Politics and Christmas Greetings, 1912

Luke Lea was an attorney and Democratic United States Senator from the state of Tennessee.  He was also the first editor and publisher of The Tennessean and a leading proponent of prohibition.  

Lea's political career and work with The Tennessean went hand in hand with that of Fannie Moran Ezzell and her husband, Jim Ezzell.

Fannie served as Tennessee's legislative chairman for the American Women's Suffrage Association during ratification of the 19th amendment.  Later she was asked to join the Democratic National Committee and became Tennessee's first woman to hold a position with the DNC.  In addition, she worked at the Nashville Banner as the society editor. Fannie belonged to the Centennial Club, the Ladies Hermitage Association, Belmont Magazine Club and the Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jim had been a member of the agricultural committee of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for many years and also the Cumberland Valley Association.  His obituary in The Tennessean, June 23 1941, says "He was a potent force in the political organizations of the county and state, although he stood for public office only once." I think the list of honorary pallbearers attests to his place within the political community of Nashville: Albert Houston Roberts (Gov. of TN 1919-1921), George Armistead Sr. (Editor in Chief, Nashville Banner),  Judge Colin P. McKinney, Attorney Miller Manier, C. C. Flannery (Agriculture Commissioner), Judge Litton Hickman, Judge Finis Garrett of Washington DC to name a few.

It wasn't surprising to find a Christmas card from Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lea to Mr. and Mrs. James B. Ezzell.

Post-Civil War Roster Co. I 31st Tenn Reg C.S.A. by 1st Lieutenant J.W. Moran

Yesterday was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, a battle in which John W. Moran participated and was wounded.  We think the photo taken by Theodore Schleier of Nashville is the earliest that we have of the Moran patriach. Schleier had his own studio in Nashville about 1863 and had completely removed to Knoxville by 1867. Based on that information we believe the photo dates from about 1866.

The following information was documented, post-war, by John W. Moran, 1st Lieutenant, Co. I 31st Tenn Reg. C.S.A. and was transcribed by his great-grandson, Kent Moran, back in the 1990's. At that time Kent was cross-referencing information from the list with information found in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol II.  Recently we took another look at the transcription and have started adding additional information from other sources such as Findagrave, Fold3, Ancestry.com etc.  The information here will be updated as we find information about the men in the unit.   We have the original document and will scan it once we find it in our ever growing collection of Moran files.  

In addition to the information about the unit, J.W.M. also documented the history of the Company's Battle flag which can be found here.

Key: The numbering was on the original document

X indicates listed in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol. II
? indicates unknown in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol. II

Other sources are noted in the body, i.e. Fold3, Ancestry.com, IOOF etc)

** indicates my own note regarding the individual

COMPANY I 31ST TENN REG C.S.A. 

J.W. Moran enlisted Sept 19, 1861

SOLDIER and HIS FATE

1. Captain Thomas L. Bell, Discharged (X) 

(Fold3- Age 29, enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine, Discharged May 20 1862. Roster dated Oct 6, 1863-Missionary Ridge, W.V. Sims was elected at the reorganization instead of Capt. Tom Bell. **Possibly the son of Pulaski Botts Bell and Sarah Lacey Nailing, distant cousin of J.W. Moran.)

2. 1st Lieutenant James C. Simmons, Resigned (X)

(Fold3- Age 36, enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine. Resigned March 24 1862, Simmons resigned "owing to disease of the bowels which produced Piles" which he believed made him unfit for further service.  **J.C. Simmons appears in the 1860 Census for Dresden Tn, age 34, occupation Constable, birthplace Kentucky.  Also in the household: Berilla (Browning) Simmons, age 35, South Carolina and Susan Simmons, age 8, Tennessee. Family trees on Ancestry.com indicate he died Dec. 2 1877 in Weakley County TN. Appears in IOOF Ledger Book, page 189.) 

3. 2nd Lieutenant William Sims, Killed at Franklin (X) (Same as #4 in the Reorganized section)

Reorganized

4. Captain William V. Sims, Killed at Franklin (X) (Findagrave Memorial.  (Fold3- enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine.)  **Pre-War he was the postmaster at District 10, Weakley county.

5. 1st Lieutenant John W. Moran, Wounded at Perryville and Franklin and served through the war (X)

6. 2nd Lieutenant John W. Montgomery, Discharged (X)

(Fold3- Enlisted September 17, 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant May 8 1862. Appears on Roster dated Oct 6 1862, Missionary Ridge.  Tendered his resignation citing health reasons Dec 21 1862 supported by W.T. Wills, Surgeon 31st Reg Tenn Vols.  Montgomery suffered from chronic disease of the large intestines/diarrhea.  Discharged Feb. 3 1863. Age 27 years on roll dated May 12 1863 near Shelbyville.)  **Believe this is possibly the John W. Montgomery that married Unity Emeline Phillips in Weakley County in 1863.  He died in 1914 and was interred at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Gleason. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and ordered to duty on April 1 1863.

