by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

The Everglades Hamiltons meet the Bahamian Knowles. I connected Ralph Knowles with the Hamilton family (of the Ten Thousand Islands) through his marriage to Ethel HAMILTON. I knew Butterball (James Wilbur) was Gene Hamilton‘s grandson, but I also knew that the Knowles were from my MOTHER‘S side. I traced back and back and finally made the connection. So, one of my mother’s ancestors married one of my father’s ancestors. Pretty cool, right?

Ralph KNOWLES married Ethel Hamilton, my paternal great-aunt. Ralph is descended from my maternal 4th great-grandfather, Alexander Knowles.

Ralph Eugene Knowles was born on August 9, 1899, in Key West, Florida, to Charlotte Lorraine Knowles (1884-1943) and Frank Eugene Knowles (1880-1934)

SIBLINGS

  • Jane G was born in 1906
  • Buenavista was born in 1911 
Ralph and Buena (year unknown) Photo courtesy of a user on Ancestry.com

According to Ralph’s World War I and World War II draft cards, he was deaf (“deaf and dumb”). Despite being deaf, Ralph was not “dumb”; he could read and write and signed his draft cards with eloquent penmanship.

U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Ralph Eugene Knowles
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 BACK

In 1910, Ralph lived with his parents in Key West. According to this census, Ralph had two younger siblings named Elaine and Jane. His father, Frank worked as a painter at a paint shop.

U.S. Census 1910

In 1917, Ralph lived at 1102 White St in Key West, Florida. He worked as a Laborer.

In 1920 Ralph lived with his parents and siblings at 1102 White St in Key West. His siblings are listed as Jane G. and Buenavista. His father, Frank worked as a fisherman and his mother, Charlotte (Lottie) worked as a cigar stripper at a cigar factory. His sister, Jane was 14 and worked as a machine operator in a box factory.

U.S. Census 1920

In 1930, Ralph lived at 1123 Catherine St. with his father and mother in the household of his sister (John and Buena Sands). Ralph worked as a laborer doing odd jobs.

U.S. Census 1930

MARRIAGE

Ralph Eugene Knowles married Ethel Madelyn Hamilton in Key West, Florida, on February 20, 1932, when he was 32 years old. Ethel Madelyn passed away on December 31, 1964, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 50. 

Ethel HAMILTON Lowe

It is not certain when (or if) Ralph and Ethel separated but there is a record that Ralph married Mabel Bodden Knowles in May of 1960. Records indicate that they were divorced in December 1962.

CHILDREN

  • James ‘Butterball’ Wilbur was born on December 7, 1932, in Key West, Florida.

For unknown reasons, James Wilbur (Butterball as he was called) was raised in the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades by his maternal grandparents, Gene and Rebecca Hamilton.

from the book Lostmans Heritage: Pioneers in the Florida Everglades

In 1940, Ralph and his mother (Lottie) boarded with the family of John and Mary Marshall at 1019 Varela St in Key West. Ralph worked as a laborer for WPA Construction.

DEATH

Ralph Eugene Knowles died on November 29, 1973, in Key West, Florida, when he was 74 years old. He was laid to rest in the Key West cemetery. Ralph’s date of birth is inscribed incorrectly on his gravestone. He was born (according to all other records, including his draft cards) on August 09 1899.

SOURCES

1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; Social Security Death Index; U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current; Key West, Florida, City Directory, 1917

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY FACEBOOK GROUP: Consider joining our group for more on Florida Keys History.

FLORIDA EVERGLADES HISTORY FACEBOOK GROUP: Consider joining our group for more on Florida Everglades History.