The following information is from the research of W. Bronston Steele, who was the keeper of all the family records. The family of Ida Mae (Steele) Sinclair also shared family records, which were being compiled for the descendants of "Eddie" Edward Sinclair. The family records in the possession of W. Bronston Steele were then given to Frances Steele Miller, who has given permission for them to be published here by Jodi Steele Catano.
These records had also been shared with Dodie Browning in a letter dated 14 June, 1985 by Mary Scott who sent a query trying to find the VA family of Jeremiah Wilkerson Steele.
Dodie sent Mary Scott the information from the family Bible of George and Rosannah (Fannin) Steele of Tazewell County, VA. The Bible record of David's birth was the only documentation for David's parents and grand parents. The Bible at that time was in the possession of J. Robert Wysor, of Cedar Bluff Virginia. Published newspaper accounts had shown the entry for David Steele as "Louis" (The script is very old and very faded.) Mary Scott had none of that information, but had searched for years. She stated that the records she used were in posession of Mrs. James Edward Sinclair. She also stated that Ida Mae Sinclair was the Mother of James Edward. Mary Scott stated in the letter to Dodie Browning dated 14 June, 1985 that "These are my son-in-law's people."
The following is a compiled history put together by Jodi Steele Catano from the combined records of the above researchers.
1. George Washington Steele was born September 30, 1859 in Caney, Kentucky. He died November 15, 1938 in Morgan Co. Kentucky. He married Margaret Kilgore April 04, 1880 in Scott County Virginia, daughter of John Jr. Kilgore and Almeda Haney.
The children of George Steele and Margaret Kilgore:
1. . Sterling Price Steele, born February 19, 1881 in Caney, Kentucky; died June 02, 1949 in West Liberty, Kentucky. He married America Lizzie Lykins February 10, 1900 in Morgan Co. Kentucky.
2. Denny F. Steele, born May 08, 1882.
3. Arminta Steele, born February 02, 1885.
4. Stanley Smith Steele, born December 29, 1886 in Malone Kentucky; died August 29, 1968 in Mainville, Ohio. He married Ollie Canada.
5. Ida May Steele, born February 13, 1889 in Malone Kentucky; died November 08, 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. She married Fred Sinclair November 06, 1909 in Big Springs, Texas.
6. Nora R. Steele, born February 28, 1891 in Malone Kentucky; died June 22, 1901 in Malone Kentucky,.
7. James C. Steele, born December 15, 1892 in Malone Kentucky; died December 18, 1956. He married Carrie Lamb 1908 in Kentucky.
8. Elmer E. Steele, born March 22, 1896 in Malone Kentucky; died August 15, 1897 in Malone Kentucky,.
9. Walter Bronston Steele, born October 16, 1899 in Malone Kentucky; died August 29, 1969.
10. Homer Gladstone Steele, born June 15, 1902 in Malone Kentucky; died April 25, 1975.
11. Ora Perry Steele, born January 21, 1907; died February 24, 1971.
Below are the letters from Bronston Steele...
July 14, 1960
Re: Steele - Kilgore Genealogy
Mrs. Mary Scott
Gilbert, Arizona
Dear Mrs. Scott:
This will acknowledge your letter dated July 7, 1960 requesting more information about the genealogy of our Family.
First I will start with my fathers side of the house:; My Great Grandfather and Grand-mother was David Steele and Matilda (Claypool) Steele. They were born in Virginia and died there. Jeremiah Claypool and Mary (Brown) Claypool was our Great-Great Grand Father and Grand Mother.
John M. Lockhart born 1/14/1806 was our great Grand-Father on my Father's mother's side...................................................
[last paragraph ]..It is nice for you to get this information for Eddie and his family and I know they will appreciate it more and more as time goes on, Mrs. Steele and I hope to make another trip west with-in a year or so and we hope that we will have the pleasure of meeting you. Give all the folks our best regards....I am sending the pedigree chart which you sent...
Sincerely Yours,
W. Bronston Steele
Next Letter:
July 14, 1965
Mrs. Mary Scott
Gilbert, Arizona
Dear Mrs. Scott:
This will acknowledge your letter to my brother Homer Steele requesting the record of my father and mother's family, brothers, sister and etc.
He gave the letter to me as I have all the records we have of our family. I sent you the information two or three years ago and you made a record and sent me. I have completed the form you sent, and I trust this will give you the information desired. You will note I made a mistake and listed the names a little out of order, but you can correct this, as I have marked by red pencil.
