Katherine Nell Cates was born December 26, 1897, Cates' Landing, Lake County, Tennessee, the daughter of Martha Darnall Bledsoe and Willis Jones Cates. Originally Katherine Bledsoe Cates, she announced a change to Nell when still quite young. When "KCP," as she signed her letters, was a child children who lost their fathers were considered "orphans" even with living mothers. After her father's death several friends of her father looked out for the family, one, her legal "guardian," with whose family she remained quite close throughout life.
Katherine's older brother, Clifton, was enrolled in Missouri Military Academy and she was sent to a girls' school, Columbia Institute, in the same town. There she was pledged and initiated into Phi Mu Fraternity even though not yet in college. She attended Miss Semple's School in New York City, what we would today refer to as a finishing school, and later studied at Hardin Conservatory.
Clifton attended University of Tennessee and graduated with a law degree & was a member of their well-regarded football team before volunteering for WWI. Playing football for the U.T. Doctors' Team was James Thompson Prothro (known as "Thompson") with whom Clifton struck up a close friendship.
Thompson spent one college summer working on the river as a purser on one of his grandfather's riverboats and Clifton invited him to stop at Cates' Landing, their Mississippi riverboat landing in Northwest Tennessee, for a stay as a house guest. While visiting, Thompson met Clifton's sister Katherine. Although she continued to attend West Point dances and be squired by eligible fellows of good reputation back at school in NYC, it wasn't long before her diary was full of Thompson. They were married in Tiptonville, Lake County, TN, in 1917.
Katherine and Thompson were living in Dyersburg, TN, where Thompson had his dental practice when their only child was born, a son, J. Thompson Prothro, Jr., on July 20, 1920. Thompson who played a lot of semi-pro ball for fun was discovered by scouts and soon he could no longer resist the call of playing baseball. With Katherine's support he signed an MLB contract leaving his dental practice to become a professional baseball player.
"Doc," as he became known, accounted himself well, playing for several years in the majors with a career batting average over .300. Then he became a successful minor league manager/player & for a short time in early WWII he managed the major league Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball meant living in the team's city, travel for "Doc," and always spring training in a warm climate so apartments were "home"during the season. In the mid-1930's they purchased a home at 787 West Dr., Hein Park, in Memphis that was their principal residence as long as Doc lived.
Katherine's mother "Mattie" B. Cates made her home with the Prothros helping to raise their son, Tommy, who became the fourth at bridge by the time he was 5 years old. During the summer Mattie would often visit her son, Clifton, & his wife (usually in the D.C. area) if he was not stationed out of the country, or she might travel to see friends or other family.
When Thompson returned to Memphis it was as part owner (& Manager) of the Memphis Chicks and or Russwood Park, the Memphis ball park, giving his attention also to family farming interests and real estate investment. With years of habit wintering in Florida, Katherine & Thompson continued their annual 6 to 8 weeks now in Ft. Lauderdale. This was made more practical since Doc's sister & her husband lived just 2 doors away in same Memphis neighborhood.
Katherine was a devoted member of St. John's Methodist Church, a long-term member of Marion Circle of King's Daughters, served as a Grey Lady at the Veterans' Hospital, & enjoyed membership in the Las Lectorus Book Club. She took pride in a pretty, well-kept landscape , her rose garden, and her lovely home known for its hospitality. Katherine loved good books especially historical novels. It was well known, too, that she read both local Memphis papers daily from cover to cover as well as her "hometown" weekly, The Lake County Banner. She & Thompson entertained at home and also frequently dined with guests at the University Club (including with a group of widows) and usually attended Cotton Carnival where they were members of Memphi, one of the costumed "secret societies" of a former annual Memphis event that was similar to Mardi Gras in its celebrations.
After her husband's final illness & death, Katherine moved to a tenth floor apartment with a spectacular view, opening one of the condo's 3 bedrooms off the living room & converting it into a formal dining room, its closet becoming her china cupboard. She passed away in August 1981 after a only a few days in the hospital. A proud & firm woman filled with intelligence & kindness, a good wife, a loving mother & grandmother.