7. 2nd Lieutenant James P. Thomason, Captured after New Hope 1864 (X)

(Fold3- Name variations Thommasson, Thomasson. Enlisted Oct 23 1861, Trenton Tenn by Capt. Johnstone and/or Esqr Irvine. Company Muster Roll for May/June 1862 says he was sent to the hospital at Jackson from Corinth. Company Muster Roll for Aug 31 to Dec 31 shows he mustered in as a private and on March 28 1862 was elected to 2nd Bvt. Lieutenant and relieved from duty Aug 25 1862. Age 21 years on a Company Muster Roll dated May 12 1863 near Shelbyville.  Appears on a Company Muster Roll for Oct 6 1863 Missionary Ridge. Captured near Kennesaw Mountain June 23 1864.  Name on Roll of Prisoners Jas. P. Thomason.  Appears as James Thompson as a Prisoner of War received at Louisville, Ky.  Discharged Johnson's Isle, July 15 1864. He was released on oath June 15 1865 from Louisville.  On his Oath of Allegiance he listed Paris Tenn as his place of residence, age 23, complexion light, hair dark, eyes grey, height 5'8".) **There is a James Thomason born in 1841, son of Richard Lee Thomason and Elizabeth Smith living in Paris, Henry County, Tennessee.  He appears in the 1850 and 1860 Census with his parents and siblings.

8. 3rd Lieutenant L.B. Edwards (sgt), Served through War, Resident, Gainesville Texas 1900 (X) 
(Fold3- Enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn by Esqr Irvine.  Mustered in as Sergeant mustered out as 2nd Lieutenant.  Appears on a note in the record of John W. Montgomery, 2nd Lt. L.B. Edwards elected to fill vacancy left by resignation of John W. Montgomery Feb 1863.  On a May 12 1863 Muster Roll his age is listed as 18.  On an undated card he was relieved of duty by "the illegal consolidation of the 31 & 33 Regt Tenn vol" and ordered to report to Brigadier General Pillow.  In Sept/Oct 1863 he was on detached service and again in Jan-April 1864.  He resigned May 10, 1864 because he was a supernumerary officer and wanted to enlist "in a company of supernumerary officers as scouts in Genl. Forrest's command,")  **Records are ambiguous, seems there was more than one Berry Edwards, but believe this may be the Little Berry Edwards tha married Kate H. Caurthers on March 17 1875 in Weakley County TN.  Appears in the 1880 Census for Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas at the age of 35, occupation banker.  His wife Kate is 23.  Others in the household: Maggie Rice, age 10 niece; H.G. Edwards age 28 brother and a merchant; G Edwards age 20 brother also a merchant.  An L.B. Edwards was listed as a stockholder in the Dresden Bank.

9. 1st Sergeant Thomas Brown (pvt), Died in Hospital August 1862 (X)

10. Pvt. William W. Bookout, Wounded twice at Perryville (X)

11. Pvt. John B. Bookout, Wounded twice at Perryville (X)

12. Cpl. James F. Blakemore, Killed at Perryville (X)

13. John Brannon (Pvt J.H. Brandon), Unknown. Possibly killed at Perryville (X)

14. Pvt C. Bullock, Killed at Perryville (X)

15. Pvt. Sterling G. Biles, Served through war (X)

16. Jesse (Pvt Jesse Burrus), Died in Hospital (X) (?)

17. Pvt. James L. Castleman, Joined the scouts and killed (X)

18. Pvt. Car E. Callison, Wounded at Perryville and Deserted (X), (A Co. Bradfords Cav. Pvt.)

19. Sgt. Field and Staff William M. Crawford, Wounded at Perryville and served throuh war (X)

20. Pvt. William R. Clark (D Co.), Deserted (X)

21. James Covington, Discharged (?)

22. Pvt. William E. Deason, Unknown (X)

23. Pvt. Edward R. Frazier, Died at Columbus KY Feb 1862 (X)

24. Pvt. William R. Fifer, Wounded at Perryville (X)

25. Pvt. John F. Featherstone, Served throughout war (X)

26. John Eastridge, Deserted (13th Cav E. Co.) (X) (?)

27. Pvt. Milton G. Grimes, Died at Tupelo Miss (X)

28. Pvt. W. Haden Grimes, Wounded at Perryville (dead or deserted) (X)

29. Cpl. J.P. Grooms, Unknown (X)

30. Pvt. Coon E. Grooms, Died at Tupelo Miss (X)

31. Thomas Grissom, Died in Hospital at Tupelo Miss, (Possible name variations-

      Pvt. W.T. Grisham or Pvt. R.C. Grisham) (X)

