COUTS
CALIFORNIA'S COUTS COUSINS
VOLUME 9 November December January NUMBER 1
2003 - 2004
A Quarterly Newsletter for the Descendants of the Couts Family #30
WELCOME-
It is the goal of this newsletter to create interest in and share the
research for the Couts (pronounced Koutz) and Allied
Family genealogy. It can only be written with the
cooperation of each family member. We encourage each
of you to send in your family group sheets and enter data as
far back as you can find. The information that you find within
its covers will be as "true" as we can prove. We gladly accept
articles, photos, genealogy lines, and family stories.
EMAIL-
From: Richard Averett It has been too long
since I have written, but now that I need a
favor I'll take the time. My mother (now 88)
has been giving things away as she says she
is too cluttered with odds and ends. One
jewell she passed to me is a small photograph
mounted on black papaer. She wrote
"Nan Couts, Uncle Doc" mother across
the top. Could you identify her for me?By
the way, I spent days researching and
found so much material that I could not
tie to anyone I finally hired last week a
professional researcher. Sunday he
showed me what he had found in one
week. If it connects and is provable it
will be worth every cent! Elaine and I
are getting Guarani interpreters ready
for the LDS Genral Conference this coming
weekend. I just finished the Guide and the
Spanish Noun list for the soon-to-be
published-LDS Bible in Spanish. Hope
to hear from you and soon ! be able to
share information with you--for a
change. Rich Averett
From: Larry Harris Sent: Tuesday,
October 28, 2003 5:02 PM Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to email everyone I knew
that has conversed and been helped by
my cousin, Paul Dafft. Pauls wife,
Lorrain, passed away at 12:30 today.
Paul worshipped her, and I am sure,
is devastated. Some of you may already
know, and others may not. I am sure
that he would love to hear from you.
Thanks, Larry Harris
Our Deepest Condolences, Paul…
Subject: Couts Records in TN
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292268607
From: "Charlotte Coats"
Hi, here are some Couts records I've
found in TN...any of these yours? We
also have a DNA project started and
would love you have you participate
in it with us... http://wwww.rootsquest.com/~
coatsfar/coatsarchive/dna.htm I gather
Coots/Couts/Coats records, because I
think they've been confused in the spelling
in those early days....:) I am also particularly
interested in the Stark line you have...that
Ann Coats that married William Stark, she
is the daughter of William Coats on Kings
Creek in SC, it is her brothers we believe
that are in TN i.e. Robertson County TN,
Barton Coats and Bedford County TN,
Wilson Coats m to Caty Ryle
This line has been connected to my
William Coats in Smith County TN,
however, if the Couts in Robertson
County TN are really Coates, then this
may not be the case, they could be
related to this Ann Coats as well...
except there is a John Couts there
and the name John doesn't seem to
run in that family....and I think the
John Couts and Wm Couts (Coats)
of Robertson County TN might very
well be brothers...Charlotte Coats
WE HAVE NO PROOF OF A
WILLIAM COUTS
Subject: Couts TN From: "Charlotte Coats"
Hi...well, I'm
soooo confused....:) In this album is
a group of Records wills for Couts
out of Robertson County TN...The
interesting thing is that William Couts
married a Nancy I have a William Coats
married to a Nancy as well...I knew they
are not the same William and Nancy
since mine went to Callaway County
MO from TN, her father was Sylvester
Baker also from NC/TN to MO...The
problem is in the Robertson County TN
deed record index there is a William
Coats that sells land to a John Baker,
now in the transcribed record the
name is spelled Couts Also in MO in
1849 my Nancy Baker receives an
estate gift from a John Baker of TN...
but I didn't find any John Baker that
died in Robertson County TN around
1849...Problem is that William Coats to
John Baker deed has been used to place
my William Coats in Robertson County
TN as early as 1792...now...the TN
records I don't think are that clear...
to say the least... So I'm just wondering
if you know anything about this Couts
family in Robertson County TN...Also,
would any of you be interested in our
DNA project details at:
1
http://www.rootsquest.com/~
coatsfar/coatsarchive/dna.htm
Thanks...Charlotte Coats and
I'm sure it's Coats....:)
Subject: Re: Couts TN From:
"Charlotte Coats"
Thank you!! Yep those Coats from
So Carolina...that's the ones we're
chasing....:) We have about 4 or 5
different lines coming out of SC,
none related....:) That whole TN
area is a bit messy...in the
Robertson County TN court records,
the lady who transcribed them used
the name Coats throughout...but the
WPA deed records uses Couts....:)
Can not thank you enough...do stay
in touch...and if you're interested in
our DNA project or starting one of
your own...let me know...:) Charotte
Coats descendent of Rev William
Coats, just don't know who his
parents are....:)
Name: Angela Jeanette Couts
Allison E-Mail: ajallison16@hotmail.
com Location: Brasilia, Brazil
Comments: Daughter of Paul
Jerome Couts (son of Joseph
Justin Couts son of Charles
DeBeers Couts moved to Van
Wert, OH from Newcomerstown, OH)
Subject: Re: Guestbook From:
Norma J. Koutz Wallace Barb -
Guess I'm looking for Koutzes and
their offshoots from the Baltimore,
Maryland area. My father was
Fleetwood Raymond Koutz, Sr.,
son of William Andrew and
Barbara Himmer Koutz.
