Friday’s Faces From the Past- Phelon and Beverly Clinton Tidwell

I love this blog prompt! Here is my Friday Faces From the Past. This photo was taken in Bessemer, Alabama in front of the now defunct Sullivan-Lewis Lumber Company. The business was located on a full block in Bessemer, and was a forerunner of Long-Lewis Ford, which is still located in the area.

Phelan and son Beverly Clinton Tidwell

My great grandfather Phelan Tidwell (sometimes spelled Phelon) was born September 27, 1847 in Blountsville, Blount, Alabama. He was the second of seven children born to Rowan Tidwell and Cynthia "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell. Just after turning 16 he ran away from home and joined the Confederate Army as a private in Co. B., 19th Alabama Regiment, later attached to Hood's Battalion. He was discharged in April, 1865.

He married Sarah Elizabeth "Bettie" McCullough September 13, 1881.

My grandfather, Beverly Clinton Tidwell was born October 8, 1888 in Perryville, Perry, Alabama. He was the fifth of nine children.  

Since I am named after Beverly, I often wondered why he was given a girl's name. Evidently he wasn't very proud of it, as he was known as B.C. or Clint. It wasn't until I started genealogy research that I discovered he was named after his great grandfather, Beverly Cornelius. That Beverly was born in 1794. I turns out Beverly was used as a man's name back then, but somehow over time it became a woman's name.