32. Pvt. W.S. Greer, Unknown (X)

33. Sgt Benjamin F. Howard, Served thoughout war (X)

34. Pvt. John Harper, Unknown (X)

35. C.C. Hucker or Haden, Killed at Perryville (?)

36. Pvt. Archibald M. Hughes, Deserted (1st Cav K Co) or (19 Cav G Co.) (X)

37. Pvt. Dock E. Harmon, Died.  (Actually deserted (X))

38. James Jones (James Jones Pvt co.), Lost in the Cumberland Mountains (Possibly JJM Pvt G Co 31st Inf)

39. Pvt James S. Lynch, Deserted or Lost (X)

40. Harry Mulligan, Unknown (?)

41. James Mulligan, Killed at Perryville (?)

42. Sgt. Horrace B. Morgan, Killed at Perrville (X)

43. Cpl. T.R. Mangrum, Wounded at Perryville (X)

44. Pvt. W.N. McDuffie, Took the oath in Prison (X)

45. J.W. McCallister?, Killed at Perryville (?)

46. Cpl James T. Marcus, Unknown (X)

47. Pvt. M.L. Mayo, Discharged (X)

48. Pvt. James T. Marshall, Discharged (X)

49. Cpl. John E. Nunly, Killed at Perryville (X)

50. Sgt. Peyton B. Northcott, Died

51. Pvt. John Parks, Served through war (X)

52. Pvt G.W. Parks, Served through war (X)

53. Pvt. James C. Priest, Lost (X)

54. Drew M. Parsley (F Co.), Served through war (X)

55. Pvt. John W. Porter, Died at Columbus Kentucky

56.  Pvt James Phelps, Unknown (X)

57. Pvt Chris M. Rodgers, Died in Miss 62 (X)

58. Pvt. Mat. W. Rodgers, Killed at Murfreesboro (X)

59. Pvt. J.W. Rambo (Possibly I.W. Rambo), Captured at Chickamauga (X)

60. Pvt. H.W. Rambo, Served through war (X)

61. Pvt. William R. Redick, Killed at Perryville (X)

62. Wiley Redick, Killed at Perryville (?)

63. John Richie, Unknown (?) (Possibly J.P. Richie 13 Cav Sgt)

64. Jack Sullivan (Possibly T.J. Sullivan Co. F. Pvt, Died at Trenton, (X)

65. William Sullivan, Discharged (?)

66.  Pvt. John F. Sims, Wounded and discharged (X)

67. Erskin T. Somers (Sgt B.E.), Wounded at Perryville, Killed in East Tenn (X)

68. Pvt. J.W. B. Taylor, Died in Miss (X)

69. Pvt. H.A. Vaughn, Died at Trenton (X)

70. Pvt. E.C. Wright, Served though war (X)

71. Pvt. H. William Williams, Died in Miss 62 (X)

72. Pvt. John F. Watts, Wounded and died near Atlanta or Athens '64 (X)

73.  Pvt. Huey J. Williams, Discharged (X)

74.  W.C. Williams, Deserted (X)

75.  Pvt. Tip B. Walker, Unknown (X)

76. Doc Welch F.E. Pvt, Deserted (Francis E. K Co. 6th Cav)

77. Pvt. Rufus H. Welden, Discharged (X)

78. William Yeargin (W.B. Yergan Pvt I Co), Deserted (?)

79. Pvt. E. Dock Harmon, Deserted, Actually he was killed (X)

The following names did not appear on J.W.'s roster but are listed in Tennesseans in the Civil War vol. II

Pvt. Joseph W. Hammond, I Co. 31st

Pvt. W.H. Hammond I Co. 31st

Sgt. Quarter Master J.T. Hancock 31st

W.T. Harbert 31st Inf

E. Harmon Pvt. I Co. 31st

The Webb School, Carr's Baseball Team 1897

During his school years Jim Moran III attended several educational institutions, The Webb School being one of them.  Here's a photograph of Carr's Baseball Team, 1897, at The Webb School in Bell Buckle Tennessee.  It's annotated on the back side and I've provided links to those findagrave memorials that I believe represent the men in this list:

1. Matt McFerrin, "S", Nashville Tenn

2. Cozz Constanstine, "F", Birmingham Ala

3. George Boynton, "SS", Atlanta GA

4. James Moran, "P", Dresden Tenn

5. Felton Gill, "RT", Clarksville Tenn

6. Frank Carr, "C", Fulton KY

7. Bermin Knop, "LF", Bell Buckle Tenn  

8. Caleb Rooker, Spencer, Tenn

9. John Clary, "CF", Bell Buckle Tenn

10. William Booth, "TB", Sheffield Ala

Jim Moran is third from the left, behind the seated fellow.

Irvine and Gleeson Land Transactions 1875

I came across receipts for land purchases between Agnes and B.D. Irvine and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Gleeson

$1000.00 Rec'd of Mrs. Agnes Irvine
one thousand dollars on this note June 1st 1875
E.C. Gleeson Jo. H. Travis
Rec'd of Mrs. Agnes Irvine balance payment
in full this note June 25th 1875 E.C. Gleeson

and Joseph H. Travis

Agnes Irvine was John W. Moran's sister and the wife of B.D. Irvine.  

Elizabeth Clary Travis (Gleeson) was the daughter of Major Edward Travis, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and his first wife Lucy Jones Worsham.  Elizabeth was born about 1807 and died 1890.  She was first married to Gaines F. Clark, M.D. about 1829.  After his death she married William W. Gleeson. The Gleeson name appears in different sources as Gleason/Glisson/Gleeson.   

$1000.00 Twelve months after date we promise
to pay to the order of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Gleeson one
thousand dollars for value received in land
This July 26th 1875
Agnes Irvine B.D. Irvine

This was not the first marriage for William Gleeson either.  His first wife was Mary Amelia Pulliam. Their children were: Mary Amelia Gibson who married Calvin Job Rogers, Margaret E. Gleeson who married Andrew Maloan.  William Gleeson was not a poor man. He was the recipient of numerous land grants in the 1830's.  In 1844 he was appointed U.S. Postmaster at Dresden Tn.  In 1850 his value is listed at $12,000 and he owned 15 slaves ages 1 to 80.  In the 1860 slave schedule census he is the owner of 22 slaves ranging in age from 1 year to 55 years old.  William died in 1867.

$1000.00 Rec'd of Mrs. Agnes Irvine One
Thousand Dollars as payment in full of this note
this Oct. 4th 1875
E.C. Gleeson
Jo. H. Travis

In the 1870 Census Elizabeth was still residing in Weakley County, District 7.  This time her name appears as E.C. Gleason. Her real estate and personal estate are valued at a total of $5000. Elizabeth is 60 years old and widowed.  She has no children but she is by no means alone. The Civil War is over and it seems that many of the former slaves stayed in the Gleeson household:

William A. Gleeson, age 30, black, farm laborere

Analiza Gleeson, age 20, domestic servant

Marha M. Gleeson, age 10, black, domestic servant

Lucy F. Gleeson, age 5, black, at home

Charles A. Gleeson, age 2, blacks, at home

Caroline Gleeson, age 45, mulatto,  domestic servant

Mary E. Gleeson, age 20, mulatto, domestic servant

Katie S. Gleeson, age 17, mulatto, domestic servant

Adline H. Gleeson, age 14, mulatto, domestic servant

Callie L. Gleeson, age 10, mulatto, domestic servant

$1000.00 Two years after date we promise to pay
to the order of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Gleeson One
Thousand dollars for value received in land.
This July 26th 1875
Agnes Irvine B.D. Irvine

In 1880 Elizabeth is living with her sister-in-law Amanda Hicks Travis and several niece's and nephews in Henry County.  Amanda was the wife of Elizabeth's brother Robert Ludson Travis who died in 1869.

