Lizzie McNamara McGowan 1868-1919 #52Ancestors #11

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Cecelia McNamara was born in Pennsylvania June 3, 1868. Her parents were Daniel and Jane McKinzie McNamara. Both parents were born in Ireland. I have not been able to find a definite match for birth or census records. There was a Daniel McNamara that was a saloon keeper at 6365 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh in 1887. There was a Dan who was a laborer residing at 6359 Penn Ave in 1888 and 1889. Maggie and Mary were dressmakers at the same address. There was a Lizzie McNamara who was a dressmaker on N Canal in 1882. More research is needed.

Update! The family was found with the last name as McNamor living in Clarksville, Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1880.

Dan Mc Namor 39 Coal Miner Ireland
Jane Mc Namor 39 Ireland
John Mc Namor 15 Ireland
Mary Mc Namor 13 Pennsylvania
Lizzie Mc Namor 12 Pennsylvania
Kate Mc Namor 10 Pennsylvania
Ella Mc Namor 8 Pennsylvania
Allice Mc Namor 5 Pennsylvania
Annie Mc Namor 3 Pennsylvania
Sarah Mc Namor 5m Pennsylvania

Lizzie married Patrick McGowan September 28, 1888 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

Marriage of Patrick McHowan and Lizzie McNamara. Lizzie's father Daniel gave consent.

They had nine children:
Mary Ann born June 26, 1889 and died September 20, 1890
Thomas James born 1891, married Ora Barfield
Ella Mary born March 28, 1893, married George Clark Davis
Daniel John born December 23, 1895, married Ruby Wells
Alice C born March 12 1898, married Lyman Faith Stribling
Joseph Sylvester James born January 23, 1900
Francis Andrew "Frank" born May 5, 1906, married Ethelyne Blanche Oliver
John Raymond born November 9, 1908, married Georgia Mildred Fratoddi
There was also another child born after 1900 that died before 1910.

The family moved to West End Birmingham, Alabama about 1896. They are found on the 1900 census:

1900 Jefferson County AL, 9th ward

Patrick H, Head, age 39, b Mar 1861, in PA, says father born PA, mother Ireland, occupation Puddler Rolling Mill, can read & write, rents home
Lizzie, wife, age 35, B June 1864 in PA, 6 children, 5 liviing. Father & mother born Ireland, can read & write
Thomas J, b March? 1891 in PA, age 9
Ella, b May 1893 in PA, age 7
Dannie, son, b Dec 1895 in PA, age 4
Alice, b March 1898 in AL, age 2
Joseph, b Feb 1900 in AL, age 4/12 (4 months)
Gus Myrlen (boarder)
Joseph Schoclere? (boarder) (I wonder if this is Schilleci?)

The 1910 census:
McGowan, Patrick H 50 M W PA Parents born Ireland,Tax Asser for County, Rents home
Lizie, wife 42, married 21 years, 9 children, 7 living, born PA, parents Ireland
Thomas, son 19 born PA, Clerk Barber Supply
Ela, daughter 17 born PA
Daniel, 14 born PA, Machinist Railroad
Alice 12 born AL
Joseph, 10 born AL
Francis, son 4 born AL
John 1 6/12 born AL
Severly?, Edward, roomer, 60, born Ireland, Parents Ireland, Labor Railroad

Lizzie died at home November 1, 1919 from cancer of the stomach. Her youngest child John would have been only nine years old.

Lizzie was buried in Southside Catholic Cemetery in Birmingham. The University of Alabama at Birmingham purchased the cemetery property to build the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Everyone in the cemetery was moved. I have not yet been able to locate Lizzie's final resting place. Elmwood Cemetery says she is not there. Forrest Hills is supposed to be searching, but has not to date called back with results.

