Solen E. Kerley

I've been thinking about my 3 great-grandfather, Solen E. Kerley.

He was born in December 1851, in Tennessee (likely Wayne County, TN); the son of Henry L. Kerley and Sarah Staggs.
He was on the 1860 Census of Randolph County, Arkansas with his parents and siblings, 1870 with his parents and siblings; and he married Sarah Mariah Williams 28 Sep 1871 in Randolph County, Arkansas.
He and Sarah Mariah had 3 children;
Robert Louis Kerley (1872-1944)
William Albert Kerley (1874-1948)
Emily Ina Kerley (1877-1922)

Solen and family are on the 1880 Census of Randolph County, Arkansas.
Sarah Mariah died around 1878 and Solen married Susan Larkins (Brentlinger) 6 May 1888 in Randolph County, Arkansas.
Solen and Susan had 6 children:
May Janie Kerley (1889)
Harvey Lehman Kerley (1890-1956)
Grover Cleveland Kerley (1892)
Sherman Kerley (1894-1978)
Henry Bryan Kerley (1896-1963)
Rufus Harmon Kerley (1899-1966)
He is on the 1900 Census with his family in Randolph County, Arkansas.

Susan died in 1908 and Solen married again (age 56). He married Rebecca G Owens in Clay County, Arkansas on 26 Oct 1908. He is on the 1910 Census in Brown, Clay County, Arkansas with his third wife, Rebecca.
I am not sure if DeWitt Kerley is the son of Solen and Susan (per the 1910 Census).

Here is where it gets cloudy as far as Solen and his marriages.
26 Mar 1911, he married N.A. Kelly in Clay County, Arkansas (age 59)
7 Aug 1915, he married Rebecca Jane Meeks in Randolph, Arkansas. (age 63)
1920 Census he was in Siloam, Randolph, Arkansas with Rebecca Jane and DeeWitt.
29 Apr 1925 he married Lulla Lutisia Ballsworth in Randolph County, Arkansas. (age 73)
1 Mar 1926 he divorced Lutisia Ballsworth in Clay County, Arkansas
24 Mar 1926 he married Mary Jane Switzer in Randolph County, Arkansas (age 74)
4 Oct 1926 he divorced Mary Jane Switzer in Clay County Arkansas.
9 Oct 1926 he married Sarrah Mounts in Clay County, Arkansas (age 74)
4 Oct 1927 he divorced Sarah Mounts in Clay County, Arkansas
4 Oct 1928 he married Dora Payne in Clay County, Arkansas (age 76)

On 6 Feb 1930, he died in Randolph County, Arkansas (age 78).

All I can think is that Solen must have either been really good looking and/or a smooth talker to have married so many women, especially as he was in his 50's, 60's, and 70's and still marrying! I only know he divorced because of a divorce index - there is nothing to tell me the cause of divorce. I have no photos or stories of Solen, but I imagine he would have a few good tales to tell.

I would love to hear from descendants of Solen E. Kerley. If you are his descendant or know of any photographs, stories, or tales of Solen, please email me: decegherardini@hotmail.com

Now, to figure out how Dee Witt Kerley fits in... :-)

Dece