1947 and worked for Aetna Life Insurance Company.¹⁰⁰Polk’s Spokane City Directory 1947 (Seattle, WA: R. L. Polk & Company), p. 432, entry for Albert E. Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 1 Feb 2021) > Washington > Spokane > 1947 > Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1947> image 194. “Red Cross Assisting Victims of Blaze in Hotel,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 1 Mar 1950, p. 1, col. 4 and p. 13, col. 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); notes the address of the Ridpath Hotel as W514 1^st. But Harriet was not with him or elsewhere in that year’s city directory. Harriet’s whereabouts after the divorce are unknown, but she apparently left Spokane or quickly remarried as she is not listed in later city directories.¹⁰¹Searched Spokane, WA city directories for 1947, 1949, and 1950 on Ancestry for Harriet Hankins. She was not found.

Elvie married Ethel Mayalvora Alvord Powers on 1 August 1948 in Spokane.¹⁰²“Washington, U.S., Marriages, 1854–2013, digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2378 : accessed 4 Sep 2013); Albert E. Hankins-Ethel May Powers, 1 Aug 1948, Spokane Co.; from WA Marriage Records, 1854–2013, WA State Archives, Olympia. “U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901 : accessed 3 Feb 2021), Ethel Mayalvora Powers, SSN 536053730; from Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936–2007, Social Security Administration; middle name. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004223208 : accessed 21 Sep 2019), digital film 004223208, image 1446, Spokane Co., WA, death certificate no. 21880 (1948), Ethel May Hankins; from WA Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia; born 4 May 1895, WA, father’s name Alvord. Ethel, the daughter of Frank Alvord and Katherine Kleckner, was born on 4 May 1895 in Seattle, and grew up in Montana.¹⁰³FamilySearch, digital film 004223208, image 1446, death certificate no. 21880 (1948), Ethel May Hankins; born 4 May 1895, WA, parents Frank Alvord and Katherine Kleckner. “Montana, U.S., County Marriages, 1865–1987,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61578 : accessed 2 Feb 2021); Arthur Raymond Riebhoff-Ethel May Powers, 18 Aug 1933, Powell Co.; from MT County Marriages 1865–1987, MT State Historical Society, Helena; Ethel born in Seattle, King County, WA. 1900 U.S. census, Flathead Co., MT, population schedule, Troy Township, enumeration district (ED) 38, sheet 1B, dwelling 25, family 27, Frank E. Alvord; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 3 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T623. 1910 U.S. census, Lincoln Co., MT, population schedule, School District #13, enumeration district (ED) 45, sheet 9B, dwelling 106, family 109, Frank E. Alvord; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884 : accessed 3 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T624, roll 833.

Elvie was Ethel’s fourth husband. She married Ernest P. Williamson on 11 June 1913 in Kootenai County, Idaho.¹⁰⁴FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004533541 : accessed 2 Feb 2021), digital film 004533541, image 24, Kootenai Co., ID, Marriages 9: 376, Williamson-Alvord, 11 Jun 1913. Ernest worked for the railroad and died in a railroad accident on 24 February 1918 in Teton County, Montana.¹⁰⁵FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004533541 : accessed 2 Feb 2021), digital film 004533541, image 24, Kootenai Co., ID, Marriages 9: 376, Williamson-Alvord, 11 Jun 1913. Ethel married James B. Powers on 2 July 1919 in Kootenai County, Idaho.¹⁰⁶FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004533542 : accessed 2 Feb 2021), digital film 004533542, image 689, Kootenai Co., ID, Marriages 14: 86, Powers-Williamson, 2 Jul 1919. She and James apparently divorced, and she married Arthur Raymond Riefhoff on 18 August 1933 in Powell County, Montana.¹⁰⁷FamilySearch, digital film 004533541, image 24, Williamson-Alvord. Ethel’s marriage to Arthur ended by 1940 when she lived alone in Spokane, was listed as divorced, and worked as a saleslady. Her surname was back to Powers, which she was still using when she married Elvie eight years later.¹⁰⁸1940 U.S. census, Spokane Co., WA, population schedule, Spokane, enumeration district (ED) 41-97, sheet 61A, household 127, Ethel Powers; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442 : accessed 13 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 4387. “Washington, U.S., Marriages, 1854–2013,” Albert E. Hankins-Ethel May Powers, 1 Aug 1948.