Thanks. Norma
Subject: Judge Joseph Carter Stark
and the masons From: Margaret H.
Smith Hello! I just found your
biography of Judge Stark on
the web. Thank you. You
questioned whether he was a
mason. I can tell you the following:
· My mother had a
family story about Judge
Stark and the Union Army
which required that Judge
Stark be a mason.
· I am not sure if there
is a connection between the
Knights Templar and the masons.
However, I have one of my great
grandfather's (George Beaumont
Davison) copy of "Tennessee
Templars, A Register of Names
with Biographical Sketches of
the Knights Templar of Tennessee,
and Brief Histories of the Grand and
Subordinate Commandries" by
James Daniel Richardson.
Published by Robert H. Howell &
Co. in Nashville in 1883. In this
book there is the following entry:
STARK, JOSEPH CARTER
Lawyer
Born in Sumner county, December 29, 1817
Knights Templar, Nashville Commandery 1,
December 23, 1853. Was State Senator
Tennessee Legislature in 1851-2;
Circuit Judge of 10th Judicial Circuit.
Address: Springfield
Margaret Elizabeth Heinsohn Smith
daughter of: Margaret Elizabeth Stark Heinsohn
daughter of: Joseph Carter Stark
son of: John Lee Stark
son of: Judge Joseph Carter Stark.
Subject: [TNSUMNER] Choat Family From:
To:
Will the person seeking information on the
Choats Family .. Please contact me at
HOGSNOSE72@AOL.COM
Subject: Stark family From: Revis
Leonard Just saw your site. I haven't
done much genealogy lately...but I
descend from Mary Pennington
Stark, dau. of Jeremiah Stark and
Mary King. Mary Pennington Stark
m. Thomas Oliver...1 daughter was
Susan Frances Oliver m. Moncier
Nowell Musgrove, Jr. I descend
down thrugh the Musgrove line to
the Stuart's of MS and TX.
Revis Cauble Leonard, Texas
Subject: Re: Stark family From:
Revis Leonard Sure, you can add
it to your lines and I can send you
any more info you need. Did you
know that the Ruth King who married
Thomas Stark was a sister to my Mary
King that married Jeremiah Stark?
They were the daughters of Capt.
Charles King and Charity Pennington.
I think I made a mistake on the
first bit of info I sent you in how
I descend. I left out Mary Emily
Oliver Yates. I descend from:
Mary King and Jeremiah Stark.....
Mary Pennington Stark m.
Thomas Oliver (they were of
SC and went to AL).....Mary
Emily Oliver (d. AL) m.
Darling Barber Yates (AL/MS)....
Susan Francis (Frances) Yates m.
Moncier Nowell Musgrove, Jr.
(b. SC/MS/TX).....Nancy Emma
Musgrove m. James Monroe Stuart
(MS/OK/TX)....Jefferson Davis
Stuart (TX) m. Mamie Teel
(OK/TX) ....Eva Nell Stuart
m. John Aubra T. Dennis (TX).
...Aubry Nell Dennis m. Kiefer
Cauble (TX)....Revis Nell Cauble
m. 1st Brian Scott Bookout,
2nd Thomas Scott Leonard (TX)
For years, the Yates family had
Mary Stark that m. Thomas Oliver
as being out of the Richard Stark
line....his Mary Stark had the same
birthdate year as ours, but she died
as a child and never married, and
the Yates family kept saying they
descended from the line of Pocahantas.
I did a LOT of research and found
our Mary Stark that m. Thomas
Oliver and her real name was
Mary Pennington Stark. I made
some of the Yates kin out of Neshoba
Co., MS upset and I am sorry for
that. I messed up the
Pocahantas wanna-bee descendants.
I merely started back with each
generation trying to prove what
was found and I wanted to
know if that was true or not.
And I found her as the daughter
of Jeremiah Stark and Mary King
Stark. Records of other researchers
in the Stark family showed this
was the Mary that m. Thomas Oliver.
My Moncier Nowell Musgrove, Jr.
(a/k/ Major), was the son of M.N.