Side notes: Joseph Hutching Travis' name appears below that of Elizabeth on the receipts. Perhaps he was helping her or was a partner in the land deal. Joseph was her younger brother.  Martha Maria Travis is the half sister of Elizabeth and was married to Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris. Isham is a Moran 1st cousin 5 times removed which means that Elizabeth Clary Travis Gleeson is also a distant cousin through the Harris family.

"Butten shoos" and the Death Penalty

We have a post card, dated 1908, from a young Hope Hart to "Miz Virginia Moran".  When Hope grew up she left Dresden and moved to Washington DC where she worked in the offices of elected Tennessee officials on the Federal level.  It was always nice to have a local girl in DC when someone from Dresden needed a political connection!  However, on September 1, 1908 she was just a 10 year old girl writing a postcard about her visit with Brud Moran and sealing it with a kiss (S.W.A.K.)

Sept 1 1908

dere Miz Virgina

i shure am having a big time while i am hear.  Mister brud is shure nise i like his butten shoos and his rubber tar bugy.

forever yure frend

hope hart

On the front side of the post card is the Dresden home of Duke Cayce Bowers.   I didn't know anything about Duke Bowers but I do now.  Duke was born in Mobile Alabama in 1874, the son of Calvin Thomas Bowers and Ida C. Cayce.  His mother died when he was still a young boy in 1879.  His father Calvin died in 1895. 

In 1893, at the young age of 15, Memphis City Directories show Duke living in Memphis and working at Bowers & Co with Walter E. Cayce in business together as cider and vinegar manufacturers. John E. Bowers was listed as a Travel Agent with the same company. 

In the 1900 Census Duke is living with his aunt and uncle, Enis and Lydia Bowers, in Hickman Kentucky. His occupation is Merchant Grocer.  On October 24 1900 Duke married Ethel Gibbs in Weakley County.   

The 1903 the Memphis City Directory shows that Duke is back in Memphis with his family living at 237 Vance and working, most likely owning, the Little New Grocery.

Their daughter Ida is born in 1905.  By 1910 the Bowers family is living on Pauline Street in Memphis where Duke is still in the grocery business.  

Duke Bowers appears continuously in Memphis City Directories through 1917.  In the 1915 Directory he has a total of 43 grocery stores in Memphis!!!  It appears that he and his wife moved back to Dresden in 1916 because the city directories indicate Dresden as his residence.   

In 1917 Duke died of "cerebral apoplexy" and was interred in Sunset Cemetery.

But what did Duke Bowers believe in besides building a successful grocery business?  It's not often we know

anything except facts gleaned from government records about those that came before us.  But with Duke Bowers we know he believed in God and was against the death penalty so much so he took his fight to the Tennessee Legislature.  

In 1913 he was the author of  a brief entitled Life Imprisonment vs. The Death Penalty which was submitted to the 58th General Assembly and to the Judiciary Committee for the State of Tennessee.  

From page 31:

Duke C. Bowers, retired grocery merchant of Memphis, has returned to Nashville to resume his fight for the passage of a bill in the Legislature abolishing capital punishment in Tennessee.  Mr. Bowers is entering into the fight with great enthusiasm, and is making a telling campaign among the legislators and with the public. Largely through his efforts the issue of capital punishment has been brought before the people of Tennessee, and will be kept before them until after the bill in the Legislature is passed or defeated...

Page 61:

Duke C. Bowers' Argument Against Capital Punishment.  The first case of murder of which we have any record was that of Cain killing Abel.  In this instance God himself was the judge, the jury, and the whole court.  He did not put Cain to death, neither would he allow the people to do it....

Christ came and changed the old law, "an eye for an eye," declaring that vengeance belonged to God....  The difference in the teaching of Moses and Christ was that Moses shed his enemies' blood, while Christ shed His own blood for his enemies.

Page 62:

Because we are Southerners is no reason why we should favor lynching or hanging.  Christianity should be the same all over the country.

Page 64:

There are people in the North who think that we of the South are a lot of hot-heads, blood-thirsty murderers.  Let us abolish capital punishment and show these people that they are mistaken.

Page 95:

REJECTED.

After an arduous and expensive campaign...Mr. Duke C. Bowers. of Memphis and Dresden, saw his bill to abolish capital punishment in Tennessee defeated by much larger odds than he was prepared to expect.

Page 95 and 97:

FIGHT NOT ENDED, SAYS DUKE C. BOWERS

My fight to abolish the death penalty is not ended, and the abusive language heaped upon me by some of the opponents to the measure is not going to stop me.  "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.  I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."

Duke C. Bowers,

Dresden Tenn., February 28

Will C. Cantrell, 1866 - 1944

This obituary of Will Cantrell was among the papers of Virginia Shumate Moran.  This branch of the Cantrell's were from Sumner County, Tennessee and made their way to Texas in 1877.  The story reminds me very much of the trip made by Martha Moran and her husband Rufus Scott when they made the arduous trip to Texas in 1858.

