James J Jeppson

James J Jeppson, born 12 Feb 1871, Sweden, died 17 Nov 1951, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, married around 1895, Ida Amanda Sundquist, dau of John Sundquist and Margaret Matilda Edfast, born 18 Apr 1877in Orastholm, Ranea, Norrbotten, Sweden, died 10 Aug 1909, Indianapolis, Hamilton CO, IN.

He was a tailor by trade and never put hoe in the ground before he came to what is now Flagler CO about 1911 - his wife had died and he was trying to make a new life for himself. He homesteaded a small farm on SR 100 where it is now crossed by I-95.

The Bunnell Home Builder gives numerous accounts of J. Jeppson farming with Dr. R. D. Huffman of Covington, KY, who owned land east of Bunnell.

After his daughter married Omega Durrance, he went back to Indianapolis to resume his trade as a tailor but later came back to Flagler CO to live with them when he got old - his parents came also. Issue;

1. Irene Mathilida (Nuny) Jeppson, born 09 Oct 1898, Anoka, Anoka CO, MN, died 15 Jul 1986, Flagler CO, FL, married 13 May 1916, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, Thomas Omega Durrance, son of George Washington Durrance, CSA and Dora Elizabeth Helms, born 10 Aug 1896, Espanola (Windemere), St Johns CO, FL, died 26 Dec 1966, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL. Both buried Hope Cemetery, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL.

The family is listed on page 5 of the 1920 census of Flagler CO, residing in the Bunnell precinct with his occupation given as "Butcher." He was engaged in the cattle and farming business and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

She received her nickname from her grandson Charles Turner. When if started to talk, he called her mamma, but was told that his grandmother wasn't his mamma. He tried to say she was another mama, but it came out nunnie mamma and it was Nunnie from then on.

Her mother was a pianists, and once appeared in concert with Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Indianapolis - her mother died at age 32 - she was pregnant and she and her baby were lost (RH Factor)

Nunnie played a piece the same night as her mother - she was 8 - she can't remember what she played but she does remember that she dropped her handkerchief on the stage and was so embarrassed -- she said she couldn't figure out why the audience clapped so hard for her

Her father brought her to Florida when she was 13, around 1911. Issue;

(1) Norma Keith Durrance, born 17 Dec 1916, Bunnell, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 22 Nov 2012, Flagler CO, FL, married 15 Jun 1935, Flagler CO, FL, Charles Rodgers Turner, son of Charlie Harris Turner and Lulu Bell Rodgers, born 06 Oct 1912, Danburg, Wilkes CO, GA, died 11 Jan 2002, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL. Both are buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL.

He was a mechanic and was associated with the Kudrna Motor Company in Bunnell, FL.

She was a 1934 graduate of Bunnell High School, Flagler CO, FL. After graduating from high school she was appointed principal of the FERA nursery school in Bunnell.

She was a member of the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter #2317, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL joining on 31 Jan 1986 with eligibility based on the service record of John Helms, Ship Arctic, NC CSA, Cpt C B Poindexter. She served as Historian (1992-1993)

She was elected president of the Flagler-St Johns School Lunch Association in May 1946

She resigned in Jul 1961 as manager of the Bunnell School Cafeteria after serving 17 years in the school system and 16 years as Cafeteria Manager - said she was entering school to become a practical nurse

The 2006 Cracker Day in Flagler County, FL was dedicated to Craig Barton of Haw Creek and Norman Turner of Bunnell. Norman may be the oldest living Flagler CO native (July 2007). She was born in 1916, before Flagler CO became a county on July 4, 1917.

Norman never liked saying she was born in St Johns CO since Bunnell was her home. She has assisted the cattlemen over the years with preparing the meals and desserts. She retired as manager of the Bunnell High School cafeteria after 20 years of service and is known as the best yeast-roll maker in the county. Issue;

A. Charles Henry Turner, born 26 May 1936, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, died 19 May 2006, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL.

