Iva Myrtle Brawner

Iva Myrtle Brawner, according to the 1900 census, was born June 1882; another source states June 18, 1883. She married Henry D. Carter, son of Henry and Laura Harrod Carter, about 1900/1901, probably in Franklin County, Kentucky, and had six known children. At the age of 36, on May 16, 1912, Henry D. Carter died at Polsgrove, Franklin County, Kentucky, from typhoid fever and pneumonia. His death certificate states he was buried on May 17, 1912 at Flat Creek in Franklin County, Kentucky.

Warren Jones Carter, Sr.

Born October 30, 1901 in Franklin County, Kentucky. He married his first wife Margaret Davis in Tennessee about 1925. They had two children, Edward and Dorothy, born in Tennessee. About 1953 Warren married his second wife, Novella Evelyn Clark, daughter of Walter Clark, born at home near Tanners Branch on December 22, 1929. Their two sons were born in Woodford County, Kentucky: Warren Jones, Jr. on June 18, 1954, and James William on February 5, 1960. Novella Evelyn Clark died April 8, 2005. In the late 1960s in Tennessee, Warren Jones Carter, Sr. married for the third time Ida Mae Clark, sister of his second wife Novella. No children were born to this union. On February 10, 1983, Warren Jones Carter, Sr. died in Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Kentucky. Warren and Novella are buried in the Versailles Cemetery in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky.

Update (5/25/08) — Information submitted by Warren Jones Carter, Jr.

George Wesley Carter

Born August 29, 1903 in Franklin County, Kentucky. He married about 1924 in Tennessee to Nora Davis. One son was born to this union. In 1937, George married Bertha Lou Clark, sister of his brother’s wife, Ida Mae. Five children were born to this union. George Wesley Carter died at Hazelwood Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky on January 22, 1954.

Emily Carter

Twin, born March 13, 1908 in Franklin County, Kentucky. About 1930 she married Arthur Hedges. Nine children were born to the couple. Emily died in July 1997.

William Henry “Bill” Carter

Twin, born March 13, 1908 in Franklin County, Kentucky. Bill married Sadie Allen about 1933. Three children were born to this union. William Henry Carter died of stomach cancer in January 1975 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sally Carter

Born February 17, 1910 in Franklin County, Kentucky. Viola Vest, Sally’s sister, stated Sally always celebrated her birthday on the 14th of February. On September 25, 1925, Sally married Jesse James Green. They raised a large family of ten children. Sally Carter Green died in Kentucky in 1996.

Mary Elizabeth Frances Carter

Born and died about 1911. She died instantly from a blow to the top of the head when a child throwing rocks accidentally hit the baby.

Prior to 1914, Iva Myrtle married second Zerald Van Vest, a widower with children. Zerald Vest supposedly was the father of four children by his first wife, Rosa Emma Harrod, whom he married 12 September 1901 in Franklin County, Kentucky.

The death certificate of William Roscoe Vest states he was a resident of Shelby County, born December 21, 1905 in Franklin County, and died on February 10, 1943 in Franklin County, buried at Bagdad Cemetery, Shelby County, Kentucky. His wife Sylvia Stratton, informant, gave the names of his parents as Zary Vest and Miss Harrod. In 1910, Roscoe and Harrison Vest were living in the Forks of Elkhorn district of Franklin County in the household of John & Nannie McCurty, relationship given as adopted sons (Roscoe, 7, and Harrison, 3). In 1910, Mary L. Vest, age 1 year 3 months, is living in the household of John T. & Susan Harrod in the Benson District of Franklin County; her relationship is given as niece.

World War I Draft Registration 1917–1918 lists Zera Bable Vest, Ottusville, Franklin County, Kentucky, age 44, born April 10, 1874; nearest relative, Iva Vest, Ottusville, Franklin County, Kentucky. Iva and Zerald (listed as Jerry B. Vest) were living in the Flat Creek District of Franklin County in 1920: Jerry B. Vest, 46, farmer; Myrtle Vest, wife, 38; Warren J. Carter, step-son, 18; George W. Carter, step-son, 16; Emily B. Carter, step-daughter; William H. Carter, step-son, 12; Sallie Carter, step-daughter, 10; Viola Vest, daughter, 4 9/12; and Zerry V., son, 8 months. Zerald Vest died near Nugents Cross Road, Woodford County, on October 16, 1922. Death certificate gives his name as J. B. Vest, born Henry County. No birth date or parents’ names were given by informant Mrs. J. B. Vest. He was buried at the Midway Cemetery, Woodford County, on October 17, 1922.

Again Iva was left with young children to raise. Bill, Emily, and Sally Carter, Viola, Zerry Van, and Richard Vest were still home; Warren and Wesley Carter had already left home, were employed, and living elsewhere. Iva moved the family back to Shelby County to the farm of her parents, William and Mary Babbit Brawner, where they lived for about a year.

Ellie Vest

Born and died about 1914.

Viola Mae Vest

Born April 19, 1915 in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky. While living in New Albany, Indiana, Viola met Charles B. Ralston, a friend of her brother Zerry. Viola and Charles married in New Albany and became the parents of Louise Ann, Barbara Maria, Gloria Jean, and James Robert.

Zerry Van Vest

Born May 13, 1919 in Franklin County, Kentucky. Zerry married about 1948 in Germany to Erika (maiden name unknown). Three children were born to this union. Zerry died of a heart attack on January 19, 1981 in Yakima, Washington.

Forest Richard Vest

Born April 9, 1922, Nugents Cross Road, Woodford County, Kentucky. Richard married Margaret Elizabeth in Fayette County, Kentucky. Four children were born to this union. Margaret E. Vest died in 1983 and is buried in the Versailles Cemetery, Woodford County, Kentucky.

Zerald Vest Family — about 1915, Franklin County, Kentucky

Back row, left to right: Zerald Vest, Harrison Brawner, Iva Myrtle Brawner Vest, Emily Carter, Bill Carter (twins), Sally Carter (held by Zerald), Viola Mae Vest (held by Iva).

Front row, left to right: Wesley Carter, Unknown, Warren Carter.

Update (5/25/08) — Warren Jones Carter, Jr. says front row, left to right should read: Unknown, Warren Carter, George Wesley Carter. He believes Unknown to be Zerald’s child from a previous marriage.

After living with her parents in Shelby County, Iva moved the family back to Woodford County, Kentucky, where the children attended school. While living in Midway, Kentucky, Iva married again in 1925 to William Newkirk, a railroad employee. He moved the family to New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana. They were living on West Market Street in June of 1932.

From left: Sam Riddle (son of Sarah M. Wright and her first husband), Herbert Noel Brawner, Polly Ann Brawner, Sarah “Sallie” M. Wright Riddle, Mary Bell Brawner, and Russell H. Brawner.

Sue Rhody submitted this photo, which belonged to her grandmother, Sally Carter Green, daughter of Iva Myrtle Brawner.

Ellen White Gaines says this is a photo of her mother’s parents and siblings. She believes the photo was taken at the house of Sam Riddle in Midway, Woodford County, Kentucky. The family was living there when her mother (the baby) was born in 1920.