George Washington Warnick of Alabama 1855-1949 #52Ancestors #4

George Washington Warnick was born July 27, 1855 in Blount County, Alabama. He was the son of Caleb Rogers Warnick and Sophronia Holley Warnick. He was the oldest of ten children.

George married Mary Della Monk April 8, 1875 in Blount County, Alabama. They had a daughter, Ida Arleva, born April 1877. Mary either died in childbirth or shortly thereafter.

George married Flora Jane Cargo August 12, 1877 in Blount County, Alabama. They had eight children:
Dora born July 26, 1878; Margaret P "Maggie" born October 1879; Mary Alice born July 14, 1883; Eugene Ednor born January 19, 1884; Maude born October 31, 1888; John R. born June 1892; Annie Etta born December 29, 1894; and Willie Ray (a girl) born April 1899.

George was a farmer on most census records. The family is found in 1880 in Smithville, Monroe, Mississippi. By 1900 the family had moved to the Hueytown area of Jefferson County, Alabama.  They remained in the area until after the 1910 census.

Warnick Homeplace

In March of 1910, George was made guardian of the estate of his grandchildren Claude and Ora Cargo. His son-in-law Edmond Cargo had died in the Virginia Mines explosion in 1905.

STATE OF ALABAMA
BLOUNT COUNTY
COURT OF PROBATE

To the Honorable John G. Kelton Justice of Probate of said County; The petitioner of the undersigned, George W. Warnick, respectfully represents that Claude Cargo and Ora Cargo are minor heirs of Edward {actually Edmond} L. Cargo, deceased, that they are of the age of ten years and seven years, respectively, that they reside in Blount County with their mother, Maggie Cargo, the widow of the said Edward L. Cargo, deceased, that the said minors have no father or other legal guardian residing in this State, resident in this County, and have an estate in their own right, situated in this State which is estimated to be worth about Five Hundred Dollars.

That your petitioner is the grandfather of said minors and a resident of this State and now prays your honor that he may be appointed the guardian of the said estate of said minors Claude Cargo and Ora Cargo upon his entering into the bond in such sum as is required by the Statute and with security or securities to be approved by your honor.

Guardian's address.
Bessemer R.F.D. #1

{signed}
G W Warnick
Burgin, Jenkins & Brown Attorneys

STATE OF ALABAMA
JEFFERSON COUNTY

I, George W. Warnick, being duly sworn deposes and say that the facts alleged in the above petition are true according to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
{signed}
Geo W Warnick
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18 day of Mar 1910
1910. {signed} A. J. Smith J.P.

By the 1920 census, George, Flora, and daughter Dora had moved to Boaz in Marshall County, Alabama. By this time Flora was disabled with arthritis. In 1930, George and Flora are living in Calera, Shelby, Alabama with now married daughter, Dora Stonecypher. In 1940, George and Flora were still in Shelby County, and had a housekeeper, Dora Mae Cost (not their daughter Dora). Some time after this census, George and Flora moved in with their daughter, Annie Warnick Brown in Flat Top, Jefferson, Alabama.

Flora died in 1945.

George Washington Warnick at the funeral of his wife Flora

George died November 19, 1949.
WARNICK---George Warnick, age 94, passed away Saturday p.m. at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. A. J. Brown, at Flat Top, Ala., survived by two sons, Eugene and John Warnick, seven daughters, Mrs. Ida Mumpower, Mrs. Dora Stonecypher, Mrs. Maggie Cargo, Mrs. Alice Hamaker, Mrs. Maud Parson, Mrs. Annie Brown, Mrs. Willie Ray Stewart. Funeral services Monday 11 a.m. from Bethlehem Methodist Church. Interment Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Bell directing.
Birmingham News, November 21, 1949, pg 34.

George and Flora are buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Jefferson, Alabama.

Flora Cargo Warnick 1859-1945 #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks-#3

Used by permission of http://www.nostorytoosmall.com/

Flora Jane Cargo Warnick was born October 6, 1859 in Blount County, Alabama to Albert and Sarah Yielding Cargo. She was the youngest of four children. You can read more about Albert here, and about Sarah here.

Flora had a hard early life, as her father died in the Civil War when she was two. She was 18 when she married George Washington Warnick in Blount County, Alabama. He was a widower with a four month old daughter, Ida.