By Chris Pruitt (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Patrick Henry McGowan of PA and AL 1861-1924 #52Ancestors #10

Patrick Henry McGowan was the oldest child of eight born to James and Bridget Conlon McGowan. He was born March 21, 1861 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I wrote to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and obtained the following baptismal record:
St. John the Evangelist (South Side) Baptismal Records

Patrick, born 22 Mar 1861; baptized 31 Mar 1861; father: James McGown; mother: Bridget Conboy; sponsors: Albert Griffin, Anna Conlon

The 1870 census shows
1870 PA Census ALLEGHENY > E BIRMINGHAM BORO:
Series M593, Roll 1293 Page 574
James, age 36, Iron Pudler, value of real estate 1000, personal estate 100, born Ireland, father & mother of foreign birth, US Citizen.
Bridget, age 33, keeps house, born Ireland
Patrick, age 9, born PA
Mary, age 6, born PA
Joseph, age 4, born PA
Michael, age 8/12, born PA, Sept
Townloe, Mike, age 23, laborer, born Ireland

As you can see, Patrick followed his father into the ironworking profession.
The 1880 census:
James McGowan Self M Male W 42 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Bridget McGowan Wife M Female W 40 IRE Keeping Bdg House IRE IRE
Patrick McGowan Son S Male W 19 PA Boilers Helper IRE IRE
Mary A. McGowan Dau S Female W 16 PA At Home IRE IRE
Joseph McGowan Son S Male W 13 PA Wks In Rg Mill IRE IRE
James McGowan Son S Male W 5 PA IRE IRE
Thomas McGowan Son S Male W 2 PA IRE IRE
James Conaway boarder S Male W 40 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Edwd O'Malley boarder S Male W 30 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
William Riley boarder S Male W 36 IRE Boiler IRE IRE

Patrick married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Cecilia McNamara September 28, 1888 in Pittsburgh. They had nine children:
Mary Ann born June 26, 1889 and died September 20, 1890
Thomas James born 1891, married Ora Barfield
Ella Mary born March 28, 1893, married George Clark Davis
Daniel John born December 23, 1895, married Ruby Wells
Alice C born March 12 1898, married Lyman Faith Stribling
Joseph Sylvester James born January 23, 1900
Francis Andrew "Frank" born May 5, 1906, married Ethelyne Blanche Oliver
John Raymond born November 9, 1908, married Georgia Mildred Fratoddi
There was also another child born after 1900 that died before 1910.

Patrick is found in J. F. Diffenbacher's Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities. 1889/1890
pg 760
McGowan, Patk, pud, 2518 Larkins ay (alley)
(pud is an iron puddler)

1890/1891
McGowan, Patk H, pud, 2928 Harcums ay

1888/1889
McGowen, Patk, helper, 144 s 25th

1891/1892
McGowan, Patk H, pud, 2514 Larkins ay

By 1900, Patrick had moved to Birmingham Alabama, presumably because of the ironworking opportunities in the booming city. He moved about 1896 based on birthplaces of children.
1900 Jefferson County AL, 9th ward (West End)
Patrick H, Head, age 39, b Mar 1861, in PA, says father born PA, mother Ireland, occupation Puddler Rolling Mill, can read & write, rents home
Lizzie, wife, age 35, B June 1864 in PA, 6 children, 5 liviing. Father & mother born Ireland, can read & write
Thomas J, b March? 1891 in PA, age 9
Ella, b May 1893 in PA, age 7
Dannie, son, b Dec 1895 in PA, age 4
Alice, b March 1898 in AL, age 2
Joseph, b Feb 1900 in AL, age 4/12 (4 months)
Gus Myrlen (boarder)
Joseph Schoclere? (boarder) (I wonder if this is Schilleci?)

The family was still in the 9th Ward of Birmingham in 1910. Patrick had become the tax assessor for Jefferson County (Surely that's what a Tax Asser is!)

McGowan, Patrick H 50 M W PA  Parents born Ireland,Tax Asser for County, Rents home
Lizie, wife 42, married 21 years, 9 children, 7 living, born PA, parents Ireland
Thomas, son 19 born PA, Clerk Barber Supply
Ela, daughter 17 born PA
Daniel, 14 born PA, Machinist Railroad
Alice 12 born AL
Joseph, 10 born AL
Francis, son 4 born AL
John 1 6/12 born AL
Severly?, Edward, roomer, 60, born Ireland, Parents Ireland, Labor Railroad

Patrick's wife Lizzie died November 1, 1919. By the 1920 census, Patrick's mother had come to live with the family:

Nineteenth Street
McGowen P H 55 M W PA
Tom 27? Salesman Barber Supply
Dan 24 Carpenter Steel Plant
Alice 21 Operator Phone Co
Joe 20 Labor ? Co
Frank 13, ? boy, ? Co
pg 249
John 11
Bridget, Mother, 85 born Ireland
(Patrick's married daughter Ella is in the next household.)