Ethel died less than five months after marrying Elvie. On 30 December 1948, she fell from the 3^rd floor window at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. Her injuries were fatal.¹⁰⁹FamilySearch, digital film 004223208, image 1446, death certificate no. 21880 (1948), Ethel May Hankins. Detectives were told she felt faint, walked to the window for fresh air, and fell out.¹¹⁰“Fall Proves Fatal to Spokane Woman,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 30 Dec 1948, p. 1, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed22 Sep 2019). Her death was ruled an accident.¹¹¹FamilySearch, digital film 004223208, image 1446, death certificate no. 21880 (1948), Ethel May Hankins. Her obituary mentioned her parents, a sister Mrs. Frankie Shindle of Whitefish, Montana, and Elvie.¹¹²“Funerals – Hankins, Ethel May,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 31 Dec 1948, p. 41, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 22 Sep 2019). Ethel was buried in Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane with a headstone that also has Elvie’s name on it, but he was not buried there.¹¹³Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : viewed 3 Feb 2021), memorial 182218317, for Ethel May Alvord Hankins, (Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane, WA), digital image, 9 Aug 2017, by Barbie Gant.

In 1949, Elvie still lived at the Ridpath Hotel at 514 W. 1^st Avenue in Spokane and worked for Aetna Life Insurance Company.¹¹⁴Polk’s Spokane City Directory 1949 (Seattle, WA: R. L. Polk & Company), p. 436, entry for Albert E Hankins; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469 : accessed 1 Feb 2021) > Washington > Spokane > 1949 > Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1949> image 223. A fire started in the hotel’s basement on 28 February 1950 and quickly spread throughout the building. Most residents lost everything. The Spokane Daily Chronicle interviewed Elvie along with other residents. He said, “I don’t mind losing my guns and hunting equipment and things like that, but I hate to lose things I can’t replace, old newspaper clippings about my football days in the 1890s, old photographs and things like that.” Elvie walked out of the hotel with only the clothes on his back. He said the smoke was so thick on the second floor he could hardly get through.¹¹⁵“Reactions of Hotel ‘Refugees’ Vary” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 1 Mar 1950, p. 1, col. 4 and p. 13, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021).

Family lore says that Elvie married seven times. That may or may not be true, but he married at least six times, and Bernice Jackson Gamble was his last wife. Elvie married Bernice on 1 July 1951 in Spokane.¹¹⁶“Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2378 : accessed 25 May 2012); Albert E. Hankins-Bernice Gamble, 1 Jul 1951, Spokane Co.; from Washington Marriage Records, 1854–2013, WA State Archives, Olympia. She was the daughter of James Jackson and Fannie Sturtevant, born on 28 February 1897 in Mankato, Jewell County, Kansas.¹¹⁷1900 U.S. census, Jewell Co., KS, population schedule, Center Township, enumeration district (ED) 47, sheet 9B, dwelling 209, family 210, James C. Jackson; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602 : accessed 16 Jun 2020); from NARA microfilm T623; Bernice living with parents James and Fannie Jackson, Fannie’s parents with last name Sturdevant also in household. Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : viewed 26 Dec 2012), memorial 77785066, for Bernice Jackson Hankins, (Pines Cemetery, Spokane, WA), digital image, 8 Feb 2013, by Sue Tanner. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/005015331 : accessed 6 Jun 2019), digital film 005015331, image 312, Spokane Co., WA, Marriage Applications 1951 B8001-B9000, no. B8297, Hankins-Gamble, 25 Jun 1951; Bernice born in Mankato, KS. She was the widow of Vernon W. Gamble, whom she married on 27 August 1914 in Spokane.¹¹⁸“Bernice Gamble Taken by Death,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 21 Feb 1972, p. 5, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 Dec 2012); identifies Bernice as the widow of Vernon W. Gamble. “Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2378 : accessed 25 May 2012); Vernon W. Gamble-Bernice Jackson, 27 Aug 1914, Spokane Co.; from Washington Marriage Records, 1854–2013, WA State Archives, Olympia. Bernice and Vernon had two sons, Vernon Jackson and James Thomas Gamble, and Vernon died in Tacoma, Washington, on 10 January 1940.¹¹⁹“Bernice Gamble Taken by Death,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 21 Feb 1972; obituary lists her two sons. FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004222416 : accessed 10 Jan 2021), digital film 004222416, image 2105, Pierce Co., WA, death certificate no. 12 (1940), Vernon W. Gamble; from WA Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia. Their son James died at Iwo Jima during World War II.¹²⁰“Bernice Gamble Taken by Death,” Spokane Daily Chronicle, 21 Feb 1972.

