THE CORNSHELLER Newsletter of the Montgomery County Historical Society

THE CORNSHELLER Newsletter of the Montgomery County Historical Society Volume 35, Issue 3 Sandra J Stacey, Editor March 2012 2012 HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS All programs meet on 3 rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Civic Center located in the Veterans Plaza on Pageant Lane. March 19 WILLIAM TURNER, Christian Co Historian. Say It Ain t So! April 16 CAL JAMES, author The Irish Skirmishes May 21 ROSS HUDGINS, author/editor Maggie, Civil War Diary * * * JUNE 15 Friday * * * SPRING ADVENTURE? (under consideration) A trip in cars to Ashland City to the (put-back-together-afterflood) RIVERVIEW RESTAURANT overlooking the Cum berland. Buffet is served on Fridays, $10 for seniors (plus gratuity), ALL YOU CAN EAT! 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. We can engage a guest speaker to give us the history of our close neighbor, Ashland City as well as the county of Cheatham (once part of Montgomery). OR * * * JUNE 16 SATURDAY * * * SPRING ADVENTURE (another consideration) Tour of FONTANEL MANSION ($17.00 per person, group price) 4217 White s Creek Pike, Davidson County TN Mansion built by Barbara Mandrell. Added cost for Lunch or Supper at Farm House Restaurant at Fontanel July16 August 20 CHUCK RENDER, Author Brandy: Portrait of an Intelligence Officer JILL HASTINGS, Montgomery Co. Archivist Interesting things I ve encountered while researching * * * 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. $2.00 each (group price) to go through the museum including going up in the monument. Officers: LOCATION L&N Train Station 10 th & Commerce Streets Clarksville, TN 37040 931.553.2486 President..................Sandra J Stacey Vice President...............Jim Moore Recording Secretary.......... Linda Nichols Correspondence Secretary......Molly Cook Treasurer................. Glenda Angus 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 October 15 November 19 December To be announced later. (Society programs continued) WADE BOURNE Author & Public Speaker Oral History Up Close and Personal: Stories of Old St. Bethlehem ROXY, History old and new by John McDonald (Continued next column) 1

COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT Preserving the past for the future Sandra J. Stacey sandra.stacey@charter.net Kudos for C David Elliott and David Strika. I was contacted by Andrew McCrea the producer of a daily syndicated radio feature called "American Countryside He was interested in doing a short taped radio interview about the historic train station and some of the history the society shares at the site. I called C David and asked if he would do it. C David is the person to go to when you think of trains. With only a few days notice and on a trip out of town, David agreed to do it and get David Straka to help. Mr. McCrea interviewed C David Elliott and David Straka Thursday, Feb. 2 at the train station. I just sat back and let them handle it. The rapport between the three men was instantaneous. I looked up the word rapport since it just popped in my mind, and I wanted to be sure it was the word I needed to describe the three men. The definition of rapport is: friendly relationship: an emotional bond or friendly relationship between people based on mutual liking, trust, and a sense that they understand and share each other's concerns. The definition definitely fits. Thanks C David and David for representing the society so good. The following article appeared on the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle internet site. I have never seen it in the regular newspaper. WILLIAM BRANDAU William Brandau was born 23 Jul. 1833 in Rothenberg, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany and died 22 Oct. 1905 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. In 1860, William was listed in the Green, Scioto County OH census as a Collier. I looked up the definition of a Collier: a Collier is a coal miner. William moved to Decatur, TN where he was in charge of pig iron manufacturing at Brownsville. He then became a principal in Lagrange Iron Works in Stewart County TN. In 1892 when the business failed, William moved to Clarksville, Montgomery County TN where he went into business with his son Albert in the William & Son Grocers. He only lived a couple more years after that. Below is his obituary: BRANDAU, William. Born 23 July 1833 in Rhotenbury, Germany. Died 22 Oct. 1905, on Greenwood Ave. Married Miss Ann Moller (also a native of Germany). He and son, Albert, formed firm of grocery and mill business, on corner of Greenwood and Madison St. Belonged to Masons and Masonic Lodge. Leaves five sons, Dr. J.W. Brandau, Albert A., George, Dr. W.W. Brandau and C. Young Brandau. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. ( 23 Oct. 1905 p.1 and 24 Oct. 1905 p.1) William Brandau was Worshipful Master of Free and Accepted masons lodge #89 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN in 1900. Previously he had been Master of the Stewart County TN Lodge. William married Martha Anna Miller. They both met and married abt. 1857 in OH. Martha Anna was born 15 Jan. 1841 in Rothenberg, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany and died 31 Dec. 1920 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. William and Anna are both buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. William and Anna had children: John William, Carl, George H., Albert Adam, Walter W. and Charles (Charley) Young. Photograph by Candice Waite MONTOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS CHECK TO THE CITY OF CLARKSVILLE PARKS & RECREATION. On Monday, February 6 at 10 a.m. at Sevier Station, the Montgomery County Historical Society presented a check in the amount of $11,560 to the City of Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department. The money has been used to replace the roof at Sevier Station. As a society we are preserving the past for the future. Clarksville has a rich heritage that is slowly disappearing along with its buildings. As a society we are trying to prevent this, said Sandra Stacey, President of the Montgomery County Historical Society, we are proud to be part of the restoration of Sevier Station. For a more information, please visit www.cityofclarksville.com or call 931-645-7476. Written by Candice Waite, Marketing Coordinator, Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department John William son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born 11 Nov. 1857 in Vinton County OH and died 23 Nov. 1926 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. John like his father was also a member of Free and Accepted Masons, lodge #89. John William became a doctor. According to the Directory of Deceased American Physicians John William attended the University of Nashville Medical Department, Nashville, 1881, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 1885. In the 1880 Decatur County TN census John William s occupation was listed as Allopath Physi cian. According to Purdue University Allopathic medicine is a biologically based approach to healing. Physicians diagnose, treat, and work to prevent human illness and injury. They perform examinations, analyze medical histories, order and interpret diagnostic tests as well as developing treatment plans. John William moved to Clarksville, in 1889. According to the newspaper dated August 2, 1889--C.H. Bailey has sold his Mad ison Street property, the Tharpe Place, to Dr. J.W. Brandau, of La Grange Furnace, for $3,925. Dr. Brandau will occupy the place after the present year. (Continued on page 3) 2

