Descendants of James Milton Cator

Generation No. 1

1879:  JAMES MILTON CATOR, was born December 15, 1878 in Quantico, Virginia, to a Maryland-born father and a Virginia-born mother.  It is not known who his parents are, or what took his father from Maryland to Virginia before James was born.   

  

1889:  LINNIE JONES was born about 1889 in Virginia, to Virginia-born parents (first names unknown) .   She has a brother Raymond who is born about 1902.  

1904 - 1910: April 20, 1910 Census of Fairfax/Falls Church VA (District 31)

From the 1910 Census we learn that James married at age 26 to a Virginian "Linnie" (she is Linnie Jones Cator) who was just 16 when they wed.  Linnie and James had two children, only one of whom was living.  This child's name is Charles E. Cator.  Anyway, he was 4 in 1910, so he would have been born about 1906.  Since they had been married 5 years and James was 26 when they wed, this would mean they married around 1904-1905.  Linnie did not work outside the home; James Milton worked in house building field.  They ultimately have 5 known children.  They live on Little River Turnpike in Falls Church VA at the time of this Census. 

1906:  Son, CHARLES E. CATOR, born about 1906 in Virginia.  Charles died the Thursday before July 26, 1928, at 2609 P St, NW, Wash, DC.  His wife at that time was Agnes.  

1911:  Son, WILLIAM FRANKLIN CATOR, SR., born about 1911 in Virginia.  He died on Saturday 27 August 1938.   

1913:  Daughter, MYRTLE VIRGINIA CATOR, was born about 1913 in Virginia.   When age 16, she married FNU Smith (about 1929, likely in Alexandria VA).  At some point James' and Linnie's daughter Myrtle Virginia Cator no longer was Myrtle Smith.   She married Benton Keys (Keyes?), son of FNU Keys and Lena Beavers; and they evidently had 8 or 9 children.  Also it appears there are many Keys ancestors in the area of Port of Dumfries and Quantico Virginia.  They originated from Dumfries Scotland.

Note:  A Myrtle Keys is listed in the SSDI as:  
Myrtle Keys 13 Oct 1897- Mar 1985,  Alexandria City, Virginia;
birth year is wrong - who is this Myrtle Keys ???

Children of MYRTLE CATOR and BENTON KEYS are: Joyce, Wanda, Twins Donald and Delores, Benton "Benny," Shirley, and Twins Barbara and Patricia.:

1915:  Son, WILMER BROADDUS MOORE "TUT" CATOR, born 29 Jun 1915 in Virginia.  Tut died on November 1st, 1992, at age 77; His last residence, per the SSDI,  is Hague, Westmoreland County, VA.  Wilmer and William both liked to play baseball.

1917:  Daughter, VIOLA R. CATOR, born 31 May 1917, Alexandria, VA (Single in 1928); d. 21 Apr 1999, Age 81; Monroe Manor, Monroe NC (near Burlington NC). 

1919: Sometime in 1919 or before,  JAMES MILTON CATOR, had worked for Alexandria Aircraft Corporation, a company that he was suing in order to recover damages suffered in a work-related injury (no Workers' Compensation in 1919!)  The outcome of this suit is unknown.  Below from Washington Post 1919-03-05

1920:  Census:  125 North Payne Street, Alexandria, VA, taken January 1920.  James M. Cator is head of his household (rented) and is 41 years old and works as a building carpenter. Linnie R. (Jones) Cator, his 31-year old wife is still living.  Linnie's brother, Raymond Jones, is living with them.  He is 18 and single.  James and Linnie's children Charles E (age12), William F. (age 9), Myrtle V. (age 7), Wilmer M. "Tut" (age 4+) and Viola (age 1+).  I can not decipher what Brother-in-Law Raymond Jones does for his living...looks like something with "(Steam)."

. 

1927:  Son, WILLIAM F. CATOR, SR., marries "Elizabeth" in Virginia. Elizabeth was born about 1911 in Washington DC.  Both are just 16 years old when they marry.  Their daughter Blanche is born in 1928.

1928:  First grandchild for James and Linnie is born:  WILLIAM F. and ELIZABETH have a daughter - BLANCHE CATOR, born in 1928.

1928:  Son, CHARLES E. CATOR, born about 1906 in Virginia, died the Thursday before July 26, 1928, at 2609 P St, NW, Wash, DC.  His wife at that time was named Agnes.  He was just 22.

 Charles E. Cator Washington Post on July 26, 1928:
.

1929:   Daughter MYRTLE VIRGINIA CATOR at age 16 marries _______ SMITH (per the 1930 Census)

1930:   In the 1930 Census James Milton Cator is shown to be married for 26 years, though she is not listed as living with him.  Since he was 52 during this census, this means that they married when he was 26*, or in 1904.  At some point in their marriage they lived in Washington, DC.   This also indicates that James married only Linnie and that she mothered all of James Milton Cator's children.  

