1st Generation

After Austin died in 1873, his widow went with several of the children to Texas. Among this group were 2 sons, Benjamin J. and Ira Edgar and a daughter, Martha E., and husband, James W. Marksbury. Daughter Mary J. and Elias S. Miller stayed in Illinois.

Sometime after 1880 Caroline, still traveling with the Marksburys, went to Oregon, arriving in 1885. Sons Benjamin and Ira chose to stay in Texas. Another son, Samuel, may have been traveling with them to Oregon. He is found in Northern California from 1888 on. It is also not known if the family met up with John W. Fortune who was living in Missouri, but it is likely they all made the long trip together. Ollie Maud Fortune, a daughter of John W. told her children and grandchildren that her family made the trip by covered wagon. The Marksburys, John W. Fortune and mother Caroline were living in Gold Hill (Jackson) OR during the late 1880's and 1890's. Shortly after 1899, the Marksbury's and Caroline moved to Linn County, OR.

Caroline died 5 May 1908 in Halsey, Linn County, Oregon. Her obituary gave a surprising amount of information about her life. She was buried in Workman Cemetery, Linn Co., OR. Her offspring were scattered in Illinois, Texas, Oregon and California. Austin and Caroline Fortune had 10 or 11 children. Nine have been identified. Three of those appear to have died young.

Benjamin J. Fortune (Oct 1836, Adams Co., IL - 1900-1910, Parker Co., TX). Benjamin married Mary Jane (Griffith) Nichols in Parker County on 30 Dec. 1882. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Griffith of Parker Co., TX. She was apparently divorced or separated from her first husband, Emesiah Sage Nichols whom she married about 1872, for he died in 1939 in Arizona after at least 2 other marriages and a divorce. Mary Jane had two children from her first marriage, William E. Nichols and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Nichols. She was living as head of household with her two children in 1880, Parker Co., TX:

William E. Nichols (1877 TX - 1963 Fresno Co., CA) married before 1910, Parker Co., TX to Pearl L. Piland (cir. 1885 TX - aft. 1930, CA). They were still living there in 1920, but by 1930, they were in Fresno Co., CA.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Nichols married about 1897, Parker Co., TX to Lafayette "Lafe" Jackson. They were living in Comanche Co., OK in 1910.

Mary Jane and Benjamin Fortune had four children:

George E. Fortune (1884 Weatherford, Parker Co., TX - 1962 San Francisco Co., CA) George enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 5, 1908 and reenlisted on 28 July 1911. The document was a little fuzzy on the year, but I believe he was honorably discharged in July, 1914--that's the same time that WWI began, so I can't help thinking he may have served longer. He didn't show up in any records (after 1900) that I found until 1923. He was described as having blue eyes, dark hair, fair complexion, 5'11 1/2" tall. His gravestone reports he served WWI, Sgt. Btry. A, 55 Arty CAC. He married about 1923 to Bertha Ashley (1877 KY - 1955 SF Co., CA). She was a school teacher and is listed in San Francisco city directories for several years before their marriage. It appears to have been the first marriage for both of them, and no children are ever listed in their household. He married Irma Sylvia Quane (1905 New Zealand - 1968 CA), probably after the death of Bertha. He and both wives are buried in Golden Gate National Cem., San Mateo Co., CA (see findagrave.com).

James Austin Fortune (1885 Weatherford, Parker Co., TX - 1965 Fresno Co., CA). James married Grace E. Lovett about 1915, probably in Oklahoma as Comanche Co., OK is where he was living in 1910 with his step-sister and her husband. In his draft registration papers of 1918, he was living with his wife and child in Murray County, OK. There was a John J. Lovett family living in that county with a daughter named Grace. This is likely his wife.. .but they were divorced before 1930 and she evidently remarried. I have been unable to locate them on the 1920 census, but in 1930, he was living in Yuma AZ, with a son, Roy Lee Fortune (1917 OK - 2001 WA). In 1940, he can be found living in Fresno Co., CA.

