THE CORNSHELLER Newsletter of the Montgomery County Historical Society Volume 35, Issue 8 Sandra J Stacey, Editor August 2012 2012 HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS All programs meet on the 3 rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Unless otherwise stated. All regular meetings will be held at the Civic Center located in the Veterans Plaza August 20 JILL HASTINGS, Montgomery Co. Archivist Interesting things I ve encountered while researching LOCATION L&N Train Station 10 th & Commerce Streets Clarksville, TN 37040 931.553.2486 (See mailing address on page 6) Officers: President..................Sandra J Stacey Vice President...............Jim Moore Recording Secretary.......... Linda Nichols Correspondence Secretary......Molly Cook Treasurer................. Glenda Angus October 15 November 19 WADE BOURNE Author & Public Speaker Oral History Up Close and Personal: Stories of Old St. Bethlehem ROXY, History old and new by John McDonald * * SEPT 15 SATURDAY * * * FALL ADVENTURE Noon lunch (optional) under $10.00 2 Kates Restaurant, on the square in Elkton, KY From I-24 overpass on Wilma Rudolph Blvd, Total mileage to Elkton square is approx. 22 mi? 2:00 p.m. JEFF DAVIS MONUMENT in Fairview, KY seven miles from Elkton, off Hwy 68 toward Hoptown. Park Ranger: Ron Syndor, will speak to us in the pavilion about Jeff Davis, the man. Historical: County Historian.............Eleanor Williams County Archivist.............Jill Hastings Johnson County Genealogist...........Gail Longton Members at Large: Rachel Pace Cleo Hogan Marjorie Wade Immediate Past President:... Billyfrank Morrison $2.00 each * (group price) to go through the museum including going up in the monument. December To be announced later. The Allendale picnic was a Hugh success because of the members who gave so freely of their time. The list was so long Rachel Pace name was inadvertently omitted from the list of volunteers. We would like to thank Rachel for her contribution to the event. Rachel is always among the first to volunteer for any event plus she is a volunteer at the train station. Her services are invaluable. 1
COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT Preserving the Past for the Future sandra.stacey@charter.net I know it seems like I ask at every meeting for volunteers at the train station, but it really is a critical situation. The rentals we receive from the train station goes for the preservation awards we make, the plaques we give, the grave markers we donate money for, and many more historic items we have contributed to over the years. We also have bills, but they are not the main thing. It is the historic donations that should concern us as a society. If there is no one at the station on our advertised days, there is no income coming in. If you want an example of where our money goes, drive by Sevier Station in New Providence and look at the roof. That should fill you with pride. It does me even though it was something Billyfrank accomplished during his presidency I am just as proud as if I had done it, because I am a member of the society. I am asking again PLEASE VOLUNTEER. Contact Tony Smith at 931-645-6035 and VOLUNTEER. Just one day a month from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sandra J Stacey This month I am featuring Maurice Lee Hester another mason from Lodge #89 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Maurice was the fifth generation descendant of Captain James Hester. Captain James Hester was born in 1745 in Louisa, LA and died on 5 Jan. 1818 in Mecklenburg County VA at the age of 73. James served as a Capt. in the Revolutionary war. He married Elizabeth Hix 3 Sept. 1767. Elizabeth was born in 1749 in Amelia, VA and died 10 Oct. 1830 in Mecklenburg County VA at the age of 71. James wife is listed as a patriot in the DAR files. According to the DAR records, she provided provisions for the troops. James and Elizabeth had children: Nathan Sr. and Robert. There may have been more, but these are the two children I am concerned with. Nathan Hester Sr. son of Captain James and Elizabeth Hix Hester was born in 1792 in Mecklenburg County VA and died 4 Feb. 1872 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Nathan married Nancy Overton 17 Dec. 1812 in Mecklenburg County VA. Nancy