We hope things are going good for you and all the family. We are getting along pretty well and I am taking life pretty easy playing quite a bit of golf and I really enjoy it.. Eva Marie is doing all right, and it would be nice if she would learn to play golf and then we could be together more. I only work about 10% of my time in my business, but I have joined the "Honey Dew" organization and you know what That is, the wife says Honey do this, and honey do that arount the house and there is always something to do, but I guess that is the way of life.
Tell Ida that Esther is in the hospital.........................[personal information edited ]. Give Betty and all the gang our best regards, and tell them to come and see us.
Yours very truly,
W. Bronston Steele
[Bronston Steele was sending info since 1960 and HE was the bearer of all Steele documents! ]
It becomes apparent that George loved to write...Here are some things I, Jodi have transcribed from his journal....It describes the kind of man he was...
A tribute to Margaret Steele
By: George Washington Steele
Margaret Steele, wife of George W. Steele was born at Malone Ky. Jan. 27, 1863, a daughter of John and Almeda Kilgore and died at Ashland, Ky, December 28, 1938 - aged 75 years months and 1 day. She was united in Marriage to George W. Steele, April 1st, 1880. To this union was born eleven children, seven of whom survive. In early life she sought and found favor in the sight of Him the Giver of all good things and became a member of the Regular Primitive Baptist Church over 50 years ago. She has lived a faithful and consistent Christian life since scarcely two months ago.
The messenger of death called from her the companion of her youthful days and all the love and devotion of six loving and dutiful sons could not ease the aching void with in her lovely heart. On Wednesday morning, December 28, 1938, she becoming weary of the trials and burdens of life...lay down by the wayside and using these burdens for a pillow fell into that dreamless sleep that kisses down her eyelids still. The silver cord is loosened; the golden bowl is broken; the body has returned to the dust as it was and the Spirit unto God who gave her life.
Surviving her are six sons; Price of Foster, Ohio; Stanley of Morrow, Ohio; James, Bronston, Homer, and Ora of Ashland, Ky; one daughter Mrs. Ida Sinclair of Gilbert Arizona, One brother PK. Kilgore of Salyersville, Ky, our sister Mrs. Frank Mc .....of Crawfordsville Ind.
(in different handwriting the next few lines) Twenty grandchildren and twenty- seven great grand children survive. A host of friends and relatives too numerous to mention also survived to mourn her loss.
The home place is lonely now
Those we loved are still
Upon their native turf they sleep
Yonders lovely hill.
Living hearts near burst with grief
Tears flow from our eyes
I hope again we'll meet
In the golden By and By...
I wish the time would ever come
When all the little boys
Could run and play just as they pleased
And make a sight of noise
I cannot even whistle loud
But some one says Oh! Stop!
And if I crack my whip
Just once, am sure to get a pop.
And if I go into the house
And happen to forget,
And leave my hat upon my head
It puts Mamma in a fret
Oh! Don't I wish I was a man
So I could have some ease
I would crack my whip and
Whistle loud and do
Just as I pleased.
(By G.W.Steele this 12th day of August 1925)
Song - Ballad
(written by G. W. Steele)
1. Oh come all you long-street Rangers where-ever you may be
I'll tell you of some trouble that happened unto me.
My name is nothing extra and it I will not tell
Here is to all true Soldiers, I'm sure I wish them well.
2. It was at the age of sixteen I joined the Jolly Band.
We marched from Eastern Tennessee into the Rio Grand.
Our Captain did inform us perhaps he thought it right
Before we reached Monassas that we would have to fight.
3. I saw the Yankees coming, I heard them give a yell
My feelings at that moment no mortal tongue can tell
I saw the smoke ascending. I thought it reach(ed) the sky
The very first thought came over me is 'this my time to die?'
4. I saw the rifles glisten, the bullets around me hail;
My heart did sink with me, my courage almost fail,
But when the music sounded, our captain gave command
To arms to arms he shouted and by your colors stand.
5. We fought for nine hours before the strife was o'er.
The like of dead and wounded, I never saw before
There was a thousand noble patriots as ever trod the West
Were buried by their comrades with bullets in their chests
6. I thought of my old mother when tears to me did say
To you, they are all strangers, with me you'd better stay.
I thought she was old and childish the best she did know MA
My mind was bent on soldering and I was bound to go.......
7. Perhaps you have a Mother, likewise a sister too
And maybe you've a Sweet-heart to weep and mourn for you
If this be your condition although you love to roam
I'd advise you by experience you'd better stay at home.
I am a Roving Ranger not as once was before
My mother and my sisters are on the earth no more
My situation's altered and that you finally see...
I have no friends nor sweet-hearts to weep and mourn for me.
