Visit to Jasper, TN

Back at the end of February, we were able to stop by Jasper, TN --the birthplace of Kate Locke Brower & where she spent her childhood until age of 14 (at which time she moved with her family to Blackfoot, Idaho). Jasper is located about 20 miles to the west of Chattanooga. Down a windy county road not far from the interstate, you find the Pleasant Grove Cemetery across from a small old church. (The actual address of the church is 172 Pleasant Grove Rd, Jasper TN 37347).

Buried in this cemetery are several Parker family members from Kate's maternal side, including her maternal grandparents, 5 aunts & uncles, & 9 first cousins. Kate Locke was named for both this grandmother's maiden name & her aunt Kate Parker, who are both buried there. You should make special note of the Turner family, who Kate Locke said of in her biography,

"Our closest playmates were our cousins, the Turners, Mama's oldest sister's family. They were the only members [our age] of the [LDS] Church we knew. Uncle Poley, Ida, Nettie, Mama [Kate's mom Elender], and the twins, May & Ellen, joined the church when Irene [Kate's sister] & I did. Aunt Harriett would have loved to join, but was so drawn up with arthritis she just sat in the chair. She couldn't straighten her legs & everyone feared that when she died it would be hard to get her in the casket. Mama worried about leaving her behind when we moved to Idaho, but she passed away before we left."

Here's a quick summary of Kate Locke's maternal pedigree:
(I've put an asterisk* next to those buried there. Also, I have only included the cousins buried there)
Joseph Lewis Parker* (1835-1922) & Elender Rebecca Cate* (1839-1920)
.....1. Harriet Parker* m. Napoleon Bonaparte Turner* (Uncle "Poley" to Kate Locke)
..........1.1 Charles W. Turner*
..........1.2 John P. Turner* m. Susan Lambert*
..........1.3 James S. Turner * m. Martha D.*
..........1.6 Ida Turner *
..........1.8 Melvin Turner*
.....2. Elbert Parker
.....3. James C. Parker m. Annie Belk [They moved to Idaho & encouraged Kate's parents to later move, too]
.....4. Martha Jane Parker
.....5. Elizabeth Caroline Parker (1868-1941) m. Gus Thomas Leon Locke
..........5.2. Kate Locke (1899-1985)
.....6. Ellen Parker
.....7. Kate Parker*
.....8. Benjamin F. Parker* m. Lillie May Parker*
..........8.2 Ben B. Parker* m. Mary Lou ?*
..........8.3 Infant Son*
..........8.7 K. Christine Parker*
..........8.8 J.W. Parker*
.....9. William H. Parker

**Remember to click on any image to enlarge

Headstone of Elender Rebecca Cate:

Headstone of Joseph Lewis Parker:

Headstone of Harriet Parker (Child #1 of J.L. Parker & Elender Cate):
Also buried here are her spouse Napoleon Bonaparte Turner, and children Ida, Charles W., John P. (& wife), James S. (& wife & daughter), and Melvin.

Headstone of Kate Parker (Child #7 of J.L. Parker & Elender Cate):

Headstone of Benjamin F. Parker (Child #8 of J.L. Parker & Elender Cate):
Also buried there are his spouse & sons Ben B, J.W., & unnamed infant son, and a daughter K. Christine.