Selected as alternate delegate for Florida American Legion Boys State in Tallahassee in Jun 1953. In the summer of 1954 he attended the Florida State University Music Camp for six weeks - it was his second year to attend the camp. He was elected as the president of the summer camp at the 1954 session.

He received a scholarship award to Florida State University and was there during my (Claude Sisco Deen, Jr, the compiler) freshman year (1958). After his university years he went in and out of Tallahassee and played New York for a while until he moved to Las Vegas.

He was a professional trumpet player and played in Las Vegas before moving back to this area in 1996. His music took him all over the world, playing with great musicians such as Frank Sinatra. Mr. Turner produced an album with Frank Sinatra, conducting the orchestra, and dedicated it to his good friend, Gene Knight.

Charles began working exclusively for Frank Sinatra when the singer emerged from retirement in 1975. He was one of the five musicians who always traveled with Sinatra.

(2) Nathan Omega (Bud) Durrance, born 06 Feb 1919, St Johns CO, FL, died 05 Sep 1985, Alachua CO, FL, buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL, married 1936, St Johns CO, FL, Lucille B Davison, dau of Matthew Davison and Laura L Phelps, born 17 Jul 1919, Montgomery, Montgomery CO, AL, died 29 Apr 1997, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL.

He served in the U S Navy during WW II. Issue;

A. Majorie Ann (Margie) Durrance, born 03 Sep 1937, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL, married 26 Dec 1953, Folkston, Charlton CO, GA, Walton Matthew Kinney, son of Walton John Kinney and Grace Kathleen Davis, born 22 Sep 1934, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL (Div-14 Oct 1975). Issue:

a. Cheryl Elaine Kinney, born 20 Sep 1955, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL married 20 Sep 1982, John Graves Shedd IV, MD, born Aug 1952. In May 1975, she graduated with honors from Daytona Beach Community College and was a registered nurse

b. Elissa Joann Kinney, born 13 Apr 1958, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 26 Nov 1976, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Gail Lloyd Cox, son of Lloyd Cox and Frances LNU. Issue;

aa. Walton Matthew Cox

bb. Gail Michele Cox

c. Walton John Kinney II, born 26 Jun 1960, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 20 Jan 1978, Kathryn Ann Smith, born 04 De 1961 (Div-2 Sep 1994). Issue;

aa. Tabatha Grace Kinney

bb. Tiffany Brooke Kinney

Walton John Kinney II, married 2nd, 26 Jun 1999, Flagler CO, FL (Unknown)

d. Dalton Matthew Kinney, born 11 Sep 1963, Flagler Clinic & Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 05 Aug 1989, Flagler CO, FL, Dawn A LNU, born Aug 1963

Majorie Ann (Margie) Durrance married 2nd, 01 May 1976, Volusia CO, FL, Charles Hansford (Hance) McCraney, son of Marion Leonidas McCraney and Clara Annalee Revels, born about 1944

B. FNU Durrance, born 04 Mar 1939, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL

C. Doris Lucille Durrance, born 03 Jun 1941, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL, married Jan 1959, St Johns CO, FL, FNU Baylor

Nathan Omega (Bud) Durrance married 2nd, 1947, Flagler CO, FL, Carolyn May Hosford, dau of Gerald Jay Vaughn Hosford and Naomi Taylor Brice, born 24 Jul 1930, near Mannins, Clarendon CO, SC, died 15 Jul 2004, Graceville, Jackson CO, FL. Issue;

D. Marion Faye Durrance, born 30 Sep 1948, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL

E. Cynthia Lee Durrance, born 23 Jun 1951, Dr. Rose’s Clinic, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 26 Apr 1969, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Samuel Jefferson (Sam) Smith, son of Raymond Stevens Smith and Mary Elizabeth Davis, born 09 May 1950, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL

Cynthia Lee Durrance married 2nd, FNU Thornton

Carolyn May Hosford also married Earl Wesley King and Violice E Raulerson

(3) James Hulett (Bill) Durrance, born 22 Aug 1921, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, died 25 Jan 1983, Orange CO, FL, buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL, married 31 Dec 1955, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Ethel Victoria Fillinger, dau of Enoch Rice Fillinger and Lora Lee Hager, born 27 Jan 1927, died 18 Jan 1983, Flagler CO, FL.