I know Will married a woman named Bessie M.  My best guess is that her last name is McLean because one of their sons was named William McLean Cantrell and in the 1920 Tarrant County Census the family is living next door to the A. McLean family.  On an interesting side note Quincy Shumate married Louise Elizabeth McLean so perhaps that's family connection. 

Will's brother was Robert Caruthers Cantrell and is listed in the "Makers of Fort Worth".  Like his brother Will he was an avid horse lover and was in business with Will at the Forth Worth Undertaking Company.

August 12, 1866 -
March 3, 1944

Will Cantrell, Noted Horse Judge, Dies
Will C. Cantrell, 77, one of the Southwest's most beloved horsemen and a resident of this county since frontier days, died Friday afternoon at his home, 2300 Primrose.  He had been ill about three months.

Known widely for his keen judgment of horses, he was in frequent demand as a horse show judge and for approximately a decade was manager of the horse department of the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show.

This year's exposition will be the first he has missed since the start of the institution in a hodge podge showing of livestock under a tree nearly a half-century ago.  He was a familiar figure as ringmaster for many years.

For 45 years, Mr. Cantrell was manager of the Alta Vista farm, north of the city and moved to the Primrose Street home after the sale of the farm a few years ago.

At the turn of the century he operated the Cantrell Brothers Livery Stable, at Third and Throckmorton, with a brother, the late R.C. Cantrell.  Renting fancy carriages and fine horses, the business thrived until advent of the automobile in numbers.  An effort to turn the livery stable into a garage business was made, but motors were not horses, and the venture was short-lived.

Another business in which he engaged was the old Fort Worth Undertaking Company, Texas and Lamar, nearly 20 years ago.  But livestock was his interest, and horses were his love, and it was in that field that he was most widely known.

Son of a Tennessee horseman of note, Henry Cantrell, he came to Tarrant County with his father in 1877, as a lad of 10, in a covered wagon party comprising 19 men and boys.  The Cantrells settled near Birdville.  His birthplace was Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee--Aug. 12, 1866.  As a boy he attended classes at the old Birdville school.

He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and member of First Methodist Church.  Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 4. p.m. at Ray Crowder Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Survivors include his widow; two sons, R.A. Cantrell and W.M. Cantrell, all of Fort Worth; a sister, Mrs. A.R. Schell of Tulsa, Okla; a brother, G.S. Cantrell Sr.; a half-brother, C.C. Cantrell; two half-sisters, Mrs. Clyde Helm and Mrs. Lizzie Gibson, and a grandson.  Robert Cantrell Jr., all of Fort Worth.

Photo Friday - Valerie Etheridge Moran 1885

Frances Valerie Moran was the daughter of John Vallee Moran and Emma Etheridge, born September 2 1881 and died April 19 1906 in Detroit Michigan.  She married Emory L. Ford.

Emerson Etheridge

I'm just beginning to explore this branch of the extended Moran family but I can tell you that Emma Etheridge was the daughter of Emerson Etheridge a Tennessee Congressman elected as a Whig and his wife Fanny A. Bell.  The Etheridge's lived around the corner from Moran Place in Dresden Tennessee. John Vallee Moran was the son of Charles Moran III and Justine McCormick.   He fought in the War of 1812.  He was an Associate Justice of the Wayne County Circuit court and a member of the first state constitutional convention among other things.

This photograph was found among the photographs and papers in Moran Place. 

1929 Dresden High School Football Team

We can thank James H. Moran IV for hanging onto this photograph and I'm really appreciative that he annotated the back with the names of the folks in the picture!  By the way, he's in the front row, third from the left.

Front Row, left to right: **please note that there are six people in the front row, James only listed five names!)

Joe INGRAM, Wilson KILLEBREW, James MORAN, Shannon FISHER, George MONTGOMERY

Second Row, left to right:

Clyde STRAWBRIDGE, Gene SHAW, Aubrey  GALLIMORE, Ralph BRANN, Delbert PALMER, Warren HEARNE, Luke Lee HILLIARD, Bill MAYO, C.V. COOPER

Third Row, left to right:

Press CALVERT, Snooks SMITH, Jim STRAWBRIDGE, Prof. W.W. CHURM, Norman HALE, "Cotton" DEASON, "Shiek" FERGUSON

This is a closeup of the 1929 football being held by Delbert Palmer.

The letter sweater is being worn by Clyde STRAWBRIDGE.

Here's the backside of the picture with the annotations.

The Kudzu Experiment of 1916

"Two new growths: namely the Kudzu vine and Himalaya vine, were taken up experimentally last spring.  From what information this office has secured about the kudzu vine it is hoped that good results may be obtained from it.  It is a legume with a very deep root system which builds up its own soil to fertility.  Its very heavy growth of vines is said to produce a most abundant and valuable hay for stock.  The vines when running along the ground take root at the knuckles like the sweet potato vine, and from these knuckle-roots new runners grow out in the spring.  Thirty land owners are experimenting with a few roots sent them and in a year or two some definite information can be secured concerning their value in reclaiming waste lands.. The object is to try them out to prove their worth."  (Source: The Resources of Tennessee vol. 5, Jan 1915.)

"During the years 1915 and 1916, the efforts of the Forester, Mr. R.S. Maddox, were exerted along the lines of practical forestry and educational work.....Roots of the kudzu plant, a little known perennial legume, were sent to 30 farmers to try experimentally on waste land.....A forestry exhibit was made a the State fair, and at the Knoxville and Dresden Fairs." (Source: The Resources of Tennessee vols. 7 and 8,  January 1917.)