Musgrove, Sr., son of Edward Beaks
Musgrove, son of Edward Musgrove
of Musgrove's Mill, SC, site of a
Revolutionary Battle. Moncier Jr's
mother was Nancy Cooksey.
The Cooksey's were family and
millers at Musgrove's Mill.
The Stuart's of MS are the line
that country-singer Marty Stuart
comes out of. I go to MS to
family reunions at his place every
other year or so.
Thomas Oliver was a wheelwright
and potter. They had gone to AL
and Mary Pennington Stark Oliver
died. We only recently found out
where she was buried in AL. None
of my family knew for sure where she
was buried. I do have that info at
home now. Thomas Oliver and sons,
etc. moved on to go to Texas. They
stopped on the banks of the Pearl River
around Neshoba Co., MS and saw the
"red" clay dirt. That's where they stayed.
Thomas Oliver remarried and is buried in
his 2nd wife's family cemetery; but that
cemetery is long gone...grown up in the
MS brush near the river. The old
Musgrove Family Cemetery is still
out from Philadelphia, MS near their
old home place, now owned by a Mrs.
Hobby. I have been there several times.
The man that kept it up died a few
years ago and the cemetery is just
being overgrown. I wish I lived closer
and could help clean it up. !
M.N. Musgrove, Jr. and family
and his daughter who married the
Stuart came to Ratcliff, Houston
Co., TX in 1890 under "suspicious"
circumstances. They fled their home
near Arlington, Neshoba Co., MS in
the middle of the night and left some
man dead in their house. Stuart family
members found the house empty and
the dead man the next morning.
Nobody knows the true story. One
of the Musgrove girls...maybe a sister
to M.N., Jr., was married to the owner
of the newspaper's family....nothing is
ever written about this incident in the
paper there...kind of hush-hushed.
My gr-gr-grandfather, James Monroe
Stuart, and Nancy Emma Musgrove
Stuart, left Houston Co., TX and
headed up towards OK. She died in
OK and left him with 3 small children.
Some friends had settled at Fisher Co.,
TX and he went there and stayed out
his life. My family never heard the story
about the dead man in MS until a few
years ago and Stuart's in MS told! them
this story at family reunions. I was raised
at Roby, Fisher Co., TX. Stuart's, Terry's,
and Moore's of that area are all from the
2 daughters and son of James Monroe
Stuart and Emma (as she was called)
Musgrove. Revis Cauble Leonard
Subject: [COUTS] Listowner Post
- ROLL CALL!! From: "Carol C-H"
It is time for another Roll Call on this
list - let's try to find some cousins
and ancestors! Please send a post
to the list about your ancestors with
this surname - be sure to include
information about when and where
they lived. Maybe others on the list
will have your ancestors in our data,
and can help you! Be sure to include
the dates and locations for your ancestors.
Just reply to this post - I have changed
the list settings so that your reply will
automatically go to the list. Carol C-H
http://www2.netdoor.com/~cch/
To:
Subject: Re: [COUTS] Couts/Coats
From: "Charlotte Coats" coats@hotmail.com>
Hi...my surname is Coats out of SC, TN and
MO but in some records the name has been
either confused with or mistranscribed as
Couts....as you can see in the original
records the *u* could easily have been
closed or the *a* left
open... We're trying to sort it all out....:)
and would like to invite any males with a
variation name to join our Coats, Coate,
Coates DNA Project. http://www.rootsquest.
com/~coatsfar/coatsarchive/dna.htm Thanks...
Charlotte http://www.rootsquest.com/~coatsfar
Subject: Re: [COUTS] Listowner Post -
ROLL CALL!!From: "Jessica Hacken"
John Couts
b. abt 1764 Keig, Aberdeen, Scotland,
m. Barbara Webster, d. 5 Mar 1851
Keig, Aberdeen
1. John Couts c. 3 Jul 1807 Keig,
Aberdeen, m. Mary Melven 12 Jul
1852 in Keig, d. 17 Jan 1881
Kenmay, Aberdeen
2. James Couts c. 7 May 1809
Keig, Aberdeen
3. Alexander Couts c. 2 Aug 1811
Keig, Aberdeen, m. 2 Sep 1841
Eliz. Epperson in Cedar Co., Iowa,
d. 8 Aug 1900 South Dakota
4. *Barbara Couts c. 3 Jun 1813
Keig, Aberdeen, m. 6 Sep 1836
Archibald Law in Tough, Aberdeen,
d. 9 Jan 1852 Alford, Aberdeen
5. Jean Couts c. 1 Aug 1816
Keig, Aberdeen, m. bef 1851
Alexander Thomson, moved to US
6. Ann Couts c. 3 Jun 1821
Keig, Aberdeen, m. 2 May 1854
Alexander Chapell in Cedar Co.,
Iowa, d.Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa
Barbara Couts is my 4th great-grandmother.