Patrick died May 31, 1924. He was buried in Southside Catholic Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. That would normally be the end of his story...but the University of Alabama at Birmingham purchased the cemetery property to build the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Everyone in the cemetery was moved. I'm currently trying to locate Patrick (and Lizzie"s) final resting place. I hope to have an update soon.

If you are realated to this McGowan family, I would love to hear from you.

Artemesia Wheat Carter of GA and AL 1853-1923 #52Ancestors #9

Artemesia Elizabeth Wheat was the third of eight children born to Augustus Walter Wheat and Mary Gray Danforth Wheat. She was born November 22, 1853 in Campbell County, Georgia. She was known as Artie.

Cover Illustration taken from the cover of Harper's Weekly, September 7, 1861 

Artie grew up in a wealthy household in the old south. Her father was a merchant in Atlanta before she was born, and later an attorney and judge in Campbell County. The 1860 census shows

Wheat, Augustus W 39 M W GA
Occupation Atty at Law Property 12000, Personal 7000
Mary G 35 F
Frances M 14 F
Henry C J 13 M
John C 11 M
Artemissa 6 F
Harry W 2 M (Harvey, married Julia Morris)
3 slaves...a 45 year old female and two children, both 7 years old, male and female.

Artie's father died in 1868. I believe she is Olta in the 1870 census. 

Her mother's household:

1870 GA Campbell Co., Campbellton, PO Powder Springs, Roll M593_139, Pg 33, dwell 1101, lines 20-26, July 24th
Wheate, Mary, 56, keeping house, $1000, $200, GA, cannot read or write
Wheate, John, 21, farm labor, can read & write
Wheate, Olta?, 18, female, domestic servant, GA, cannot read or write (possibly Artie)
Wheate, Harvey?, 12, farm labor, GA
Wheate, Gilbert, 11, GA (Augustus Gilbert, actually 8, married Carzolia Lee 'Lela' Richardson)
Wheate, Anna, 8, GA (actually 11, married a Hammond, and then Joe Privett)
Wheate, Alza, 4, female, GA (married William Henry Bice)

Artie married Thomas Kendrell Carter December 19, 1873. The marriage is recorded in Douglas County.

I have not been able to find the family in the 1880 census. Per Familysearch's Pedigree Resource File Thomas died December 21, 1881. I have no idea how Artie and her children survived after Thomas' death. Her youngest child would have been less that three weeks old, and the oldest was six.

Their children were:

Mary Agnes Frances born February 18, 1875. She married Walter Millwood;

Lela Ann born April 19, 1876. She married James Benjamin Blackwell;

Samuel Thomas born July 13, 1877. He married Mary Alice Warnick;

Augustus Felton born November 7, 1878. He married Mary Ella Franklin;

William Jackson "Jack" born December 3, 1881. He married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Salter.

Artie moved her family to Jefferson County Alabama. They are found in the 7th Precinct in 1900, which would later become Hueytown.

CARTER ARTIE E 45 F W GA born November 1855
Widowed, 5 children with 5 living, she, father & mother all born in GA.
In Household:
Samuel T 27 born July, 1878
Lela A, 23 born April 1877
Augustus, 20 born November 1880
William J, 19 born Dec 18__ (shows age 17, which should be 1881)
All children shown born in GA
All males list occupation as coal miner
Birth year seems to be a year off

Based on birthplaces of children they moved to Alabama after Thomas died. I'm not sure what led the family to Alabama other than the coal mines.

