Moran Place ©

The Elusive Elise D.A

2023-12-15T15:34:00.000-06:00

Unidentified young lady,
taken by H.Y. Darnell
Dyersburg & Ripley TN
Maybe Elise Deberry Arnold?

In a previous blog entry dated Nov 10, 2014, title The "Hoops" Letter from Elise to Brud Moran, January 1898, I talked about an elusive letter writer who signed herself as "Elise D.A." I ended that entry with the hope of someday discovering who Elise had been.

Today, while looking at an article about the wedding of Ida Moran to William Gilmer Timberlake in the Nov. 27 1902 Memphis Commercial Appeal, the name Elise Arnold of Dyersburg popped out at me. Elise was one of Ida's bridesmaids. My spidey senses started tingling. Even though it's been 9 years since I had thought about Elise and her letters, I felt this was the day Elise had revealed herself to me.

The Commercial Appeal June 14 1902 detailed the "Grisham-Gentry Wedding" in which Elise appeared as a bridesmaid again. This bride and groom were Benjamin F. Grisham and Martha Blaine Gentry of Newbern, TN. Martha Gentry was the daughter of Joseph Collins Gentry and Belle Shumate. Belle Shumate was an aunt of Virginia Shumate who, in 1911, would marry James H Moran III. After the death of Virginia's parents, she and her sisters moved to Newbern from Kentucky to live with their uncle Quincy Shumate and his wife Louise McLean.

Elise Deberry Arnold was born Aug 21 1880 in Jackson TN to Dr. Willis Johns Arnold and Susan Rebecca Meriwether. Elise married Henry Adam Klyce in 1904. They had five children: Henry Arnold Klyce, Walter Brigham Klyce, Willis Rice Klyce, John Meriweather Klyce and David Jere Klyce.

Here is another chatty letter from Elise to Brud dated Dec 30 1898.

Dear Brud, Don't I get terribly mixed up about my presents from you? You see the trouble is that as I never hear from you in between times I naturally conclude you have forgotten all about me and tis such a pleasant surprise to find that you haven't.

The stationary is as dainty and sweet and pretty as it can be and I can't wait to tell you how much I appreciate it. Please accept my sincere thanks. I am so glad that you instead of Ide (this would be Ida Moran who married Will Timberlake and is Brud's sister), who sent it because I know she thinks of me often and you--well if it were not for your sweet Christmas remembrance, I might doubt that you ever do.

Every Christmas is always my happiest, and this one is no exception to the rule. We had our house full of company and all enjoyed the fine weather and numerous entertainments we have attended. D.B. (Dyersburg) has certainly been gay and I have been so naughty. I danced until four o'clock (Wednesday morning and until two last night. I mean this morning. Tell Ide I met Mr. Roy Martin Tuesday night. Please don't think I'm so perfectly terrible because that is the first ball I ever went to and I suppose will be my last. There is another entertainment tonight which I suppose will wind up one holiday amusement (?) anyway for my mother has laid down the law that this is the last week I shall go out more than twice and I'm going to settle down and be good ever afterwards.

I was so sorry I couldn't spend the holidays with Ide, but I'm looking forward to a visit to her soon. I'd rather see her than any body else on earth and I think its awful we can't be together more. Why don't you all come to D.B. to live? Wouldn't that be lots of fun? Well I must thank you again for your nice present and say Goodbye.With many wishes for a happy New Year.

Sincerely your friend

Elise D.A.

Dec. 30th 98

Receipt for Drunkness

2023-12-13T12:22:00.003-06:00

I've spent the past few days scanning receipts from a box belonging to Uncle Brud. His compassion and generosity never ceases to amaze me. It extended beyond his family and into the community as can be seen by this particular receipt.

A fellow named Will Milner had been fined $5.00 for drunkenness and Uncle Brud paid his fine. The receipt, signed by T.A. Lewis, court recorder, was on a plain piece of paper which had obviously been torn from the look of it.

I was able to locate two Will Milner's. According to the first Will Milner's findagrave memorial, he was born in 1869 and died Jan 8 1956 in Martin, Tennessee. He's buried in Parham Cemetery and was married to Ida Vincent Haynes. He and Ida had two daughters: Jessie Milner Boyd (married Mathew Boyd) and Bessie Berry Milner Irvine (married Egbert Irvine).

The second Will Milner was interred in Sunrise Cemetery and also has a findagrave memorial. He was born in 1882 and died Feb 22 1949 in Dresden Tennessee. He married Nora Gardner.

Tolbert Alvin Lewis, in addition to being the court recorder was an insurance agent. He married Lena Belle Elliott, daughter of Isaac Davis Elliott and Paralee Jolley of Martin, Tennessee. According to his obituary, he was a "retired Dresden, Tenn., banker" associated with the Weakley County Bank at Dresden. He was also credited with helping get the bank back on it's feet after the Depression. He and his wife were also members of the First Methodist Church of Dresden. They lived in Dresden up until 1940 but moved to Knoxville prior to 1950. So Tolbert had a connection to the Moran's through his time at the bank.

We will never know for sure the connection between Uncle Brud and Will Milner but we theorize it was a connection and bond to the names and families that permeated the community. The Moran family, like the Milner family, intermarried with Gardner's and Irvine's. People knew each other and knew the intricate connection's of the local families. Brud cared for everyone, black or white, and this is just one instance in which he helped out.

#genealogy #MoranPlace #WestTennessee #Tennessee #History #DresdenTN #WeakleyCoTN

Ria, Nathan and Kent

2019-01-17T15:30:00.000-06:00

Today I thought I'd share a couple of pictures from a more recent generation of the Moran Family.

These first two pictures were just negatives. I really like how they turned out simply by inverting the scanned image.

This is Ria with her son Kent. The family was living in Japan because that's where Nathan Moran was stationed at the time. It's also where Kent was born!

By the time the next picture was taken the family had moved back to the states, first living in Kansas City, and then moving back to the family home in Dresden after the deaths of James, Virginia and Uncle Brud.

It looks to me as if this picture was taken when Kent became an Eagle Scout. Ria has a nice smile but Kent and his Dad share that same tight lipped, no nonsense look!

Summers and Tansil Wedding Invitation, 1908

2019-01-15T14:29:00.002-06:00

If you've read any of the Moran Place blog, you may have the impression that no matter how distant the relationship the family kept in touch. You would not be wrong.

John Bell Tansil was born July 13 1881 in Dresden Tennessee, to Egbert Erasmus Tansil and his wife Laura Lucy "Jackie" Bell. When Tansil married his first wife, Lillian Summers, in February, 1908, they sent an invitation to C.H. (Brud) Moran. I gave up trying to figure out the relationship between Brud and John Tansil but I can tell you Tansil's relationship to Kent Moran looks like this: nephew of wife of brother-in-law of 2nd great-aunt of wife of 1st cousin 2x removed!! Thank goodness Ancestry.com supplies that information!!

