by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, December 2025

Claude Adolphus FREEMAN

Claude Adolphus Freeman was born on October 14, 1886, in Key West, Florida, to Oceana “Ossie” Ogden (1847–1915)  and Adolphus Freeman (1830–1918).

SIBLINGS

  • William Joseph Freeman 1867–1946
  • Mary “Mamie” Josephine Freeman 1871–1963
  • Henry Lawrence Freeman 1871–1920
  • Florence Freeman 1872–date unknown
  • Alice Freeman dates unknown

MARRIAGE

He married Belle Corrine Knowles in Tampa, Florida, on September 22, 1906, when he was 19 years old.

Ed Woodson, Claude Freeman, Belle KNOWLES Freeman, Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles, J.V. Woodson, Clarie Lariz.

CHILDREN

  • Edna Bell was born on July 22, 1907, in Key West, Florida.
  • Claude Adolphus was born on February 2, 1921, in Tampa, Florida.
Claude FREEMAN, Edna FREEMAN Bogue, Belle Corrine KNOWLES Freeman
Edna FREEMAN with 1st husband Tony LUPO

RESIDENCES

In 1910, Claude and Belle lived at 1011 Catherine St. in Key West with their daughter, Edna. Claude worked as a cigar maker.

In 1918, Claude and Belle lived at 515 W. 10th Ave, in Tampa, Florida.

In 1920, the family lived at 511 West 10th Ave in Tampa, Florida. Claude worked in a cigar factory.

By 1930, Claude and Belle moved to 1115 Grace St in Tampa with their son, Claude, Jr. 

In 1940, they lived at 1102 N. Willow in Tampa with Claude, Jr., Edna, and their nephew, Dewitt LONES. Claude worked as a clerk in a cigar factory, Claude, Jr. worked as an attendant at a filling station, Edna was a typist for a welding business, and Dewitt worked in a cigar factory. 

In 1950, Claude lived at 1011 Catherine St in Key West, Florida. His sister-in-law, Lela Knowles, lived next door at 1013 Catherine St, apartment 2.

WORLD WAR I

U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Claude A Freeman

LOSSES

  • His mother Oceana “Ossie” passed away on August 27, 1915, in Monroe, Florida, at the age of 68.
  • His father Adolphus passed away on July 15, 1918, in Monroe, Florida, at the age of 88.
  • His brother Henry Lawrence died on January 17, 1920, in Key West, Florida, when Claude Adolphus was 33 years old.
  • His wife Belle Corrine passed away on March 6, 1962, in Hillsborough, Florida, at the age of 72. They had been married 55 years.

DEATH

Claude Adolphus Freeman died on December 14, 1969, in Tampa, Florida, when he was 83 years old.

SOURCES

1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; 1945 Florida State Census; 1950 United States Federal Census; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida, 16 Dec 1969; Social Security Death Index; Tampa, Florida, City Directory, 1918; U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; WWI Civilian Draft Registrations; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999; U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

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