1911 "Smoker" for James H Moran

"SMOKER."

On the evening of Nov. 21st (Tuesday) the young men of Newbern entertained Mr. James H. Moran and his out of town friends with a "Smoker."  Covers were laid for nineteen and a most delightful menu was served by Mrs. Delle JONES.  Mr. L.G. NORVELL acted as Toast Master and acquitted himself with much credit.  The following responded to "toasts"; James H. MORAN, Harry JONES and Mr. THOMASON of Dresden, John M. DRANE, Prof. BRIGHT, J.H. GENTRY, F.E. SCOTT, B.F. GRISHAM and Wm. A. SHIBLEY.

A Dyersburg Orchestra furnished the music.  After a four course dinner had been served, all present accepted an invitation to the dance which was in progress at the Opera House.

Among others present at the "Smoker" were Mr. James MORAN, Harry JONES, Harold (sic) MORAN, Mr. THOMASON, J.V. THOMAS, Q. SHUMATE, L.G. NORVELL, N.B. GENTRY, J.H. GENTRY, B.F. GRISHAM, Jno. M. DRANE, T.A. JONES, Kirby MOORE, H. Parks TIGRETT, W.S. RIDENS, Prof. N.H. BRIGHT, F.E. Scott, Wm. A. SHIBLEY and Dr. MAYO.

Newspaper clipping, unknown source.

What is a "smoker" I wondered.  After dissecting the clipping I decided that it had to be something similar to a bachelor party or a "roast" and the HyperDictionary confirmed it for me. James H Moran III and Virginia Shumate were married November 22 1911 in Newbern, Tennessee.  The Smoker was held the evening before and was given in honor of the bridegroom, Jim Moran, by "the young men of Newbern" which just happened to be where the wedding was taking place and where his bride Virginia, lived, with her Uncle Quincy Shumate's family.  Many of the attendee's at the Smoker are also mentioned in the wedding announcement which can be found here. 

I wonder what time everyone made it to sleep that night since they also went on to dance at the Opera House after the Smoker.  It's a good thing the wedding didn't begin until 7pm the following evening!

Dr. Edward Theoderic Haskins Obituary, 1945

Dr. Edward Theoderic Haskins was born April 25, 1874 in Newbern, Tennessee.  He was the son of Dr. Aaron D. Haskins (1852-1892) and Patty Tucker (1854-1881).  Dr. Haskins married Miss Myra Rainey in 1900. They had no children.  Dr. Haskins died June 16, 1945 in Newbern.

I haven't found a family connection between the Haskins and Moran families so am inclined to think that they were friends through Virginia Shumate Moran.   Miss Virginia had lived in Newbern with her Uncle Quincy and his family until her marriage to James Moran.

Dr. E.T. Haskins Dies After Long Illness

Retired Physician Was Lifelong Resident of Newbern

Special to the Commercial Appeal

Newbern, Tenn., June 16--Dr. E.T. Haskins, prominent retired physician widely known and highly esteemed here, died at 9 a.m. Saturday following a lengthy illness (Myocarditis per the Death Cert.).

Services will be held Monday afternoon at 3 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Holman Funeral Home in charge.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.

Born April 25, 1874, Dr. Haskins was a lifelong resident of Newbern, and a member of a pioneer family which first settled the community.  He was the son of Aaron D. and Patty Tucker Haskins.

He received his education at the Newbern public schools, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and graduated from the Medical Department of Vanderbilt University.  Later he attended new York Post-Graduate School.

In 1892, he received an appointment to West Point and was a second lieutenant in Company F, Second Tennessee Regiment.

Dr. Haskins was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and served on the City Board of Aldermen for a number of years.

He was a member of the county and state medical societies, and the American Medical Association.  He also was a member of the Royal Arch Mason, I.O.O.F. Lodge and K. of P. Lodge.

In 1900, he married Miss Myra Rainey, who survives him.  He also leaves a brother, Creed Haskins, a niece, Mrs. J.E. Wilburn of Artesia, N.M. and a nephew, E.A. Nichols of Newbern.

Mrs. Sam B. Wilson Dies - 1939

Before she was Mrs. Sam Wilson she was Paralee  T Wilson.  Her parents were Joseph Wilson and Parmelia Duncan.  She was born August 12, 1848 and died May 10, 1939.  She married Samuel D. Wilson (the newspaper clipping incorrectly said "B") March 9 1873 in Williamson County Tennessee.  They moved to Obion County Tennessee and eventually lived in Newbern, Tennessee.  They had two daughters Laura D. Wilson and Lillie Wilson.

Virginia Shumate Moran her sisters also lived in Newbern Tennessee with their uncle Quincy Shumate and his family.  This obituary was found among the papers of Virginia Shumate Moran.

Mrs. Sam B. Wilson Dies; Funeral Today

Native Tennessean, 90, was Mother of Memphis

Newbern, Tenn., May 10-- Mrs. Sam B. Wilson, lifelong resident of Tennessee and member of one of the most prominent families in Dyer County, died here tonight at 6 o'clock in the home of her son-in-law, Atty, Gen. John M. Drane.

One of the oldest residents of Newbern, Mrs. Wilson had lived here for 54 years and was one of the most active members of the First Methodist Church.

Mrs. Wilson came to Newbern from Obion County, where her husband, the late Sam Wilson, who died 30 years ago, was one of the leading landowners in this section.  She was born at Franklin Tenn.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon in the First Baptist Church of Newbern, with the Rev. H.W. Davis officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Newbern.

Mrs. Wilson leaves two daughters, Mrs. John M. Drane of Newbern and Mrs. H.A. Roop of Memphis; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The Shumate Sisters, ca. 1905

I think this is one of the pictures ever.  The poses are playful, the dresses, hats, furs, and gloves are charming.  I can't imagine having to wear all of these things everyday.

We feel certain these young ladies are Virginia, Maibelle, and Louise Shumate.  They were all born in Kentucky, probably in Garrard or Rockcastle County, but were orphaned.  Their mother, Maggie Adams Shumate, died in 1896 and their father Nathan McClary Shumate died in 1899.  In 1900 they moved to Newbern Tennessee to live with their uncle Quincy Shumate and his family.

Virginia married James Henderson Moran III in Dresden TN in 1911.  Maibelle married Newton Temple Harris about 1907 in Tarrant County Texas.  Louise married Joseph Clay Durway. They also lived in Tarrant County Texas.

The Gentry Family - Newbern Tennessee

Blain and Joe 7/7/54
Newbern Tennessee

Blain and Joe 7/7/54,
Newbern Tennessee

Joseph Helm Gentry

Martha Blain Gentry

We've been able to figure out that Blain and Joe are two of the children of Joseph Collins Gentry and Belle Shumate.  Belle Shumate is the aunt of Virginia Shumate Moran. I'm sure there were quite a few visits back and forth between Newbern and Dresden back in the day!

Nathan Blythe Gentry

Blain married Benjamin Franklin Grisham of Newbern Tennessee.  I can't find any evidence that Joseph ever married.  In addition to Blain and Joe there were two more Gentry siblings, Richard Collins Gentry and Nathan Blythe Gentry.  Like their brother Joe it appears that Collins and Blythe remained single. With the exception of Joseph Collins Gentry, who died in Abilene and was buried there, the other Gentry's lived in and were buried in Newbern Tennessee.

First Cousins Joseph Helm Gentry and Virginia Shumate Moran.