FAMILY PHOTOS OF JOSEPH MADISON TROWBRIDGE AND ISABELLE BONAR

Page 2

Most of these photos were rescued from a Florida estate sale by Anneth Shaw of Carrolllton, Texas and graciously donated by her in September 2013. Joseph Madison Trowbridge, born Feb. 11, 1865 Preston County, West Virginia; died 1941 in Jacksonville, Florida. Joe Trowbridge was the brother of my great grandmother, Luvenia Margaret (Trowbridge) Westfall and the son of James McGrew Trowbridge and Sarah Ann Snyder. I have two copies of this photo. On the back of one is written, "Mr. J.M. Trowbridge 1920." On the back of the second, which appears to be written much later, "J.M. Trowbridge 1925 Ross & Dorothy's father (Joseph Madison T.) full name."

Zona E. (Farnsworth) Holyfield Trowbridge (1858-1899), August 29, 1888 - first wife of Joseph Madison Trowbridge and the mother of Madison Ellsworth Trowbridge. Zona was the widow of Clark Holyfield. She was born in (West) Virginia on September 29, 1858. She and Joe were married in Clarksburg, Harrison County on August 30, 1892. Zonie died giving birth to Madison on May 4, 1899 in Kingwood, West Virginia.

Reverse side of photo on left. The top inscription says, "Zonie E. Holifield taken Aug 20, 1888 in Buckhannon Upsher Co. West Virginia."

These photos appear to be wedding photos. They appear to have been taken in the early 1900's I'm guessing in West Virginia. Is this the bridesmaid and bride? There is no identification information on the back, but they were part of the Joseph Trowbridge collection.

Bride and Groom? The "bride" strongly resembles the Trowbridge women in other photos.

The woman in the middle is the same as the woman in the first photo on the left and the man wearing the woman's hat is the man in the middle photo.

Another photo in the Joseph M. Trowbridge collection. I believe this picture is taken in West Virginia.

I believe the man pulling the hay rake is the "groom" in the pictures above.

On the back of this photo is, "The Trowbridge family in their limousine (T model) in Garner's front yard to have [sentence incomplete]." Judging by the ages of Dorthy (rear seat, broadbrimed hat) and Ross (boy with tie) and the American flags attached to the radiator neck, this was probably taken in 1917-18. It appears to be in West Virginia, probably Kingwood. Ross had a friend, George Garner on the basketball team in the Kingwood High School when he was probably 17 or 18.

Isabelle Bonar was the second wife of Joseph Madison Trowbridge. This picture is undated, but was taken in a studio in Duquesne, Pennsylvania

Isabelle (Bonar) Trowbridge (1865-1930); somewhat older in this photo taken in Parkersburg, West Virginia (I believe this was about 1905; inscription on back says, "Dorothy and Ross Trowbridge's mother."

Typed on the bottom margin of this picture are the names (left to right) Ellsworth, Joe, Ross, Dot and Isabelle.  Judging by the apparent age of Dorothy in this picture, it was probably taken about 1908 taken in Redondo Beach, California using a studio prop.

Joe Trowbridge family home in Redondo Beach, California in the early 1900's. The 1910 census lists the family at 324 Elena Ave. Today, there are a couple of businesses but no homes at that address. It was located about four blocks from todays Redondo Beach S State Park. Redonda Beach is a suburb of Los Angeles on the south side.

There is no information on the back of this photo but I'm guessing, because of her resemblence to my great grandmother this is her sister Nora (Signora) Trowbridge Farnsworth. The boy is probably Ellsworth and the picture was probably made about 1910-11. This might be about the time Joe returned to Kingwood, WV with his family (he is listed in the 1910 census in Redondo Beach, California and in 1920 in Kingwood).