Kudzu, under ideal conditions, can grow up to 60 ft each year and apparently the southeastern United States provides those ideal conditions.  Herbicides do very little to hold it back and some even make it grow better!!  I don't know if the MORAN's participated in the great Kudzu Experiment (I get the impression they didn't) but here's proof Mr. MADDOX encouraged them to take part!  It appears that C.H. MORAN had questions about Kudzu and the ability to get rid of it if he didn't like it on his farm as well as other concerns.  Mr. MADDOX said he would get more information and get back with him.

Letter number 1

State of Tennessee
State Geological Survey
Forestry Division
Nashville

A.H. Purdue
State Geologist

R.S. Maddox
Forester

April seventh, nineteen sixteen

Mr. Harold Moran,
Dresden, Tenn.

My dear Mr. Moran:

I am desirous of trying a new experiment on reclaiming waste lands, and hope you are willing to take part in it.  The kudzu vine is a legume, and grows rapidly where I have seen it.  It is said to furnish excellent feed for stock.  I secured my information from a nurseryman, Mr. J.H.H. Boyd at McMinnville from whom I secured the roots, and also from a circular which he gave me relative to it.

I am sending you, under separate cover a bundle of six roots, which I wish you would set out on some of your waste land, first preparing the place well before you set them out about 15 feet apart and put a shovel full of manure with the dirt well mixed in each hill.

I am much interested in this project, and am sending these roots out to those whom I trust will plant them in the interest of their gullied lands.  I shall endeavor to visit you as early this year as possible to see the experiment.

Very truly yours,
R.S. Maddox
Forester.
RSM/EC.

Letter number 2
State of Tennessee
State Geological Survey
Forestry Division
Nashville

A.H. Purdue
State Geologist

R.S. Maddox
Forester

April tenth, nineteen sixteen

Mr. Harold Moran

Dresden, Tenn.

My dear Mr. Moran:

The kudzu vine so far as I can learn is a new introduction into this country from Japan, and a legume, having nodules on its roots.  I found this at the nursery of Mr. J.H.H. Boyd, McMinnville, Tennessee.  It occurred to me that this vine would be a good thing to experiment with, in reclaiming waste lands.  Mr. Boyd said he knew one vine to grow 70 feet in one year.  The vine runs along the ground and takes root at the knuckles, somewhat similar to the sweet potato vine.  I asked Mr. Boyd if he thought this plant would be hard to get rid of if the farmer wished, and he then showed me two or three rows of nursery stock growing where he had the kudzu vine the year before, and there was no sign of any vine.  

I have sent these roots out as experimental and hope those receiving them will give them careful attention, as they may prove of great value.

Mr. Boyd also says that stock are very fond of the vines, although they contain a good deal of woody substance.  If possible I shall collect more information from the growers of this vine, and mail it to you.

Very truly yours,

R.S. Maddox

Forester.

RSM/EC.

Commencement Exercises 1889, A Florentine Mosaic

I can only guess that this invitation belonged to one of the Moran girls, most likely Fannie Moran.  I know she and Ida Moran attended Mrs. M.E. Clark's Select School for Young Ladies and were probably friends with the ladies mentioned in the announcement.

Commencement Exercises

of Mrs M.E. Clark's
Select School for Young Ladies,
At Watkins' Hall, Nashville, Tenn
Wednesday Evening, June 5 1889,
8 to 9:30 o'clock.

"A Florentine Mosaic,"
By the Class of 1889

Miss Mary Porter WEAKLEY, Tenn
Miss Claribel R. TURNER, Tenn.
Miss Elizabeth P. MCDANIEL, Mo.
Miss Sara H. GLASGOW, Tenn.

Conferring of Honors by the President of the 
Board of Advisers,
Dr. Charles Forster SMITH





Mary Porter Weakley was the daughter of Thomas Porter WEAKLEY and Harriet Helen MOORE.  She is related to Robert Weakley, a politician and representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives.  Weakley County Tennessee was named after him.

Without more information I am not able at this time to discover who the other ladies might have been.

Rose of Texas & the Violet of Tennessee, 1900

This article was among the papers of Fannie Moran.  James Moran III, was the "Gallant Son of Tennessee" who gave the speech prior to the concert given by Miss Effie CHISUM and Fannie.  He covers everything and everyone from the Alamo, Davy CROCKETT, Sam HOUSTON and James K. POLK.   I'm sure all of you Texans out there feel indebted to us Tennesseans since we "furnished most of the blood and iron that carved that splendid empire from the wilderness" known as Texas.  But, let's be fair.  James H. MORAN III was a lawyer and it's a lawyers job to put together a bunch of fancy words.  He certainly did that.  So much so that it pretty much overshadows Miss CHISUM and Miss MORAN.   However, at the end he did seem to remember those two "true representatives of that noblest womanhood that ever trod the earth."

The Weekly News - 
Paris, Texas June 15 1900

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

Were Those Spoken by a Gallant Son of Tennessee.

The following are the remarks of a brilliant young lawyer of DRESDEN, Tennessee, in introducing Miss Effie CHISUM, of PARIS, upon the occasion of a recital given there by herself and Miss MORAN, whom she is visiting:

Ladies and gentlemen:

Tennessee loves Texas.  Next to the smiling valleys, the sun-tipped hills, and the great green mountains of our own native state, perhaps the dearest land on earth to the hearts of all Tennesseeans (sic) are the blossoming plains that spread beneath the blended blue sunny skies of happy, hearty, wholesom Teexas (sic).

We love to boast that we furnished most of the blood and iron that carved that splendid empire from the wilderness; we love to tell that Tennessee blood was shed in her behalf, that Tennessee gave her sons to be broken on the wheel of war in order that the flag of Texas might float free in the Heavens; love to tell how that empire was cemented with the blood of our sons and the tears of our daughters.