At the time of Elvie and Bernice’s marriage, he lived in the Palmerston Hotel in Spokane. She lived at E. 3408 17th Street, and that is where they lived during their marriage.¹²¹FamilySearch, digital film 005015331, image 312, Hankins-Gamble. “Deaths, Hankins, Albert E.,” Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, 10 Jun 1959, p. 22, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Bernice’s address at time of marriage was their address when Elvie died in 1959. FamilySearch, digital film 005015331, image 312, Hankins-Gamble. “Deaths, Hankins, Albert E.,” Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, 10 Jun 1959, p. 22, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021); Bernice’s address at time of marriage was their address when Elvie died in 1959.

After a twilight garden ceremony followed by a buffet supper, Elvie and Bernice left for a wedding trip which crossed the country and lasted about three weeks. They drove south along the Pacific coast with plans to visit Bryce Zion and the Grand Canyon.¹²²“Garden Rites Are Followed by Coast Trip,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 3 Jul 1951, p. 16, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). After spending time in San Antonio, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana, they visited Elvie’s brothers in Birmingham, Alabama, and Louisville, Kentucky. They also visited Bernice’s son Jack in Cleveland, Ohio before heading back to Spokane through Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Yellowstone National Park.¹²³No title (Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hankins), Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 26 Jul 1951, p. 4, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). Note: Unless Jimmy was visiting in KY from CA, Elvie did not have a brother in Louisville but did have two nieces living there.

In thirty years of selling insurance, Elvie received fifteen expense-paid convention trips because of his sales record. He joined the Lincoln National Life Insurance company in 1952 and became one of their top salesmen.¹²⁴“Insurance Agent Just Won’t Stop,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 17 Oct 1958, p. 10, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : 10 Jan 2021). In August 1955, he won their nationwide sales contest.¹²⁵“A. E. Hankins Winner,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 16 Aug 1955, p. 12, col. 7; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). In November 1956, he won membership in the company’s top honorary sales organization, the Minute-Men Club.¹²⁶“Top Salesman Honored,” Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, 16 Nov 1956, p. 5, col. 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021).

Bernice taught piano and organ for over 50 years. She traveled in the summers in Europe studying music and languages in France, Italy, and Greece. She also taught French and Italian classes at the local YWCA.¹²⁷“Bernice Gamble Taken by Death,” Spokane Daily Chronicle, 21 Feb 1972. In 1953, Bernice spent three months in Europe attending music festivals in Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Scotland.¹²⁸“Bernice Gamble Hankins,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 20 Sep 1953, pg. 38, col 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). In 1955, she studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.¹²⁹“Teaching, Study, Travel Keep Spokanite Fresh,” Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), 15 Mar 1959, p. 48, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021).

