William Franklin was born August 11, 1875 in Texas, and died 1961 in Bandera County, Texas. He first married Effie Baker April 11, 1895 in Brown County, Texas. Effie was a daughter of Henry Baker and Mary G. Hays. William and Effie had one child Bertha, who died at birth..

William second married Estella Zollie (Stella Z.) Lee on October 12, 1902 in Concho County, Texas. Marriage record: Book II, License #117, Concho County, Texas--12 Oct 1902. Stella was a daughter of James B. and Ferrabee Lee. They were the parents of thirteen children.

1899 Concho Co., TX Tax Roll: W. F. Cornelius taxed for 480 acres, value $720; 7 horses and mules, value $65; 8 catle, value $112.

1900 Concho Co., TX, ED 37, Sh 8: Merdhus (Meredith) Cornelius Jul 1852, 48 AL; Kizia Jan 1848, 52 AL; William F Aug 1874, 26 TX; Jesse Apr 1876, 24 TX; Thomas Apr 1883, 17 TX; Della Sep 1883, 16 TX, wife of Thomas.

1910 Tom Green Co., TX, ED 286, Sh 38: William F. Cornelius, 34; Stella, 26; Herman, 6; Lora, 4; Gertrude, 2; Aurbedee, 1 3/12.

WW I Draft Registration Card: William Franklin Cornelius, born Aug 11, 1875, living in Vanderpool, Bandera Co., TX. Truck farmer. Wife Estella Zollie. Short, slender build, black eyes, black hair.

1920 Concho Co., TX, ED 89, Sh 18B: William Cornelius, 43, TX; Stella, 35, TX; Herman, 16, TX; Loral, 13, TX; Gertrude, 12, TX; Aurbedee, 10, TX; Gracie, 8, TX; Johnie, 7, TX; Sylvania, 5, TX; Joseph, 2 8/12, TX; William R., 7/12, TX; father- Meredith, 67, AL.

1930 Bandera Co., TX, ED 5, Sh 1B: William F. Cornelius, 54, TX; Ollie E., 45, TX; Herman, 26, TX; Orbie Dee, 21, TX; Grace, 19, TX; James, 17, TX; Sylvania, 15, TX; Clyde, 12, TX; William, 11, TX; Jesse, 7, TX; Doyle W., 3, TX.

1940 Bandera Co., TX: William F. Cornelius, 64, TX; Stella, 55, TX; Jesse, 18, TX; Doyle, 12, TX