Flora and George had eight children: Dora born July 26, 1878; Margaret P "Maggie" born October 1879; Mary Alice born July 14, 1883; Eugene Ednor born January 19, 1884; Maude born October 31, 1888; John R. born June 1892; Annie Etta born December 29, 1894; and Willie Ray (a girl) born April 1899.

This small pitcher was given to me by my Aunt Mary. It belonged to Flora Cargo Warnick.

At some time Flora became disabled with arthritis. In her later years she was totally bedridden. Her daughters Dora and Annie cared for her.

Warnick Homeplace. Not sure of location.

The Warnick family was interesting to trace in the census. They seemed to move around a lot.
In 1880 they can be found in Smithville, Monroe, Mississippi. George is a farm laborer.
In 1900 they are around Hueytown, Jefferson, Alabama. George is a night watchman.
In 1910 they are still in Hueytown. George is a farmer.
In 1920 they are found in Boaz, Marshall County, Alabama. George is a farmer.
In 1930 they are found in the home of their daughter, Dora Stonecypher, in Calera, Shelby County, Alabama.
In 1940 they are still in Shelby, Alabama. They have a housekeeper, Dora May Cost.
Some time before 1945, they moved in with their daughter Annie Warnick Brown in Flat Top, Jefferson, Alabama.

Flora Jane Cargo Warnick. She had red hair and was bed-ridden for years with arthritis.

Obit of Flora Cargo Warnick

WARNICK---Mrs. George Warnick, age 86, Flat Top, Ala., passed away June 3 at a local infirmary. Survived by the husband, G. W. Warnick; 1 son, Eugene Warnick; 6 daughters; Mrs. J. H. Hamaker, Hueytown; Mrs. A. J. Brown, Flat Top; Mrs. Homer W. Stewart, Sylacaua; Ms. B. H. Mumpower, Rutledge Springs; Mrs. Thomas Cargo, Blountsville; Mrs. D. F. Parsons, Gadsden, Ala. Funeral Services Tuesday 11 a.m. from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Hueytown, Rev. Autrey Powell and Rev. Thomas officiating, interment adjoining cemetery, Bell directing.
---Published in The Birmingham News, Monday, Jun 4, 1945, Announcements/Deaths pg 14

Strangely daughter Dora Warnick Stonecypher not mentioned, nor is her son John R. Warnick.

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Jefferson, Alabama

Sarah Yielding Cargo #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks- #2

Used by permission of http://www.nostorytoosmall.com/

Sarah Elizabeth Yielding was the daughter of John Jasper Yielding and Nancy Billingsly Yielding. According to the mysterious "Yielding Family Bible" that has only been seen as a transcript online: "Elizabeth Yeilding daughter of John and Nancy Yeilding his wife was born on Tuesday the 14 of November 1820". Census records would put the date as correct. Sarah was born in Blount County, Alabama, and was the oldest of six children.

Sarah married Albert Cargo in 1847. They made their home in Blount, Alabama near both of their families. Sarah bore four children: William R. "Cobb" in 1848, Jeremiah Clemons "Clem" in 1851, Nancy about 1856, and  Flora Jane in 1859.

In April 1862, Albert left home to fight in the Civil War (You can read about that here). Sarah was left to care for the farm and the children ranging in age from 14 to 2. Most of the men in the area, including Sarah's brothers and brothers-in law, had gone off to fight in the war. I can almost picture the women in the area banding together to help each other.

The news of Albert's death in July of 1862 must have been a terrible blow to the family. Albert only had a personal estate of $100.00 in the 1860 census, and owned no property that I can find. Sarah filed for Albert's back pay in 1862 and received $53.96 in 1865.

.
Sarah and family were listed in the 1866 Alabama census in Blount County. Things had changed by the 1870 census. The family had split apart. Cobb had married Sarah Lugania Sexton in 1869. They would have four children. He had five more by his second wife, Mattie Aldridge. Cobb was enumerated as a farm laborer, and couldn't read or write. Nancy was living with her maternal grandparents, John and Nancy Yielding, who were in their 70's. She was enumerated as Nancy Congo. I was unable to find Sarah, Clem, or Flora.

Sarah was found again by the 1880 census. Living with her were Jeremiah and the first of his three wives, Almeda Martin, along with his growing family. He would have seven children with Almeda, two with Emma McRae, and nine more with Permelia Coggins.
Flora married George Washington Warnick in 1877. They would have eight children.
I have not been able to trace Nancy after the 1870 census.

Sarah died some time after the 1880 census, and is buried in New Lebanon Cemetery in Blountsville, Blount County, Alabama next to her son, Jeremiah.

