by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025
Winifred Irene “Winnie” Knowles was born on February 25, 1880, in Key West, Florida, to Sarah Ann Curry Russell (1853-1930) and Oscar Washington Knowles (1845-1885).
In 1885, she lived with her mother at 239 Fleming.
Winifred married Juan “John” Cruz in Key West, Florida, on July 29, 1899, when she was 19 years old. John Cruz was born July 2, 1878. His draft card when he was 40 years old lists him as medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair.
Their son Louis Bernard was born on September 10, 1899, in Key West, Florida.
In 1900, Winifred and John lived with John’s mother, Mary Cruz at 604 Margaret St in Key West.
Winifred and John lived with their son, Louis at 1103 White St in Key West in 1910. The census lists them as Juan and Irene.
In 1914, the couple lived at 1103 Olivia St in Key West.
In 1917 and 1918, she lived with her husband at 613 William St in Key West. John worked as a cigar maker for E.H. Gato Cigar Factory located at 115 Anne St. in Key West.
Winifred Irene “Winnie” Knowles died on October 26, 1918, in Key West, Florida, when she was 38 years old. She was laid to rest in the Key West Cemetery.
Both her husband and son would later perish in the 1935 hurricane. They died while part of the crew of the ferryboat, the Monroe County, the only ferry running (out of 3) at the time. The ferry covered the missing section of the Overseas Hwy which ran from Lower Matecumbe to No Name Key.
You can read more about John and Louis and the Monroe County here.
SOURCES
Key West City Directory 1914; Key West City Directory 1917; U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. Census Records 1900 and 1910; U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
Exploring Florida History 