EARL PRESTON JEFFRIES

Earl Preston Jeffries gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 1, 1877 in Coshocton County, OH
D. 1956
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: John D. Jeffries born Mary 1860 in Ohio
  • Mother: Matilda “Tillie” (Guinther) Jeffries born May 1864 in Ohio; married John D. Jefferson on September 28, 1876 in Coshocton County, OH; Matilda died March 27, 1927 in Akron, Summit County, OH; buried in Glendale Cemetery, Akron, Summit County, OH

According to the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron OH) Monday, March 28, 1927, page 23:

“JEFFRIES – Mrs. Matilda, 72 years.  1123 Riverside dr., died March 27th.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 3 p. m. at the residence, Rev. Mr. Smith officiating.  Burial in Glendale cemetery.  She was the widow of J. D. Jeffries and leaves her daughter, mrs. Merle Eldridge, of Akron; five sons, E. P. Jeffries, Chicago; H. W. Jeffries, Kenmore; G. V. Jeffries, Cuyahoga Falls; Frank and Theodore of Akron. (Billow.)”

  • Wife: Minnie M. (Nettle) Jeffries born 1880 in Ohio; married Earl Preston Jeffries on September 15, 1898 in Summit County, OH; Minnie died 1961 (See section pertaining to Minnie M. (Nettle) Jeffries buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Howard Dellon Jeffries born November 13, 1899 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Thelma Madelin Lutts (1904-1988) on February 3, 1924 in Huron County, OH, daughter of Elmer K. Lutts And Josephine Davis; Howard died in 1956; Howard and Thelma are buried in Oswegatchie Cemetery, Fine, St. Lawrence County, NY
    2. Harold L. Jeffries born December 21, 1902 in Akron, Summit County, OH; veteran (1942-1945); married Bessie L. Burke (1904-2007) April 23, 1949 in Pennington County, SD as her second husband; Bessie married her first husband, William P. Duffy on June 15, 1935 in Pennington County, SD; Harold died December 5, 1984 in Buffalo Gap, Custer County, SD; Harold and Bessie are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hot Springs, Fall River County, SD
    3. Dorothy May (Jeffries) Denecke born September 20, 1904 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married (1) unknown Tylkowski; married (2) unknown Denecke; Dorothy died March 3, 1999
    4. Ethel L. (Jeffries) Hansen born October 26, 1906 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married (1) Joseph W. Neeley (1906-1983); married (2) Fred W. Hansen (1905-1986); Ethel died December 2, 2000 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, CA; Ethel and Joseph are buried in Pajaro Valley Memorial Park, Wastsonville, Santa Cruz County, CA

According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz CA) Wednesday, December 6, 2000, page 10:

“Ethel Neeley Hansen – Services are private for Ethel Neeley Hansen, who died Saturday in Santa Cruz after a long illness.  She was 94.  Mrs. Hansen was born in Akron, Ohio, and lived in Santa Cruz since 1971.  She was an excellent seamstress, her family said, and was active in the California Grey Bears and Senior Citizens Opportunity.  She is survived by daughter Joann Mathis of Trinity Center; son Ralph Neeley of Fiji; sister Vernie Bobziene of Lockport, N.Y.; and five grandchildren.  First husband Joseph Neeley died in 1983, and second husband Fred Hansen died in 1986.  Two sisters and two brothers also died before her.  Contributions are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association of Santa Cruz, P. O. Box 2612, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.  Burial will be at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.  Arrangements are by Pacific Gardens Chapel.”

5. Ellen Matilda (Jeffries) Thierry born July 28, 1914 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Edwin Manlius Thierry (1915-1996), son of Homer H. Thierry and Mabel L. (Ricketts) Thierry; Ellen’s last residence in Evanston, Cook County, IL; Ellen died September 4, 1988 in Cook County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, September 6, 1988, page 27:

“Ellen J. Thierry – Private services will be held for Ellen J. Thierry, 74, a longtime Evanston resident.  She died Sunday in St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.  Mrs. Thierry retired in 1985 after working for 15 years as a secretary for Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agency.  She is survived by two sons, Robert and Fred; two sisters; and a brother.”

6. Vernie (Jeffries) Bobzien born January 23, 1919; married Elwood C. Bobzien (1910-1981), son of Christofer “Christian” F. Bobzien (1867-1944) and Ida M. (Miller) Bobzien (1868-1947); last residence in Lockport, Niagara County, NY; Vernie died March 24, 2001

  • Siblings:
    • Harry William Jeffries born April 1882 in Ohio; married Sarah Huson (1888-1973) in 1909; Harry died August 30, 1959 in Akron, Summit County, OH; buried in Harry and Sarah are Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron, Summit County, OH

According to the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron OH) Monday, August 31, 1959, page 21:

“H. W. Jeffries Dies; Painting Contractor – A painting and decorating contractor, Harry W. Jeffries, 77, died Sunday in his home at 1254 Childs av., after a 13-year illness.  He operated the Jeffries Painting & Decorating Co. more than 40 years.  A native of Coshocton, Mr. Jeffries came to Akron as a child.  He was a member of Modern Woodsmen Lodge 13523.  The Jeffrieses celebrated their golden wedding anniversary March 20.  Besides his wife, Sarah, he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Marie Van Hyning of Barberton and Idabelle at home; two sons, John R. and Roy W. of Akron; two brothers, George of Cuyahoga Falls and Frank of Wadsworth; eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  Friends may call after 7:30 tonight at the Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore blvd., where services will be at 3 p. m. Wednesday.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.”