Any information on her parents
John Couts and
Barbara Webster would be appreciated.
I also have John Couts Sr.'s inventory at
death, if anyone is interested.
Jessica Hacken jessica_hacken@hotmail.com
Subject: [COUTS] COUTS - BOWNE
marriage From: "Gregory Bowne"
I would
like info on a COUTS marrying a
BOWNE thanks for any info
Audrey Bowne Seattle
gregbowne@earthlink.net
Subject: [COUTS] Couts-
who married Borst- Upper
Sandusky, Ohio/Kenton,
Ohio/ Lima, Ohio From:
Subject: Re: Rhoda From: Angela
Owens
Thank you so much for the information!
It is going to take me a while to get
through it. Here is the information
I have on Rhoda.
Rhoda Fleener was born
February 13, 1841 in Gibson
County, IN and died September
1878 in Gibson County, IN.
She married William Wilson (born
September 26, 1821 in IL and
died November 9, 1901 in Gibson
County, IN) on May 13, 1860 in
Gibson County, IN.
Children: Cordelia Wilson
b: April 11, 1861, John Thomas
Wilson b: August 1863, William
Franklin Wilson b: Nov 5, 1865,
Luther Thomas Wilson b: Feb 10, 1866,
Andrew Wilson b: June 16, 1868,
Mary Elizabeth Wilson b: Sept 1869,
James Wilson b: Sept 29, 1872, and
Charles Wilson b: 1874, all in
Gibson Co. IN.
Andrew Wilson (my great-grandfather)
married Alametta Bella Davis (born
Feb 22, 1872 in Pike Co. IN and
died Dec 13, 1931 in Gibson Co.
IN) on Augus 30, 1891 in Pike Co. IN.
Children: Ada Wilson b: Dec 19, 1892,
Rosa Wilson b: Aug 1894, John
Curtis Wilson b: Jan 3, 1900, Ida
Wilson, b May 2, 1901, Charlie M.
Wilson b: Jan 4, 1904, and Eddie
Ivan Wilson b: Sept 20, 1907, all
in Gibson Co. IN.
Eddie Ivan Wilson (my grandfather)
changed his name to Ivan Eddie Wilson.
He married Martha Froese (born
Dec. 8, 1906 in Germany and died
June 15, 1989 in Owensboro,
Daviess Co. KY).
Only Child: James Lee Wilson
(my living father) b Sept 14, 1937
married Iris Joan Hamilton (living-
b June 24, 1940) on December 31, 1957
Subject: Re: new info From:
Janice Couts So were you raised
in Texas, Kansas, Washington, or
Missouri? Our "branch" all live
Texas. I will try to e-mail you that
story that I have this weekend. My
mother-in-law has tons of stories.
Do you also put birthdates on your
family tree? Have a good weekend. Janice
Subject: Re: new info From: Janice
Couts Barb, I went home last night
and went over the info we have in
our Bible. Here is what I have that
will update or add to the info you
have. Pampa is spelled without an
"s" on the end. C.P. Couts and Eva
Elmira Davis (and her date of death
that I have is Feb 18, 1972) had 2
children: William Edward Couts Sr.
Gwendolyn Aillen +Alvis Tabor
Ronald Edward, Kenneth Lynn,
Carroll Perry, Eva Alvene, Michael
Eugene b. 09/30/60 d. 10/01/60
Charlotte Ann Couts should be
Charlet Ann Couts Jenny Lee Couts
and Brandon Standerfer have two girls,
Aston is the oldest Julie Lynnett Couts is
now married to Kevin Cheshire and
has two girls (one is named Cameron)
Also Marilyn Sue Couts and William
Bridges oldest daughter is Shauna Eilene
Subject: new info From: Janice Couts
Hi, I am Janice Couts, wife of William
"Bill" Edward Couts, Jr. Bill divorced
Janet Lou Scott in 1991. We were
married in 1993. Holly Renae his daughter
has two girls Destiny Rae Mears and
Delaney Renee Mears. I will read more
of the info you have here on-line and let
you know. I have a lot of info at home
about the Couts family. Thanks, Janice
Couts jcouts@cvm.tamu.edu
Charles Wayne is really Charley Wayne
Couts and he divorced Elaine and married
Kayla (don't know her last name) I will
be sending more info later. Janice Clinton
Paul Couts divorced Deborah and is now
married to Gay-Lynn Jones Jannice should
be spelled Janeice Ilene Couts Jenna is the
oldest and she is married to Shawn Myers
Subject: Couch, etc .From: "Joyce H. Reeves"
Hi, I
would like to correspond with you about
the Couch family of Augusta Co VA ca
1760's plus. If you are still at this e-mail
address, would you let me know? I tried
another one without success. Thanks.