We of this section are especially wont to tell how Davy CROCKETT, a pioneer of our county, went from the halls of the national congress where he represented our district, out into the wilderness and poured out his rich life blood at the ALAMO in behalf of Texas Freedom and Texas glory.  We are proud to boast of how Sam Houston, who had resigned the governorship of Tennessee, crossed into the wilds and led the magnificent fight that gave to Texas a station among the nations of the earth and gave to the flag of the single star an immutable glory and immortal place in history.  And then we love to tell how that distinguished Tennesseean (sic) became the first president of that new republic, how he founded and grounded its liberties, how he dominated its institutions and how he brought it as an offering to the United States--how he gave to this nation a broad empire; and how under the influence of the election of James K. POLK, another distinguished Tennesseean (Sic), as president of the United States, the offering was accepted and that splendid star was placed in its proper position amid the galaxy of bright stars that beamed and twinkled and gleamed in the ensign of the republic, how that people became our people, and our flag became their blood, and our spirit became their spirit.

And then we love to tell how hosts of Tennesseeans (sic) crossed the rolling river that sings its way to the shimmering sunlit summer sea and reclaimed the wild and conquered the wilderness, making it blossom as the rose, how they cultivated the loamy land and made the white cotton flourish on the plains and the green corn to tremble in the valleys, how they founded splendid cities and builded beautiful temples, and erected magnificent institutions of learning to shed their light upon civilization and illumine the pathway of the race.  And greater than all, how they founded and builded happy homes around which cluster the roses of purity and love, where culture and refinement thrive and bravery and beauty are bred.

And on account of our love for Texas and our chivalric regard for its sweet, noble womanhood, we are delighted to welcome among us tonight a charming daughter of that fair, dear land, whose mind reflects the culture of noble institutions of learning and the refinement of exalted society, whose eyes reflect the blue of her native Heavans (sics) and whose cheeks reflect the beauty and bloom of her own sweet prairie blossoms.

If Texas owes Tennessee aught for services rendered in establishing her eternal glory, then our little city as an integral part of Tennessee is justly due a portion of that obligation, and tonight this fair daughter will pay at least the interest upon that indebtedness.  Doubtless when she shall have finished we will all feel that the balance should be struck and the ledger closed, for she will have paid the debt, principal, interest and cost.

But I for one am opposed to closing the account.  I favor keeping it open that she may come again and again and make payments, and if she refuses to do so, then I favor sending some one to the state of Texas to sue.

Let her be "sued" under Texas statutes, for there we may collect 12 percent interest whereas, here the law will allow but 6 per cent.  Surely she would not plead the "Statute of Limitation" in a matter of this kind.

Side by side with her I have the pleasure to present also a fair daughter of our own dear Tennessee--one whom we all know and appreciate for her rare beauty, for her accomplishments and talents, for her nobility of character and for her splendid virtues.

I might present one as the Rose of Texas, the other as the Violet of Tennessee, or one as the Blossom of the Prairie, the other as the Lily of the Valley, but this dignifies the flowers too much.  I prefer to present them as what they really are--true representatives of that noblest womanhood that ever trod the earth with dainty foot--sweet southern womanhood that hath exalted us and made us great and placed us in the vanguard of the world's development and progress.  The sweet southern woman who sits upon a pedestal of honor erected out of a nation's love and around whom clusters chivalric knighthood and the tender touch of her white hands, the tender prayer of her pure soul, the tender influence of her sweet love, makes that knighthood worthy to wear the whitest rose.

I present these young ladies with pleasure, and I say unto you that if Eve were half so fair and half so gracious as either of these, the I fancy Adam sighed but little, though in gaining her he lost the Paradise of Eden.

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss CHISUM, of Texas; Miss MORAN, of Tennessee.

Carolyn Elizabeth Cobb, circa 1914

This little girl with the enormous bow in her hair is Carolyn Elizabeth Cobb, my husband's cousin once removed.

She was the daughter of Marion Moran of Dresden Tennessee and Charles Henry Cobb of Union City.

She married Joseph Linton Godown of Memphis in 1938.

I love her sideways glance, the absurdly oversized bow and the tassle hanging from her sock. Even though she's dressed so prim and proper her eyes scream imp!

Carolyn was born in 1907 and passed away in 1997.

Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams, 1843-1881

Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams
Original Tintype

Mary Elizabeth Cummins Adams
Reproduction from tintype

We were chatting with a relative and said hey, do you know anything about this tintype and he promptly says yes, I have a copy of it.  This is Mary Elizabeth Cummins, daughter of Amanda Carson and Stephen Cummins of Kentucky.  She married Cyrannus W. Adams in 1860 in Rockcastle County Kentucky.  She was born July 1843 and died August 6, 1881.  She is my husbands great great grandmother.

Mary Elizabeth
Cummins as
a young girl.

Cyrannus W. Adams
Her husband.

Her obituary appeared in the Interior Journal August 12, 1881.  "The inhabitants of our little village were greatly startled and then filled with the most profound sorrow last Saturday evening by the announcement that Mrs. C.W. Adams, wife of one of our most prominent merchants had been found dead in her bed.  She had been in ill health for a long time, but was feeling better than usual when she retired the night before.  She was a victim of heart disease.  Mrs. Adams was a most estimable lady, greatly esteemed by all that knew her.  She leaves two children, Gaines and Maggie, who, together with the bereaved husband and father, have the sympathy of the community in their affliction."

Stephen G. Cummins

Amanda Carson, Stephen's first wife
and mother of his children.