    • George Van Jeffries born January 16, 1888 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Lillian B. Huson on November 14, 1914 in Summit County, OH; George died January 11, 1962 in Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, OH; buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, OH

According to the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron OH) Friday, January 12, 1962, page 25:

“GEORGE V. JEFFRIES – CUYAHOGA FALLS – George V. Jeffries, 73, of 620 Magnolia av. Died Thursday in Green Cross Hospital after a short illness.  A native of Akron, Mr. Jeffries had lived in the Falls for 50 years.  He was a machinist and self-employed painter.  He was a World War I veteran.  He leaves sons, Frank of the home, George of Hudson and Theodore of Ozona, Fla., and seven grandchildren.  Services will be at 3 p. m. Monday in the McGowan-Reid Funeral Home with the Rev. William Booth officiating.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p. m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p. m. Sunday.”

    • Frank Joseph Jeffries born June 13, 1891 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Nola S. Nolf (1887-1969); Frank died March 9, 1960 in Wadsworth, Medina County, OH; Frank and Nola are buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Medina County, OH

According to the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron OH) Thursday, March 10, 1960, page 9:

“FRANK JEFFRIES – WADSWORTH – Frank J. Jeffries, 68, of 142 Highland av. Died unexpectedly Wednesday in Municipal Hospital.  A native of Akron, he was a retired employe of Westher Seal Inc.  He leaves his wife, Nola, and a brother, George of Cuyahoga Falls.  Services will be Saturday at 2 p. m. in the Bixler Funeral Home, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 4 to 9 p. m.”

    • Vernie May Jeffries born April 28, 1893 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Merle Edward Eldredge on October 21, 1925 in Summit County, OH
    • Theodore Schell Jeffries born December 10, 1895 in Akron, Summit County, OH; married Madeline Abbie Hanna on June 5, 1920 in Summit County, OH; Theodore died December 23, 1940 in Akron, Summit County, OH

According to the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron OH) Tuesday, December 24, 1940, page 14:

“T. S. JEFFRIES, 45, TAKEN SUDDENLY – Fatally Stricken At Purple Heart Post Christmas Party – Found unconscious outside St. Andrew’s Episcopal church last night, Theodore S. Jeffries, 45, of 1267 Mt. Vernon av., was pronounced dead at St. Thomas hospital, where he was taken after friends found him.  Mr. Jeffries, commander of Purple Heart post of the V.F.W., was attending a Purple Heart post Christmas party at the church hall last evening, relatives said, and went outside just before luncheon was served.  Friends found him a short time later. Coroner R. E. Amos is expected to report the cause of death late today.  Mr. Jeffries was a past command of Aetolia lodge of the Knights of Pythias and was a member of Post 19 of the American Legion.  He leaves his wife, Madeline; one son, Rae; one sister, Mrs. Merle Eldredge, of Akron and four brothers, Earl P. of Chicago, Harry W. of Akron, George V. of Cuyahoga Falls and Frank J. of Wadsworth.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later.”

    • Minnie Jeffries, born July 1896 in Ohio

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Akron City, Summit County, OH living at 579 Wooster Ave., the household members were:

“Earl P. Jeffries, head, age 31, married once for 11 years, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, occupation: painter – own account; Minnie M. Jeffries, wife, age 29, married once for 11 year, 4 children born, 4 children living, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio; Howard D. Jeffries, son, age 10, single, born in Ohio; Harold L. Jeffries, son, age 7, single, born in Ohio; Dortha M. Jeffries, daughter, age 5, single, born in Ohio; Ethel L. Jeffries, daughter, age 3, single, born in Ohio”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Coventry Township, Summit County, OH living on Manchester Road, the household members were:

“Earl Jeffries, head, age 42, married, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, occupation: painter – general work; Minnie Jeffries, wife, age 39, married, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio; Howard Jeffries, song, age 20, single, born in Ohio, occupation: electrician – electrical work; Harold Jeffries, son, age 17, single, born in Ohio, occupation: tinner – tin shop; Dorthy Jeffries, daughter, age 15, single, born in Ohio; Ethel Jeffries, daughter, age 13, single, born in Ohio; Ellen Jeffries, daughter, age 5, single, born in Ohio; Vernon Jeffries, daughter, age 1, single, born in Ohio”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 2024 Dayton St., the household members were:

“Earl Jeffries, head, age 51, married at age 21, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, occupation: painter – painting shop; Minnie Jeffries, wife, age 49, married at age 18, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio; Ethel Jeffries, daughter, age 23, single, born in Ohio, occupation: clerk – telephone co.; Ellen Jeffries, daughter, age 15, single, born in Ohio; Vernie Jeffries, daughter, age 11, single, born in Ohio; Consuelo Alila, roomer, age 20, single, born in Mexico, parents born in Mexico, occupation: reader – insurance”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 862 Elston Ave., the household members were:

“Earl Jeffries, head, age 62, married, highest grade completed: H2, born in Ohio, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: painter and paper hanger – house painter; Minnie Jeffries, wife, age 59, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Ohio, lived in same house in 1935”

According to the U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

Earl Jeffries residing at 862 Elston, Chicago, Cook County, IL, age 64 born August 1, 1877 in Coshocton County, OH, self employed painter, 5’ 4” tall, 148 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair, ruddy complexion, signed April 27, 1942.

According to the 1950 U. S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 862 N Elston, the household members were:

“Earl P Jeffries, head, age 72, married, born in Ohio; Minnie Jeffries, wife, age 69, married, born in Ohio, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: U.S., What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S10, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year, how much money did he receive from interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income?: $360”