James Richard Medley was born on December 22, 1865 in Illinois. He was the son of John W and Julie Ann (Bradley) Medley. John and Julia Ann Medley had nine children; Henry (1859), Richard Bryant (1861-died before 1865), James Richard (1865), William Joseph (1868), Edward (1870), David (1873), Nona (1876), Fredrick Kinman (1879), Lulu Ellen (1881).

In the 1870 Federal Census, John and Julie Ann live in Lone Oak, Missouri. They have three children living with them; Henry, James Richard, William J. They also have a R. Ann Medley who is thirty eight and Lucy Griffin who is nine living with them too. In the 1880 Federal Census, John and Julie live in New Home, Missouri. They have seven children; Henry, Richard, Joseph, Edward, David, Nona M and Fredrick. They also have a niece living with them. She is Julia Pritchett. She is eighteen years old.

On May 11, 1885, Richard Medley married Elnora (Nora) Davis in Bates County, Missouri. In the next available Federal census in 1900, Richard and Nora are found in New Home, Missouri. Richard and Nora have six children; Mary Effie (1886), Iva (1887), Harley (1890), Ila D. (1893), Lomer (1896), Florence (1898). Richard is a farmer. By the 1910 Federal Census, Richard and Nora are living in Lone Oak, Missouri. He is still employed in farming. They have five children who remain at home. They are Harley, Ila D. Lomer. Flossey, and Clona (1901).

By the 1920 Federal Census, Richard is fifty-four years old and Nora is fifty- three. Clona remains at home. She is translated in this Census as Elona. Richard lists his occupation as farming and they still live in Lone Oak, Bates County, Missouri. In the 1930 Federal Census, Richard and Elnora have two children and two grandchildren living with them; Lomer, Clona, and Doris and Juanita Weddle.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Richard and Nora are now in their seventies and have Lomer who is forty four and Clona who is thirty nine living with them.

Seventy years ago on February 16, 1951. Richard James Medley died. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.

It is incredible sad that he and his wife Nora buried 5 of their seven children and four of their grandchildren before they died many years later. ( A blog for another time.)

Rest in peace Richard!

Love, Jan

Richard’s wife Elnora (Nora) is my first cousin 3 time removed.