Harriet Millard Mahurin and Alice Mahurin, 1910s, Oklahoma

Inscription on back of photo reads: "Harriet Millard Mahurin- oldest sister
of Isaac Millard- and her only 
daughter, Alice."

The somber-looking women in this portrait are Harriet Millard Mahurin, seated, and her daughter, Alice, who stands beside her. Harriet Millard was born around 1857 in Tennessee to parents George and Elzira Millard. George Millard was a farmer at the time of Harriet's birth, but in 1862, he enlisted in the 63rd Tennessee Regiment of the Confederate army. On July 4th, 1863, he was captured and held as a prisoner of war following the Siege of Vicksburg. After his release, George fought in the Battle of Proctor's Creek in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he was fatally wounded. He died on May 18th, 1864, leaving behind a wife and six children, including 17-year-old Harriet.

In 1866, at age 19, Harriet married her first husband, Henry H. Breedlove. The marriage was cut short, likely by Henry's death, though I can't seem to find record of it. She remarried the very next year.

Harriet's second marriage was to Henry Grim (sometimes written as "Graham"), a shoemaker in Greene County, Tennessee. Together they had three sons: George, Charles, and Edwin.

It's unclear what became of Henry, but Harriet married a third time in 1879, this time to William Mahurin. In 1880, the family was living in Hill, Texas. Harriet and William had six children: Elangia, Minnie, Alice, Samuel, Lina, and William. 

In 1897, the Mahurins lost their 13-year-old daughter, Minnie. Then in 1907, they lost two more children. Their eldest daughter, Elangia, passed away in February at age 26, leaving behind a husband and son. Just a few months later, Lina, their youngest daughter, passed away at age 14. When this photo was taken in the 1910s, Alice was the only remaining daughter. I can't imagine the grief Harriet felt. I understand why she would want a photograph of them together.

In 1918, Alice married James E. Langley, a farmer, in Carter, Oklahoma. James brought with him children from his two previous marriages. He and Alice had three children together: Lois, George, and Bill.

Harriet lived out her remaining years in Oklahoma, close to her daughter. She passed away in 1920. Shortly after her mother's death, Alice and her family moved to Wellington, Texas. They lived there for 17 years until Alice's death in 1938 at age 52. Her obituary describes her as having "made many friends, who loved and respected her for her many good qualities and for her kindness and thoughtfulness."

If you know who these ladies are, let us know in the comments!