was born in 1795 in Mecklenburg County VA and died before 1868 in Montgomery County TN. Nathan Sr. was found in the 1820 census in Hopkinsville, Christian County KY, in the 1830, 1840 and 1850 censuses in Montgomery County TN. Nathan Sr. and Nancy had children: Anna, Lucy A., Nathan Jr., and John Phillip. Anna daughter of Nathan Sr. and Nancy Overton Hester was born in 1814 in Mecklenburg County VA and died in 1881in Montgomery County TN at the age of 67. James son of Nathan Sr. and Nancy Overton Hester was born in 1816 in Mecklenburg County VA and died June 1855 in Montgomery County TN at the age of 39. James married Mary Stagner 4 Jan. 1851 in Christian County KY. James and Mary Stagner had children William H. born 1841 died 1916 at the age of 75, and Sarah Elizabeth born in 1843. Sarah Elizabeth married a joiner. James second wife was Mary Smith. James and second wife Mary Smith had children Nancy Ellen and John James. Lucy A. daughter of Nathan Sr. and Nancy Overton Hester was born in 1819 Montgomery County TN. Lucy A. married James William Smith son of John Benjamin Smith and Nancy Ann Parrish. James was born 15 March 1825 in VA. Nathan Hester Jr. son of Nathan Sr. and Nancy Overton Hester was born 10 Aug. 1821 in Mecklenburg County VA and died 15 Apr. 1876 in Montgomery County TN at the age of 54. Below is Nathan s obituary: HESTER, Nathan. Died 15 Apr. 1876, of heart disease, in Montgomery County TN. Dist. #4. Clarksville Weekly Chronicle. (6 May 1876 p.3) Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Nathan married Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter 21 Jan. 1853 in Montgomery County TN (Marriage Book 2, page 62. Surety by James Hester). Bettie was born 28 Feb. 1833 in Mecklenburg County VA and died 21 March 1916 in Oakwood, Montgomery County TN. She was the daughter of Benjamin Carter. Bettie s obituary is below: HESTER, Mrs. Bettie. Age 83 years. Baptist.. Died 20 March 1916, in Oakwood community leaves three children. Funeral at Jordan Springs, TN Clarksville Daily Leaf Chronicle. (21 March 1916 p.1) Nathan Jr. and Bettie had the following children: Lucy A., Benjamin W., Elizabeth L., Nancy Nannie, Susan Susie Hayes, Evelyn, Martha and James. Lucy A daughter of Nathan Jr. and Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Hester was born 29 Nov. 1853 in Montgomery County TN and died after 1918 in Waxahachie, Ellis County TX. Lucy married Green Smith 28 July 1881 in Montgomery County TN. The marriage was solemnized by S.W. Barbee Benjamin W. son of Nathan Jr. and Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Hester was born 13 Sept.1855 in Montgomery County TN and died 27 Dec. 1918 in Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN at the age of 63. Benjamin W s obituary is below: HESTER, Mr. Benjamin 63 yrs. Died 27 Dec. 1918, near Jordan Springs. Christian Religion. Leaves three sisters: Mrs. Lucy Smith,Mrs. Emily Maveety and Mrs. Susan Schrader. Interment at Jordan Springs Cemetery. Clarksville Leaf Chronicle.(30 Dec. 1918 p.6) (Continued on page 3) 2
VOLUME 35, ISSUE 8 (Maurice Lee Hester Continued from page 2) Elizabeth L. daughter of Nathan Jr. and Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Hester was born 12 June 1857 in Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN and died bef. 1880 Nancy (Nannie) daughter of Nathan Jr and Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Hester was born 21 Apr. 1859 Montgomery County TN and died bef. 1916. Susan (Susie) Hayes daughter of Nathan Jr. and Elizabeth Ellen Bettie Carter Hester was born 17 July 1861 Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN and died 4 Mar. 1946 in Port Royal, Montgomery County TN. Susan is buried in Riverview (City) Cemetery, Clarksville Montgomery County TN. Susan married John Acy Lewis Shrader. John Acy was born 29 Sept. 1862 in Trigg County KY and died in 1899 from Typhoid Fever. John is buried in the Bryant Cemetery, Fort Campbell, KY. Susan and John Acy had children: Ida Josephine, Mallie May, Harvey Lewis. Annie Ethel, Eunice Earl, Vesta Monica, Jesse Virble and Jonnie Mirl. AUGUST 2012 3.Harvey Lewis son of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 18 Nov. 1888 Trigg County KY and died 12 July 1934 in Trigg County KY at the age of 4. 