Families (Mearns, Elizabeth 1841)


Elizabeth Mearns was the daughter of  William Mearns and Margaret Findlay.  Elizabeth’s father, William Mearns was born on October 31, 1785 in Sorn, East Ayrshire, Scotland.  Elizabeth’s mother, Margaret Findlay was born on May 18, 1810, in Galston, East Ayrshire,Scotland.  Elizabeth was born on November 24, 1840, in Falla, Roxboroughshire, Scotland.  Elizabeth was a tall, beautiful woman with alabaster skin and bright red hair.

When Elizabeth’s family came to the United States of America, they were coming to a community of friends and relations.  They had kept in contact with the people who came before.  Elizabeth’s father, William and brother, James came first to set up house and start a home, with some land, in Randolph County, Illinois.

Elizabeth’s mother, Margaret Findlay crossed form Scotland after a home was set up in Randolph County, Illinois.  Margaret headed out with Elizabeth and the younger children in tow.  They crossed the Atlantic Ocean, then got on another ship,that went to New Orleans.  Then, they traveled up the Mississippi River on a steamboat to the St. Louis area.  On the way up the River, Margaret Findlay died.  In those days, it was against the law to dock with a dead body on board.  The crew wrapped Margaret up in a sheet, said a prayer, and tossed her overboard.

When the steamboat docked Elizabeth’s father and brother were shocked to find their wife and mother had died, with no body and a family with no mother.

Elizabeth married Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd on October 25, 1864.  Reverend John Nevirs preformed the ceremony.  They were married in Randolph County, Illinois.  Robert received land in Nebraska for his service during the Civil War.  Robert and Elizabeth moved their family to Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  They lived in Lincoln for at least five years.

Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns had six children in all.  The first of those was Charles Harker Coulter.  He was called Charlie by family and friends.  Charles was born on August 24, 1865 in Randolph County, Illinois.  He married Margaret Elizabeth Doran on February 16, 1892 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Margaret’s nickname was Maggie.  Charles was coming home from church one evening.  While crossing the street, he was run down by a car.  The car was driven by an elderly man. The man and his wife decided to try and make it home, even though the lights had gone out on their car.  Charles died the next day, on May 20, 1947, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  His occupations included:  farmer, rancher, explosives expert, Businessman and U.S. Marshall.

Clara Eunice Coulter was the second child born to Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns.  She was known as Unie by her friends and family.  Clara or Unie was born in 1867 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  Her profession was that of school teacher.  Unie married John S. Powell on January 25, 1899.  Clara Eunice Coulter died in 1955.  We have no record of her place of death or burial.

The third child of Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns was Tena I. Coulter.  She was born in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska in 1871.  Tena was a school teacher and known for her many friends.  Among those friends was Pearl Ruth Harris Yule. Tena visited Pearl and her family, at her home in Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma.  Pearl was the sister of Tena’s nephew’s wife.  Tena never married.  She died of tuberculosis in 1912 in Raton, Colfax County, New Mexico.  Tena was buried at the Fairmont Cemetery, in Raton, Colfax County, New Mexico.

Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns’ fourth child was William Mearns Coulter.  He was born on April 28, 1873 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  William was known as Bill to his friends and family.  He married Harriet V.  Miller.  Harriet was called Hattie.  She was the daughter of  J. Charles and Alice Miller.  Bill died on November 28, 1950 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.  He was buried at Fairview Memorial Park, in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Robert Stuart Coulter 4th. Was the fifth child of Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns.  He was born on August 3, 1875.  We don’t have a record of where he was born.

Robert went by the nickname Bert throughout his life.  Bert never married; but he always seemed to have a lady on his arm.  When he was young he was a miner. As he got older he became a dentist.  Bert died on December 23, 1952 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.  He was buried at the Fairview Memorial Park, in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

The sixth child born to Robert Stuart Coulter 3rd. and Elizabeth Mearns was George M. Coulter.  He was born in 1877.  We don’t know where he was born.  He died as an infant at the age of three years old.  He died  in 1880 of diphtheria. The place of his death was Raton, Colfax County,  New Mexico.  He was buried at Raton, Colfax County, New Mexico.

Elizabeth Mearns died on November 23, 1920/1926 in Berkeley, Alameda County, California.  She was buried at Garden of Memories, Salinas, Monterey County, California.