Lillian Summers was the daughter of Henry M. Summers and Mary Elsie White of Peoria, Illinois. Lillian and John tied the knot on February 12, 1908 in Peoria. After their honeymoon they returned to Memphis where John had been living and working as an attorney.

On the back of the envelope, Brud penciled in the following: "The ladies! Our arms are their defense, Their arms our recompense." "May your joy be as deep as the ocean, Your trouble as light as its foam." I'm thinking that maybe Brud attended the wedding and perhaps he gave the toast. It's actually a combination of two different sayings. "The ladies" was published in a book called Good Fellowship published in 1905. "May your joy" is part of an old traditional Irish saying.

Sadly, the good tidings did not last very long. Lillian died June 24 1914 in Memphis. She was pregnant at the time and cause of death was listed as "pernicious vomiting pregnancy" with "shock and suppression urinary". Although the death certificate said Lillian was interred at Forest Hill in Memphis her parents had her body shipped to Peoria for burial with the family in Springdale Cemetery.

It doesn't appear that John went through a lengthy mourning period since he married Amelia J. Murphy December 17 1914 in Perry County Arkansas. Census records show that John and Amelia had moved to Billings Montana by 1920. By 1930 John is single according to Census records. Actually John and Amelia divorced and she was married to Richard Nethercott. Sadly though, Amelia died January 20 1932 in Memphis. The death certificate said she committed suicide with mercury bichloride. Amelia was interred at Stephenson's Chapel in Memphis with her family. Her husband Richard died in 1947 of liver cancer and was interred at Forest Hill Midtown, Memphis.

Helen Fletcher

John married his third wife, Helen Fletcher, on August 12 1931 in Billings, Montana. She was the daughter of Gayle Fletcher and Estella Walker.

John Bell Tansil was the US District Attorney for Montana from 1935 till his death in 1950. He was also a senior partner at the firm of Tansil and Sutton in Billings. He had been chairman of the Yellowstone Democratic Central Committee, a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Beta Kappa. He died December 11 1950 and was interred at Mountview Cemetery in Billings.

Helen Fletcher Tansil was born with perfect pitch. At a young age, Helen attended Ward Belmont Girl's Finishing School in Nashville TN where she studied piano and social graces. Later she attended the University of Washington and the Chicago Musical College where she studied under Rudoph Ganz, Percy Grainger and Leopold Godowsky. She returned to Billings and opened her own music studio. The wedding of Fletcher and Tansil was the society event of 1931. The Tansil home became the social center of Billings Society. After suffering a stroke in her later years, Helen lived at the St. John's Nursing Home. When interviewed by a local reporter Helen said she remembered when "breeding counted for something and 'old money' still outranked 'new.' After lighting a menthol cigarette Helen looked out at farmland turned city and remarked: "It's not the same anymore." (Source: The Billings Gazette June 3, 1979)

Helen died May 19 1983 in Billings. She was interred at Mountview Cemetery.

Politics and Christmas Greetings, 1912

2019-01-14T18:08:00.000-06:00

Luke Lea was an attorney and Democratic United States Senator from the state of Tennessee. He was also the first editor and publisher of The Tennessean and a leading proponent of prohibition.

Lea's political career and work with The Tennessean went hand in hand with that of Fannie Moran Ezzell and her husband, Jim Ezzell.

Fannie served as Tennessee's legislative chairman for the American Women's Suffrage Association during ratification of the 19th amendment. Later she was asked to join the Democratic National Committee and became Tennessee's first woman to hold a position with the DNC. In addition, she worked at the Nashville Banner as the society editor. Fannie belonged to the Centennial Club, the Ladies Hermitage Association, Belmont Magazine Club and the Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jim had been a member of the agricultural committee of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for many years and also the Cumberland Valley Association. His obituary in The Tennessean, June 23 1941, says "He was a potent force in the political organizations of the county and state, although he stood for public office only once." I think the list of honorary pallbearers attests to his place within the political community of Nashville: Albert Houston Roberts (Gov. of TN 1919-1921), George Armistead Sr. (Editor in Chief, Nashville Banner), Judge Colin P. McKinney, Attorney Miller Manier, C. C. Flannery (Agriculture Commissioner), Judge Litton Hickman, Judge Finis Garrett of Washington DC to name a few.

It wasn't surprising to find a Christmas card from Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lea to Mr. and Mrs. James B. Ezzell.

The Moran Girls

2018-12-26T14:46:00.003-06:00

This picture was taken around 1895 at Thuss Studio in Nashville.

Pictured left to right:
Fanny, Marion and Ida Moran

Moran Brothers Sell Big Farm, 1918

2017-09-23T17:41:00.003-05:00

Moran Bros. Sell Big Farm

Messrs. Harrell and James Moran sold their farm, near Greenfield this week to Messrs. Blue and Will Irvine. The farm consists of 238 acres, all fine second bottom land, and is considered one of the best tracts of land in the entire county.

Source: Dresden Enterprise & Sharon Tribune

Nov. 15, 1918

Will and Blue Irvine are our 1st cousins twice removed. Their mother, Agnes M. Moran, was a sister of John W. Moran. She married Benjamin D. Irvine.

They Promote Planting To Prosper, 1938

2017-06-20T17:12:00.001-05:00

We recently attended the estate of Lillian Ezzell Dobson Dunavant in Memphis. Lillian is a great-grandchild of John Williamson Moran making her and Kent 2nd cousins. We purchased several items related to the shared family history including two boxes of newspaper clippings, letters and other ephemera.

The first packet of clippings just happened to include articles that mention Uncle Brud, aka Charles H. Moran. I thought that was a great place to begin scanning and sharing the information from the Dunavant estate.

"Plans for bigger and better participation in the 1938 Plant To Prosper contest by Weakley County farmers were outlined at Dresden, Tenn., this week by the county committee; Members are (left to right) Charles H. Moran, banker; Claude H. Hilliard and Reuben E. Ellis, county agent."

Destructive Fire in Dresden Tenn 1868

2017-01-20T09:33:00.000-06:00

The following article first appeared in the Hickman Courier on November 28, 1868. It seems that John Moran's home was damaged in the amount of $2,800. His brother-in-law, B.D. Irvine suffered damages in the amount of $2,500 and cousin Robert M. Irvine suffered $3,000 in damages.

