1893 Letter of Recommendation

When Fannie Moran chose an occupation she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Sophia Riley Gunn Moran, and became a school teacher.  Even though the Moran's were financially well off the Moran children were expected to attend school, have a career and if possible, get married.  In March 1893, Fannie was 20 years and 4 months old.  Having completed her education she was now looking for employment and needed letters of recommendation,

Reverend William Thomas Harris was the nephew of Tennessee's Governor Isham G. Harris who served from 1857-1862.  William's father, Reverend George Washington Davidson Harris, was Isham's older brother.  William's mother was Elizabeth A. Dewitt.  William T. Harris was married to Mary Woods and had several children with her.  After she passed away in 1873 he married her sister Georgia Woods and they also had children.  The Woods family was from Carroll County Tennessee.  On a side note...the Moran's had Harris relatives in Carroll County, Harriet Harris (Fannie's Grandmother) who married James Henderson Moran (Fannie's Grandfather). In addition, Haywood Harris (Harriet's brother) married Elizabeth Hairston Woods.  I mention this because I believe that the Moran family is related to Isham G. Harris.  I just haven't stumbled across the ancestor in common as yet.

Reverend W. T. Harris thought highly enough of Fannie to provide her with a very nice letter of recommendation:

"W.T. Harris
Presiding Elder
Union : City : District,
Martin, Tenn, March 23rd 1893

I take pleasure in saying I have known Miss Fannie Moran for a number of years.  She is of one of the best families in the South.  She is well educated & in my judgment, well qualified to teach in any of our schools.  I recommend her most cheerfully."

It's very possible when he says Fannie is qualified to teach in any of "our" schools that he meant a school affiliated with the Methodist Church as he was a Methodist Preacher and the Moran's were Methodists.

When Rev. Harris passed away there was an obituary in the Nashville Christian Advocate, 1902:

Reverend William (Will) T. Harris born Gibson co., Tenn., May 13, 1833; licensed to preach in Methodist Church, summer 1852; nephew of Governor Isham G. Harris, Tenn.; served in General Forrest's command, CSA, Civil War. Doctor of Divinity degree bestowed upon him by Trinity College, N.C., in 1877; married (1) Mary Woods, 1854; 6 children; she died in 1873; (2) Georgia Woods, one child (died infancy); died in Jackson, Tenn., Oct. 13, 1901; burial in Martin, Tenn.  Surviving children were Mrs. Lillian Dickard, Texas; Mrs. Annie Hayden, Jackson; Rev. Edmond Sidney Harris, Clinton, Ky.

James H. Moran IV, 1931 High School Graduation. Part 2

The previous blog entry about James H. Moran IV featured his picture and congratulatory cards for his high school graduation.  Young Jim had the responsibility of giving the Salutatory speech at the graduation ceremony.  We have his handwritten speech with strikethroughs and corrections included.  In addition we a complete copy of the commencement exercises for the Dresden High School class of 1931.

Page 1, draft Salutatory speech

Tonight is the summary of a twelve year chronicle.  We are considering things in retrospect, but we are thinking most of the future.  Modern youth is very out-spoken in fact the truth is too great that way. in that direction older critics consider the trend too great that way.  But the graduation of every graduation senior class in history, the speeches/addresses made at the occasion, have lauded it (each class) as the best.  We do not deceive ourselves.  This school or any other school has never produced a senior class in which every senior here lived/fulfilled up to the expations (sic) of his friends.  We recieve (sic) from life just what we put into it. contribute to life.  We are not trying to discourage ourselves, but are only looking at things as they really are/actually exist.  If we decieve (sic) our selves now, we are hurting our selves injuring in the future.  Now is the time to consider and profit by our mistakes of the past and draw conclusions/there from wisdom which will govern our future actions.  We are not going out  just launching into life and High school is not a place to prepare for life/ completion of lifes preparation.  We have been living in high school and as we have done things here we will be inclined to do their act in the future.   If we have formed bad habits already it is not to late to correct them but this correction will become more difficult every/each day.  As we look back we realize that we should/could have studied more.  We should have been more considerate of our teachers and school mates.  We are not discouraged by past mistakes.  We visualize the future with confidence and trust that every fate may carry, we shall always reflect credit and honor for our Alma Mater.

Page 2, draft salutatory speech

The Commencement Exercises covered a period of several days.  One night there was a Musical Recital, another was the Senior Play.  Jim was in the senior play, the Smiling Cow, as Uncle Ben Billinger.  There was also a Declamation Contest, Baccalaureate Sermon and the final day is the Senior Graduating ceremony.

James H. Moran IV, 1931 High School Graduation. Part 1

James Henderson Moran IV was born April 7, 1913 and passed away December 30, 2000.  He was the eldest child of James Henderson Moran III and Virginia Shumate.  Jim graduated from Dresden High School in 1931.  The graduation brochures and cards were found at the Moran family home in Dresden, Tennessee.

James Henderson Moran IV
I believe this is his graduation picture.

Mrs. Charles Henry Cobb was his aunt Marion Moran

Side two of card from Marion.  "I am so proud of you and
feel sure the future holds great things in store
for you. Devotedly,
"Aunt Marion"

From Mrs. Eula Chandler and
Mrs. Mary Padgett

Front Cover of the Card from "Dot"

Inside Cover of the Card from "Dot"

Sentiment page of card from "Dot"

Card from Mary Sue Mooney, side 1. She was
the daughter of Rev. Wellborn Mooney and
Sue Dromgoole Mooney, the local school
teacher.

Dear James:-Under separate cover I am sending you a little package full of every good wish and sincere congratulations.  I wish I could see you graduate.  I heard such golden good things about you when I was in Dresden last summer that it made me very proud of you. Remember me to the whole family.  I hope to see you this summer. With Love, Mary Sue Mooney.  Arkadelphia, Arkansas May 15, 1931

Card from Mary Sue Mooney, side 2

From Lester and Maude McCuan.  At one time the Moran's and McCuan's
co-owned an automobile dealership in Dresden Tennessee.

The Dreadnaught was the name of the High School paper.  We have the complete issue, this one is from February 1931.  You can see that James Moran was the paper's Business Manager.

The next blog will be a continuation of this one.