Hi,

My grandfather George OLIVER's first wife was a Mary OFFICER. He was born in TN, but grew up in Wabaunsee County KS. They applied for a marriage license in Topeka KS 01/05/1899.

They are found living in Topeka in 1900 census, married one year with their son Jewell (incorrectly listed as a daughter). I am trying to identify her parents and siblings - unfortunately she is listed in 1900 as born in 1881 so she is not on the 1880 census. Her parents are listed as born in TN.

In the 1920 census for Wabaunsee County KS my grandfathers cousin - also a George Oliver is h.oh. and his son-in-law is listed as a Leslie OFFICER.

The 1895 agricultural census index for Wabaunsee County KS lists a few OFFICER families, however there is no Mary listed:

Officer, Aaron 4 M B Kansas Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 8
Officer, C C 32 M B Tennessee Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 8
Officer, Emeline 57 F B Tennessee Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 8
Officer, Francis 2 F B Kansas Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 8
Officer, Gertrud 1 F B Kansas Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 20
Officer, Henry [Jr.] 3 M B Kansas Wabaunsee City of Alma 385 5
Officer, K D 30 M B Tennessee Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 20
Officer, Mabel 2 F B Kansas Wabaunsee City of Alma 385 5
Officer, Malinda 22 F B Tennessee Wabaunsee City of Alma 385 5
Officer, Ollie 6 F B Kansas Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 20
Officer, S 26 F B Canada Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 8
Officer, Sara 30 F B Michigan Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 20
Officer, Walter 3 M B Kansas Wabaunsee Newbury Township 387 20


Would be interested in hearing from anyone researching African-American Officer's from either TN or KS.

Denise