After moving to Hein Park the Prothros had two cooks of long duration. Adalaid (last name unknown to me) who came before WWII, and later, starting in the 1950's, came Sophia Johnson (Find A Grave Memorial# 17872183), a wonderful cook & teller of entertaining stories and a patient kitchen teacher of this writer. Sophia made the transition to The Edinborough (sic) Apartments with KCP after she was widowed & continued until KCP could no longer drive, by which time KCP needed nursing care 24/7.
Katherine's older brother, Clifton, was enrolled in Missouri Military Academy and she was sent to a girls' school, Columbia Institute, in the same town. There she was pledged and initiated into Phi Mu Fraternity even though not yet in college. She attended Miss Semple's School in New York City, what we would today refer to as a finishing school, and later studied at Hardin Conservatory.
Clifton attended University of Tennessee and graduated with a law degree & was a member of their well-regarded football team before volunteering for WWI. Playing football for the U.T. Doctors' Team was James Thompson Prothro (known as "Thompson") with whom Clifton struck up a close friendship.
Thompson spent one college summer working on the river as a purser on one of his grandfather's riverboats and Clifton invited him to stop at Cates' Landing, their Mississippi riverboat landing in Northwest Tennessee, for a stay as a house guest. While visiting, Thompson met Clifton's sister Katherine. Although she continued to attend West Point dances and be squired by eligible fellows of good reputation back at school in NYC, it wasn't long before her diary was full of Thompson. They were married in Tiptonville, Lake County, TN, in 1917.
Katherine and Thompson were living in Dyersburg, TN, where Thompson had his dental practice when their only child was born, a son, J. Thompson Prothro, Jr., on July 20, 1920. Thompson who played a lot of semi-pro ball for fun was discovered by scouts and soon he could no longer resist the call of playing baseball. With Katherine's support he signed an MLB contract leaving his dental practice to become a professional baseball player.
"Doc," as he became known, accounted himself well, playing for several years in the majors with a career batting average over .300. Then he became a successful minor league manager/player & for a short time in early WWII he managed the major league Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball meant living in the team's city, travel for "Doc," and always spring training in a warm climate so apartments were "home"during the season. In the mid-1930's they purchased a home at 787 West Dr., Hein Park, in Memphis that was their principal residence as long as Doc lived.
Katherine's mother "Mattie" B. Cates made her home with the Prothros helping to raise their son, Tommy, who became the fourth at bridge by the time he was 5 years old. During the summer Mattie would often visit her son, Clifton, & his wife (usually in the D.C. area) if he was not stationed out of the country, or she might travel to see friends or other family.
When Thompson returned to Memphis it was as part owner (& Manager) of the Memphis Chicks and or Russwood Park, the Memphis ball park, giving his attention also to family farming interests and real estate investment. With years of habit wintering in Florida, Katherine & Thompson continued their annual 6 to 8 weeks now in Ft. Lauderdale. This was made more practical since Doc's sister & her husband lived just 2 doors away in same Memphis neighborhood.
Katherine was a devoted member of St. John's Methodist Church, a long-term member of Marion Circle of King's Daughters, served as a Grey Lady at the Veterans' Hospital, & enjoyed membership in the Las Lectorus Book Club. She took pride in a pretty, well-kept landscape , her rose garden, and her lovely home known for its hospitality. Katherine loved good books especially historical novels. It was well known, too, that she read both local Memphis papers daily from cover to cover as well as her "hometown" weekly, The Lake County Banner. She & Thompson entertained at home and also frequently dined with guests at the University Club (including with a group of widows) and usually attended Cotton Carnival where they were members of Memphi, one of the costumed "secret societies" of a former annual Memphis event that was similar to Mardi Gras in its celebrations.
After her husband's final illness & death, Katherine moved to a tenth floor apartment with a spectacular view, opening one of the condo's 3 bedrooms off the living room & converting it into a formal dining room, its closet becoming her china cupboard. She passed away in August 1981 after a only a few days in the hospital. A proud & firm woman filled with intelligence & kindness, a good wife, a loving mother & grandmother.
After moving to Hein Park the Prothros had two cooks of long duration. Adalaid (last name unknown to me) who came before WWII, and later, starting in the 1950's, came Sophia Johnson (Find A Grave Memorial# 17872183), a wonderful cook & teller of entertaining stories and a patient kitchen teacher of this writer. Sophia made the transition to The Edinborough (sic) Apartments with KCP after she was widowed & continued until KCP could no longer drive, by which time KCP needed nursing care 24/7.