In May 1959, Bernice left for her fourth European trip since 1953. She planned to visit Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Yugoslavia before taking courses in French history and France today at the University of Marseilles and Aix at Nice on the French Riviera.¹³⁰“Teaching, Study, Travel Keep Spokanite Fresh,” Spokesman-Review, 15 Mar 1959. In late May, Bernice and Elvie spent several days in Cleveland with her son Jack and his family. When Bernice left for Europe on 29 May, Elvie went to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit his brother, Dick.¹³¹“Mrs. A. E. Hankins,” Spokesman-Review, (Spokane, WA), 30 May 1959, p. 3, col. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021).

Elvie left Birmingham on 5 June heading to Hollywood, California, no doubt to visit his brother, Jimmy.¹³²“Al Hankins, brother of local resident,” Birmingham News, 8 Jun 1959. He ended up in Providence Memorial Hospital in El Paso, Texas, where he died two days later on 7 June of acute pulmonary edema.¹³³“Texas, U.S. Death Certificates, 1903–1982,” 31916 (1959), Albert E. Hankins.

Bernice flew home 10 June on Pan American Airlines from London, England, to Seattle.¹³⁴“Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882–1965,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8945 : accessed 3 Feb 2012), Bernice Gamble, Pan American from London to Seattle; from “Passenger and Crew Manifests of Airplanes Arriving at Seattle, Washington,” Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Record Group 85, NARA, Washington, D.C. Elvie was buried in Pines Cemetery in Spokane on 12 June after a funeral service at the Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home.¹³⁵“Deaths, Hankins, Albert E.,” Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, 12 Jun 1959, p. 20, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 1 Feb 2021). 

Bernice died of cancer on 20 February 1972 in Spokane and was buried next to Elvie.¹³⁶ “Bernice Gamble Taken by Death,” Spokane Daily Chronicle, 21 Feb 1972. Find A Grave, memorial 77785066, Bernice Jackson Hankins, gravestone photo by Sue Tanner.

Herbert Hankins

Herbert lived thirteen months and fifteen days. He was likely the son of Elvie and his first wife, Ella. Herbert died on 15 July 1908 in Hopkins County and was buried in New Salem Cemetery. He apparently did not have a marker, or it did not survive until 1970 when the cemetery was documented by the Hopkins County Genealogical Society.¹³⁷Hopkins Co. Genealogical Society, editor, Hopkins County, Kentucky Cemeteries, Vol. I (Utica, KY: McDowell Publications), p. 24–52, New Salem Cemetery: no Herbert Hankins found.

Ella Louise “Eloise” Hankins

Eloise was born on 24 March 1913 in Pennington County, Minnesota.¹³⁸Minnesota Division of Vital Statistics, 22007 (1913), Ella Louise Hankins. After her parents, Elvie and Frances, divorced when she was about two years old, she lived with her maternal grandparents, John L. and Frances McDavitt, in Spivey, Kansas.¹³⁹ 1920 U.S. census, Kingman Co., KS, population schedule, Spivey, enumeration district (ED) 97, sheet 3A & B, dwelling 12, family 13, John L. McDavitt; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061 : accessed 3 Feb 2021); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 536. 1930 U.S. census, Kingman Co., KS, population schedule, Spivey, enumeration district (ED) 48, sheet 2A, 175 (stamped), dwelling 27, family 27, John McDavid; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224 : accessed 8 Jan 2010); from NARA microfilm T626.

She died of a cardiovascular accident on 18 January 1964 at the Nevada State Hospital in Sparks, Washoe County, Nevada. Eloise had married a Sheldon at some point, as the name on her death certificate is Louise Sheldon. Her death certificate correctly identifies her mother as Frances McDavitt but lists Frances’s third husband, A. E. Romine, as her father.¹⁴⁰“Nevada, U.S. Death Certificates, 1911–1965,” digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60974 : accessed 10 Feb 2021), death certificate no. 64-266 (1960), Louise Sheldon; from Death Records, NV Dept. of Health, Carson City.

Eloise was buried in Our Mother of Sorrow Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.¹⁴¹“Nevada, U.S. Death Certificates, 1911–1965,” 64-266 (1960), Louise Sheldon.