Artie was living with her sister's family in Cullman County, Alabama in 1910.
Privitt, Joe, Head, 46, Marriage 1, Married 19 years, born Illinois, parents born unknown, Farmer
Privitt, Annie, wife, 49, Marriage 2, 4 children, 3 living, born GA, Parents GA
Hammond, James A, step-son, 23, single, self and parents GA, Laborer-home farm
Carter, Atie E, Sister-in law, 56, widowed, 5 children, 4 living, self and parents born GA

In 1920 Artie had moved back to Georgia and was living with her daughter's family:
1920 > GEORGIA > FULTON > COOKS DIST (North West Atlanta, about 3 miles west from downtown)

Series: T625 Roll: 253 Page: 169
Hall Street, 143/146

MILLWOOD WALTER S 49 M W GA Occupation: Carpenter, house, Parents born GA
Millwood, Mary F, wife, 44, self and parents GA
Heath, Roberta F, niece, 11, self and parents GA
Heath, Beatrice, niece, 8, self and parents GA
Carter, Artie E, mother in law, 66, widowed, self and parents GA

Artie then moved to Blount County, Alabama, presumably living with her daughter Lela Carter Blackwell until her death January 25, 1923. She is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Blountsville, Blount, Alabama.

Photo by Kimberly Crawford

Sarah Elizabeth McCullough Tidwell of Alabama 1857-1913 #52Ancestors #8

Sarah McCullough was born January 3, 1857 in Perry County, Alabama to Gabriel J. and Mary Meggs McCullough. She was the oldest of five children.. She was also sometimes known as Martha and Bettie.

From my cousin Sandy Mathis Grods

In the 1860 census, her family was living in Severe, Perry, Alabama. By the 1870 census, both her parents were dead. Gabriel is presumed to have died in the Battle of Selma, Alabama in 1865. Mary may have died in childbirth of the twins, Thomas and James, in 1863.

Sarah was living in Perry County with William Edmonds and family in 1870. No close family connection is known at this time. Age is indexed as 20, but if you look at the original, it is 10. All the other McCullough children were living with various different relatives.
William Edmond M 90y
Parmelia Edmond F 45y
Margaret Edmond F 20y
Tracy Edmond F 18y
Cromwell Edmond M 17y
Rachell Edmond F 13y
Amos Edmond M 10y
Sarah Mccullough F 20y (10y)

I have not found Sarah in the 1880 census.
Sarah married Phelan Tidwell September 13, 1881 in Jefferson County, Alabama. Martha is crossed out, and Bettie did not have the Ts crossed, so all the indexes show Billie McCulla. Phelan is indexed in the Marriage Book as Phelan Ridwell.

Jefferson County Marriage Book Vol 9 Pg 424

Phelon (or Phelan) and Sarah raised a large family of nine children:
McKesterson "Kess" born July 9, 1882
Zada Belle born December 1883
Zola Mae born March 1885
Martha Jane "Mattie" born August 1886
Beverly Clinton born October 8, 1888
Ella Debaugh born September 22, 1890
Madeline Virginia born 1891
Phelon Thomas Young born July 22, 1894
Deforest born July 25, 1898

Tidwell family about 1891
From left: Zada, Phelan, Ella, Kess, Beverly, Sarah, Mattie, Cynthia "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell, and Zola

The family lived in Perry County until after the 1900 census. They had moved to Bibb County by the 1910 census.

Picture in Sandy Grods collection

TIDWELL
Blocton Enterprise, Thursday, 14 August 1913
A SAD DEATH
Mrs. Phelan Tidwell died at her home near Big Springs on Friday evening about
six o’clock from a second stroke of paralysis. Mrs. Tidwell had lived eight years in the
community in which she died, and was never heard to speak a harm word of anyone, and
she was ever ready to assist those in distress or in need of sympathy. She lead a model
Christian life in the church, at home, and in the neighborhood, and none had aught but
kind words to speak of her. She was known in this place, and it was with deep regret that
her friends here learned of her death. Of Mrs. Tidwell it can be said that truly a good
woman has gone to her reward. The remains were interred at Mt. Carmel cemetery
Saturday evening, Rev. J. L. Busby officiating. She leaves a husband, four sons and four
daughters to mourn her loss, to whom we extend deepest sympathy.

