Memories of Grandma Onnie & Cousin Lonnie


A little background...
Grandma Onnie (Smoak) grew up in Flemington, FL. Her father, Furman, owned
property at the southwest quadrant of the 318/329 highway crossroads. Their
house was directly across from the Flemington store. I don't know how much
property there was, but, Grandma Onnie inherited 20 acres "way back in the
woods". Her brother, my g-Uncle Harry, got property along 318 to the west 
of the homestead.
Meanwhile, over Irvine way, the Edwards family was making its mark. They
were quite well to do, owning a basket making business, I believe, and from
there spreading out into farming, cattle, timber, etc.. 
I don't know all the background, but, L. K. Edwards, Jr., was the head of 
the clan when I was growing up. "LK" was elected a state senator. He was
quite an outgoing personality...a booming voice and never met a voter he
didn't like!
Now, the aforementioned 20 acres of Grandma Onnie's was located way back in
the middle of property owned by "LK". One had to cross Uncle Harry's property,
some Edwards property...maybe others...to get to the 20 acres.
Well, "LK" wanted that 20 acres.
I remember when growing up that every now and then...usually on a Sunday, if
memory serves me correctly, a big black Cadillac would show up in front of
our house. Out would step a huge cigar attached to and followed by "LK".
Grandma always called him "Cousin Lonnie". For years, I've tried to find a
family connection.  "LK" stands for Lawrence Kirkland; there are many Kirklands
connected to the Mixson family tree. I figured there had to be a connection.
I haven't completely solved that connection yet, but I have come across the
1880 census of the Adnoiram Judson "AJ" Edwards household taken at "Precinct 3,
Marion County". That's where all census data in our area were taken. (A
link to that census is below.) As one can see, one of the sons is Lawrence
K. That would be LK, Sr.. One can see the wife of "AJ" is identified as
"Francis E.". If one visits the "Alachua Connections" web site (an independent
genealogy group) one finds this family. The wife is further identified as
"Frances Elizabeth Kirkland Mixson". Therein is the Mixson family connection.
And the Kirkland name tie in as well.
Unfortunately I've been unable to further tie her into the Mixson tree.