Destructive Fire--A destructive fire occurred in Dresden, Tenn., on Tuesday morning last, totally destroying the West-side of the public square. The loss is estimated at $50,000. It was the work of an incendiary and originated between Meadows' store and an old doctor's shop, used by him as a warehouse. The following is an estimate of the losses incurred: S. M. White, dealer in dry goods; J.M. Meadows, dealer in dry goods, $4,000; James Lumkins, grocery merchant, from $500 to $1000. Mr Lumpkins succeeded in saving most of his stock. B.D. Irvine, owner of one of the buldings, $2,500; Jesee Givvs, owner of house an elegantly furnished saloon, $2,500; McKennan & Yates, $500; John Moran, owner of a house, $2,800; Gleason's two brick offices, occupied by Zachery, harness-maker, $300, and Archer, dealer in jewelry, $1,750. Heirs of Jas. Summers,house on the south-west corner of the Square, $2,500. Robert M. Irvine, house, $3,000. J.A. Prestwood, $150. There was very little insurance on the buildings.

Dr. Walter H. and Mrs. E.J.M. Drane

2017-01-20T09:03:00.000-06:00

I haven't found a family connection between the Moran and Drane families but they were definitely friends. Here is an article I found among Moran family papers posted in the Nashville Banner June 10, 1934.

WERE CLARKSVILLE LEADERS

Clarksville, Tenn., June 9--(Special)

Prominent surgeion and physician, Dr. Walter Harding Drane was one of Montgomery County's philanthropists and leading public spirited men. Dr. Jane and his wife, Mrs. Eliza J. McClure Drane, were both descendents of leading families and their descendents are today playing important roles in the life of this community.

Dr. Drane was a leader in the movement to build the old Hopkinsville Turnpike and the covered bridge at Ringgold. He advanced $20,000 for the construction of the old covered bridge and when the tolls failed to pay dividends the span was finally deeded to him. He sold it for $2,500 to the late H.C. Merrit who in turn sold it to the county which freed it.

Dr. Drane not only aided by his influence the building of the Louisville & Nahsville Railroad, through Clarksville, but paid $10,000 in cash to the enterprise.

In 1843 Dr. and Mrs. Drane moved to the beautiful county home the Hopkinsville Turnpike which is still standing today, though time has dealt unkindly with it. In addition to being an outstanding surgeon of his day, he had extensive connections in the tobacco business, holding large stocks both her and in Europe. It was in the tobacco business that the bulk of his fortune was made.

Walter Drane was born in 1798 and died in 1865. During the Civil War he was Surgeon of the 14th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America. Eliza J. McClure Drane was born in 1808 and died in 1889. They are both interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Unknown Woman? by Gebhardt & Co., Memphis Tennessee

2017-01-14T14:50:00.000-06:00

Here we have another photograph of an unknown woman, maybe. See update below. The only thing I do know is that the photograph was taken in Memphis, Tennessee at the Gebhardt & Co. studio located on Main street. However, because she was a lady she used the ladies entrance at no. 2 and 4 Mulberry Street!

The photo was taken between 1880 and 1895 which is when the Gebhardt studio, by this name and at this location, was in operation.

UPDATED January 15 2017

Today, Kent looked at the photograph and said she looked like the same woman in a painting we have. We compared the two and she does appear to have the same facial features and she is prominently wearing a good size brooch. The painting is that of a woman not yet married in her finery with her hair still down while the photograph is the married matronly picture showing a settled woman. At least that's what we think!

We know the painted woman is Louise Elizabeth McLean, wife of Quincy Shumate. She was born July 28 1855 in Tennessee a daughter of Ephraim Harvey McLean and Mary Frances Hardin. We know this because there is a fragile piece of paper on the back of the painting that tells us that it was painted by her daughter Pattie Shumate. The note also tells us that Pattie painted and it was her first first painting ever! She goes on to say that she was using a picture taken from a tintype, 3 1/2" x 4 1/2", of her mother that was taken about 1876, it was a year or so before her marriage to Quincy and she was about 21 years old in the painting. And it was taken in Shelbyville, Tennessee

E.T. Edwards, Gainesville Texas

2017-01-09T18:38:00.000-06:00

Eugene Taylor Edwards

I wasn't sure I would be able to figure out which Edwards family this little guy came from or how he might be connected to the Moran family. Even with a photograph that has been annotated I sometimes come up with dead ends but I believe I came across enough clues to identify him as Eugene Taylor Edwards, a very distant Moran relative.

Eugene Taylor Edwards was born September 15, 1889, in Gainesville, Texas. He was the son of Pattie Ophelia Taylor and Little Berry (L.B./Berry) Edwards.

L.B. Edwards was born about 1843 in Dresden, Weakley County Tennessee. His father was Thomas Cotton Edwards who was originally from Sumner County Tennessee but moved to Dresden sometime after 1820. L.B.'s mother was Pauline Bransford Bondurant, originally from Buckingham Virginia. L.B. was just one of about 15 Edwards children.

L.B. Edwards served with John W. Moran in the 31st Infantry TN (Col A.H. Bradford) CSA. Records indicate he was just 18 years old in 1862. His future wife, Pattie, was just one year old in 1862.

Pattie Taylor Edwards

Pattie Ophelia Taylor was born in 1861 in Brownsville, TN. She was the daughter of Samuel E. Taylor and Mariana Green. She and L.B. were married November 23, 1886, in Haywood County, Tennessee. Their son Eugene Taylor Edwards was born September 15, 1889.

L.B. Edwards died on April 8, 1900. He was interred in Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville where several other Moran Texas relatives are interred as well.

Starting about 1912, I came across passport records for Pattie that even included a photo. It seems she began to travel with some of her destinations being Cuba and Hawaii.

Pattie Ophelia Taylor Edwards died August 17, 1936 in El Paso. She was interred with her husband in Gainesville.

As for Eugene, I came across a wedding announcement in the El Paso Evening Post dated July 26, 1928, that indicated he was a graduate of the High School in Gainesville, Texas, where he lived prior to moving to El Paso. From there he was a graduate of the University of Virginia and then of Harvard. He was an attorney with the law firm of Lea, McGrady, Thomason & Edwards.

He married Mary Rebecca Hayes on June 18 1928 at the Methodist church of Morganfield, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Richard Foster Hayes and Mai Elizabeth Jenkins. Mary had made her home in El Paso a few years earlier where she taught at El Paso High School.

Eugene and Mary had two children: Katherine Elizabeth Edwards and Berry Hayes Edwards. Katherine was born in 1929 and died in 2015. She married Edward Bruner Crain. Berry was born in 1931 and died in 2010. He married Ruth Helen Deutsch.

Mary Rebecca Hayes Edwards died August 11, 1977. Eugene Taylor Edwards died the following year on May 20, 1978. They are both interred at Restlawn Memorial park.

Cousin Edna Scott of Gainesville, TX

2017-01-07T14:24:00.001-06:00

This is Edna Scott, daughter of William James Scott and his wife Jennie Ella Holmes. Her grandparents were Rufus Franklin Scott, a well-known Gainesville merchant and his wife, Martha (Mattie) Helen Moran. Rufus and and Mattie were born in Dresden, Tennessee. Mattie is the sister of John W. Moran. You can read more about their move to Gainesville here.

