Minnie Mae Williams was born on 23 March 1879 in Hopkins County, Texas, the daughter of John Williams and Louisa Miller. She married Joseph Henry Brasher on 12 May 1895, when she was just sixteen years old; Joe was only 20. The marriage didn’t last long, but they had one daughter, Pearl Lillian Brasher, my husband’s grandmother.
John C. Williams Family, circa 1895-1900
This is one of only two photos I have of Joseph Brasher. Joe and Minnie had separated by 1900. Minnie is standing on the far left, just behind her father John, who is seated and holding a toddler. Joe Brasher is standing to the right of Minnie.
Minnie married a second time to Charles Horne on 2 October 1904 in Paris, Lamar, Texas. Charlie predeceased Minnie, passing away in 1939.
Minnie died on 22 June 1945 in Hillsboro, Hill, Texas. I have the newspaper clipping.
Someone, likely daughter Pearl, saved the page from the newspaper and circled her obituary. However, the name of the newspaper is not found. It probably is the local Hillsboro paper and I would guess it came out mid-day or in the afternoon because this was published on 23 June, Saturday and Minnie’s obituary said she died at 11:50 on Friday night.
MRS. MINNIE MAE HORNE
Mrs. Minnie Mae Horne, 204 Smith street, aged 66 years, 2 months and 29 days, widow of Charlie E. Horne, died Friday night at 11:50 o’clock.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the First Baptist church with Dr. R.E. Day officiating. Interment will be in Ridge Park cemetery under the direction of Marshall and Marshall.
A native of Hopkins county, Texas, Mrs. Horne came to Hillsboro in 1916 and had lived here since. Mr. Horne died Dec. 23, 1939. She was a member of the First Baptist church.
Surviving are: two children, Mrs. Earl Stufflebean, Norman, Okla., and Pfc Aulton Horne with the U.S. Army on Guam; a sister, Mrs. Zora Wilder, Saltillo, Texas, and two grandchildren.
One detail in the obituary is incorrect – the Hornes moved to Hillsboro after 12 September 1918, when Charlie Horne completed his draft registration in Alvin, Brazoria, Texas. The Hornes moved a lot and they may have gone to Hillsboro in 1919.
Although Dave never knew his great grandmother, she was an avid quilter and we are lucky enough to have three of her handmade quilts, all in excellent condition.