Joyce House-Reeves Oklahoma City
Subject: Couts family tree From: Carl
Anderson Hello: I was checking on a
Cleona Braden and Conrad Braden (
Page 34 Line 8.87 saved in word perfect
and opened there) and ran across
your web page. In doing so I possibly
ran across some of my own relatives I
didn't know about. near the top there is
a ELIZABETH COUTS MARRIED
JOSHUA ANDERSON (Mr Anderson
died in Arkansas 1839) I understand My
Grandfather William Cicero Anderson
migrated to Arkansas From
Tennessee then to Missouri Died at
Berryman Missouri. I heard my Father
Elijah William Anderson talk a lot about
an Uncle by the name of John Anderson.
I was thinking maybe the William
Anderson you have listed as Joshua Jr.
Anderson could be my grandfather
making Joshua my great grandfather.
If you think this is so let me know Carl
James Anderson 60 years old Ironton
Missouri
Subject: Obit. From: Carl Anderson
I have an Obituary of a Cleola Braden.
That is listed in your family tree. Her
maiden name was Braden and She
married a Conrad Braden I have her
listed somewhere about the 138 line.
She and I pastured churches in towns
8 mile apart. One Of the reason I am
interested in your family tree is you
have a William Anderson listed around t
he late 1800 That could be my Great
Grandfather who had a son by the name
of William and John which you have listed.
If we could make the connection I have
close to 500 names listed in my family
tree maker. So if you have anymore
information on you William Anderson let me
know. Mr. Anderson died around 1908 or
9 in Berryman Mo. of Washington or
Crowford county. If you are interested in
the Obituary I could scan and send you
a copy. Mr. Conrad and his only son
Barry live in Warsaw Mo. Carl
Subject: [BARTON] Re: Bavester
Barton, Berry "Greenberry" Barton,
Wade H. From:
This is a Message Board Post that is
gatewayed to this mailing list.
Classification: Query Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mb
exec/msg/an/xZC.2ACIB/1886.1
Message Board Post: We are
related through Bavester and son
Greenberry Barton. Greenberry's
son Leroy Jackson Barton in
Weiser, Idaho was my husband's
grandfather. Leroy's son John
Westwood Barton of Weiser, ID
and Mpls., MN was my dec'd husband,
Roger Wesley Barton's father. Hope
this is clear. Wondering where your line
resided? Mary Ruth Barton
Subject: [COUTS] Couts of Upper
Sandusky, Kenton, Marion Ohio
and of Detroit
From: I have
some further updates- and need any
information on this branch-\John A.
Couts born in Ohio married Mary
Borst born 1840 in Lancaster Pa area
died in Upper Sandusky. Their children
were Anna I. Couts born 1862 married
F. B. Schultz, Ulysses Grant Couts born
April 02, 1865 in Upper Sandusky, Ohio
died January 1915 in Marion, Ohio.
He was a Baptist. His wife was Ella Myers
daughter of Michael Myers. Their children
were a daughter (name unknown) who
married George Heath; Gladys Couts
who married and Unknown Ruppert;
Mildred Couts; Harold Couts; Homer
Couts - listed in Marion, Ohio, Neil
Couts listed in Detroit, Michigan.
Next child of John A. Couts and Mary
Borst was Ralph v. Couts born 1869-
listed in 1915 in Kenton. Any information
on this line would be most appreciated.
Kathy Ochs Mary Borst is a sister to my
great-grandmother. I have a portrait of
Mary's sister Fannie when she was about 18.
She was born in 1839 so this is really a
great treasure to have. Looking for family
of Mary Borst born 1840 in Pa died in
Upper Sandusky, Ohio who married
John A. Couts. Their children were
Anna I. Couts born 1862,
Grant Couts born 1865 & Ralph V.
Couts born 1860. Mary's sister
Francis (Fannie) Borst was my
great-great-grandmother. Kathy Ochs
GEORGE HENRY COUTS - THE 6TH GENERATION
By Janice Couts and
Wilford H. Couts Jr. wbcouts@aol
Please note that
this title continues the convention
described in references (1) and (2).
This assumes that Dietrich (Kautz?)
Couts is our first ancestor. This is
patently absurd and we hope that
new research by the readers will
render this assumption obsolete.
Henry's parents were described in
reference (1). James Monroe
and Mary Elizabeth (Connor) Couts
lived most of their life in Monroe
Township, Pike County, Indiana.
James Monroe farmed, carpentered,
and brick masoned while Mary
Elizabeth managed the house and
their nine children. George Henry
was born on 23 November l905
into a family that already had 6 boys
and 1 girl. One more girl ( Edith
Mariah) was destined to be born in
l907 to complete the family of parents,
seven boys, and two girls.