Edna was born April 13 1884. She had two brothers, William Scott and Charles James Scott. She married George Alexander Richter September 20, 1903 in Montague Texas. She and George appear in the 1910 Census for Gainesville, Texas. George was 34 and a sporting goods merchant. Edna was 26 and listed as having 2 pregnancies and 2 living children. George Jr. was 5 years old and William (Billy) was 3. At this time it is unknown what happened to George Jr., but Will married Angie Katherine Heard.

Edna Scott Richter died in 1966. Her husband George Richter died in 1954. Their son Will died in 1985 and his wife Angie died in 1991. They are all buried at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville.

This photo is annotated on the back as follows: "Edna Scott March 5 1901, Gainesville Texas." The photographer's mark is Manderfeld.

E.E. Taliaferro of Jackson Tennessee

2016-11-03T12:15:00.001-05:00

E.E. Taliaferro, Jeweler
Diamonds, watches & gold jewelry
Jackson Tenn

Though the box is empty it was saved by a Moran. Was it a gift from family or friend? What special memory did it hold? We'll never know which Moran it belonged to or what it might have held but it meant enough to a member of the family to keep it.

What we do know for certain is the box came from the E.E. Taliaferro Jewelry store in Jackson, Tennessee. That actually might be a clue because Ida Moran Timberlake lived in Jackson. It may have been a gift to her from her husband William G. Timberlake or it may have been a present for another Moran from Ida and William.

Who was E.E. Taliaferro? The following information comes from History of Colorado, volume 3. Edited by Wilbur Fiske Stone and published in 1918 by The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company.

"Edward Ellett Taliaferro, vice president of the Hamilton Jewelry Company and thus actively connected with the leading jewelry establishment of Colorado Springs, was born in Trenton, Tennessee, in 1875, a son of Lewis W. and Sallie (James) Taliaferro, who were married in Kentucky. The father was born in Virginia and represented one of the old and distinguished families of that state. Lewis W. Taliaferro was a Confederate Captain of the Civil War, enlisting for service with the troops from Tennessee. Throughout the period of hostilities he was at the front under General N.B. Forrest. He passed away at Trenton, Tennessee, in 1881, while his wife survives and is now a resident of Colorado Springs.

Edward E. Taliaferro is indebted to the public school system of his native city for the early educational advantages which which he enjoyed. he attended school there until he reached the age of thirteen years and then went to Jackson, Tennessee, where he secured employment in a jewelry store. After remaining in that city for a decade he removed to New York, where he resided for a year and a half, and in 1903 he arrived in Colorado Springs. Through the intervening period he has been identified with the jewelry trade of this city and is now vice president of the Hamilton Jewelry Company of Colorado Springs, owning the leading store in this line in the city. He carries a very extensive stock of jewelry of domestic and foreign manufacture and his store, neat, tasteful and attractive in arrangement, has brought to him a large patronage which he is able to hold by reason of his progressive and straightforward methods, the policy of the house being such as will always bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

On the 16th of April, 1901, in Jackson, Tennessee, Mr. Taliaferro was married to Miss De Lana White. They hold to the Baptist faith and Mr. Taliaferro gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party. He is essentially a business man, alert and energetic, actuated by a progressive spirit and never stopping short of the successful attainment of his purpose."

Although Lewis W. Taliaferro was reported to have died in 1881 he actually died September 4 1883 which was reported in the Milan Exchange on September 8 1883. Lewis Taliaferro is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Trenton Tennessee. He married Sallie James on February 7 1871 in Gibson County Tennessee rather than Kentucky.

"Capt. Lewis W. Taliaferro died at his home in Trenton last Tuesday. He was a talented, noble specimen of an Old Virginia gentleman, and will be sadly missed in the community."

Their son Edward was first married to De Lana White. After her death he married Lucy Dion McKenzie on July 15 1944 in Madison County TN. His WWI registration card shows he was living in Colorado Springs in 1918. He was born August 19 1875 and was the owner of his own jewelry store. He and wife De Lana lived at 1730 Wood Ave. He was of medium height, slender build with blue eyes and black hair. He had no exemptions. De Lana is buried next to Edward in Hollywood Cemetery while Lucy is at Mt. Calvary, both cemeteries are in Jackson TN.

In his will, dated July 12 1956, Edward indicated he instructed his wife Lucy M. Taliaferro that he wanted his debts to be paid including his funeral expenses and any expenses incurred due to his last illness. He appointed Mrs. Nancy M. Duffey to help his wife in closing his estate and whatever else was necessary and to be his executrix. His wish was to have all of the bequests carried out that had been part of his first wife's will. He made the following bequests:
1. $500.00 to James Talbot Jr.. $1000.00 to each of his three nephews, Russell, Evans and Lewis Taliaferro.
2. $650.00 "To Mamie Currie my faithful cook". To his beloved wife Lucy M. Taliaferro "all the rest, residue and remainder of the property real, personal and mixed...to be hers absolutely subject however to the following exceptions and provisions as to my personal effects. To Russell Taliaferro, my crest finger ring. To Evans Taliaferro, my pocket Crest watch. To Lewis Taliaferro, my collection of Scarf pins. The diamond engagement ring given by me to De Lana when we married has been given to Russell, being the first of the boys to marry."

I was able to locate the nephews in Census records:
1930 Census for Kansas City Missouri
George J. Taliaferro, head, age 48, born in Tennessee, accountant. George was the brother E.E. Taliaferro. He died in 1931 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City Missouri.
Ethel Taliaferro, wife, age 35, born in Maryland
Russell G. Taliaferro, son, age 11, Missouri
Evans Taliaferro, age 9, Missouri
Lewis E. Taliaferro, age 3 months, Missouri

1940 Census for Los Angeles California
Ethel Taliaferro, age 45, widow, born in Maryland. Here is the link to her findagrave memorial.

Russell G. Taliaferro, age 21, born in Missouri, Store Clerk, motion picture industry The SSI index says he was born in 1919 and died in 2006. Here is the link to his memorial on findagrave.
Evans Taliaferro, age 19, born in Missouri, Cartoonist, motion picture industry. Here is his findagrave memorial.
Lewis Taliaferro, age 14, born in Missouri.

It is interesting to note that there is a Taliaferro connection in the Moran family tree through J.W. Moran's wife, Sophia Riley Gunn. Sophia's mother was Caroline Matilda Morehead, daughter of Turner Morehead and Mary "Polly" Ann Hewitt Hooe. Polly's parents were Harris Hooe Sr and Catherine Taliaferro of Virginia. Edward Ellett Taliaferro's father hailed from Virginia as well.

Updated Feb. 8 2018
I came across E.E. Taliaferro's obituary in The Jackson Sun, Jan 11 1957.