Funeral of Sarah McCullough Tidwell from Sandy Grods collection

Sarah is buried in an unmarked grave in Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama

Beverly Clinton Tidwell of Alabama 1888-1955 #52Ancestors #7

Beverly Clinton Tidwell was born October 8, 1888 in Perryville, Perry County, Alabama. He was the son of Phelan and Sarah Elizabeth McCullough Tidwell. He was the fifth of nine children. He was known as Clint or B.C.. He was named Beverly after his great grandfather, Beverly Cornelius, and/or his uncle, Beverly Cornelius Tidwell..

Phelan Tidwell Family. Beverly is 5th from the left.

Perry County was one of the few counties in the US to have a surviving census from 1890.
1890 Census Perryville, Perry Co AL Beat 8
Series: M407 Roll: 1 Page: 15

Phelan Tidwell, Head, Age 44, Born AL, Farmer, can read & write
Elizabeth, 33, 5 children born, 5 living, Born AL, can read & write
McKetron (McKesterson) , son, age 9, born AL
Zada, daughter, age 7
Zola, daughter, age 5
Martha J, age 4, daughter, born AL
Beverly C, age 2, son, born AL

The 1900 census was a challenge. Everyone in the family was listed with the last name Phelon.
Oldtown, Perry, Alabama
Series: T623 Roll: 36 Page: 191

Phelon, Tidwell 53 M W AL Sept 1847, 57, Married 19 years, Farmer
Phelon, Sarah E, Dec 1857, 42, 9 children, 8 living, born AL, Father TN, Mother AL
Phelon, Kessie, July 1882, 17, Farm Laborer
Phelon, Zada B, Dec 1883, 16
Phelon, Zola M, Mar 1885, 15
Phelon, Mattie J, Aug 1886, 13
Phelon, Bevley C, Oct 1888, 11
Phelon, Ella D, Sept 1890, 9
Phelon, Phelon, July 1894, 5
Phelon, D. Forest, July 1899, 11/12

The family moved to Kingdom in Bibb county by 1910
Philan Tidwell 64
Bettie Tidwell 53
Clinton Tidwell 21
Ella D Tidwell 19
Phelen Tidwell Jr. 15
Forrest Tidwell 10

Clint served in WWI in the Alabama Wagoner Supply Company, 89th Infantry.

Clint Tidwell, WWI

Clint became a house carpenter and built many houses in Jefferson County Alabama. He also built at least one bridge

Bridge in Perry, Alabama built by Clint Tidwell

In 1920, Clint was living in Bessemer, Jefferson, Alabama in a boarding house along with his brother McKesterson. Both had occupation as house carpenter.

Clint Tidwell, Bessemer, Alabama

Clint married Flora Jane Carter about 1930. I have not been able to locate a marriage record, but they were not married when the census was taken in April, 1930. Clint was living with his divorced niece, Lucille Blake Bentley, and his father Phelan.

Clint and Flora had two daughters, Anna and Mary. They lived in Hueytown, Alabama.

Per my mother, Anna, Clint had the original idea to build the Hueytown Community Center. He donated his time and labor. He caught pneumonia and suffered his first heart attack while building it.

Beverly Clinton Tidwell died of a heart attack May 31, 1955. He was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Alabama.

The Birmingham News
June 1, 1955, page 8

"SERVICES ANNOUNCED FOR BEVERLY TIDWELL

Funeral services for Beverly Clinton Tidwell, 65, a widely known Hueytown building contractor, who died yesterday in a local hospital, will be held tomorrow.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, with the Rev. Fred Jordan, the Rev. John Hones, and the Rev. Clay Herring officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery. Brown-Service, Bessemer, directing.

Mr. Tidwell, who made his home in Hueytown for the past 30 years, lived at 112 Lindbergh Rd. at the time of his death.

He was active in church and civic work and was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Church.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Flora Carter Tidwell; two daughters. Miss Anne Tidwell, an employee of the Birmingham News Circulation Department, and Mrs. Winifred Justice; three brothers, M. Kess Tidwell, Dallas, Tex., Thelon* Tidwell, Bessemer, and D. Forrest Tidwell, Norfolk, Va.; and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Blake, Trenton, N.J. and Mrs. William H. Ellis of Birmingham."