As always, if you are related to this family, I'd love to hear from you!

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #1 Albert Cargo of Blount, Alabama

I'm following the blog prompt from No Story Too Small, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

Used by permission of http://www.nostorytoosmall.com/

The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. 
If you decide to play along, don't forget to use the hashtag #52Ancestors

Albert Cargo was born about 1818 in Blount County, Tennessee. He was the son of Samuel Alexander and Sarah Malcolm Cargo. Albert was the second of eight children.
The Cargo family moved to Blount County, Alabama by the early 1820's. Samuel was appointed Constable in Blount County June 24, 1823.

Albert married Sarah "Sally" Yielding about 1847. By the 1850 census, they had a son, William R "Cobb" Cargo. He was born December 15, 1848. Albert was shown as a farmer.
Other children were Jeremiah Clemons "Clem", born March 2, 1851; Nancy born 1856; and my great-great-grandmother Flora Jane, born October 6, 1859.
The 1860 census shows Albert as a farmer, with personal estate of $100.

Albert took up arms for the cause of the south. He mustered in the 48th Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, C.S.A. on April 7, 1862. He went to war leaving Sarah to raise four young children. Flora was only two years old.

From http://hardeesguard.wikispaces.com/

In May 1862, the 48th Alabama went to Auburn, Alabama, and in June moved to Virginia with 1,100 men. Albert never made the trip. He died of fever June 10, 1862 in Auburn. Albert's final resting place is unknown, but possibly Pine Hill Cemetery, Auburn, Alabama.

Mary Gray Danforth Wheat-A Pair of Mules Back a Wagon Off a Bridge -The Result

I introduced Mary Gray Danforth Wheat in the post Augustus Walter Wheat-The One-eyed Merchant of Marthasville.  This post tells the story of her death.

From The Atlanta Constitution, Oct. 5, 1886 -- page 11 Column 2

MRS. WHEAT KILLED.

A Pair of Mules Back a Wagon Off a Bridge -The Result.

By Late grandfather of JGKlein, inherited by father of JGKlein, used with permission [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A horrible accident occurred at Pope's bridge on the Chattahoochee river, ten miles from Atlanta, Wednesday morning, in which Mrs. Augusta Wheat lost her life, and her nephew was hurt, and narrowly escaped death too.
Mrs. Wheat lived about fifteen miles from Atlanta, and at the time she was killed was coming to Atlanta. Early Wednesday morning, Mrs. Wheat, accompanied by her nephew, a young man named Danforth, left their home in a two horse wagon, drawn by two mules. The day was a pleasant one, the roads were good, and as the mules trotted over the road, Mrs. Wheat, nor her nephew had no thought of the terrible calamity which awaited them. In reaching Atlanta it was necessary for them to cross the Chattahoochee river. Their most direct route was by the Pope bridge, and at that bridge the accident happened. A portion of the bridge is covered, and on either side of the roofed portion the sides of the bridge are protected by guards. When the team reached the bridge, the mules hesitated in stepping upon it. Young Danforth pushed them with the whip and they finally stepped upon the bridge, but advanced jumping, prancing, and shieing. Finally they came to the covered part of the bridge and stopped. The young man tried to force them on, but they refused to move forward and began backing. The young man sprang out, and grabbing one of the mules by the bridle, attempted to lead them over the bridge. He succeeded in stopping them in their backward moving and started them through the bridge but after they had advanced a short distance they again stopped and again commenced backing. The young man lost all control of the mules, and in a second they pushed the rear end of the wagon against the guard, which gave way. The instant the guard gave way the rear wheels of the wagon dropped over the edge of the bridge, and in another second the wagon was hanging in the air and the mules were on the bridge. The mules made a desperate effort to hold their own, but were quickly drawn over the edge of the bridge, and together Mrs. Wheat, the wagon, mules, and the young man, dropped into the river, a distance of eighteen feet. The water was not deep, and the instant the young man could regain his feet he began a search for his aunt. The search resulted in finding the lady dead. He carried her to the land, and then secured help from some one near by. The body was removed to a residence, and then several persons joined in recovering the mules and wagon. Both mules were badly hurt, and one of them died soon after he was taken from the water. The wagon was almost completely demolished. Mr. Danforth was considerably bruised by the fall.