The back of this photo identifies the soldier as Ellsworth Trowbridge. Due to the cactus in the picture on the left, I am sure this was taken while he was in basic training somewhere in the Southwest, probably Texas. Corporal Madison Ellisworth Trowbridge (1899-1918), was the son of Josseph Madison and Zona (Farnsworth) Trowbridge.  He served in Company C, 28th Infantry, 1st Division and was killed during WWI in France. A headstone with his name is the Kingwood cemetery plot of his grandparents, James McGrew and Sarah Ann Snyder Trowbridge; however, this is simply a memorial.

Ellsworth Trowbridge was the son of Joseph Madison Trowbridge and his first wife Zona. There is no date or place given on the back of these next few photos, but they are obviously taken while he was in the Army. Here, he is about to welcome a friend.

Ellsworth Trowbridge and the gentleman he appears to be welcoming in the photo on the left.

Ellsworth filling the radiator of a WW-I Army truck. Notice the driver in the background. I wonder if this was Ellsworth's job in the Army. Sadly, Ellsworth died in France during the war and left no descendants.

Grave of Madison Ellsworth Trowbridge, son of Joseph Madison and Zonia (Holyfield) Trowbridge. Madison was killed in action in France during WW-I. This headstone is in the Kingwood cemetery next to his grandparents, James McGrew and Sarah Snider Trowbridge; however, he was listed as missing in action in the "Tablets of the Missing", Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, France. It is unlikely his body was returned or buried in the Kingwood cemetery.

Ross Trowbridge in his football uniform at Kingwood High School, Preston County, West Virginia. The back of the photo says, "Ross Trowbridge Kingwood High School". Ross appears to be about 16-17 in this picture making it about 1923.

Ross and his Kingwood High School basketball team. Ross appears to be about 17-18 in this photo (ca.1924). Arrows pointing to two team mates were labeled on the original photo, Keith Brown and George Garner. I added Ross' name who was easy to recognize from several of his pictures in the collection.

J. M. Trowbridge home in Ft. Pierce, Florida. There is no date on the photo, which might have given us an idea of when Joe actually settled there. Joseph M. Trowbridge was working as a carpenter in Fort Pierce when the 1920 census was taken in June. His wife Isabelle died June 16, 1930. In 1930 Joseph was working as a carpenter in Fort Pierce and married widow Stella T. Tucker that year in Fort Pierce. There is no evidence that his son Ross ever lived in Florida, so these next few photos were probably taken when he visted there in the 1930's.

Ross Trowbridge, in the 1930's (no date on the picture).

On the back of the photo is, "Ross Trowbridge, Ft. Pierce, Fla. 1931'32." According to West Virginia birth records, Ross Bonar Trowbridge was born on May 26, 1906 in Kingwood, Preston County, West Virginia to Joseph Madison Trowbridge and Isabelle Eveline Trowbridge.

The inscription on the back of photo says, "How's this for a reflection." There is no date. The location was probably near Ft. Pierce, Florida.

OTHER TROWBRIDGE FAMILY MEMBERS NOT CLOSELY RELATED TO US

Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Nicholson (1827-1913); daughter of Jonathan Trowbridge and Keziah Moore of Monongalia County, West Virginia. Elizabeth's grandmother was Mary (Green) Moore. Mary Green was captured when Seneca warriors attacked the Green farm, killed her husband and baby boy. After Mary Green escaped from the Indians she married a Mr. Moore. The Green farm, which was near Kingwood, was later the home of Samuel Ruble Trowbridge. Elizabeth's father, Jonathan (John) Trowbridge was the brother of David Trowbridge and great uncle of James McGrew Trowbridge.

Margaret Walls Trowbridge (standing), wife of David Boyd Trowbridge (1930-1902). This photo was sent to me, but I have lost the email and name of the person (please contact me if you recognize this). The baby is probably either Ethel, born October 14, 1890 in Arkansas or her twin Joseph. The young boy is probably Albert, born June 29, 1879 in West Virginia. The identity of the young girl with the bow in her hair is uncertain.

Page 2

Ronald N. Wall

Modified: 16 August 2020