4. Annie Ethel daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 6 Aug. 1890 in Trigg County KY and died 8 Jan. 1968 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. 5. Eunice Earl daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 16 July 1892 in Trigg County KY and died 22 Sept. 1913 in Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN. Eunice married Oswald Claud Cuthbert. Oswald was born 28 Sept. 1887 and died 7 Nov. 1974. Annie Ethel Hester Shrader 1.Ida Josephine daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 6 Sept. 1885 in Trigg County KY and died 6 Aug. 1945 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Ida Josephine married Robert Johnson Payne. Robert was born 12 Mar. 1876 in Montgomery County TN and died 17 Sept. 1952 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Josephine and Robert are buried in Riverview (City) Cemetery, Plot: Section 06, Row 10, 2. 2. Mallie May daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 17 May 1887in Trigg County KY and died 12 July 1934 in Oak Grove, Christian County KY. Mallie married George Walter Smith. George was born Abt. 1879 in TN. Oswald Claud Cuthbert Eunice Earl Hayes Oswald, Eunice and family 1928 6. Vesta Monica daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 3 June 1894 in Trigg County KY and died 29 Nov. 1963 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Vesta married Nathan Earl Smith 10 April 1916 in Montgomery County TN. Nathan was born 20 Oct. 1892 and died 16 Feb. 1965 in Montgomery County TN. Nathan is buried in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Clarksville, Montgomery CO TN. Nathan was the son of Charles M. and Lela Mae Thweatt Smith. George Walter Smith Mallie May Heater (Continued on page 4) 3
(Maurice Lee Hester Continued from page 3) Vesta Monica Shrader Monta Catherine (Minttie) daughter of James Robert Hester and Ida Rowena Ramey was born abt.1822. Maurice Lee son of James Robert Hester and Ida Rowena Ramey was born 9 Dec. 1889 in Cumberland City, Stewart County TN and died June 1980 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Maurice married Ida Ramey the daughter of Mat and Armita Ramey. Maurice was an Asst. Postmaster in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Maurice was Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge #89 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN In 1921. He was Grand high Priest of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of TN in 1934, Secretary of Masonic Lodge #89 for about 35 years and served as Worthy Patron of Clarksville Chapter #202 Order of the Eastern Star. In 1952 Maurice rented a home at 224 Marion St. in Clarksville. He and Ida never had children. Vesta Monica Shrader & Nathan Earl Smith 7. Jesse Virble son of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 14 June 1900 and died 19 Mar. 1978 at the age of 77. 8. Acie Myrtle daughter of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 21 June 1900 in Trigg County KY and died 2 May 1968 Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Acie married 9. Jonnie Mirl son of Susan (Susie) Hayes Hester and John Acy Lewis Shrader was born 21 June 1900 and died 30 Nov. 1978 at the age of 78. John Phillip Hester son of Nathan Sr. and Nancy Overton Hester was born in 1835 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN and died in 1868. He was found in the 1850 and 1860 census in Montgomery County TN. John Phillip married Catherine Fletcher 25 Dec. 1855. Catherine was born in 1830 and died 3 Sept. 1874 in Montgomery County TN. John Phillip and Catherine had children James Robert and Anna Frances Frankie. James Robert son of John Phillip and Nancy Overton was born 25 Sept. 1856 in Montgomery County TN and died 30 Dec. 1936 in Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN. He is buried in Liberty Cumberland Church Cemetery, Montgomery County TN. In the 1810 census record James Robert s occupation was listed as worked in the sawmill. James Robert married Ida Rowena Ramey 6 Mar. 1881 in Montgomery County TN. She was born abt.1860 in TN and died 17 Oct. 1923 in Jordan Springs, Montgomery County TN. James Robert and Ida Rowena had children Monta Catherine (Minttie), Maurice Lee, Taylor Davis, Bertha and James Bertie. Maurice Lee Hester Taylor Davis son of James Robert Hester and Ida Rowena Ramey was born 11 Aug. 1893 in Linton, Trigg County KY and died 17 Sept. 1918 in France. He served in the military as a PVT. During WWI, in the 82nd Div., medical dept. Below is his obituary: HESTER, Pvt. Taylor D. Age 24 yrs. Killed 17 Sept. 1918, in France. W.W. I soldier. Brother to M, L. and J. B. Hester, of Clarksville, TN. Member of 82nd Div., medical dept. Leaves parents, Mrs. and Mrs.,T11,J. R. Hester, one sister, Mintie Hester. Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. (8 Oct. 1918 p.5)o James Bertie son of James Robert Hester and Ida Rowena Ramey was born 3 Sept. 1886 in Indian Mound, Stewart County TN and died 15 Dec. 1957 in Manning, Clarendon County SC. He attended school at Upper Donaldson School District #49. On 29 July 1918 he lived in Oak Grove, Christian, County KY where he applied for a passport giving the reason as "has been appointed a secretary of the National War Work Council of the YMCA of the United States for service with the troops of the American Expeditionary Force in France." In the 1910 census he was living in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN; in the 1920 census he was in Atlanta, Fulton County GA. James married Tyson Sprye Lowder 14 Oct 1921 in Charleston County SC. James and Tyre had two children: James B. and Martha Ida Sue. James Bertie Hester Anna Frances Frankie daughter of John Phillip and Catherine Fletcher was born in 1859 in Montgomery County TN. I haven t found out what her husband s initials stand for, but I did find this information below: WB R, page 268: Names wife Catherine...3 living children Ann, Nathan and Lucy 3 deceased children James, William, Philip...proved 21 Feb 1872 4
FALL OUTING DON'T FORGET OUR FALL OUTING, SAT, SEPT 15 TO JEFF DA- VIS MONUMENT WHERE RON SYNDOR, Park MANAGER, WILL SPEAK TO US ABOUT OLE JEFF. COST IS $2.00 TO GO THROUGH MUSEUM PLUS UP THE MONUMENT TO LOOK OUT OVER FIELDS AND FIELDS. (Lunch is optional at Two Kates' Restaurant on the Square in Elkton where Michelle Katherine Johns is opening that Sat. just for us). J. Mark Lowe The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society will present a seminar August 11, 2012 at Fifty-Forward Knowles Center, 174 Rains Avenue, Nashville, TN 37023 (across from the entrance to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds). To register: Contact Deborah Stillwell (615-743-3487 or email Deborah at dstillwell@fiftyforward.org. Registration Fee is $35 per person. The seminar is from 10:00 am -- 3:00 pm. Cost includes Lunch and Hands-On Worksheets J. Mark Lowe will be the guest speaker at the Seminar. If you attended the seminar in Dover in June then you heard J. Mark speak. J. Mark is a full-time genealogist, author and teacher who researches primarily in original records and manuscripts through the South. A native of Robertson Co., TN, he has held many offices with genealogical groups and professional organizations. He has worked on the genealogical TV series "African American Lives 2", "Faces of America" and NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" His subject will be "Discovering the Records of Tennessee, Kentucky & Whiskey Stills". Learn about the wonderful records that tell the story of our Kentucky and Tennessee ancestors. Understand why our ancestors were searching for limestone-filtered flowing springs and abundant fruit and grain. Discover the Kentucky and Tennessee record groups that will help tighten migration travel routes and destinations. Kudos Kudos to member Mary Lou Persinger for allowing me to make a copy of the Daily Star newspaper. There was no date in the heading, but some of the articles lead me to believe it was published around 1939 or 1940. Like 2012, TN was experiencing a drought too only they spelled it Drouth. 5
Montgomery County Historical Society P.O. Box 262 Clarksville, TN 37041-0262 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAME: ( First) (Middle) (Last) ADDRESS (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) PHONE: EMAIL: DATE: Please check type of membership ***(Membership period is January to December)*** Please make checks payable to MCHS Individual $20 Family $30 Student (K-12) $5 Life $200 Corporate $250 Institutional $500 Preservation Society (2 years) $2,000 New Member Renewal Member Changing Membership 6