*Actually Phelon
------------------------------

Flora Carter Tidwell of Alabama 1905-1981 #52Ancestors #6

Flora Jane Carter was born August 13, 1905 in what would become Hueytown, Alabama. Flora was the daughter of Samuel Thomas Carter and Mary Alice Warnick Carter. She was born four months after her father was killed in the Virginia Mines.

Flora Carter

Flora is the baby in Alice's lap

Flora's mother was remarried in 1909 to James Harve Hamaker. He raised Flora and her sister Dessie.

Flora as a girl by snowball bush, Hueytown, AL

Flora attended Hueytown High School, where she was on the girl's basketball team.

1921 Girl's Basketball Team from Hueytown Historical Society. Flora is 2nd from the left in the back.

Possibly Senior Picture

Flora married Beverly Clinton Tidwell about 1930. I have not been able to locate a marriage record.
My mother, Anna Janet, was born January 21, 1931.

Flora holding Anna near the washpot and chinaberry tree, 1931. 

Another daughter, Mary Evelyn, followed in 1935.

Flora at TB Sanitarium, Birmingham, Alabama. 2nd from the right.

Flora contracted TB at some point and was sent to a sanitarium for 16 months. The sanitarium is now known as Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in present day Homewood, Alabama. Flora lost a lung to TB.

Flora's husband Clint died in 1955. Clint was a carpenter, and built Flora a house at 112 Lindburg Rd, Hueytown. Flora's Aunt, Annie Brown, lived next door.

When I was a child, Flora lived with her mother Alice Warnick. Flora moved back to her house in the 1970's.

Flora, her mother Alice, and me

Flora was an excellent seamstress. She could make anything on her treadle Singer machine, which I was lucky enough to inherit. I remember one Christmas ripping off the paper to find a Parisian box. Uggh, clothes...the bane of every child's Christmas. I was delighted to find inside a wonderful set of clothes for my doll, all handmade by my grandmother. If I spent the night and had forgotten my PJs, before bedtime there would be a set made, complete with buttons.

Flora lived alone up in her 70's She then moved in with her daughter Mary.

Flora died April 9, 1981, and is buried next to husband in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Alabama.

Mary Alice Warnick Carter Hamaker of Alabama 1883-1970 #52Ancestors #5

Mary Alice Warnick, known as Alice, was born July 14, 1883 in Alabama or Mississippi, depending on the census you're reading. She was the third of eight children born to George Washington Warnick and Flora Jane Cargo Warnick. She was raised in Jefferson County Alabama around the Hueytown area.

Alice married her neighbor, Samuel Thomas Carter, December 22, 1901.

Samuel Thomas and Mary Alice Warnick Carter

They had a daughter, 'Dessa, about 1903. Alice was pregnant when Samuel died February 20, 1905 in the Virginia Mines which you can read about here. Their daughter Flora Jane was born August 13, 1905.

Flora, Alice and O'Dessa Carter

On July 22, 1909, Alice married James Harve Hamaker.  My mom told me they were married in a wagon by a circuit riding preacher. He raised Alice's two daughters and together they had a son, Roma Neal Hamaker October 12, 1911.

James Harve and Alice Hamaker

Harve purchased land originally belonging to the Huey family and built Alice a house at 3121 Warrior River Road, Hueytown. When I was a child I thought it was very strange to have to go outside on the back porch to access the bathroom. Lights hung down from the high ceilings from a cord. The stove/heater in what I guess would now be a den always had some flatirons warming on it. I remember having the sheets of the bed warmed in winter with those flatirons, before they were piled with tons of heavy quilts.

Flora, Alice and Dessie

My dad supplied Alice with Red Seal snuff. She had long gray hair which was kept in a bun until bedtime, when she would take out her hairpins and brush it. She tatted lace.

Harve, Alice. Roma, and his wife Pearl on vacation in New Orleans 1948

Warnick Sisters. Alice on the left.

