Monday, March 31, 2025

Biographies for George W. Thomasson and his wife, Frances A. "Fannie" Frank (my great-great-grandparents on my mother's side)

These biographies were generated by the Google Gemini AI from an RM10 Narrative Report.

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Biography of George W. Thomasson

Early Life & Family

George W. Thomasson was born about 1843 in Green County, Virginia, to Thomas C. Thomasson and Catharine Smith. He has alternate birth information: about 1845 from the 1850 and 1870 censuses.

On October 10, 1850, George was a family member in the household of his mother, Catharine Smith, in the census in Greene County, Virginia. The family included Catharine Thomasson, 47 years old, and George's sisters Rebecca F. Thomasson, 17 years old, Margaret F. Thomasson, 12 years old, and Barbary A. Thomasson, 11/12 years old. His father, Thomas, was not listed and may have died before the census. George attended school during the census year.

George W. Thomasson has not been found in the 1860 census.

Marriage and Children

George W. Thomasson and Francis A. "Fannie" Frank were married on December 25, 1866, in Cherry Grove, Rockingham County, Virginia. George's last name is incorrectly listed as "Towman" in the marriage records.

On August 1, 1870, George and Fannie appeared in the census in Stanardsville, Greene County, Virginia. The family included G W Thomason, 25 years old and working as a farmer, Fannie A Thomason, 25 years old and keeping house, and their children Charles F Thomason, 2 years old, and Jasper D Thomason, 1 year old.

On June 15, 1880, the family appeared in the census in Plains District, Rockingham County, Virginia. At this time, George's occupation was listed as "Teaching Music." Music teachers in this era often traveled to students' homes for individual lessons on instruments like piano or violin and also provided vocal instruction to students of varying ages and skill levels. The family consisted of Geo W Thomasson, 36 years old and teaching music, Fannie A Thomasson, 35 years old and keeping house, and their children Charles F Thomasson, 11, Jasper D Thomasson, 10, Emma E Thomasson, 8, Robert L Thomasson, 6, John H Thomasson, 5, Cora F Thomasson, 3, and Thomas E Thomasson, 1.

George and Fannie's children also included Charles F. Thomasson (born October 21, 1867; died February 1932), Gaspar David "Jasper" Thomasson (born January 9, 1869; died June 11, 1942), Emma Elizabeth Thomasson (born September 25, 1870; died July 8, 1955), Robert Lee Thomasson (born September 27, 1872; died May 10, 1957), John H. Thomasson (born September 16, 1874; died December 4, 1933), Cora F. Thomasson (born December 20, 1876; died January 18, 1963), William Thomasson (born about 1879; died November 1884), Thomas E. Thomasson (born March 9, 1879; died November 7, 1888), Ella Linora "Big Mom" Thomasson (born December 25, 1881; died September 16, 1954), and George H. Thomasson (born August 22, 1884; died September 21, 1890).

Death

George W. Thomasson died in July 1884 in Green County, Virginia, at the age of 41 from ague (malaria?). His wife, Francis Thomasson, reported his death. He worked as a musician until his death.


Biography of Francis A. "Fannie" Frank Thomasson

Early Life & Family

Francis A. "Fannie" Frank was born on May 23, 1845, in Rockingham County, Virginia, to Joseph Frank and Susannah Funk. She has alternate birth information: about 1842 from the 1860 census in Virginia, and May 1844 from the 1900 census in Virginia.

On July 30, 1850, Fannie was a member of Joseph Frank Sr. and Susannah Funk's household in the census in Rockingham County, Virginia. Frances was 5 years old.

On June 19, 1860, Fannie was a member of Joseph Frank Sr. and Susannah Funk's household in the census in Rockingham County, Virginia. The family consisted of Joseph Frank, 70 years old, Susanah Frank, 52 years old, Fannie Frank, 18 years old, and David Frank, 21 years old. Fannie attended school during the census year.

Marriage and Children

Francis A. "Fannie" Frank and George W. Thomasson were married on December 25, 1866, in Cherry Grove, Rockingham County, Virginia.

On August 1, 1870, Fannie and George appeared in the census in Stanardsville, Greene County, Virginia. In 1870, Fannie was 25 years old and keeping house. Fannie and George's children included Charles F. Thomasson (born about 1868) and Jasper D. Thomasson (born about 1869).

On June 15, 1880, the family appeared in the census in Plains District, Rockingham County, Virginia. In 1880, Fannie was 35 years old and keeping house. Additional children listed in the 1880 census were Emma E. Thomasson (born about 1872), Robert L. Thomasson (born about 1874), John H. Thomasson (born about 1875), Cora F. Thomasson (born about 1877), and Thomas E. Thomasson (born about 1879).

Fannie and George's children also included Charles F. Thomasson (born October 21, 1867; died February 1932), Gaspar David "Jasper" Thomasson (born January 9, 1869; died June 11, 1942), Emma Elizabeth Thomasson (born September 25, 1870; died July 8, 1955), Robert Lee Thomasson (born September 27, 1872; died May 10, 1957), John H. Thomasson (born September 16, 1874; died December 4, 1933), Cora F. Thomasson (born December 20, 1876; died January 18, 1963), William Thomasson (born about 1879; died November 1884), Thomas E. Thomasson (born March 9, 1879; died November 7, 1888), Ella Linora "Big Mom" Thomasson (born December 25, 1881; died September 16, 1954), and George H. Thomasson (born August 22, 1884; died September 21, 1890).

Widowhood and Later Life

George W. Thomasson died in July 1884. Fannie reported her husband's death.

On June 13, 1900, Fannie was living with the family of her daughter, Ella Linora Thomasson, and her husband, Austin W. Leitch, at a house in Middle River District, Augusta County, Virginia. Fannie was listed as Austin's mother-in-law, born in May 1844 in Virginia. She was widowed and had 10 children, 7 of whom were still alive. Fannie was able to read and write.

Fannie appeared in the census over May 5-May 6, 1910, at a rural address on Maryland Road in Plains District, Rockingham County, Virginia. She was living with the family of her daughter, Cora, and her husband, John Crider. In 1910, Fannie was 65 years old, widowed, and had 10 children with 7 still living.

Death and Burial

Fannie Thomasson died of angina pectoris with cerebral hemorrhage on March 26, 1918, in Plains Magisterial District, Rockingham County, Virginia, at the age of 72. Her death certificate listed her birth date as May 23, 1845, her occupation as "at home," her father as Joe Frank, and her mother as Susan Frank. The informant on her death certificate was Mrs. Chas [Charles] Crider, likely her daughter Cora. Her doctor, J. E. Lincoln, MD, had only attended her on the day she died, and death occurred at 8:30 pm. She was buried on March 28, 1918, at Trissels Mennonite Church Cemetery in Broadway, Rockingham County, Virginia. Her tombstone inscription is "w/C.W.," referring to her husband, G.W. Thomasson. Fannie was also known by her married name, Fannie Thomasson.

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