Benjamin Harrison "Harry" Fortune (1890 Weatherford, Parker Co., TX - 1960 Fresno Co., CA). Harry married about 1912 in Parker Co., TX to Mary Josephine "Josie" Dean (cir. 1897 TX - 1957 CA). They lived there until after 1920, when they began moving West. In 1930, they are in Yuma, AZ. Surprisingly, they are also listed on a voter registration in Fresno County, CA in 1929, so they may have been moving back and forth a little. I have not located anyone in this family in the 1940 census, however, daughter Evelyn is shown in a high school annual in Fresno County, CA in 1937. It appears Harry and Josie were divorced and she remarried to ____ Frank, because she seems to be listed on the California Death Index as Mary Josephine Frank, nee "Dea" for 27 Mar 1957 in Fresno. He is buried in the Odd Fellows Cem., Fresno, CA--I don't know where she is buried. Harry and Josie had 4 daughters, Vivian Inez Fortune Peabody, Evelyn Fortune, Merwyn Alene Fortune Inman, and Mildred Joyce Fortune Bonin.

Lillian I. Fortune, born July 1893. She was listed with her parents in 1900, Parker Co., and with her step-sister's family (Lafayette & Lizzy Jackson) and her brother James in 1910, Comanche, OK. No further information.

Both Benjamin J. and Mary Jane (Griffith) Fortune appear to have died before 1910, as they are not found again in any records. Some family trees report that she died in Oklahoma in 1908 (no source).

Mary Jane Fortune (22 Jan 1840, Adams Co., IL - 12 Feb. 1928 Chicago, Cook Co., IL). She married on 12 Dec 1860 in Pike Co., IL to Elias S. Miller (born cir. 1839). She seems to be the only child of Austin and Caroline Fortune that remained in Illinois. In 1870, Mary Jane and Elias Miller were living in Will Co., IL and by 1880, they had moved to McClean Co., IL. Perhaps they then moved to Chicago, for he died there on 13 Feb. 1892. Two of their daughters are living in Chicago in 1900. Mary Jane married soon after, on 12 Mar 1893 in Lafayette Co., MO to Simpson Spore. It looks as if one of her married daughters may have been living in Lafayette Co., causing her to move there after the death of Elias (mostly speculation). A granddaughter, Edna L. Boyce was living with her in 1910 and 1920. Simpson Spore died in 1907, and is buried in Odessa Cemetery, Lafayette Co., MO. Mary Jane was still living in that county in 1910, and by 1920, she had moved back to Chicago and was living with her daughter Minnie (Miller) Adams. Mary Jane is buried in Cedar Park Cem., Calumet Park, Cook Co., IL. She and Elias Miller had five daughters: Carrie, Evaline, Adeline, Minnie who married Omar Adams, and Cora Belle.

Thomas B. Fortune born 1842-1843, Adams Co., IL; died after 1860..perhaps in the Civil War, but unable to verify.

John W. Fortune (16 Jun 1844 Quincy, Adams Co., IL - 16 Sep 1911, St. John, Multnomah Co., OR). See discussion below.

Martha E. Fortune (25 Aug 1848, Adams Co., IL - 18 Feb 1920, Lane Co., OR) Martha married in 1873, IL to James Wesley Marksbury (1848 KY - 1918 Lane Co., OR). They moved to Parker Co., TX before 1880, along with her mother, Caroline, and two brothers, Benjamin J and Ira Edgar Fortune. By the late 1880s, they had relocated to Gold Hill (Jackson Co.) Oregon. J. W. Marksbury is listed as having held several important town positions in "Gold Hill and its Neighbors along the River", by Linda Morehouse Genaw, published 1988. In 1889, he served as a school director and in 1895, he was appointed to the board of inspectors, and subsequently was elected to serve on the first town council as their president; he served again as president in 1899. In 1898, he purchased Pioneer Meats. He sold his land and moved to Lane County, Oregon before 1910. Both Martha and James are buried in Workman Cemetery, Linn County, OR.

Samuel Alfred Fortune (14 Feb 1851, Adams Co., IL - 12 Oct 1942 Sonoma Co., CA). Samuel was not found in the 1880 census, but he was in California as early as 1888...he is listed in Mendocino on one of the "Great Registers" in California.

It is likely that he married his wife, Frances Ruth Irwin (1855 MO - 1944 Alameda Co., CA) there about 1888. She previously had a daughter (Dottie M.) with Riley Smith Woodcock. According to a story on the findagrave.com memorial for Dottie, Riley S. Woodcock was Frances' step-father - they were not married. Dottie (1883-1967) took the name Fortune. She married Elijah Prophet Robbins in 1902. They are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Fresno Co., CA.