There is also a handwritten account as follows:
Mrs. Augusta Wheat D 9/29
Res 15 miles from Atlanta beyond the Chattahoochee River was driving to Atlanta with her nephew F.W. Danforth in a two mule wagon. The team started accross Pope's Bridge on the river but balked and started to back up. The wagon was pushed against a guard post. Danforth having lost control of the team the guard post broke and wagon, mules, Mrs. Wheat and Danforth dropped into the river 18 feet below. Mrs. Wheat was instantly killed. One of the mules was fatally hurt and Danforth was uninjured. He is 50 years old and a well to do farmer of Cobb County. Note: was Mrs. Wheat related to Augustus W. Wheat?

The answer to that is yes. She is actually Mrs. Augustus Wheat. How do I know? Her nephew is Mr. Danforth.

I have searched for quite some time for the location of Pope's Bridge. I finally reached out to a facebook page covering Douglas County, GA entitled Every Now and Then I was delighted that +Lisa Cooper put a great effort into checking out the location for me. Jeff Champion of Champs Clocks was contacted. He is considered an expert about the stretch of the river in question. He started out by finding a map with the names of people living in the area:

Note the Pope families near the river

• From +Lisa Cooper : He is guessing that Pope’s Bridge is at the Highway 78 bridge crossing…the Bankhead Highway crossing. Look at the map he provided me. There were two Pope homes just west on Turner Ferry Road which is Bankhead/78. Turners Ferry was the crossing through the Civil War. I’m told the map was drawn in 1895 and represented folks in the area at that time.

The Georgia Genealogy page on Facebook where I had posted a query jumped into action, finding this article from The American Engineer, Vols 19-20 January 29, 1890:

Thank you to Shanna O'wen and Yvonne Mashburn Schmidt for finding this article!

I forwarded the article to Jeff Champion. Here is the reply:

"I attached a new map. The Howell Green ferry became Queen's ferry and joined with old Gordon Road near Charley Brown Airport. Near to where Six Flags is on the river. Proposed bridge would have been maybe where hwy 139 crosses now. That makes it look more like Green and Pope's bridge WAS in fact hwy 78 bridge location."


A few weeks passed, and I got an email from Jeff Champion:
"Pope's Bridge mystery solved, for real this time
Turners ferry is hwy 78, Howells ferry is at I-20 and Green and Pope's Bridge was old Gordon Road altered slightly when Charley Brown airport went in.

See the circa 1887 map. Sorry my estimate was off. OLD GORDON RD is the answer we were looking for."

Starting at the top, Turner's Ferry is the vicinity of the Current Hwy 78 Bridge. Then see Green & Pope's Bridge which is at or near the Old Gordon Road Bridge. Then see Howell's Ferry which would have been just North of current I-20.

Old Gordon Road doesn't go all the way to the river anymore. The roads were changed when the airport was built. The current location would be on 139, the bridge crossing Mableton Parkway SE and Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW.
This makes sense because if the wagon left Mary's home heading to Atlanta, it would have been in the area. Mary is shown as living in District 1273 in the 1880 Census.

For reference, the location of the bridge would be about one mile upriver from Six Flags Over Georgia.

Mary was the daughter of William and unknown. Her stepmother Mary Egerton Danforth. She was born about 1825, probably in Old Campbell County, Georgia. Her siblings were James, Alziria, Albert, John C, and William M. Her burial place is unknown, but probably in Douglas County, Georgia.

Genealogy T-Ball

Once again I am inspired by +James Tanner 's blog Genealogy's Star: Is Genealogy Inclusive or Exclusive

In the above, James makes the analogy of professional genealogists to doctors and lawyers: "Either it is a profession like law or medicine, highly regulated and exclusionary, or it is a broadly available pastime that invites anyone to participate."

I have a slightly different view...take America's pastime, baseball, for example. Sure, we've got the pros, but we also start toddlers off with T-ball. They progress to Little League, maybe some high school or college. It's up to the individual how far they want to go. Everyone should be able to participate at their own level.

My husband, 1964

All along the way, there are there are mentors, coaches. Thousands attend games to see the pros. Many pros take the time to encourage the younger players, all the way down to the T-ball level. There are also the sandlot games in the neighborhood. If you really want to get down to the basics, you can find games across the world using a board for a bat and a homemade ball.


I think genealogy can and should be that way too. Sure, there are the pros, but then again, there are the kids with heart, trying their best, and getting so much out of the game. A basic knowledge of the rules is gained with experience. If they stick with it, they get better. Maybe the rules are a bit tougher for the pros than they are for the T-ballers, but let's not suck all the fun out of what should be a fun learning experience!