Petty Officer James H. Durrance (Machinist Mate 2-C) served in the Pacific, including Okinawa, with the Seabees in WW II. Issue;

A. Larry Michael Durrance, married 21 Sep 1973, St Johns Catholic Church, Crescent City, Putnam CO, FL, Debra Kay Rehberg, dau of W L Rehberg

(4) Horace Walton (Custer) Durrance, born 18 Jan 1924, Flagler CO, FL, married Mary Lou Partin (Div-Jul 1967).

Cpl. Durrance, Fleet Marine Force, saw service in the Pacific Theater in WW II, including the Marshalls, Palau, Samoa & Leyte. Issue;

A. Robert Walden (Robbie) Durrance, born 15 May 1948, Glendale Hospital, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL, married (unknown). Issue;

a. Robert Walden Durrance, Jr, born 03 Jun 1979, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

b. George Walton Durrance, born 03 Jun 1979, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

Horace Walton (Custer) Durrance married 2nd, La Von Thora (Bonnie) Neilsen. Issue;

B. Stacey Lee Durrance, born 22 Feb 1970, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

C. Amy Jean Durrance, born 05 Sep 1973, UT

(5) Thomas Walter (Tommy) Durrance, born 26 Oct 1928, Flagler CO, FL, died 27 Aug 2003, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL, married 02 Sep 1948, Blackshear, Pierce CO, GA, Patricia Ann (Patsy) French, dau of Harlan Spencer French and Leona Moody, born 01 Sep 1931, Naylor, Ripley CO, MO.

He was a member of the Bunnell High School class of 1948 and a member of the USN Reserve. In Jan 1976 he stepped down from his position as Flagler CO Commissioner in favor of Commissioner Louis Steflik. Issue;

A. Rebecca Jane Durrance, born 10 Jun 1952, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 21 Jan 1972, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Oliver Gary Cowart, son of Oliver James Cowart and Alma Constance Sykes

She graduated Bunnell High School in 1970 and in July of that year was employed by Oceanshore Realty. She was attending Daytona Beach Community College in Nov 1971. He graduated from Taylor High School in Green Cove Springs and was employed by the Wadsworth Lumber Company of Bunnell, FL. Issue;

a. Thomas Oliver Cowart, born 25 Jun 1975, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 31 Jul 1999, Volusia CO, FL, Allison A LNU, born 14 Nov 1974. Issue;

aa. Kaylie Cowart

B. Leona Ann Durrance, born 25 Jun 1962, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 11 Apr 1987, Flagler CO, FL, Glenn Arrington, born Dec 1960. Issue;

a. April Arrington

b. Zane Arrington

(6) Johnnie Leah Durrance, born 04 Mar 1939, FL, married 31 Aug 1960, Mormon Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, Jimmy Oliver Helms, born 20 Nov 1935 (Div-25 Apr 1990).

She was a graduate of Florida State University and taught public school in Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL. Issue;

A. Jimmy Oliver Helms, Jr, born and died 06 Sep 1963, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL

B. Leah Helms, born 23 Dec 1961, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL

James J Jeppson married 2nd, Ella Meyers, born about 1871, died 21 Jun 1943, Flagler CO, FL, buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL.

 

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census and Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: Sketch on George Washington Durrance appearing on this web site; 1900 United States Federal Census, Bradford, Isanti CO, MN; 1910 United States Federal Census, Indianapolis Ward 4, Marion, IN; US Coast Guard Identification Card (21 Aug 1942); Social Security Death Index; Florida Death Index and The Flagler Tribune, Bunnell, FL, 22 Nov 1951, 19 May1966.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com