Samuel and Frances had 5 girls and one boy. (1) Winefred Ethel Fortune (1889-1984) married about 1910 to Chester Leland Randall. They are both buried in Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg, Sonoma Co., CA. (2) Gladys E. Fortune (1892-1975) married in 1911 to Webb Ambsy Harpe. They are both buried in Hopland Cemetery, Mendocino Co., CA. (3) Mabel F. Fortune (1895-1982) married in 1967 to Parmelee G. Cox. (It seems likely she had an earlier marriage, but one was not found). (4) Phillip Austin Fortune (1897-1982) also called "Bud" appears single in the 1940 census. I do not know if he ever married. (5) Bessie Fortune (1899-1987) married before 1925 to Melo John Zanoline (1893-1978). They are both buried in Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Sonoma County, CA. (6) Barbara Verna Fortune (1902-1977). She married her brother-in-law, Fredrick Wilbur Zanoline (1899-1973) perhaps about 1927. They had a son, Roddy Fortune Zanoline (1928-1976) who was a race car driver. Roddy and his wife Alta Mae Loomis (cir. 1929-2016) had 5 children. Several descendants still live in the area of Sonoma County. Here is a picture of the Samuel A. Fortune family , provided by Carrie Zanoline, a descendant. Barbara Verna is center front.

Elizabeth Fortune (1853 or 1845 - death unk).

Ira Edgar Fortune (27 Apr 1855, Quincy, Adams Co., IL - 17 Jul 1924, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., TX). He married on 28 Oct. 1892 in Parker Co., TX to Cephronia/Sephronia Morgan (12 Dec 1868 Montgomery Co., AL - 11 May 1967, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., TX). She lived to be 99 years old--43 years past his death. They had two children. The youngest of these, son Edgar F. Lee Fortune (1897-1910), died quite young. Daughter, Pearl Mae Fortune (1898- Dec. 1967) married first to Otto Gonce before 1917 and had 3 children, only one of which lived to any appreciable age. She was Lona Mae Gonce. Lona married J. O. Busby and had a daughter, Madena. Pearl and Otto were divorced and she married 2nd sometime after 1920 to Latham Howard Craven (1885-1935). Ira Edgar and Cephronia are buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., TX, although there is no stone for him.

George D. Fortune (Sept 1859, Pike Co.?, IL - bef. July 1870, prob. Pike Co., IL)

Sadly, it appears there is only one son remaining from all of these families who might carry the Fortune name into the future. The other remaining males only had daughters and are too old to likely have any sons.

Who is the father of Austin?

According to multiple census records, he was born in VA. For this reason, I have always guessed that he �belonged� to the Fortune family that arrived in the early 1700s in that area probably from somewhere in Great Britain. The naming of his children was consistent with these families, viz, Thomas, Benjamin, Edgar. The name Austin is also found among them. But, these are common names, so I can�t say for sure, and as yet, no certain link has been found.

*** *** ***

The John Fortune who married Delpha Dawson is said to be the son of:

   Williamson Fortune (1758 - ?) who m. Sarah Henderson, son of 
      John F. Fortune (1720 Caroline Co., VA � 1790) who m. Lucy (Williamson?)

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But, HOORAY! Recently there have been two matches to others with the Fortune Surname. One of these lines links to Richard Fortune (b. 1758) who married Mary Lavender. He is thought to also be the son of John F. Fortune and Lucy (Williamson?) and a brother of Williamson Fortune shown above. Not enough is known at this time to say much more, but it causes us to question "could Williamson Fortune (b. cir. 1758) of Virginia be of Native American ancestry?". Studies are ongoing in this Family Tree DNA study. If you are interested, check out the links to the Fortune and Haplogroup C study groups at the bottom of the home page. If anyone can clue me in as to any Y-DNA findings in Ancestry or "23 and Me" for anyone in the John and Lucy Fortune line, I would be most interested!

The BRIDGEWATER FAMILY --
ISAAC BRIDGEWATER & MARGARET McCASSLIN of Tennessee and Adams County, IL and
SAMUEL BRIDGEWATER & MARY ANN CAUGHMAN of VA, PA, Kentucky, and Scott Co., Indiana.