Alice is buried beside Harve in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Alabama. At her funeral, I remember the pastor saying he once thought a small child was trying to open the heavy wooden door to the sanctuary. When he went to help, there was Mrs. Hamaker, who was too weak to open the door. She lived to be 87.

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.

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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.

Lane Cake- A Southern Christmas Tradition

My grandmother, Flora Carter Tidwell, was an excellent cook. She often made Lane Cake for the holidays. It was one of my mother's favorites.

Flora Jane Carter Tidwell

Tradition has it that Emma Rylander Lane, of Clayton, Alabama, won first prize with her cake at the county fair in Columbus, Georgia. She published a cookbook, Some Good Things To Eat, in 1898, and she included the recipe as "Prize Cake".

Lane Cake was mentioned several times in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch said, “Miss Maudie Atkinson baked a Lane cake so loaded with shinny it made me tight.” (Shinny is slang for liquor.)

From http://www.thesecondlunch.com/2010/04/omnivore-books-edible-art-contest/

Ready to get some bowls and pans dirty? (Really, it takes a ridiculous amount!) I honestly can't even fathom making this without an electric mixer as Miss Emma and contemporaries did. I have even seen some versions of the recipe calling for 16 layers!

Here's my version:

LANE CAKE RECIPE

- CAKE –
3 cups sifted cake flour
1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
8 egg whites*
1 cup milk

*Separate eggs, placing 6 whites in a large mixing bowl, 2 whites in a small bowl and all the yolks in a saucepan (yolks will be used for the filling, the 2 remaining in the frosting)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl of mixer beat 6 egg whites and salt until foamy; gradually add add 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff. Set aside.

In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter, remaining sugar and vanilla. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in the egg white mixture gently but thoroughly.

The choice of pans are yours. The original recipe was baked in pie tins. You want to end up with at least 3 layers. You can use a bundt pan (my personal choice), or 8 or 9 inch round pans. You can cut the layers after baking into additional layers. Divide the batter between 2 or 3 or 4 pans if using round pans. Grease and flour whichever pans you choose.

Bake in a 350-degree oven until edges shrink slightly from sides of pans and tops spring back when gently pressed with finger, or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean — about 20 minutes depending on which size pans you choose. (The thinner the layers the faster it cooks). Place pans on wire racks to cool for about 5 minutes.

Turn out on wire racks; turn right side up; cool completely.

- FILLING -

8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar

1 cup shredded coconut

1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained (reserve a few cherries for the top)
1 cup raisins, finely chopped

½ cup butter, at room temperature
1 – 3 cups bourbon or brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecan pieces

In a large saucepan, combine egg yolks, sugar, coconut, cherries, raisins and butter. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly until very thick. and mixture mounds when dropped from a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in bourbon, pecans, and vanilla. Cool slightly.

-TO ASSEMBLE CAKE-

Depending on which size pan you chose, slice bundt or layers diagonally to make 3 or four layers. A bread knife works well for this. The filling is placed between layers, not on the top or sides. Filled cake can be stored 1 week ahead if stored airtight in a cool place. If refrigerated, allow to stand at room temperature for half a day before serving because the texture is best when cake is not served chilled. Frost top and sides with boiled white frosting. I like to decorate the top of mine with a few maraschino cherries and pecan halves.

-BOILED WHITE FROSTING ( AKA 7 MINUTE FROSTING) -

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup hot water
2 egg whites

Beat egg whites in a large bowl of mixer until stiff.

Combine sugar, cream of tartar, salt, and water in a saucepan. Cook rapidly without stirring to soft-ball stage (240 degrees on a candy thermometer), 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. With the mixer on, pour hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly at high speed until frosting is shiny and smooth and will hold stiff peaks.
Put layers together (on a cake plate) with Lane Cake Filling, stacking carefully; do not spread filling over top. Cover top and sides with Boiled White Frosting. The frosting is thick enough to make beautiful swirls.

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Before you go running from the kitchen, I have also successfully cheated by using a white cake mix for the cake, and then assembled using the filling and frosting. The filling and frosting are what really makes the cake!

I would love to see some links to your traditional recipes!