Saturday, January 06, 2007

Josephine Bealle Wilson Bruce

I'm almost finishing reading the book "The Senator and the Socialite" by Lawrence Otis Graham.
On page 299 Mr. Graham indicates that (the Senator's widow) Josephine Bruce died in West Virginia.
Of course, I had to check into this. My research revealed a death certificate for
Josephine Bealle Bruce who died in McDowell County.
West Virginia Death Certificate # 2521 indicates that she died on 2/15/1923 in Kimball. She is listed as a Black Female, Widowed, born 10/29/1853 in Philadelphia, Pa. She died at age 69years3months16days. She was the daughter of Joseph Willson (born in Georgia) & Elizabeth Harnett (born in Georgia). The cause of death was hypertension & decompensation. The informant for her death was Clara B. Bruce of Kimball, W.V.
She was living in W.V. as her son was a high school principal in the area (see "The Senator and the Socialite")
I highly recommend the book.
(West Virginia death certificates can be found on the West Virginia Division of Culture and History website)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A must read book. yvon