Katherine Nell Cates was born December 26, 1897, Cates' Landing, Lake County, Tennessee, the daughter of Martha Darnall Bledsoe and Willis Jones Cates. Originally Katherine Bledsoe Cates, she announced a change to Nell when still quite young. When "KCP," as she signed her letters, was a child children who lost their fathers were considered "orphans" even with living mothers. After her father's death several friends of her father looked out for the family, one, her legal "guardian," with whose family she remained quite close throughout life.
Katherine's older brother, Clifton, was enrolled in Missouri Military Academy and she was sent to a girls' school, Columbia Institute, in the same town. There she was pledged and initiated into Phi Mu Fraternity even though not yet in college. She attended Miss Semple's School in New York City, what we would today refer to as a finishing school, and later studied at Hardin Conservatory.
Clifton attended University of Tennessee and graduated with a law degree & was a member of their well-regarded football team before volunteering for WWI. Playing football for the U.T. Doctors' Team was James Thompson Prothro (known as "Thompson") with whom Clifton struck up a close friendship.
Thompson spent one college summer working on the river as a purser on one of his grandfather's riverboats and Clifton invited him to stop at Cates' Landing, their Mississippi riverboat landing in Northwest Tennessee, for a stay as a house guest. While visiting, Thompson met Clifton's sister Katherine. Although she continued to attend West Point dances and be squired by eligible fellows of good reputation back at school in NYC, it wasn't long before her diary was full of Thompson. They were married in Tiptonville, Lake County, TN, in 1917.
Katherine and Thompson were living in Dyersburg, TN, where Thompson had his dental practice when their only child was born, a son, J. Thompson Prothro, Jr., on July 20, 1920. Thompson who played a lot of semi-pro ball for fun was discovered by scouts and soon he could no longer resist the call of playing baseball. With Katherine's support he signed an MLB contract leaving his dental practice to become a professional baseball player.
"Doc," as he became known, accounted himself well, playing for several years in the majors with a career batting average over .300. Then he became a successful minor league manager/player & for a short time in early WWII he managed the major league Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball meant living in the team's city, travel for "Doc," and always spring training in a warm climate so apartments were "home"during the season. In the mid-1930's they purchased a home at 787 West Dr., Hein Park, in Memphis that was their principal residence as long as Doc lived.
Katherine's mother "Mattie" B. Cates made her home with the Prothros helping to raise their son, Tommy, who became the fourth at bridge by the time he was 5 years old. During the summer Mattie would often visit her son, Clifton, & his wife (usually in the D.C. area) if he was not stationed out of the country, or she might travel to see friends or other family.
When Thompson returned to Memphis it was as part owner (& Manager) of the Memphis Chicks and or Russwood Park, the Memphis ball park, giving his attention also to family farming interests and real estate investment. With years of habit wintering in Florida, Katherine & Thompson continued their annual 6 to 8 weeks now in Ft. Lauderdale. This was made more practical since Doc's sister & her husband lived just 2 doors away in same Memphis neighborhood.
Katherine was a devoted member of St. John's Methodist Church, a long-term member of Marion Circle of King's Daughters, served as a Grey Lady at the Veterans' Hospital, & enjoyed membership in the Las Lectorus Book Club. She took pride in a pretty, well-kept landscape , her rose garden, and her lovely home known for its hospitality. Katherine loved good books especially historical novels. It was well known, too, that she read both local Memphis papers daily from cover to cover as well as her "hometown" weekly, The Lake County Banner. She & Thompson entertained at home and also frequently dined with guests at the University Club (including with a group of widows) and usually attended Cotton Carnival where they were members of Memphi, one of the costumed "secret societies" of a former annual Memphis event that was similar to Mardi Gras in its celebrations.
After her husband's final illness & death, Katherine moved to a tenth floor apartment with a spectacular view, opening one of the condo's 3 bedrooms off the living room & converting it into a formal dining room, its closet becoming her china cupboard. She passed away in August 1981 after a only a few days in the hospital. A proud & firm woman filled with intelligence & kindness, a good wife, a loving mother & grandmother.
