Ernest Clement McCoy

Ernest Clement McCoy was born May 9, 1896 in Shawnee Pattawatomie Oklahoma.

Ernest Clement McCoy's father was David McCoy, and his mother was Corneila Abbott.

The image below is his delayed birth certificate.
It states that he was born May 9 1896
Near Shawnee, County Pattawatomie

In 1900 according to the federal census Ernest was 4 years old.  At this time he was living in Brinton Pattawomi Oklahoma with his mother Corneila (Nealie) McCoy 35 years old. Corneila was recorded as divorced at this time.  Brother John A. 13, and sister Fannie A. 10 were also living with them.

In the 1910 federal census Ernest (Clem in this census) was 13, and living in Snyder Scurry Texas with his step father W. R. Williams, N. F. Williams (Corneila aka Nealie) 44 years old, and Fannie McCoy 18 years old. 

On June 5 1917 Ernest completed a Draft Card for WWI.  The draft card said his name was Clement McCoy and 21 years old.  He was residing at 1020 Colton St. Los Angeles, CA.  He was born May 9, 1896 in Shawnee Oklahoma.  He was working at the Gates Hotel on Figueroa St.  It states he is single and Caucasian.  It also states he has lung trouble.  It also says he is slender, tall, has blue eyes, and light hair.

The image on the right is his Enlisted Record.
Here is a transcript in a google doc.
Here is a google doc with images from his Individual Pay Book.

Here is a post card he brought back from the war.
My G Uncle Ernest said that during the war when he was going to the latrine (which was a bit of a walk away), that the mess hall was bombed.  He said that all the cooks there died except him.

The image on the left is a photo of Ernest's Honorable Discharge from the Army.
Here is the transcript.

He served using his Middle name Clement.
The document states he was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
He was a cook in Co C. 160th Infantry
He had blue eyes, medium colored hair, and a fair complexion.  He was 5 feet 8 1/4" tall.









In the 1920 Census Ernest was living in Los Angeles.  He was E.C. McCoy 23years old on the census. It says he was a lodger and was working in confectionary.  Also lodging at the same location next door was Rita Gorman, and Agnes Gorman.  They ran a confectionery stand.  I am wondering if this is how Ernest met his first wife Rita.

In the 1930 Federal Census Ernest 33 was living in Compton, California.  He was working at a tire factory and living with his first wife Rita 29 (who was born in New York), their son Ernest 6, Mary 3 1/2, and Joseph.  Ernest and Rita did divorce.  The story is that Rita was cheating with a Catholic Priest.  Ernest believed that Ernest was his, but doubted that he was Mary or Joseph's father.  Rita disappeared taking the children with her.  Ernest spent a large sum of money trying to find his Rita, and the kids.  It was his belief that the Catholic church was hiding them.
The photo with the vehicle is Ernest and first wife Rita.

*****Update*******
A second cousin found me through a DNA test.  Mary's daughter.   I hope to learn what she was told, and hear about her mother, uncles,  and grandmother.  It is quite exciting, and now we know that Mary, was not fathered by the Catholic priest, but by Ernest.   

The image on the right is the Final Judgement of  Divorce, between Ernest and Rita

This is a photo of Ernest and Helen around the time they got married.

Here is the Marriage License for Ernest and Helen, they married in Yuma Arizona, on June 13 1936.  The Marriage Certificate could be viewed on Helen Spencer Wilson's Page





In the 1940 Federal Census Ernest 42 was living with his 2nd wife Helen Spencer Wilson 34.  They were living in Los Angeles, with son Ernest 2 years old, daughter Orpha 6 months old, and step son Carl Barnum 12 (son of Helen Spencer Wilson with her first husband Leroy Barnum).

Ernest died on May 8 1954 and was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetary 950 South Sepulveda, Los Angeles, CA. 90049.  Section 235 Row A Site 5 
I found an application for a military head stone it has the following information.
Name of Deceased: Ernest Clement McCoy,
Enlistment Date 10-2-17       Discharge Date  4-16-19
Service No. 1 634 667           Pension or VA Claim   17 222 661
State CA.             Grade   Cook           Medals   None
Branch of Service     Co. C, 160th Infantry   40th Div
D.O.B. May 9 1896          D.O.D.  May 8 1954
Emblem   Christian Latin Cross
Flat Marble Headstone