Throughout his life (at least all that
we nephews and nieces know about)
he was called Henry and that will be
his name in this brief history. The
James Couts family home was a
farmhouse in an area subsequently
called Enosville, Fig. 1., because the
tipple of the Enos Coal Co. mine was
built in 1920 only about 300 yards
from the Couts farm.
Henry, like the rest of his
siblings, started to school at the
Simtown School in Simtown (modern
name Coe) in 1912 when he was
6 ½. He walked 1 ½ mile to a two
room school (4 grades each room).
He passed by the home of his Uncle
George Couts on the way. His
teacher was Iva Jane McQuary
and he learned to read using the
famed McGuffey readers.
With four grades in a room,
a student frequently was supposed
to be studying at his desk while
others recited. While the girls were
being taught to sew, Henry was
listening and watching. Using string,
he tatted a pillowcase trim as a
present to his Mother. She later
gave it to his wife and she has it still.
After completing elementary,
Henry entered high school at
Spurgeon, IN. Spurgeon was
about three miles from the family
home. About one mile from home,
the children walked by the farm of
their uncle, Tom Connor. Henry's
sister Edith has told us that frequently
they would catch rides. It was a
small local highway but almost
everyone who passed knew who
the kids were.
Fig. 2 shows all of the
children in the family in a
photograph probably taken in
late 1917 when Henry was 12
years old. He is second from
the left.
He continued in high
school at Spurgeon for three
years studying math, English,
Latin, and geography.
For his final year, he
switched to Winslow High
School and graduated from
there with a diploma dated
25 April 1924. Winslow was
eight miles from the family
home but Henry had two
motivations for this switch.
One, Winslow was a larger and
a state-accredited high school and,
at that time, Spurgeon wasn't.
Two, Winslow had a crackerjack
basketball team and
Henry loved all sports.
Upon graduation, Henry
was offered a Rector academic
scholarship to attend DePauw
University in Greencastle, IN but
he declined it. His reasons were
that he would have to live away
from home and also he was playing
independent basketball with a local team.
Henry attended Oakland City
College in Oakland City, IN for four
years and graduated in 1928 with a
B.A. in Education. He had worked
two summers at the coal mine at
Enosville. Each fall the Superintendent
encouraged him to quit and return
to school. And the last summer he
worked with a gang doing the initial
construction of U.S. Highway 41 in
the vicinity of Ft. Branch, IN. At
school he had participated in football,
track, basketball, and baseball. Fig. 3
shows him in the 1927 college annual.
He was going with a young lady,
Helen Grubb, who lived across the street
from Oakland City College and who
graduated the same year with a degree
in Music Education.
Of course there were no funds
in the family for a car for Henry
. Oakland City was about the
same distance from the Couts' farm
as was Winslow ( 8 miles) but the
shortest route to Oakland City was along
the railroad spur from the main line near
Oakland City to the Enosville tipple.
Liability laws in those days were far
different than now and the engineers
would usually offer a ride in the locomotive cab.
They all knew him because one brother,
John, worked at the mine.
Henry and Helen were married
in December 1928 at Louisville, IL.
At this time, Henry was teaching at Sidney,
IL and Helen was teaching at Winslow, IN.
The following year, 1929, they moved to
Illinois and both taught at St. Joseph
(just east of Champaign-Urbana).
Henry taught mathematics, coached
basketball, and was scoutmaster for
the local troop (36 boys).
One school year in the early 30's,
Henry left and drove to Tonopah, Nevada
where he taught and coached. It isn't
known whether there was some contact
with an Oakland City College alumnus
but there probably was. This continued
a tradition of some wanderlust by his
older brothers. Wilford had spent a
year teaching at Adena, Ohio and Cecil
a year at Mexico, Missouri. While
Henry was gone, Helen continued
teaching at St. Joseph.
When he returned, he brought several
pieces of turquoise which he said were part
of his pay. Several brooches and necklaces
were fabricated from these pieces and still
remain in the family.
In 1934, Henry and Helen moved
to the Grayville, IL area where they built a
new home and both were teaching and he
was coaching. But the conflict in Europe
touched them. A peacetime draft was
passed in 1940. Henry was almost at the
age limit required to register but his number
was about the first to be called. He
reported for duty in the U.S. Army on
13 Feb 1941.
After Basic Training, he was
given medical x-ray training. He was
assigned to the Expeditionary Force
sent to Iceland and arrived on
16 Sep 1941. This was a front line
post for the U.S. because the Nazis
had captured Denmark and Norway.
Henry took some tests, passed, and
was detached to attend Engineering
Officers Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir,
VA. He departed Iceland on
27 May 1942. But Ft. Belvoir
was not to happen.
