I share with you today information about the Robert D. Chandler and Sallie Dearen family who are buried in Brookside Cemetery in Campbellsville, Taylor County, Kentucky.  In less than twenty years the couple and most of their children had died.

The first evidence I find of the couple is their marriage bond, dated at Campbellsville, Taylor County, on the 20th day of November, 1879.  A. T. Campbell is the bondsman.  The marriage was performed the same day at the bride’s residence.  Robert Chandler was 24 years of age, his bride, Sallie Dearen, was 20.  The groom’s occupation is Town Marshall; his parents were born in Green County.

The next year, 1880, we find the couple living with the groom’s parents.  His father, Samuel Thompson Chandler, 51, is a druggist, was born in Kentucky and both of his parents were born in Virginia.  His mother, Eliza Jane (Hotchkiss), 48, was also born in Kentucky, her father was born in Connecticut and her mother in Virginia.  In addition to son, Robert, 24, and daughter-in-law, Sallie, 17 (didn’t she say she was 20 years of age on the marriage bond?), daughter Lois E, 19, and Morgan J,, 15, drugstore clerk, lived in the family household.

Unfortunately the 1890 census burned, so we don’t have a clear picture of family life for Robert and Sallie at that time.

Bessie, December 11, 1880 – June 30, 1882.  Tommie, September 1, 1883 – August 1, 1885.  Florence, November 14, 1885 – May 21, 1886.  Fannie, April 16, 1887 – July 21, 1887.  Children of R. D. & S. S. Chandler.  Brookside Cemetery, Campbellsville, Taylor County, Kentucky.

The first four of Robert and Sallie’s children died within a few years,  of their birth – or less.  How heartbreaking that must have been for them!  In 1888 daughter Maggie was born to the couple, and in April of 1892, Robie, another daughter was born.  Robert died April 19, 1892.  Daughter Robie was born April 18, 1892 – one day before her father died!  I cannot imagine the emotions that Sallie experienced – jubilation in the birth of her baby – and total devastation in the death of her husband – all within a twenty-four hour period!

Robert D. Chandler, born September 26, 1856, died April 19, 1892.

Robert was only 38 years of age when he died.  Could it have been something to do with his job as town marshall?  Or was it a fever or other illness?

Sallie lived six more years, then she, too, passed away at the age of 38 years.

Sallie Dearen, wife of R. D. Chandler, June 25, 1860 – October 19, 1898.

In the 1900 Census of Taylor County Maggie and Robie are living with their paternal grandmother, Eliza J. Chandler.  Eliza is listed as 68, born December 1831.  Maggie is 12, born June 1888.  Robie D. is 8, born April 1892.

Maggie Chandler died three years later, and was buried with her parents and siblings.

Maggie M. Chandler, June 8, 1888 – August 17, 1908

By 1910 grandmother Eliza J. Chandler had passed on.  In the census for that year Robie, the only member of the family still living, is listed with her aunt, Florence Clark, 55, and maternal grandmother G. H. Dearen, 18.  Robie is 18.

On November 6, 1910, Robie married Charles B. Graham.  By 1920 they live in Jefferson County.  Charles is 28, a salesman at a department store.  Robie is 28, son James is 7, and son Robert is 4.

By 1940 Charles and Robie are living in Indianapolis – he is a general laborer for an engineering company and she owns a beauty salon.  James and Robert are grown, and living on their own.

Charles Graham dies in 1964 at the age of 82; Robie died in 1967 at the age of 85.  They are buried in Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis.  I have been there a couple of times, but do not have a photo of their gravestone.