After moving to Hein Park the Prothros had two cooks of long duration. Adalaid (last name unknown to me) who came before WWII, and later, starting in the 1950's, came Sophia Johnson (Find A Grave Memorial# 17872183), a wonderful cook & teller of entertaining stories and a patient kitchen teacher of this writer. Sophia made the transition to The Edinborough (sic) Apartments with KCP after she was widowed & continued until KCP could no longer drive, by which time KCP needed nursing care 24/7.
Katherine's older brother, Clifton, was enrolled in Missouri Military Academy and she was sent to a girls' school, Columbia Institute, in the same town. There she was pledged and initiated into Phi Mu Fraternity even though not yet in college. She attended Miss Semple's School in New York City, what we would today refer to as a finishing school, and later studied at Hardin Conservatory.
Clifton attended University of Tennessee and graduated with a law degree & was a member of their well-regarded football team before volunteering for WWI. Playing football for the U.T. Doctors' Team was James Thompson Prothro (known as "Thompson") with whom Clifton struck up a close friendship.
Thompson spent one college summer working on the river as a purser on one of his grandfather's riverboats and Clifton invited him to stop at Cates' Landing, their Mississippi riverboat landing in Northwest Tennessee, for a stay as a house guest. While visiting, Thompson met Clifton's sister Katherine. Although she continued to attend West Point dances and be squired by eligible fellows of good reputation back at school in NYC, it wasn't long before her diary was full of Thompson. They were married in Tiptonville, Lake County, TN, in 1917.
Katherine and Thompson were living in Dyersburg, TN, where Thompson had his dental practice when their only child was born, a son, J. Thompson Prothro, Jr., on July 20, 1920. Thompson who played a lot of semi-pro ball for fun was discovered by scouts and soon he could no longer resist the call of playing baseball. With Katherine's support he signed an MLB contract leaving his dental practice to become a professional baseball player.
"Doc," as he became known, accounted himself well, playing for several years in the majors with a career batting average over .300. Then he became a successful minor league manager/player & for a short time in early WWII he managed the major league Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball meant living in the team's city, travel for "Doc," and always spring training in a warm climate so apartments were "home"during the season. In the mid-1930's they purchased a home at 787 West Dr., Hein Park, in Memphis that was their principal residence as long as Doc lived.
Katherine's mother "Mattie" B. Cates made her home with the Prothros helping to raise their son, Tommy, who became the fourth at bridge by the time he was 5 years old. During the summer Mattie would often visit her son, Clifton, & his wife (usually in the D.C. area) if he was not stationed out of the country, or she might travel to see friends or other family.
When Thompson returned to Memphis it was as part owner (& Manager) of the Memphis Chicks and or Russwood Park, the Memphis ball park, giving his attention also to family farming interests and real estate investment. With years of habit wintering in Florida, Katherine & Thompson continued their annual 6 to 8 weeks now in Ft. Lauderdale. This was made more practical since Doc's sister & her husband lived just 2 doors away in same Memphis neighborhood.
Katherine was a devoted member of St. John's Methodist Church, a long-term member of Marion Circle of King's Daughters, served as a Grey Lady at the Veterans' Hospital, & enjoyed membership in the Las Lectorus Book Club. She took pride in a pretty, well-kept landscape , her rose garden, and her lovely home known for its hospitality. Katherine loved good books especially historical novels. It was well known, too, that she read both local Memphis papers daily from cover to cover as well as her "hometown" weekly, The Lake County Banner. She & Thompson entertained at home and also frequently dined with guests at the University Club (including with a group of widows) and usually attended Cotton Carnival where they were members of Memphi, one of the costumed "secret societies" of a former annual Memphis event that was similar to Mardi Gras in its celebrations.
After her husband's final illness & death, Katherine moved to a tenth floor apartment with a spectacular view, opening one of the condo's 3 bedrooms off the living room & converting it into a formal dining room, its closet becoming her china cupboard. She passed away in August 1981 after a only a few days in the hospital. A proud & firm woman filled with intelligence & kindness, a good wife, a loving mother & grandmother.
After moving to Hein Park the Prothros had two cooks of long duration. Adalaid (last name unknown to me) who came before WWII, and later, starting in the 1950's, came Sophia Johnson (Find A Grave Memorial# 17872183), a wonderful cook & teller of entertaining stories and a patient kitchen teacher of this writer. Sophia made the transition to The Edinborough (sic) Apartments with KCP after she was widowed & continued until KCP could no longer drive, by which time KCP needed nursing care 24/7.
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