The ship, the S.S. Cherokee,
was about 75 miles off shore from
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland
when it was torpedoed and sunk on
16 June 1942. Helen still has the life
jacket that supported him in the water.
The life raft they were clinging to was
in the cold water for about a day before
a rescue ship appeared and picked up
the few remaining survivors.
He spent the next two and a half years
recuperating at Nichols General
Hospital, Louisville, KY.
He was awarded the
Purple Heart Medal but he had
problems for the rest of his life
with poor circulation in his legs due
to the long frigid immersion . While
at Nichols, he participated in some
War Bond campaigns and Fig. 4 shows
him speaking about his experience
at one of these. He was discharged
for physical disability on 9 Nov 1944.
Helen was teaching in
Mackey, IN during Henry's
service. She switched to the
Oakland City system for the
1944-45 school year during
which Henry was discharged
and looking for a job he could
physically perform. They moved
to Evansville where Henry found a
desk job at Servel Corp. Servel
was making wing assemblies for
the P-47 Thunderbolt fighters at
the Evansville plant of Republic
Avn. (now Whirlpool's plant). This
continued for about a year after the
war as Servel switched back to gas
refrigerators. Then he was Deputy
Controller for the Evansville, IN
Water Dept. for four years. Henry
was still interested in sports and
participated in bowling and golf
although he was no longer able
to play basketball.
About 1950-51, Henry returned
to teaching (but not coaching).
He taught at Patoka, IN one year
and then at Chrisney, IN until he
retired in 1970. Helen was teaching
at the Emma Roach School (later
Cedar Hall) from 1945 to 1970
when she too retired.
They traveled and took
several tours. When the tour
group would go walking, Henry
would stay on the bus with the driver.
He became interested in and
participated with the Hadi Temple
Oriental Band of the Shriners,
usually parading on a truck bed.
He died on 13 April 1981
at the age of 75 and is buried at
Montgomery Cemetery, Oakland City,
IN with many others of the Couts family.
He is well remembered by all the
remaining family for the variety of
his interests and his good humor
on all occasions.
Henry is a perfect example
of the 6th generation. His life was
affected by the Great Depression
and World War II. All previous
generations were farmers. Of his
generation, none of the boys
became farmers. The magnitude
of change from 100% to 0% was
probably inflated by reason of the
coal company turning most of Pike
County into spoil banks but it was
a trend reflecting all of America
during the mid-20th century.
Despite an education in tiny schools
now considered inadequate, he
succeeded in becoming a teacher
and a coach. America was
changing and the Couts family
was changing with it.
SOURCES
Henry's widow, Helen
(Grubb) Couts, and his sole living
sibling, Edith Mariah (Couts)
Harris, were the prime sources
for this life story. We of the
next generation bear the
responsibility for correctly
reporting the oral history.
REFERENCES
(1) James Monroe Couts,
California's Couts Cousins,
vol. 2, no.4, May-July 1998.
(2) Aaron C. Couts -
The 4th Generation,
California's Couts Cousins, vol. 6,
no. 3, May-July 2002.
Subject: Janelle Couts, Miss Ohio
From: "David and Gale Couts"
Barb, I hope you get this.
Janelle Couts is going to be in the
Miss America contest tonight on
ABC. Her Dad was my Dad's
second cousin, which I guess makes
me her 3rd cousin. Anyway, just for
your info. Dave http://www.missohio.org/
JANELLE MARIE COUTS - MISS OHIO 2003
http://www.missohio.org/webpages/mohio.htm
Hometown: Akron, OH Age: 22 Parents:
Rev. Bud & Dianne Couts Education:
2002 Graduate Mount Union College
Degree: Business Administration with a
Minor in French Local Pageant:
Miss Medina County Hobbies: Singing,
dancing, piano, rock
climbing, jogging, reading Talent: Vocal
Career Ambition: To pursue a
professional career in Musical Theatre
with the hope of earning a role in a
Broadway production. Janelle's ultimate
dream is to work in the field of
international entertainment marketing
for a major record and management label.
Janelle Couts, Miss Ohio
GUESTBOOK
NAME: Sherman F. Childers III
E-MAIL: surfly@cfl.rr.com REFERRED BY:
Search Engine LOCATION: Melbourne
Beach Flordia COMMENTS: Very,
very well arranged site. Thank you, Sherm
NAME: Daniel S. Kautz E-MAIL:
mybuddyin_ks@hotmail.com
REFERRED BY: Search Engine
LOCATION: Wichita, Ks. COMMENTS:
All of my direct family members live in the
Wichita, Ks. region except for an aunt in
Tenn. I do not know much about my
family tree beyond my Grandfather
(now deceased) Edward Kautz, who
lived in Atchison, Kansas when my
father, Richard Gene Kautz was born
(1947). Do you have any ties to Kansas
listed? My grandfather married Ruth
Inez Alexander (now deceased as well)
some time in the early 1930's or late
1920's. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
NAME: Nathan Couts E-MAIL:
tmi_number_fourteen@hotmail.com
REFERRED BY: Search Engine
LOCATION: Ft. Meyers, Florida
COMMENTS: I just typed in my
last name and found this site. Just
wanted to see what it was. Also
my roommates last name is Kautz.
