Great Grandpa James Nelson and Mary Gaddie Strader
From Hart County Kentucky to Kansas
(by way of Floyd County, Indiana)
Over 209,145 African American soldiers, as well as 19,000 sailors served in the Civil War, and they came from every state and territory.
Another African American Family
I often write about my Great-Grandmother, Mary Gaddie Strader, born 27 August 1865, but I rarely mention her husband, James Nelson Strader., born in Hardyville, Hart County Kentucky, 1870. James died in 1920 in Lyons Kansas.
His family barely survived the Civil War, not because of the fighting as much as the freedom. James’ father Nelson Mason Strader, a slave of Lewis Strader married Mary Vaughn a slave of Fielding Vaughn. Their pre Civil War marriage was of “slave custom” according to a deposition given by Mary., and they had three children: Bettie B., Lu Katherine (Carden) and James.
More Family Information
Nelson went off to the war, and shortly after his return, he abandoned the family and moved to Indiana. The sordid details of his two wives can be found in the Widow’s pension, when both his slave wife, Mary Vaughn (details and Minister’s name is given) and his legal wife, Lulu Banks (after the Civil war and registered with the county) fought for his pension. Ugly story, but full of genealogical treasures. What’s not clear is who was Mason? Nelson fought in the war as a Strader alias Mason.
Nelson’s father was recorded as Obediah Strader (before 1815). His sister was Jane (wife of Booker Penick). No official records were found on Obediah, but he is mentioned in the deposition. Obediah, may have been a white man. It is clear that Nelson’s father was “foreign born.” (1870 Fed. census)
After the Civil War
Grandparents: Harold Strader and Ruth Underwood and Dad Harold F. Strader, Lyons KS
Both James N. Strader (1870) and Nelson Strader (1838-1883) were Teamsters. James N. Strader moved to Lyons Kansas (Rice County) to work in the salt mines and had 7 children. Harold was his youngest.
His mother Mary Vaughn often came to stay, but according to family legend, just walked away one day. True? The family liked the story.
His mother Mary Vaughn often came to stay, but according to family legend, just walked away one day. True? The family liked the story.
James N. Strader had 7 children with wife Mary Gaddie.
Surnames
Blanton Brown Carden Daugherty Jones Keesee Penick Strader Tyler Underwood Vaughn
Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com
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| Lyons Kansas |
Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com
