From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Henry J. Giddens

Henry J. Giddens
Photo courtesy of Nancy Collins

According to his cemetery marker, Henry J. Giddens was born on September 21, 1874. There is some dispute about his birth date as one record states that he was born in 1872 whiles others state that he was born in 1873 or 1874.  Henry was the son of Jacob M. Giddens and Prudence Ann Allums and the grandson of Jacob W. Giddens and Eliza Waters. 

Henry spent most of his life living in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. I did find him in Bossier Parish in 1910 and Red River Parish in 1940.  His obituary states that he was a farmer and merchant. However, from looking through newspapers at Newspapers.com, I learned more. Henry had a good singing voice, once spent 10 days in jail (along with other farmers) for refusing to dip his cattle, was a proponent of local schools, and was involved with oil leases. 

Henry J. Giddens died on January 8, 1959. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Luella Davis, and a son, Oliver Henry Giddens. He was survived by his son, Oswald, and daughters, Lois and Ruby. 

Henry is buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery across from Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ringgold, Bienville Parish. 

Although this obituary was saved by Marguerite Cook Clark, my third cousin on my father's side, Henry Giddens would be my second cousin three times removed on my mother's side. 

My mother (a Giddens descendant) and my father (a Bryan) met while in the Navy. They grew up thousands of miles apart (Texas and New York) and had no idea that their families could be connected until I started my research and found a fellow researcher looking for both families in Bienville Parish. 

When I find Giddens entwined with my Bryans, I am no longer surprised. I had fun adding Henry J. Giddens and his family to my tree as I found other connections. His wife's family was connected to the Wimberlys and her sister married one of my Regans. 

Diana

© 2015

Sources


1880 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 4, Enumeration District 008, p. 607D (penned), dwelling 217, family 257, Giddens, Henry J.: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 May 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication 1254448, roll 448, image 0559.

1900 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 4, Enumeration District 006, p. 13B (penned), dwelling 231, family 241, Giddens, Henry J.: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 May 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication 1240558, roll 558.

1910 U.S. census, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 3, Enumeration District 0013, p. 8A (penned), dwelling 160, family 163, Giddens, Henry J.: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 May 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication 1240558, roll T624_509.

1940 U.S. census, Red River Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Enumeration District 41-7, p. 2B (penned), family 32, Giddens, Henry J.: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 May 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication, roll T627_1443.

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Marguerite Cook Clark. Accessed April 28, 2014 and September 14, 2014. Used with permission.

"Citizens Accept Ten Days Instead of $25.00 Fine," The Bienville Democrat (Arcadia, Louisiana), 27 October 1921, p. 1, digital images, Newspapers.com: accessed 25 May 2015).

"Minutes of District No. 1 Singing Convention," The Bienville Democrat (Arcadia, Louisiana), 9 November 1922, p. 3, digital images, Newspapers.com: accessed 25 May 2015).

"Oil Leases," The Bienville Democrat (Arcadia, Louisiana), 25 September 1919, p. 5, digital images, Newspapers.com: accessed 25 May 2015).

"School Board Proceedings," The Bienville Democrat (Arcadia, Louisiana), 13 April 1922, p. 5, digital images, Newspapers.com: accessed 25 May 2015).

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 30, 2015), Henry J. Giddens, serial no. 1383, order no. 2172, Local Board, Bienville Parish, Louisiana; citing World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, NARA microfilm publication M1509; Family History Library Roll No. 1684663.