ISAAC and MARGARET (McCaslin) BRIDGEWATER--(Credit must be given here to Susan Burke for giving me a jumpstart on this family by sending me quite a bit of documentation--thanks Susan!) I now feel fairly confident in saying that this Isaac Bridgewater, was born July 1777 as shown in the Bridgewater Bible Records that were attached to the Revolutionary Pension File of Samuel Bridgewater, and is the son mentioned therein. He married Margaret McCasslin (or McCaslin) as seen in the death certificate of daughter Caroline, linked above. Margaret's maiden name also appears in the Bounty Land Application and Declaration that she made in Adams County, IL on Feb. 15, 1851. In that document she declares that she and Isaac were married in Nashville, TN on 14 Oct. 1802 by a Methodist Minister. She also gives Isaac's death date as 13 Mar 1846 in Adams County, IL.

Per the 1900 census, Caroline (Bridgewater) Fortune's parents, were both born in Pennsylvania. This may not be completely correct, but it does give additional credence to connect him to Samuel and Mary Ann Bridgewater who were in Pennsylvania in 1786-1790. Isaac would have been their eldest son, and as such, he left the family early (perhaps after coming west with them to Kentucky, or maybe he went first). At any rate, he went on to Tennessee.

The Bounty Land Application document also shows his service in the War of 1812, enlisting in Tennessee. Isaac paid taxes in Nashville, TN in 1805, in Pulaski (Giles Co.), TN in 1812, and by 1820 was found in Lincoln Co., TN. These Land Documents show he purchased land in 1824 and 1826 in Lincoln Co., TN.

Also, as mentioned in the obituary of their daughter Caroline, they migrated to Adams Co., IL in 1829 where they lived until their death. According to census records, they likely had 9 children, but only 6 (or maybe 7) are represented in this translation of the 1863 Adams County, IL, Indenture for the estate of Margaret after her death, so the others must have died young with no children remaining. Listed heirs that are probably children of Isaac and Margaret are Cynthia, Jane, Sarah Ann and Caroline. Others listed are probably grandchildren (children of Andrew, Elizabeth Smith and Samuel who are all deceased by that date). While I don't yet have a document showing Margaret's death date, it apparently is shown in other Estate Documents in Adams County as 15 Mar 1861. I can find no other information about a Sarah Ann--some researchers may believe this to be the wife of the deceased son, Samuel, but I don't believe she would be listed as an heir.

Their son Samuel Bridgewater, who died in 1854, did marry Sarah Ann Thomas about 1830. The daughter of Samuel and Sarah Ann Bridgewater, Martha Jane (1835, Pike Co., IL - 1911, Bucklin, Ford Co., KS) married Norton Henry Close (1827, Randolph Co., IL - 1901, Hull Co., IL). Three pictures have been supplied by Kim Stone: (1) Martha Jane Bridgewater Close, tintype about 1860 (2) Norton and Martha Jane Close and (3) their daughter, Lilly Jane Close Weddington.

In the 1850 census, there are 3 male Bridgewaters and 1 female Bridgewater living in the same household as Margaret that I have been unable to place as a part of her family. They are Mansfield born about 1824 (with wife Polly and and child Cynthia); Washington, born about 1832, William born about 1834, and Elizabeth, born about 1836. If any of them were her children, they should have been listed on the estate document above, and if they were grandchildren whose parent was dead, they should also have been listed on the document. They don't seem to belong to any living child (except possibly Cynthia or the mysterious Sarah Ann). If anyone has information about this, please get in touch with me. This connection might provide additional clues. My hunch is that they are children of Cynthia. Since she and 2 children are listed with the name Bridgewater in 1850 and 1860 (in the household of Abijah Harris), I wonder if she was married to a cousin or other relative with the same last name. She's old enough to have a child as old as Mansfield.

Note: Some researchers are reporting they are the children of Zachariah Bridgewater. (What is their source? And who is he?). My research shows Zachariah to be born about 1786-7 per several census records (1820 Bond Co IL, 1825 Montgomery Co IL, 1830 Morgan Co IL, 1835 Morgan Co IL, 1840 Cass Co IL, 1845 Cass Co IL, 1850 Monroe Co MO). In 1813, at age 24, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry at Rogersville, TN. At that time, he said he was born in Washington, VA. (The 1850 census, says he was born in Tennessee). My thoughts are that some researcher(s) tracking Zachariah's son, William Bluford Bridgewater, have seen the 1850 census and believe that the William, age 16, in the household of Margaret Bridgewater is him. But, there is an apparent son named William, age 21, living with Zachariah in 1850 Monroe Co., MO. Even though he's the wrong age, I suspect it is him. Zachariah's wife, Elizabeth, born Sept. 1786, died 11 Mar 1853 and is buried in Cass County, IL per the Findagrave.com web site. Zachariah is much too old to be a son of Isaac, and he's not a brother since he's not listed on the pension file of Samuel. They don't even come from the same area of the U.S. I can find nothing else to possibly connect them. Does anyone have better information? If so, please share!