E. E. Taliaferro
Jeweler, Inventor Dies at Home Here; Rites to be Saturday

Edward Ellett Taliaferro, 80, died at 5:20 o'clock this morning at his residence at 119 Allen avenue.

While his health had not been good for the past several years, he was critically ill for only two weeks.

Mr. Taliaferro was born in Trenton on August 19, 1876, the son of Capt. Lewis and Mrs. Sally James Taliaferro.

He became interested in watchmaking and engraving in his early teens and received his first training from R.O. Crump, jeweler at Trenton.

He later moved to Jackson and was in business on Main street for several years before entering Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a complete course in jewelry designing.

He completed his course there two years later in 1911 and was awarded a gold medal for the execution of the best original design of a jeweled ornament in the Pratt Institute jewelry course. Ludwig Nissen made the award.

His exhibits while at the institute, won for him ofers of employment from such famed firms as Tiffany's of New York.

Mr. Taliaferro decided to locate in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he spent 20 years as vice president of the Hamilton Jewelry Co.

After that time he was for several years connected with B.F. Stief Co. in Nashville where he was a designer.

He decided in 1924 to move to Jackson where he opened his own jewelry store, remaining in business here until his retirement in 1955.

Mr. Taliaferro was one of the few jewelry graduate designers in Tennessee.

He also was well known for his numerous inventions, especially those pertaining to time-keeping instruments.

In 1901 he was married to Miss Delana White of Jackson, who died in August, 1941.

On July 15, 1944, he was married to Miss Lucy McKenzie, who survives. He is survived also by three nephews, all of Escondida, Calif., Russell, Evans and Lewis Taliaferro.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church and Jackson Lodge 192, B.P.O. Elks.

The body will be at the residence until time for the services which will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday from Griffin Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in Hollywood.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hugh W. Hicks, Paul Russell, Frank Caldwell, Simpsin Russell, Dr. W.T. Fitts, Dr. George Harvey, Will Holland, Dr. R.B. White, James Diffee.

Active pallbearers will be Robert Spragins, Sid Spragins, Lamar Spragins Jr., James G. Joyner, James E. Whitaker Jr., James Talbo, Robert W. McKenzie, Bernard Sullivan.

Dorothy Louise Timberlake, 1906-1910

2016-02-07T09:19:00.000-06:00

In 2012 I posted about the home of Ida Moran and William G. Timberlake home which is located in Jackson Tennessee and still stands. I included several pictures of the exterior and interior of the home that were taken in the early 1900's. The pictures were actually negatives that I scanned and then inverted the image. The results were beautiful but to me had a sad other world feeling to them.

One image shows a picture of a little girl on the wall. We thought it was probably Dorothy Louise Timberlake, the only child of Ida and Will, who was just 4 years old when she died. But we had no way of knowing for sure until now. Here is the original framed picture that you can see hanging on the wall of the Timberlake home.

Gold Coins and Small Waisted Girls, January 1908

2016-01-19T08:46:00.000-06:00

We greatly enjoyed this letter from Jimmie to his dad J.W. Moran. J.W. and George Boyd taught him a good lesson, when you want something the price usually rises and in this the price on the gold coin he wanted increased by $15! This letter also shows the competitive streak between Jim and his brother Brud for the ladies. Or at least the competition existed in Jim's mind. :)

Just an FYI for you all. Instead of posting the images of each scanned letter, I think the above format is more interesting to read and to look it. Since search engines can't read the embedded text on an image, I will still include the text of each letter in html format so that the information can be retrieved by a search.

"The Mechanics-American National Bank of St. Louis

1/14-08

Dear Papa-

Your letter received today and as I will not have another opportunity to write for several days will answer at once.

I don't know whether you ever told me or I just found it out from observation but a man when he wants to trade with you must not appear at all anxious that he wants to trade. Now when I was down home and didn't want that gold piece I could have got it for sixty dollars but when I get back here and do want it then the price rises. I don't see my way clear to give seventy-five dollars or even seventy but rather than have you and Mr. Boyd bluff me out I will give you seventy dollars if delivered at once express paid. I don't think you can get this much from a broker, in fact I know you can't but the party that wants this one is collecting coins for his own personal pleasure and is able to pay for luxuries.

If you will trade at the above price send to me care of the Mechanics-American Bk not Am. Germ. as your letter this morning was addressed.

I hope Brud is not trying to take advantage of my absence by visiting Jackson for the purpose of taking possession of my belonging down there. The pretty girl with the little waist is not there now so I can't imagine what is prolonging his visit.

Give my love to Aunt Aggie, Hope you are both well.

Devotedly,

Jimmie

Pigue, Manier, Hall & Co., Nashville TN 1874

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Here's a neat piece of business ephemera from Nashville, TN dated Dec. 2, 1874, from the Office of Pigue, Manier, Hall & Co." A quick search told me that they were "manufacturer's and wholesale dealers of boots and shoes. The search also produced an introducing result from "The People's Paper" of Huntingdon, Tennessee dated September 1, 1874: "John C. Ezzell with Pigue, Manier, Hall, & Co. manufacturers and wholesale dealers in boots and shoes."

Being no stranger to the Ezzell name since Fannie Moran married James B. Ezzell, I immediately checked the family tree and found a John Chambers Ezzell. If my research is correct he was the son of Benjamin Gilbert Ezzell and Elizabeth Jetta Allen. Benjamin G. Ezzell was a brother of Mason Ezzell, the father of James Ezzell making John C. and James B. first cousins. It's just supposition on my part but it seems very possible that it's the same John C. Ezzell.

Uncle Brud's Travel Kit

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Uncle Brud, 1913, aboard the
S.S. Kronprincessin Cecilie

Uncle Brud traveled a great deal for a variety of reasons. As a young man he spent time away at college learning all of the accounting skills that made him a successful banker.

Brud was very health conscious and seemed to be on the "sickly" side so he spent time at sanitariums/health resorts like the one in Battle Creek Michigan.

And he loved to travel for adventure such as the great American west and a trip to the Panama Canal and Cuba in 1913, a year after the death of his father J.W. Moran.

So when I look at Brud's travel kit, I wonder about all of the places it's been that we'll never about.

Brasfield and Moran, 1924-25

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Found these two photographs and few others stored in a Loveman's Department Store Box and were annotated for Kent from his mom, Ria Moran. The first photo features Richard Brasfield, Nathan "Bub" Moran and his young sister Louise. Taken late 1924 or early 1925. I'm guessing that Richard is Richard Duane Brasfield, son of Roy West Brasfield and Johnnie Costen Bobbitt, born in 1919. He married Ruth Anne Bowlin in 1942 in Nashville, TN. He studied medicine and became a physician specializing in Cancer Research at New York City Hospital. Dr. Brasfield passed away in 1970.

left to right:
Richard Brasfield, Marion Louise Moran and Nathan "Bub" Moran

The second picture was taken in the side yard of Moran Place, about 1925-26, and features Bub and Louise Moran. Bub and his sister were very close. Even when he was away at college and early in the military he kept pictures and letters from his sister Louise in his footlocker.