Sibling Saturday-William Neal "Bill" McGowan

My brother Bill was born August 4, 1966 in Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. He was the son of John Raymond Jr. and Anna Tidwell McGowan. He passed away too soon November 8, 2001 at the age of 35 in San Diego, California. He died of pneumonia from a short illness he thought was a cold, but ended up being the flu.
Bill was the youngest child of three. Our dad died when Bill was about 13. Bill attended University of Alabama at Birmingham, and worked for USAA insurance in Tampa, FL. He moved to San Diego after he was recruited by The Hartford. He loved hiking in the desert & jogging.

Published in the USAA Newsletter

I was told by co-workers at The Hartford, that Bill encountered some Mexican boarder crossers in the desert while hiking. They were lost, hungry, thirsty, and had no shoes. Bill gave them directions, food, water, and the shoes off his feet.

The world needs more like Bill. I miss him dearly!

What did your people do? Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief...

Today it is Labor Day in the US. I was looking through some of the occupations in my family tree, and there are quite a variety of occupations...Butcher, Baker, no candlestick maker though.

Farmer
Butcher
Grocer

Graves of Sehoy and Red Eagle

Chef
Server
Telecommunications Consultant
Telephone Operator
Service Rep
Event Planner
House Painter
Photo Engraver
Copy Cutter
Coffee Roaster
Tire Retreader
Overseer
Bricklayer
Maurer
Coal Miner
Shipfitter
Fork Lift Operator
Call Center Manager
Night Watchman
Navy Officer
Midwife
Planter
Tax Collector

Ray Norman

Miller
Merchant
Post Office Clerk
Social Security Office
Secretary
Laborer, Driving Team
Minister
Rope Manufacturer
Flax Scutcher
Mechanic
Genealogist
Livery Stable Owner
Machinist
Flax Dresser
Engine Driver
Threshing Machinist
Puddler
Sausage Worker
Sports Reporter
Carpenter
Door to Door Salesman
Realtor
Music Teacher
FBI
CIA
Locomotive Fireman
Taxi Driver
Molder in Pipe Shop
Stenographer
Factory Girl
Nurse
Oil Derrick Hand
Ferry Owner
Blacksmith
Cabinet Maker
Postmaster
Homemaker
Cooper in Barrel Factory

John Norman

Pipe Fitter
Servant
Probation Officer
Truck Driver
Teacher
Printer
Bookkeeper
Home Economics Teacher
Jeweler
Sheriff
Shot Firer
Millwright
Doctor
Surveyor
Baker
Kitchen Maid
Fireman
School Principal
Radio Station General Manager
Oil Millionaire
Locomotive Engineer
Hoisting Engineer
Cameo Carver
Railroad Agent
Police Officer
Able Seaman
Munitions Worker
Dairyman
Sawyer
Paper Maker
Laundress
Country Music Star and Actress
Tailor
Husbandman
Dentist
Restaurant Owner
Attorney
Optician
Steer Roper
Boiler
Rolling Mill Worker

Wilson Naval Store and Turpentine Still

Turpentine Distiller
Turpentine Laborer
Wood Chopper
Mail Carrier
Ship Carpenter
Steel Guitar Player
Deputy Sheriff
Well Digger
Merchant Marine
Knight
Pharmacist
Saw Mill Worker
NASA Rocket Scientist
Tool Grinder
Sheep Herder
Creek Indian Chief
Princess of the Wind Clan
Forrester
Justice of the Peace
Cement Worker
Sewing Machine Operator
Veterinary Surgeon
Thread Repairer

 image is in the public domain

Construction Worker
Plumber
Flagman
Clerk
Plasterer
Coal Vendor
Cargo Checker
Saw Filer
Steam Fitter
Building Contractor
Cafeteria Worker
Oil Field Laborer
Railroad Brakeman
Peddler
State Senator
Judge
Firewood Vendor
Cordwainer
Inventor
Dressmaker

Some of these occupations are no longer in existence. I wonder if someone will be saying the same about our current occupations in another hundred years?

Baby Book of John Raymond McGowan, Jr.-West End Birmingham, Alabama 1932

..but is was a gift

Yes, it's pink..

You can click on pictures to enlarge

Top left is an invite to a party at 3:30 o'clock on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 2005 Jefferson Ave for Ann Eliz Sudd---ter

John Raymond McGowan, Jr. Age 8 months