Some researchers may be aware that an early SAR application shows this Isaac as the son of a different Isaac of North Carolina. My investigation shows no documentation proving such a connection, and I believe this information to be incorrect. If anyone reading this can show otherwise, I would welcome your input. I believe the Samuel and Mary Ann Bridgewater that are shown below are Isaac's parents.

Additionally, many researchers have named another Isaac who in 1816 married Milly Akers in Shelby County, KY as the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Bridgewater. That Isaac, born 1790 per census records, is too young to be their son born in 1777, and also, since he was married in Shelby County, it appears more likely that he is the son of Levi of that county. Indeed, an Isaac of his age is listed as the son of Levi in the pension files for Levi.

SAMUEL and MARY ANN (Caughman) BRIDGEWATER--Samuel was born 10 Apr. 1749, PA, and died 17 May, 1827, Scott Co., IN according to Bible Records linked above. The Revolutionary Pension Records for Samuel contain the declaration of his wife, Mary Ann Caughman, born 25 Oct. 1755 and died 21 Mar 1847 in Scott Co., IN (her death date is given in the pension file). She stated they were married on 2 Jun 1771 in Mecklinberg Co., VA. They were living in Pennsylvania in 1791; and by 1810, they were in Nelson Co., KY. I have not located them in 1820, but it appears that two sons were in Scott Co., IN. Samuel may have been there also, or he may have still been in Nelson County, Ky. Samuel and Mary Ann are buried in Scott Co., IN (see the findagrave.com website -- please be aware that the narratives on the FAG site are written by researchers and can have errors--just like the one you are reading now!).

Here is a translation of Samuel Bridgewater's will, in Scott Co., IN, assumed to be reasonably accurate, but I have not seen a copy of the original.

Please check out my tree on Rootsweb World Connect for information on the children of these Bridgewater families (there's a link at the bottom of this page).

2nd Generation

John W. Fortune died in St. John, a suburb of Portland, 16 Sept. 1911. According to his obituary, he was an Oddfellow. He is buried in Portland Columbian Cemetery, although no stone has been found.

MORRIS EDWARDS & MALINDA FOX
of Lafayette and Johnson Counties, Missouri

Morris Edwards, born 20 Oct 1814, in Ashe Co., NC, was the son of David Edwards and Elizabeth (Andrews) Edwards. He married on 24 Mar. 1834 in Lafayette Co., MO to Malinda Fox, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Fox. She died 1 Dec. 1872 and he died 27 Sept. 1899. They are both buried in the cemetery in Dover, Lafayette Co., MO. They and most of their children can be found on Findagrave.com (see link below). Morris and Malinda had 12 children, probably all born in Johnson and/or Lafayette Co., MO. I have done little research on this family except for census records, names and dates. For that information, please see my on-line tree (see link below).

CHARLES JASPER FORTUNE AND VERA OLIVE STILES
from Multnomah Co., OR to Los Angeles Co., CA

Olive was previously married to Robert Wilkson Cobine. They were married in 1900 and divorced in 1906; they had one son, Ralph W. Cobine. According to the divorce papers, decree, and testimony, the cause was cruel and inhumane treatment.

Olive and Charles moved to Compton, Los Angeles Co., California, and lived there for many years. He was a sugar beet farmer. They had 2 daughters and a son. They returned to the Vancouver, Washington area shortly before his death which occurred in Brush Prairie, WA. He was buried in Portland Columbian Cemetery--the stone has recently been located due to the hard work of several volunteers that have cleaned up that cemetery. His widow, Olive, returned to California and she and her children continued to live in Elsinore, California. Their son also lived in Arizona and New Mexico. Olive died 6 Sept 1963 in Riverside Co., CA. She is buried in Elsinore Valley Cemetery, Elsinore, CA.

Check out the graves of some of these people on my virtual "Fortune Cemetery" with Fortunes, Stiles, Edwards, Robertsons and others on www.findagrave.com

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