Loveman's Department store.

Mrs. Charles R. Morehead, 1891

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1891, Mrs. C.R.Morehead, El Paso, Texas
Theo C. Marceau, fotographer,
826 Market St. Phelan Building
San Franciso, CAL

In keeping with yesterday's theme I'm posting a picture that may or may not be Mrs. Charles Robert Morehead, aka Lemire Morris Morehead. The back of the photo is stamped "C.R. Morehead, El Paso Texas" and "Mrs" is written in pen before the stamp. It is also annotated "1891." So does that mean the picture is of Lemire Morehead or did she stamp the photograph to show ownership? I've written about Charles and Lemire back in 2012. You can see a picture of her as a young woman in that blog post. I know she was living in Los Angeles during the later part of her life and that's where she died in 1910.

This 1891 picture was in a group of several other pictures including the one marked "Cousin Turner to Cousin Fannie." It's interesting to note that Lemire and Charles named their daughters Ida and Fanny. We're certain that John W. Moran and Sophia Gunn Moran named two of their daughters after the Moreheads. Fannie Lemira Moran was most likely a nod to Lemire Morris Morehead as well as Lemire's daughter Fanny and their other daughter was named Ida Morehead Moran and most definitely was named after Charles and Lemire's daughter, Ida Morehead!

Theo C. Marceau was a well known San Francisco photographer. The following comes from The San Francisco News Letter, July-Dec. 1896:


A WELL-KNOWN NAME. 



The signature at the foot of these lines has become a 

household word in San Francisco. Photography, as 

there are few cities in the world that can beat us at it. 

practiced here, has indeed become one of the arts, and 

course, but patient study and care in every detail has 

Our atmosphere may have something to do with it, of 

achieved more than anything else. Theo. C. Marceau, 

Phelan Building, can improve upon nature in his photo- 

whose beautiful studio is at 826 Market street, in the 
graphs, and when one considers how handsome our women 

especially, find satisfaction in posing before his cameras. 
are, that is saying a great deal. A single glance at some 
of his work will suffice to prove what we say. Ladies, 

the person, divine their moods, and know how to catch 
One must be an artist to know how one will look at one's 
best; one must be able, as it were, to fathom the nature of 

work done is perfect. All the latest styles of photography 
them upon the plate that will hold them forever. This 
Mr. Marceau does, and he is surrounded by such efficient 
assistants in every department that every detail of the 

absolutely lifelike. Considering the quality of his work, 
can be had in his studio. His color work is simply beauti- 
ful, and adds something to his pictures that makes them 
his prices are very low, reputation, in his case, bringing 

him all the patrons he can desire.

Cousin Turner to Cousin Fannie, ca. 1880-1900

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I'm starting out the New Year with a photograph that is annotated "Cousin Turner to Cousin Fannie" taken at Bingham & Hilliard's photography studio in Memphis Tennessee. The Fannie is Fannie Moran but Cousin Turner is a bit more mysterious. But I guesstimate that it's possible Cousin Turner is a Morehead. The Moran's are related to many Moreheads including Turner Morehead who is connected via his daughter Caroline's marriage to Dr. Lyman Taft Gunn, the father of Sophia Gunn who married John W. Moran.

The picture dates from 1880/81-1900. I use those dates because Charles D. Hilliard joined the Bingham Photography studio in 80/81 to form Bingham & Hilliard in Memphis. There were a large group of Morehead's living in Memphis and it's possible that this is the Turner Morehead that appears in the Sholes' Memphis Directory for 1895. More research is needed.

18 December 1951, SUBJECT: Christmas Festival, 603rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron

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Christmas 1951 saw Bub Moran stationed in Germany. It's possible he had already met his future bride Ria Fuhrmann but for now he was still a bachelor. The following letter was written by Earl L. Mack, Chaplain, USAF to all of the officers, airmen, and dependents of the 603rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron. The subject being the 1951 Christmas Festival. I've transcribed the letter which goes into great detail about Santa taking gifts to orphanages, poor houses and needy families. Santa even visited the Burgermeister and I have to admit every time I see Burgermeister I am reminded of the Burgermeister Meisterburger from Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Childhood memories are a wonderful thing and I've included a link to the Burger Meister at the end of this post.

But back to Bub's Christmas. The letter says that everyone received from Santa a "bonified Zippo Cigarette Lighter to each Officer, Civilian, airman, and dependents of the Squadron which are engraved with: Christmas, 1951, 603rd AC & W Squadron, Giebelstadt, Germany, and the individuals name." Kent remembers seeing the lighter but so far no luck finding it to include in this post. I have included a picture of Bub with one of his friends, Jim Brand, taken in 1952 in Wurzburg.

PAGE 1

Headquarters

603rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron

APO 800

SUBJECT: Christmas Festival

TO: Officers, Airman, and Dependents

603rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron

1. The Squadron, through your donations to the Christmas fund, funds from the unit fund, and
donations of money, clothing and food from individuals in the United States have made it possible to plan our Christmas Festival this year which will surpass any functions of this type that the Squadron has under-taken in the past.

2. The following money donations were received by the Committee from:

a. Officers, Airmen and Dependents

603rd AC & W Squadron $2,458.10

b. Mrs. Eileen Metzger 5.00

c. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ridgewood,

New York 75.00

d. El Katif Masonic Temple, Spokane, Wash. 65.00

e. Elk's, Spokane, Washington 50.00

TOTALS $ 2,653.10

3. The following persons residing in the United States have contributed packages containing food, toys, shoes, and clothing as of this date and we are still receiving packages.

2 Miss Bertha Cornwell 18 Student Council, Regional

7 Peacedale Congregational Church, High School, Penn Grove, N.J.

Peacedale, Rhode Island 1 Intermediate Class, First

2 Mrs. Mary G Soares Methodist Church, Palestine,

1 Mr & Mrs Manuel J Soares Jr Illinois

1 Mr & Mrs Joseph Gill 8 Luther Chapel Church, Coral,

1 Miss Delores Soares Pennsylvania

1 D.W. Oliver 1 R.P. Weis

2 S.M. Warfel 1 Edna Turner

1 Mrs. Millard Jarrett 1 Mrs. W.H. Sutton

1 Mrs. J.F. Zeluff 1 Mrs. R.M. Hughes

1 Florence Eaton 1 Rev. Dodd

1 Mrs. Synia Fohtz 3 Young People Union, First

4 First Baptist Church, Baptist Church, Snyder Tex.

Milford, N.H. 1 J.W. Bates

PAGE 2

4. The following is a rough run-down of how your money has been spent. However, this is not a financial statement, but one will be posted for your inspection shortly after the New Year.

