Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 13 "William Congrave Croft"

This is the thirteenth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find them here: part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve.

Most of the individuals pictured in this edition of the Enterprise also had a brief profile to go along with their picture.  William Congrave Croft did not.  The Enterprise simply reported that he was going to succeed Franklin P. Fonville as County Trustee so I had to go in search of something to say about Mr. Croft.

He was born May 6 1842 in Arkansas to George W. Croft and Elizabeth Golden.  After the death of his mother in 1847 he and his siblings were brought to Weakley County by their uncle, William Golden and raised in his household.  During the Civil War, like so many of his west Tennessee compatriots, he served in Co. K 31st Tennessee Regiment.  William signed up September 2, 1861 at Trenton, rank of private. He was appointed 4th Corporal November 1861.  In 1862 and 63 he was on detached service in Chattanooga.   In his later years, William would be an active participant and Commander for the James G. Pirtle UCV Camp #990, Fulton Kentucky, at several of the Confederate Reunions.  

Croft was married three times but he only had children with his first wife.  He married Martha Elizabeth Roberts in 1867 in Weakley County TN.  Their children were: Emma, George and Oswald Croft. Martha died about 1881.

He served as Weakley County Trustee for a number of years during the 1890's.  

He married his second wife on May 20 1885, Catharine Virginia "Jennie" Ridgeway, 1853-1908.  Jennie died in 1908:  "Mrs. Jennie Croft, of Fulton, died at her home in that city Friday night.  Mrs. Croft was born in Henry county, Tenn., April 28, 1853. She was a daughter of Hon. Wm. Ridgeway. On May 20 1885, she was married to W.C. Croft, and was a member of the Baptist church, at Fulton.  Deceased is survived by her husband.  Interment took place at Mt. Moriah Cemetery."  Hickman Courier June 5 1908

In 1905 he ran for a position on the city council in Fulton. Paducah Sun Sept 30 1905

In 1906 Croft was elected vice-president of the board of directors at the City National bank of Fulton.  Paducah Sun, January 30 1906

In the January 14 1909 edition of the Hickman Courier the following wedding announcement appeared:

"Mr. W.C. Croft and Mrs. S.A. Verhine were married at the home of Mr. Cothran in West Fulton Jan. 7. The ceremony was performed by Rev. McLeskey of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.  Immediately afterward Mr. and Mrs. Croft went to their home in East Fulton."

He and his third wife, Zilphia T. (Mrs. S.A. Verhine), appear in the 1910 and 1920 Census records for Fulton Kentucky. This was Zilphia's second marriage as she was first married to S.D. Verhine January 28, 1873 in Obion County. His middle initial appears in some places as A and others D. 

The Richmond Daily Register for April 11 1919 reported that W.C. Croft was among the members appointed by Kentucky Governor Stanley to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Confederate Home at Pewee Valley.

William Croft died July 20 1925 and is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Weakley County.  Zilphia died September 26, 1925, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Turner.

Source material:  U.S. Census Records, Civil War Service Records, Family Trees/Croft Family Bible/Ancestry.com, Tennessee Marriage Records, Kentucky Death Certificates, History of Goodspeed for Obion county, Paducah Sun, Hickman Courier

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 12 "J.W. Killebrew"

This is the twelfth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find them here: part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven.

J.W. Killebrew, the present register, was raised near Palmersville and lived there until elected register six years ago.  He is crippled from white swelling, but has recovered sufficiently to throw away his crutches.  He has made and (sic) excellent register, has kept his books in exceptionally good condition, and his efficiency in office caused him to be now serving his second term.  He is married and has six children.  He has bought a home here and is truly a citizen of the town.  Mr. Killebrew is a genial, kindhearted man, and has a personal friend in each of our people.  He is, of course, a Democrat, and has ever remained loyal to his party.

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:
part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Brud's Musical Picks in 1912

Being the swinging fella that he was Brud purchased a Victrola around 1912.  He had quite a collection of waltz's and foxtrot's to keep the Moran's and their friends singing and dancing.  I came across an old envelope dated October 1912 that he used to jot down a few new musical titles, perhaps he was hoping to add them to his record collection.

The only title that was familiar to me was "Oh You Beautiful Doll" which was published in 1911.  It's actually a very unique piece of music in that it's one of the first songs that uses a 12 bar opening.  Words by Seymour Brown and music by Nat D. Ayer.   

"Over the Waves" is a waltz written by Juventino Rosas and published in 1888.  I was not familiar with the title but once I began listening to the melody it became clear I'd heard it many times before, particularly in connection with trapeze artists!  The name Irving Berlin usually makes me think of "White Christmas" and "Easter Parade", just to name a few of his works.  I'm not familiar at all with his "Everybody's Doing It" but it must have been a popular song since it's on Brud's list.   I even found a version of it from the White Star Line which you may remember was responsible for the R.M.S. Titanic! I couldn't find a song called "That Limber Rag" but I did find "That Peculiar Rag" from 1912 written by Mike Bernard.   And that's todays musical picks by C.H. "Brud" Moran!