VOLUME 35, ISSUE 3 MARCH 2012 (William Brandau continued from page 2) When he arrived in Clarksville, TN John William worked as physician to Brandau & Slayden, 108 N. Third St, Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. George Henry s Death Certificate John William married Martha (Mattie) E. McMillan 26 Jan. 1886. Martha was the daughter of Dr. William H. McMillan in Decaturville, TN. She was born 25 Jul. 1861 and died Jun 1899 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Below is her obituary: BRANDAU, Mrs. Martha E. Born in Decaturville, TN on 25 July 1864. Age 35 yrs. Died 3 June 1899, of heart failure, on College St. Methodist. Daughter of Dr. W.H. and Rebecca McMillin. Survived by five children. Married to Dr. J.W. Brandau on 27 Jan. 1886. Member of Eastern Star. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery.Daily Leaf Chronicle. (5 June 1899 p.3 and 17 June 1899 p.3and 22 June 1899 p.8) John William and Martha (Mattie) E. McMillan Brandau are buried in Greenwood Cemetery Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. John William and Martha had the following children: William H., Lois, Iris, George McMillan, Alberta and John Alston. Millard son of George H Brandau was born 18 Aug. 1895 in Newbern, Dyer County TN and died 1 Jan. 1936 in Memphis, Shelby County TN of accidental monoxide poisoning. Millard married Marguerite Louise- Herbers 22 Nov. 1923. Marguerite Louise was born 30 Jun. 1896 and died Oct. 1977 in Memphis, Shelby County TN. Millard and Marguite ended up divorced. Millard s occupation on his death certificate was listed as Interior Decorator. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, TN. Below is his death certificate and Millard s passport application to go to France and Italy as a student. Millard s Death Certifcate After Martha s death, John William married Carry Fisher Mckesson 8 Aug. 1900 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Carrie was also born in OH. Her obituary was in the Sandusky OH Daily Register, Sandusky, Ohio 16 Jul 1919 on p. 5, col. 6. Carl son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born abt. 1859 in Ohio. No further information is known about Carl. George Henry son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born 11 Aug. 1866 in Columbus, OH and died 20 Dec. 1944 in Jackson, Madison County TN. George s occupation in the 1900 Dyer County TN census was listed as traveling salesman. George married Annie M. Fowlkes. Annie was born 27 Jan. 1870 in TN and died in TX; possibly Bexar, TX. On his death certificate George s wife is listed as Ora Bell McGee. George was probably married two times. George and Annie had children: Millard Fowlkes and Mary Lankford. (Continued on page 4) 3