1,400 Christmas Candy boxes 2,500 lb Potatoes

500 Christmas Candy bag's 1,000 lb Carrots

700 Christmas Cards 1,000 lb Cabbage

540 lb Christmas Hard Candy 88 Loaves of Bread

192 Assorted Toys 334 lb Lard

132 pr Boys and Girls underwear 162 pkg Pudding

136 pr Boys and Girls Stockings 324 lb Noodles

121 pr Boys and Girls Nite Gowns 188 lb Sugar

301 pr Boys and Girls shoes 144 Bars laundry soap

41 Chickens 144 Bars face soap

30 Geese 144 Cans of Milk

17 Ducks 4 Complete sets of clothing

405 lb Flour for orphan children in

Wrapping paper, string and Giebelstadt

name cards

The above will be distributed to approximately 2,100 individual adults and children.

5 The following schedule is for your information.

Friday 21 December 1951 0800: Santa leaves the Squadron Area to deliver toys to two Kinder Gardens in Giebelstadt and then on to the HICOG Office in Oschenfurt where approximately 35 poor and orphan children will receive from Santa, a new pair of shoes and a box of candy.

1300 hours: Leave the Squadron Area to deliver food baskets to the two old folks home in Oschenfurt and to nine elderly folks in Landkries Oschenfurt.

Saturday 22 December 1951 0800: Leave the Squadron Area with Santa and his sleigh to deliver shoes, underwear, candy and toys to the boy's and girl's orphanage, Vinzentinum, 10, Schlostrs and orphanage Marienaustalt, Franc-Ludwig Strsse, Wursburg.

1300 hours: Leave the Squadron area and meet Santa at the Wurzburg Motor Pool and then on to a boy's and girl's orphanage where Santa will give out shoes, candy and toy's, thence to a crippled boy's and girl's hospital located at Reichenberg by Wurzburg where they will deliver night gowns, toys, and candy.

Sunday 23 December 1951 1600: Leave the Squadron area to the Ralhaus in Giebelstadt where a program is to be conducted in conjunction with the German people of Giebelstadt; there will be Christmas carols sang by the two children's school choir from Giebelstadt and the Squadron Choir.The Bergemeister will address the audience. Upon arrival of Santa Claus in his sleigh, he will distribute approximately 800 boxes of Christmas Candy to the children of Giebelstadt.

PAGE 3

1830 hours: Start of the Squadron Christmas party in the Theater with the holiday Hi Jenks

consisting of Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Sredd, Mr. & Mrs. Ajelio Mismetti, 4 male and 2 girls with a 10 piece band from Wiesbaden. There will be 5 acts with music by the band between acts and it is expected to last approximately one and one half hours.

2000 hours: Maybe before - Free beer, soft drinks and dance band in the Airman's Club. also a Buffett Supper which will be served in the large Airmen's Dining Room.

2100 hours: Santa presents a bonified Zippo Cigarette Lighter to each Officer, Civilian, airman, and dependents of the Squadron which are engraved with: Christmas, 1951, 603rd AC & W Squadron, Giebelstadt, Germany, and the individuals name. The party will start breaking up when the beer is stopped at 2330 hours and everyone is encouraged to help his buddy off to bed for a good nights sleep as the following day there is still much to do for Santa.

Monday 24 December 1951 0900 hours: THE BIG DAY FOR GIEBELSTADT!!! Santa and his helpers leave the Squadron area for the Rathuas in Geibelstadt where after paying a visit to the Bergemeister, Santa and his helpers will deliver some 70 food baskets, with live chickens, geese, and ducks, shoes, toys and candy to needy families.

Christmas day - 25 December 1951: Santa and his helpers have had a pretty full 4 day's work making other people and children happy with these presents and it is now their turn to sit back and enjoy their own individual Christmas day. For those who desire, they may attend Christmas Services or Mass in the Squadron Chapel at 1100 hours.

Catholic Mid-night Mass 2400 at Leighton Barracks and transportation will leave the Squadron at 2300 hours. Christmas Day services at the Hospital at 100 hours and the regular Christmas dinner.

Yes, you can have your Tom Turkey or choice of Ham with all the trimmings and may have either beer or a good wine with your meal. Christmas dinner will be served from 120 to 1450 and supper from 1645 to 1800 hours.

6. Santa needs lots of help to deliver all the things which you have helped to make available for the needy orphans, poor children and families, henceforth, Santa encourages you to participate in the delivery of these gifts. Pick the day, time, and place which you would like to help deliver to and be in front of Headquarters one hour prior to the hour Santa is to leave the Squadron so that he can organize you all. Don't just pick one day. Santa Encourages you to go along on all his trips-The old saying is, "The more the merrier" certainly pertains in this instance.

Earl L. Mack

Chaplain, USAF

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas

and a very Happy New Year!

Kent, Nathan & Mary Moran

Fin de Siecle Club, Jackson TN, 1898

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Fin de Siecle: of, relating to, or characteristic of the close of the 19th century and especially its literary and artistic climate of sophistication, world-weariness, and fashionable despair.

Source: Merrian-Webster Online Dictionary.

Some quick research tells me that several of the people (Mrs. R.H. Cartmell, Mrs O.J. Nance, N.S. White, Miss Callie Mallory, Mrs. J.E. Springbett) on the member list resided in Jackson TN which leads me to think the book came into the family through Ida Moran. She married William G. Timberlake of Jackson TN and resided there after her marriage.

The Battle of the Strong was serialized in The Atlantic Monthly starting in January 1898. It came out later that year in book form and was a best seller in the United States ranking number 10 on the best seller list for that year and rising as high as number 2 the following year. Source: Wikipedia

Fin de Siecle Club book guidelines and member list:

This book must be forwarded to the next on the list, on the 1st, & 15th, of each month. A heavy fine will be imposed for careless handling. Notify the Sec. Miss Callie Mallory, if not delivered on time, or abused.