NAME: Phyllis Campbell Walker
E-MAIL: mail@walkerpiano.com
REFERRED BY: mail@walkerpiano.com
LOCATION: COMMENTS: I found
my Barton Ancestors on your site.
My great, great Grandmother was
Susan Barton who married James
Jackson Williams. I have a pic of
them if anyone is
interested. Great site.
NAME: Mark C. Smith E-MAIL:
mcsmith@mail.utexas.edu
REFERRED BY: Search Engine
LOCATION: Austin Texas
COMMENTS: my mother is Shirley
Mae Kouts smith, sister of Ken Kouts
of San Lorenzo, California author of
Kautz-Kouts. I would like to contact
individuals especially in the Austin area.
NAME: John Tracy Gaffey 11 E-MAIL:
mhg7867726@aol.com REFERRED BY:
email LOCATION: Irvine, CA
COMMENTS: NAME:
John Tracy Gaffey 11 is the
grand son of Arcadia Bandini
de Gaffey. He is writing a biography
about his grandfather John T. Gaffey, Sr.
and would appreciated any pictures
(if any) of his grandfathers wedding to
Arcadia for his publication. His
grandmother and her sister Delores were
wards of Arcadia Bandini-Stearns de
Baker and they were the daughters of
Juan Bandini. Delores married R. Ward,
from England and Arcadia married John
T. Gaffey. We do not have wedding
pictures of either of these girls but feel
sure there must have been great
celebrations--and pictures of the events
--but we do not have any. I am writing
to you in the hope that you may have
information (know of any newspaper
clippings) or have wedding or engagement
pictures of either of them. Thanks you.
NAME: Anna B. Good E-MAIL:
pgood@bmi.net COMMENTS:
Nice sight. Didn't find a connection
on my quick look though.
NAME: Jody Rodriquez E-MAIL:
DDOTARK@webtv.net
REFERRED BY: Just Surfed in
LOCATION: suburb' of Chicago
COMMENTS: Hello to all Kautz's.
My family is from the Chicago branch
via Baden Germany.In the early 1900's
we were in Humboldt Park. Louis Kautz
b. 1845.Germ. Louise Kautz Lavin
b. 1871 Clara & Louis Kautz built
3 homes in Humb.PK, Louise Kautz
Lavin ran the corner store. Many related
families on the block. Friedrich &
Louise Kautz, Clara & Louis Kautz,
Louise Kautz Lavin & Bernard Lavin.,
Louis Lavin all.b.at Waldheim cemetery.
Many others from the Chicago Clan.
Looking for all Kin-Kautz of Chicago
branch. Kautz Hochenauer Schiller Schweim
Landendorf Bennett McAuley Remer
and any folks from Francisco St. Good
luck in your search Jody R
NAME: Wilma Mehan E-MAIL:
Wmehan@aol.com REFERRED BY:
Search Engine LOCATION:
COMMENTS: I am in awe at how
extensive the chart is. My brother told
me to check out (5)William A Byrd
d Jan 1887, Culpornia Cullie Byrd Bird
d. Jan 13, 1953. We believe she is our
great-grandmother. She traveled from
Alabama, Mississippi Oklahoma and
Texas. Her Daughter Lula Bell(Carpenter)
Northington lived in Mississippi-Alabama
. She died at an early age. Her sister
Bertha lived in Birmingham, Alabama.
Most of Culpornia's children lived in
Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and
California. Her husband, John E. Carpenter's
ancestors came to the US via
Savanah, Ga.
NAME: Sandra L. Kautz (Moser)
E-MAIL: RuninIntheSun@aol.com
LOCATION: Cheyenne, Wyoming
REFERRED BY: Search Engine
COMMENTS: My grandfather was
Philip Henry Kautz. My great-grandfather
was John Kautz. My father is PHILLIP
Ray Kautz Sr. He was born and raised
here. He is Still here!! 73 and going
strong! I do have some questions about
Philip Henry Kautz. He was married to
Ralph Emersons sister. I believe he
married her in Mc Cook Nebraska.
The marriage didn't last .. but I would
like to have some info. on this. Does
anyone know?? !! Ralph was the MC of
the TV program = This is your life. Any
info would be Great! I know there are
still a lot of Kautzs in North Platte, Ne.
I haven't met them yet... but I would
like to! Thank you.
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