Featured are Merle LANDRETH’s ancestors.  He was the son of Clara GAGE and Novia LANDRETH.  This line started Denise learning how to do research.  Many hours and years later the following information is known about the ancestors.  Novia was raised by Thomas and Annie LITTLE after the death of his mother (and named Novia by them).

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William Washington GAGE

“Alice” KENT was born 4 May 1851 in Croton, Lee Co. IA.  She was the daughter of Nancy Anne COLLARD and Lewis Dozier KENT.  She was a school teacher in Jackson Co. OR when she met her husband, W.W. Gage.  She died 3 Aug 1937 in Coquille, Coos Co. OR.  Her grandparents are believed to be Nancy CARNAHAN & Charles COLLARD, a Baptist minister b. 30 Nov 1781 VA, and Lucy HOPKINS & Isaac KENT, b. 14 Feb 1772 Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Franklin LANDRETH was born 8 Jan 1842 in Manito, Mason Co. IL.  He was the son of Sarah BUSH and Thomas LANDRETH.  He was one of 22 children born to his father.  He served in the Civil War along with his older brothers.  He died 28 Oct 1906 in Malakoff, Henderson Co. TX.  His grandfather was Benjamin LANDRETH, Jr. , d. 22 Aug 1848 Wythe Co. VA and his grandmother’s name is unknown.  Eugene Landreth has done an excellent book on the Landreth family.

Emma ROCHESTER was born about 1844 in Forest City, Mason Co. IL.  She is  the daughter of Martha RAGAN/REAGAN (born 9 Dec 1815 KY d. 14 Jan 1899 IL) and James ROCHESTER (b. 7 Jan 1810 Queen Anne’s Co. MD d. 2 Oct 1851 Forest City IL).  Emma died in 1876 shortly after the birth of her sixth child, Novia, in Sedan, Chautauqua Co. KS.  Novia was named Charles Henry at birth. 

Lorena Alice “Alice” KENT

Benjamin Franklin LANDRETH

Emma A. ROCHESTER

William Washington GAGE was born 15 Jun 1850 near Dallas, Polk Co. OR.  He was the son of Rebecca June GILLIAM and Alexander GAGE.  W.W. was the sheriff of Coos Co. OR for 26 years.  He died 24 Oct 1929 in Coquille, Coos Co. OR.  His grandparents were Mary CRAWFORD & Cornelius GILLIAM and Francis LIVINGSTON & Joseph GAGE, all OR Trail immigrants of 1844.  Much research has been done on his ancestors. 

Gage - Landreth