(William Brandau continued from page 3) The KLH began as a fraternal benefit society; and as all societies at that time, it employed the assessment plan to gather its insurance funds. At first the society paid death benefits up to $1,000; a few years later (1881), however, it increased the upper limit to $5,000. The increase in benefits drew numerous individuals to the society s membership roster. By 1898 the society had more than 72,000 members. The prosperous days, however, did not last very long. As the membership grew older, the society experienced financial diffi culties. In order to avoid disaster the rates kept increasing. For the first twenty-four years the society assessed each member $1.80 per month, but when the death rates began increasing the claims could not be met. This phenomenon led to a number of rate increases. By 1916 the rate was $18.40 per month for a $1,000 insurance. For some of the pioneer members the increases represented an inflation of more than 900 percent. Needless to say, the rank and file became very unhappy. Members left the society, and some even appealed to state insurance departments for assistance. The insignia of the KLH was a shield depicting a knight in armor, holding sword and shield, ready to protect widows and children, who were represented by a broken column. The shield also portrayed a triangle with the letters O.M.A. Each angle displayed one of the three letters. (The Interna tional Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders by Alan Axelrod (published New York, Checkmark Books, 1997) and Fraternal Organizations by Alvin J. Schmidt (published Westport, Greenwood Press, 1980). Millard s Passport Application Albert Adam married Jennie Julia Rick 26 Dec.1888. Julia daughter of John and Christina Hekel Rick was born 21 May 1867 and died Abt. Mar. 1938 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. Albert Adam and Julia had children Martha Anna and Lela Christina. Mary Lankford daughter of George H Brandau was born Sep. 1897 in TN. She married Henry Berrie. Albert Adam son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born 8 Feb. 1865 in Portsmouth, OH. His occupation was listed as Clerk in a dry goods store until he partnered with his father in William & Son Grocers. Albert Adam was City Council for nine years for 8th ward and Chairman of the police committee. Albert Adam was a member of the Democratic Party, Knights of Pythis, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, The National Union, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and Knights and Ladies of Honor. When the KLH (Knights and Ladies of Honor) first was formed, it called itself the Order of Protection of Knights and Ladies of Honor. Later it was changed to the Knights and Ladies of Honor, its present name. The order, having been founded in Louisville, KY, was char tered in Kentucky on Dec. 14, 1881. The society had three basic objectives. One was to provide benevolence and charity for its members. Another was to unite fraternally all acceptable white men and women, who had reputable occupations and were between eighteen and fifty years of age. Still another was to assist members morally and materially through education and related means. As far as membership was concerned, the KLH also had a social member ship category permitting white individuals between eighteen and sixty-five to join without insurance benefits. William Walker son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born Nov. 1871 in TN and died 4 Feb. 1947 in Dallas, TX. His occupation was listed as clerk at Brandau & Son Grocery until he received his medical degree. William Walker is buried in Greenwood Cemetery Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. In 1905 William Walker had moved to Dallas, TX. According to the city directory he was listed as a physician. His office was located in his home at 285 Main St. In the 1910 Dallas, TX city Directory William Walker had moved his busi ness to 214 Andrews Building at 368 Ross Ave. William Walker was married to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Heywang. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Jacob and Louisa Heywang. Elizabeth was born 27 Feb. 1887 in NY and died 4 Jun. 1979 in Dallas, TX. Charles (Charley) Young son of William and Anna Miller Brandau was born 3 Nov. 1871 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN and died 28 Dec. 1960 in Houston, TX. He is buried in Forrest Park Cemetery, Houston, Harris CO TX. In the 1900 census his occupation was listed as salesman in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN. When Charles Young died his death certificate listed his occupation as retired owner of a hardware store. Charles Young married Anne Belle Bringhurst. Anne Belle was born 6 Aug. 1883 in Clarksville, Montgomery County TN and died 21 Feb. 1958 in Houston, TX. Charles and Anna had children: Sarah, Charles J. and George Henry. (Continued on page 5) 4

MEMBERSHIP (William Brandau continued from page 4) Charles Young s death certificate. Welcome new members: Kerry M. Ventrees 3919 Orangedale Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 kerrkerr7@aol.com Lula Rogers 83 Anngela Street McMinnville, TN 37110 ACTIVITIES The 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson The 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson Reenactment will be held near Erin, TN on Highway 149 at the Stewart/Houston County Industrial Park on March 2-3-4, 2012. Sarah daughter of Charles (Charley) Young and Anne Belle Bring- Parking will be designated by signage. Spectator bus rides will be provided free from parking areas. There are 7 entrances. Tickets are $10, with 12 and younger free. Included are the usual amenities, Lady's Tea and Period Ball. Folding chairs are encouraged. Visit www.portersbattery.com hurst Brandau was born about 1910 in LA. Sarah and her parents were found in the 1920 Shreveport, Caddo Parish LA census. Charles Young Brandau son of Charles (Charley) Young and Anne Belle Bringhurst Brandau was born 1 Apr. 1912 in LA and died 10 Oct. 1983 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County NC. Charles Young Jr. is buried in Carolina Crematory, Concord, Cabarrus County NC, His occupation was listed as Sr. Supervisor of an Energy Company. Charles Young Jr. married Mae Horne. Military actions include: Tactical The Confederate breakout Charge of the 14th Iowa Forrest s retreat scenarios. For more information go to www.fortdonelson.org. George Henry son of Charles (Charley) Young and Anne Belle Bringhurst Brandau was born 12 Aug. 1916 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish LA. George Henry became a member of the Texas Society of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He traced his heritage back to Captain Elisha Brewer. The nationally recognized 16 piece brass band the Eight Regiment Band will also be attending the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson. For more information go to: www.eightregimentband.net. CEMETERY CLEAN-UP Old Boiling Springs Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery When: 3 March 2012 Time: 8:00 a.m. Where: Off Brittan Springs Rd. For information contact: Jackie B. Collins 931-278-5869 5

Montgomery County Historical Society P.O. Box 262 Clarksville, TN 37041-0262 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAME: (Middle) (Last) ( First) ADDRESS (Street) PHONE: EMAIL: (City) (State) (Zip) DATE: Please check type of membership ***(Membership period is January to December)*** Please make checks payable to MCHS Individual $20 Corporate $250 New Member Family Institutional $30 Student (K-12) $500 Renewal Member 6 $5 Life $200 Preservation Society (2 years) Changing Membership $2,000