These are her parents, Amanda Carson and Stephen G. Cummins.  His death notice appeared in the Interior Journal, Nov. 5, 1880.  "Died at his residence, in this county, October 28th, 1880, Stephen G. Cummins, aged nearly 65 years.  Mr. Cummins was one of the very best citizens this county has ever had.  He was born here and his entire life was passed in this county.  More than 35 years ago he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he remained a devoted Christian until his death.  His notable traits were uprightness in business affairs, pure morals and a generous disposition.  Two children, Mr. W.C. Cummins and Mrs. C.W. Adams, and his widow (Jane Bodle, his second wife) survive him.  He was a father in Israel, and his loss will be deeply felt.  The entire community sympathize with the bereaved relatives."

Methodist Missionary Couple Identified, 1890 Kobe Japan

Willard Elmer Towson and his wife
Emily/Emma Hatton and daughter
Manie Cooper Towson.  Kobe Japan June 1890.
Manie was born in Healdsburg, CA, Dec 3, 1889.
According to the announcement in the paper she was
"a 10 pounder!"

Several months ago I had come across an entry in the Dresden Enterprise dated June 29, 1883 that said "Miss Emma Hatton of Nashville, assistant state librarian, is visiting her cousin Mrs. J.W. Moran."  Neither my husband nor I had ever heard of any Hattons in his family tree so I filed the information away for another day in order to follow more pressing leads in the Moran family genealogy.

On November 3, 2011, I had posted an image of a man, woman, and Japanese child taken in Kobe Japan, 1890, and posted it to The Victorian Hoarders blog.  The picture was taken by a rather famous Japanese photographer named S. Ichida.  We had no idea who the people were.  Friends? Family?  Missionaries was a sure bet but other than that, no clue.

Brig. Gen. Robert Hatton

Then last night I came across the Enterprise entry again and wondered who Emma Hatton was and how she was a cousin to Sophia Riley Gunn Moran.  So I took a few minutes to see what I could dig up. I wasn't able to find their ancestor in common as yet but  I did find that Emma Hatton had married Willard Elmore Towson, a Methodist Preacher, and that the couple had spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as Missionaries, along with Emma's mother Sophie K. Reilly Hatton. Sophie Hatton was married to General Robert Hopkins Hatton.  There is an excellent article about General Hatton including genealogical information about his parents, siblings, wife and children.

Sophie K. Reilly Hatton

According to the Handbook of Methodist Missions published in 1893, Rev. W.E. Towson and wife of the Pacific Conference arrived February 20, 1890 as part of the missionary reinforcements for Kobe Japan.  "In addition to the duties of Treasurer, Brother Towson had charge of Osaka Circuit.  Four regular services were held each week.  He had a class of bright young men who met daily for Bible study."  His wife was not able to devote time as a full missionary due to taking care of and schooling their three children.  However, according to the obituary of her mother that appeared in the Confederate Veteran her mother, Sophie Hatton, took over the duties of schooling her grandchildren so that her daughter Emily could fully embrace and enter life as a full missionary.

Bells and whistles were going off all over the place for me.  I immediately was struck by the similarity of names for Sophia K Reilly and Sophia Riley Gunn.  The next thing I remembered was a picture taken in Japan of a missionary couple that I had written about in November.  I think it is safe to say that the couple in the picture is Willard Elmer Towson and his wife Emma Hatton Towson.  On a side note, census records list her as Emily H. Towson.  Emily was probably her given name but she was probably called Emma by family and friends.

With that mystery cleared up I am now on the trail of the Moran/Gunn/Reilly/Hatton family connection.

A New Year, A New Look

Just a small sample of the many hats the Moran women owned.

I started the Moran blog May 29, 2011.  Since that time I've posted 149 entries, with this one being the 150th!  The vast amount of information is overwhelming at times.  Sometimes too much information is a curse and not a blessing!

With 2012 just a few days away I decided to change the background and spruce it up a bit with some font color changes.  The new background picture was snapped in the attic of the Moran house in Dresden.  Every box is a surprise package and this one contained a lot of women's hats.

Charles H. Moran's Stetson.

Today hats are worn for special occasions such as weddings and funerals but at one time it was considered disgraceful for people to appear in public without a hat and gloves.  Only the lowest of people went bareheaded.  We found hats in the attic and boxes of hats in several closets.  There were drawers filled with gloves as well.  The hats date from the early 1900's to the 1950's.  Hats were not just an adornment for the Moran women as we also found many men's hats as well.

This Stetson and hatbox belonged to Charles Harrell Moran.  He wore size 6 and half.

Season's Greetings from Jenny Lind York, 1931

This Christmas card was sent to James Henderson Moran IV in 1931 from Jenny Lind York of Memphis, Tennessee.  

Season's Greetings to All of You

From The Moran's of West Tennessee

December 24, 2011

Annie L. Lewis, Oct 1882, Knoxville, Tennessee

Annie L. Lewis
Oct 1882

The subject of this picture is Annie L. Lewis.  It was taken in October, 1882.  We know this because she was very thoughtful and wrote not only her name on the back of the picture but the city, Knoxville, TN and the month and year, Oct. 1882.  In addition she noted the photograph was "for Sweet Sophie".   The Sophie she is talking about is Sophia Riley Gunn Moran, the wife of John Williamson Moran.  

  

I don't know if Annie was a distant relative of Sophia's or if she was just one of her many friends.  Census records indicate that there was an Annie Laurie Lewis who was born in 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Her parents were Joseph Flavius John Lewis and Laura Mitchell.  Annie died December 6, 1948 in Knoxville.