Family Group Sheet
NameWilliam Newton Prayther [Prather]
Birth17 Oct 1887, Morehead, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Birth Memobirthdate he used as an adult
Birth17 Oct 1890, Morehead, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Birth Memoprobably his real birthdate
DeathDec 1966, Ceres, Stanislaus Co., California
FatherEli Franklin “Frank” Prayther [Prather] (?1847-1936)
MotherGeorgia Ann Donohue (1853-1916)
Other spousesEllen H.
Marriageabt 1913, Kentucky
Divorcebef 1940, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co., California
SpouseMary Elizabeth Trumbo
BirthMay 1894, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherGeorge W. Trumbo (1869-)
MotherLaura Carter (1877-)
Children
Birth5 Oct 1914, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death11 Oct 1976, San Marcos, San Diego Co., California
Notes for William Newton Prayther [Prather]
His WW I draft registration card, filed 5 June 1917, records William Prather, age 29, residence 922 Fourth, Portmouth, Ohio, born 17 Oct 1887 in Morehead, Ky, occupation switchman, employer Whitaker Glassman Co., Portsmouth, Ohio, married supporting a wife and child.
His brother Garfield’s obituary in 1941 listed him as a surviving brother William Prayther of Englewood, Calif.
The SSDI lists William Prather, born 17 Oct 1887, died Dec 1966, last residence Ceres, Stanislaus Co., California.
He was probably really born in 1889 or 1890, because the 1900 census listed him as William N. age 9, born March 1891, with a brother Joseph age 13, born Feb 1887. I do not trust the dates in that census, especially the months, but he is unlikely to have been recorded as 9 if he was really 12, and a birthdate in Oct 1887 would make the child spacing in the 1880’s very tight. (I cannot find him in the 1910 census.)
His brother Garfield’s obituary in 1941 listed him as a surviving brother William Prayther of Englewood, Calif.
The SSDI lists William Prather, born 17 Oct 1887, died Dec 1966, last residence Ceres, Stanislaus Co., California.
He was probably really born in 1889 or 1890, because the 1900 census listed him as William N. age 9, born March 1891, with a brother Joseph age 13, born Feb 1887. I do not trust the dates in that census, especially the months, but he is unlikely to have been recorded as 9 if he was really 12, and a birthdate in Oct 1887 would make the child spacing in the 1880’s very tight. (I cannot find him in the 1910 census.)
Census Notes for William Newton & Mary Elizabeth (Family)
1920 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 19 Jan, lists on p. 10A as family #192/202:
Prayther, William, 37, brakeman for railroad; Elizabeth, wife, 24; George, son, 5. All born Ky Ky Ky.
The age is probably almost 8 years too high. He was recorded as age 9 in the 1900 census. (I know it is the same William because his brother Garfield’s obituary mentioned a brother William Prayther of Englewood, California.)
1930 census of Los Angeles Co., Calfornia, Inglewood township, enumerated 11 April, lists on p. 8B as family #232/235, at 10224 Fir St:
Prayther, William, 50, age at last marriage 34, plumber; Mary E., wife, 35, age at first marriage 18; George F., son, 15. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1940 census of Los Angeles Co., Calfornia, Inglewood ward 2, ED 19-284, enumerated 12 April, lists on p. 10B as family #274, at 220 W. Redondo Blvd:
Prayther, Elizabeth M., 43, divorced, manager of restaurant; George F., son, 25, single, carpenter at venetian blind mfg. Both living in same place in 1935. Also two single lodgers, Mildred R. Card, 24, b. Iowa, and Robert R. Pottref, 25, b. Nebraska.
William is living on the same street, 6 blocks away, with his second wife.
Prayther, William, 37, brakeman for railroad; Elizabeth, wife, 24; George, son, 5. All born Ky Ky Ky.
The age is probably almost 8 years too high. He was recorded as age 9 in the 1900 census. (I know it is the same William because his brother Garfield’s obituary mentioned a brother William Prayther of Englewood, California.)
1930 census of Los Angeles Co., Calfornia, Inglewood township, enumerated 11 April, lists on p. 8B as family #232/235, at 10224 Fir St:
Prayther, William, 50, age at last marriage 34, plumber; Mary E., wife, 35, age at first marriage 18; George F., son, 15. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1940 census of Los Angeles Co., Calfornia, Inglewood ward 2, ED 19-284, enumerated 12 April, lists on p. 10B as family #274, at 220 W. Redondo Blvd:
Prayther, Elizabeth M., 43, divorced, manager of restaurant; George F., son, 25, single, carpenter at venetian blind mfg. Both living in same place in 1935. Also two single lodgers, Mildred R. Card, 24, b. Iowa, and Robert R. Pottref, 25, b. Nebraska.
William is living on the same street, 6 blocks away, with his second wife.
