Individual Details

Stories are that he was born in Stockton, California in 1900 but that is not true. He was actually born in either Bristol, TN or Scott County, VA. Also, he was born in 1898, not 1900. His father was George William Coley and his mother was Loretta Retty Scott. He was born William McKinley Coley. Rumor has it, and it may be correct, that he had killed a man and so fled California and changed his name. It was a fact that he had a violent temper when he was younger which gives credance to this story. For research and records purposes, I will keep the name Fred Carlisle for this person, my Grandfather.

Fred Carlisle was born William McKinley Coley. His mother died shortly thereafter and he was raised in an orphanage in Watsonville, Santa Cruz California in 1910.

Thanks Debbie, it's great to hear from you. Still some mysteries though. Grandpa wasn't related to Hedda Hoppa but may have been to Edith Head, who was a fashion designer for the movies from the 40's to 70's. She had several Oscars for costume design. Also, Grandpas dad wasn't rich. They were farmers and while they did alright, they certainly weren't rich. Further, the information on Grandpa I think is pretty accurate, George W. Coley can't be his father because he died 8 years before Grandpa was born. The other picture of when Grandpa was young was posted by a different family, the one that gave me that information, and is listed as William McKinley Coley. Pretty neat right. Also, I looked up the 1910 California census today and tracked down the orphanage Grandpa was in. It lists where it was and everyone that was in it including Grandpa. He is listed as a ward of the facility. Anyway, we are making good progress but have a way to go. Still need to determine who the father really was and why he changed his name. Killing a man is still my best guess though. We may never find out for sure about that.

Love you, Sam




Wow, you had us quite baffled. We called my dad's cousin who wrote a book on the Coley's and she had no knowledge of Fred. Next, we where going to ask another cousin who lived next to James and Cora Belle, but we kept searching. I had noticed that a someone who has a family tree on Ancestry.com had written that William Coley, the son of George W Coley and mother unknown, died in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and that he had a son named Robert and a daughter named June. I noticed that your Fred Carlisle also died in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and that he had a son named Robert and a daughter named June. Which made me think that perhaps they were the same person. Sure enough they are.

Fred Carlisle was born 28 September 1898 in Bristol, Tennessee / Virginia as William Mc Kinley Coley, to George W Coley and Loretta Scott. They married in 1892 in Bristol,Virginia. Perhaps there are other siblings. He is found in 1910 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Califonia living in a orphanage. His mother did die early.

In 1920, we found him in Pennsylvania, in the Navy. On his WW1 draft he is still William Coley he list a uncle JM Scott, who lives in Bristol, Tennessee as nearest to kin. He changed his name after 1920. Military records found on Fold 3 may revile why he changed his name.

George W Coley had been married previously to Polly Agner. James W Coley is a son from this union. So, that is would explain why you have a picture of William ( Fred Carlisle ) and James Coley. They are half brothers!!! We would love for you to send us an scanned copy of the picture of Fred and James Coley. Ronna LoForte

I am glad to help. In 1891 Polly Agner ask for a divorce from George W Coley....

Debbie & Sally, more on grandpa. This gets even more bizarre. If grandpa had another family and left them, that would explain why he changed his name. It sounds more likely than killing someone. It also makes more sense that George W. Coley didn't die in 1890, but got divorced and started a new family too. The divorce date may have been assumed to be a day he died. What do you think about this?

Hello cousin. I JUST received your e-mail today. My computer has been trying to lay down on me, actually I don't think it's the computer but the SLOOOW dial up connection that I still have. We are at the end of the phone line here where we live anyway, so I don't expect anything better,unless I go to satellite, which at this point in time is way to expensive. Anyway, WOW! What awesome news about Sam and Megan! Congratulations to all of you. I wasn't sure you would ever get the chance of a second Grandchild. A grandson is so much fun too. I haven't had Sammy's address for a long time, so please tell him how happy I am for them, and yes, I'm sure the name "The Tank" will not fly, Samuel maybe, but the rest reminds me of a wrestler or prize fighter. Lol As for Grandpa, you are right, as I said what does it all matter now? And of course it doesn't really change my memories of Grandpa either or of our time at the farm, but I just wished for Grandma to have had a better life. But then again, it was one of her chosing. Heck, I would not be surprised if Grandma never even knew the truth of Grandpa's past either. And yes, it is pretty fascinating stuff, stuff that books and movies are made of. I am still wondering why someone wrote a book about the Coley's? I am certain, there is still things that could be learned. I guess in our case we DID have some serious skeletons in our closet. Lol I will keep in touch. Much love. Deb

Birth	September 28, 1898	Scott County, Virginia, USA
Birth	September 28, 1900	Stockton, San Joaquin, California, USA
Residence	1910	Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Ward - Watsonville, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Residence	Bet 1917 and 1918	Sullivan, Tennessee
Residence	1920	Marital Status: Single - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Military and Naval Forces, USA
Marriage	May 26, 1922	Kittanning, Armstrong, Pennsylvania, USA - Margaret Mae Smith
Residence	1930	Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head - New Kensington, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, USA
Death	June 23, 1973	Tarentum, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial	June 25, 1973	Highland Memorial Cemetary, Beloit, Ohio
Alt name		William M Coley
Death		New Bethlehem, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA
Research Notes

Spouse	Margaret Mae Smith (1904 - 1985)
Child	June Evelyn Carlisle (1923 - 2009)
Child	Robert Fred Carlisle (1925 - 2012)
Child	Edward George Carlisle Sr. (1927 - 2005)

Father	George William Coley (1842 - 1901)
Mother	Loretta "Retty" Scott (1864 - 1900)
Sibling	Belle Coley ( - )
Sibling	Belle Coley (1889 - )

Notes