*The 1930 Census indicates that James Milton Cator
 was born in 1878 and was 26 when he first married. 

In 1930, working as a house builder and being age 52,  James Milton Cator was living as a boarder at the home of Lillian Coffey.  With him were his son Wilmer (age 14) and daughter Viola (age 12).  Wilmer and Viola are both students.  Also with him was his daughter Myrtle Cator, age 17, who is not attending school.  She had married at age 16, but her husband is not listed as living with them.  Since Myrtle's last name is noted as "Smith", it is assumed her husband is _______ Smith.  Linnie is not listed with the family. (Said that Linnie died when their son Tut was young).

 

In 1930, working as a house builder and being age 52,  James Milton Cator was living as a boarder at the home of Lillian Coffey.  With him were his son Wilmer (age 14) and daughter Viola (age 12).  Wilmer and Viola are both students.  Also with him was his daughter Myrtle Cator, age 17, who is not attending school.  She had married at age 16, but her husband is not listed as living with them.  Since Myrtle's last name is noted as "Smith", it is assumed her husband is _______ Smith.  James is not listed as being a veteran.

1930:  Son, WILLIAM F. CATOR, SR., and his wife "Elizabeth" are living on South Lee Street, Alexandria City, Virginia.  William is 19 (married at age 16).  Elizabeth is 19 (born about 1911 also) and their daughter Blanche is one year 8 months old in April 1930 (born 1928).  William F. Cator is working per the census as an electrician in an electrical shop.   They will later add to their family with Jean Delores Cator, born about 1931, and William F. Cator, Jr., born about 1935. 

Note:  As of 1930, James is living, Charles E. has died.  William Franklin Cato is married to  Elizabeth T. Cator and has his own household and a daughter (James Milton and Linnie's first grandchild, Blanche Cator).   Myrtle is married but living with her dad James; Viola and Tut are in school and living with James also.

1938:  Son, WILLIAM F. CATOR, SR., about 27 years old, died suddenly on Saturday 27 August 1938 at North Beach, Maryland.  He now has four children who are listed in his obituary and therefore are likely still living in 1938:  William F. Cator, Jr., Blanche, Ray, and Jean Dolores Cator.   

 Wash. Post 8/28, 1938:

NEW:  5/14/04 Washington Post August 30, 1938 Obituary: William F. Cator: 

Note:  As of 1938, James is living and about 59 years old; Linnie is deceased.  Charles E. and William F. have died.  James Milton Cator now has four known grandchildren by William F. and wife Elizabeth.  Myrtle is now about 25 and married for the first time at 16.  Viola is 21 and Tut is 23.

1959:  Son, Alexandria VA Policeman WILMER "TUT" CATOR, age 43, is injured at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Alexandria VA.  He is a charter member of this organization. Per Wash. Post/Times Herald Feb 23, 1959:

1992:  Son, WILMER BROADDUS MOORE "TUT" CATOR, died on November 1st, 1992, at age 77; His last residence, per the SSDI,  is Hague, Westmoreland County, VA.  

1999:  Daughter, VIOLA R. CATOR,  d. 21 Apr 1999, Age 81; Monroe Manor, Monroe NC (near Burlington NC). 
From: www.thetimesnews.com/1999/99-04/99-04-24/obits.html

Mrs. Viola C. Ward
MONROE — Mrs. Viola Cator Ward, 81, of Monroe, died Wednesday, April 21, 1999, at Monroe Manor. She was a former resident of Burlington. Born May 31, 1917, in Alexandria, Va., she was the wife of the late Mr. George Fredrick Ward and the daughter of Mr. James Milton Cator and Mrs. Lennie Jones Cator, both deceased. She worked at Western Electric Co. in Burlington for many years. Survivors include one son, Mr. Thomas Ray Ward of Monroe, and one grandchild. The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday at Caswell Presbyterian Church in Atkinson by Edward Danford, pastor. Burial will be in Point Caswell Cemetery in Atkinson. Memorials may be made to Caswell Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 189, Atkinson, N.C. 28421. Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw is in charge of arrangements.

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2005:  Wife of Wilmer "Tut" Cator,  ELSIE H.  CATOR,  d. February 23, 2005, Age 89, from the Fredericksburg, VA News.  http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/022005/02252005/1682821

Elsie Hewitt Cator, 89, of Hague died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005. Mrs. Cator was a retired secretary for Pulse Communications, a member of Carmel United Methodist Church and was the widow of Wilmer M. "Tut" Cator.  

She is survived by two daughters, Judith A. Cator of Woodbridge and Janice Montgomery of Newton, Iowa. Also surviving are six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Carmel United Methodist Church, Hague. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Welch Funeral Home, Montross, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carmel United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o George Sisson, Box 114, Hague, Va. 22469.

Date published: 2/25/2005

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WWII Registration Card for James M. Cator

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