Well Known County Man Embarks on His Third Matrimonial Venture

Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Friday, Oct. 21, 1910

Well Known County Man Embarks

on His Third Matrimonial Venture

    Yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of the Rev. H. T. Heironimus, on Montgomery Avenue, Mr. Daniel F. Joseph of the Ashby neighborhood was wedded to Miss Julia Greaver. Mr. Joseph is forty seven years of age and this is his third bride, the former two having been Miss Bell Payne of Newport, Va., and Mrs. Flora Belle Bolen of Mt. Solon, prior to their marriage to Mr. Joseph.

  Following the ceremony the couple left for their home in the county.[1]

    

Actually, great-grandfather Daniel Franklin Joseph married a 4^th time. He has the distinction of being my ancestor who married the most. Most certainly he liked having a lady around the house. Necessity probably played a role in his decisions to marry as he needed someone to care for his home and his children.

Daniel Franklin was born February 24, 1865 in Swoope, Augusta County, Virginia to William Wilson Joseph and Eliza Jane Spitlar near the end of the Civil War. He was one of eight children being the seventh born.

Sybell B. Payne married Daniel Sept. 16, 1886 at Churchville, Augusta County, Virginia. [2] Her parents were Samuel Payne and Maria Craig. Sybell, also known as Bell, was born in Augusta County about 1865. [3] They had four children—Oscar Milton born 1888, Celia born 1890, Lytie Loraine born 1892 and Minnie born 1896. Lytie Loraine was their only child alive by 1900. The Staunton Spectator reported “Mrs. Daniel Joseph of near Annex, is critically ill” in the Personals column April 10, 1903. [4]

A widowed Daniel married Flora B. Bolen in Churchville, Augusta County, Virginia August 16, 1904.[5] Flora Belle was a member of the McFall family from Mt. Solon. When she wed great-grandfather she was a 29 year old divorcee who was previously married to John W. Bolen. Her parents were David McFall and Rodie M. Harman. Flora Belle came to the marriage with her daughter, Ruby Esther Bolen (born 1894), from her previous marriage while Daniel brought his daughter, Lytie Loraine, to the new family.

Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Friday, August 26, 1904

Joseph-Bolen

      Churchville, Aug. 20--Mr. Daniel F. Joseph and Mrs. Flora B. Bolen, daughter of the late James A. McFall, were married on the 17th, at "Mapleton," the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Howard S. Irvine. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Howard S. Irvine, pastor of the Deerfield Baptist church, in the presence of a number of near friends of the contracting parties. Among those from a distance were Dr. and Mrs. George H. Eyster, Dr. English Eyster and Mrs. Chas. C. Bagby of Baltimore; Mrs. N. H. Phillips of Williamsburg; Mrs. Calhoun of Albemarle; Mr. P. D. McFall, of Staunton and Mr. Chas. B. Irvine of Harrisonburg.[6]

My grandfather, James McFall Joseph was born in 1906 followed by Lacy Daniel in 1907. Lacy Daniel died when he was only 2 years old. Flora Belle Joseph was born March 17, 1910. Just about three weeks later on April 9 Flora Belle (McFall) Bolen Joseph passed. 

Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Friday, April 15, 1910

   Mrs. D. F. Joseph died at her home at Laurel Hill on Saturday morning, after a short illness, aged about 38 years. She was twice married and is survived by her second husband and three children. Deceased was born at Mt. Solon, and before marriage was a Miss McFall. The funeral took place Sunday and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Coffman from Asbury Chapel. [7]

Julia Greaver was great-grandfather’s 3^rd wife and is the subject of the marriage announcement that began this blog post. The family story is that my grandfather’s step-mother, Julia, didn’t treat him kindly. I think there must be some truth to this since I found him at age thirteen living with his Uncle Milton Henry Joseph’s family. [8]

I don’t know what happened to Julia Greaver but Daniel married a 4^th time to Elsie Jones Talley Sept. 21, 1929. [9] Daniel died Jan. 19, 1940 survived by Elsie. Daniel and Elsie are buried together in Staunton at Thornrose Cemetery.[10]

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[1] Library of Virginia Digital Collection, Virginia Chronicle, Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Volume 89, Number 43, 21 October 1910

[2] Augusta County, VA Marriage Register #1, Line 6348

[3] Ibid

[4] Library of Virginia Digital Collection, Virginia Chronicle, Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Volume 82, Number 15, 10 April 1903

[5] Marriage Certificate of Daniel F. Joseph and Flora B. Bolen

[6] Library of Virginia Digital Collection, Virginia Chronicle, Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Volume 83, Number 35, 26 August 1904

[7]Library of Virginia Digital Collection, Virginia Chronicle, Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Volume 89, Number 15, 15 April 1910

[8] 1920 federal census, Augusta County, Virginia, Pastures District, E.D. 39, Sheet No. 6A, Line 29, Milton H. Joseph household

[9] Familysearch.org, Virginia Marriages 1785-1940 Index

[10] FindAGrave.com, Memorial# 38254703, Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA, Plot Section 9