Name Rec'd Deliv'd Condition

1. Mrs. H. Tomlin

2. Mrs. J.D. Morgan

3. Mrs. C. Sutton

4. Mrs. R.H. Cartmell

5. Miss Callie Mallory

6. Mrs J.R. Withers

7. Mrs. H.C. Iroy

8. Mrs. W.R. Stout

9. Mrs. Riley Ely

10. Mrs. N.S. White

11. Mrs. Muse

12. Miss Mary Bell

13. Miss Mamie Caldwell

14. Mrs. P.J. Murray

15. Mrs. W. Chandler

16. Mrs. Hamilton

17. Miss F. Mallory

18. Mrs. S. Reid

19. Mrs. R. Balch

20. Mrs. Fulghum

21. Mrs. J. Friddle

22. Mrs. J. Springbett

23. Mrs. P. Bates

24. Miss A. Stephens

25. Mrs. O.J. Nance

26. Mrs. Tom Long

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Originally posted in the Dresden Enterprise, October 11 1895

"Brummitt-Jones

Last Tuesday night Mr. Horace Brummitt, of Gleason, was united in marriage to Miss Helen Jones at the residence of her aunt, Mrs. Mattie Rogers, three miles west of town, with whom she had made her home since a child. The ceremony was performed by Rev. A.J. Meaders, of this place. The wedding march was played by Miss Lucile Rogers. The ushers, Messrs. Edwards and Brummitt, the latter a brother of the groom, were preceded to the parlor by little Miss Valda Boyd. The bride and groom stood under a heart of flowers, pierced by Cupid's arrow, and made, indeed, a handsome couple. The house was beautifully decorated with potted plants and evergreens and added much beauty to the joyous occasion. Supper was served in superb style, and consisted of many substantials and delicacies. The bridal presents from admiring friends were numerous and handsome. Mr. Brummitt is a popular young grocer man of Gleason and is well worthy of the charming lady he has won as a life companion. To both we extend best wishes for a long life of happiness and prosperity.

A dining was given to the bride and groom on Wednesday at the residence of the grooms' grandparents, Mr. Geo. W. Simmons and wife, in the 6th district, which was pronounced a nice affair by those who attended."

Horace Brummitt was born July 15 1872 and died Nov. 6 1922. He was the son of J.B. Brummitt and Anna Simmons Brummitt. He and Helen had one child, Rogers Simmons Brummitt.

Helen Marie Jones was the daughter of Edward and Mary Jones. She was born Mar 28 1877 and died Nov. 8 1964.

The article indicates she lived at the residence of her aunt, Mrs. Mattie Rogers. The Moran tree has a Mattie Rogers and I'm wondering if this is the same person. The only problem is our Mattie Rogers married George Scott Boyd in 1879 so at the time of the Brummitt-Jones wedding she would have been Mrs. Mattie Boyd. Mattie and George Boyd had a daughter named Valda Boyd who was part of the Brummitt-Jones wedding procession. So it does make me lean toward the idea that perhaps the Enterprise meant Mrs. Mattie Boyd and not Mrs. Mattie Rogers.

After the death of Horace in 1922, Helen married William Montgomery on Dec. 4 1924. The 1930 Census shows that Helen and William were living in at 404 Cedar Street, just two doors down from the Moran family. She and William were residing in the home of William N and Inez L. Christian. William was a lumber clerk and Helen a dressmaker working at a "burial dress shop." She and William appear in the 1940 Census for Weakley County. William worked as a clerk in a retail lumber store and Helen was a dressmaker.

Helen has a memorial in Sunset Cemetery on findagrave but I wonder if she's really there. She is entered as Helen Marie Jones Brummitt rather than Helen Montgomery. None of the family trees I've seen on ancestry.com list a place of burial nor a place of death for her or her second husband and since they both died after 1960 their death certificates are not available as public record yet.

Advertisement for C.W. Cottrell's Dry Goods Store 1895

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I came across a copy of the Dresden Enterprise dated October 11, 1895. I plan on scanning it all and posting it over the next few weeks but for today I picked this advertisement for Charles W. Cottrell's Dry Goods store. While doing research I came across a biography for him and am including that as well.

At one point, Cottrell was in the dry goods and general merchandise business with several Moran relatives including Benjamin D. Irvine, Stephen Preston Scott and George Scott Boyd. According to the death announcement in the Dresden Enterprise he retired from that business and became the president of the Weakley County Bank. I'm sure he and J.W. Moran had much in common since J.W.Moran also started out in dry goods and branched out into banking with the Dresden Bank!

Biography of the Charles W. Cottrell family taken from The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed in 1887:

"C.W. Cottrell, proprietor of a general merchandise store at Dresden, Tenn., was born in Granville County, N.C., December 4, 1840. His father, Samuel Cottrell, was born in the same county and State, August 7, 1820, and was a farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Tennessee in 1844, locating in Weakley County, and died in the Tenth District of that county, October 29, 1847. The mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Hicks, was born in the same State and county as her husband, February 8, 1819. After her husband's death she married C.E. Baxter, and after his death she united her fortunes with those of W.R. Ross, who is also deceased. For the past eight years she has been living with our subject. Mr. Cottrell was educated in the schools of Dresden and became a salesman in the general merchandise store of M.D. Cardwell, in Dresden, at the age of sixteen. In 1859 he began clerking for E.J. White, with whom he remained until 1865, when he became a partner in the business, the firm consisting of E.J. White (his son) J.M. White and Mr. Cottrell. In 1868 E.J. White died, and from that date until 1879 Mr. Cottrell and J.M. White continued as partners. In 1879 Mr. Cottrell disposed of his interest in the stock to his partner, and in 1880 formed a partnership with B.D. Irvine, S.P. Scott and G.S. Boyd, under the firm name of Cottrell, Irvine & Co., starting a large dry goods and general merchandise establishment, and building a fine flouring-mill, saw-mill, etc. In 1883 Mr. Cottrell sold his interest in the mills and bought the entire stock in the store, and from that date until the present, has successfully managed the business. April 25, 1866, he married Mary E. Johnson, who was born near Murfreesboro, February 14, 1841, daughter of Joseph M. Johnson, who was, at one time, sheriff of Rutherford County. They have no children. Mr. Cottrell is a Democrat and belongs to K. of H. Lodge, No. 312. His wife and mother are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South."

From the Dresden Enterprise, April 1, 1904:
"Sudden Death. The entire populace of Dresden was shocked on last Saturday night shortly after 7 o'clock to learn that Mr. C.W. Cottrell had very suddenly expired at his home. Mr. Cottrell had been at the bank all day and apparently in robust health, but was taken suddenly ill that evening and expired in ten minutes time. Dr. Baxter, his half brother, arrived a few minutes before he died and administered medical aid. Mr. Cottrell came to this county from North Carolina overland with his parents when he was six years of age, and has resided here ever since. for a number of years, he engaged in the mercantile business here and enjoyed a very extensive patronage, but retired in 1896 and devoted his entire time to the presidency of the Weakley County Bank, one of the strongest financial institutions in the county, to the time of his demise. He was a man of few words and slow to express an opinion on current questions; he attended strictly to his own affairs. He had gained what earthly possessions he had by hard toil and shrewd management, and was at the time of his death one of the wealthiest men of the county. A large number of prominent and influential men from this and many adjoining counties attended his funeral Sunday afternoon. He leaves, besides an aged wife, a sister, Mrs. Bettie Freeman, of Paris, and a half brother, Dr. G.I. Baxter of Dresden. There were no children. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at the residence by Rev. Russell. Interment took place at Dresden cemetery."

Charles Cottrell and his wife Mary E. Johnson Cottrell are interred at Sunset Cemetery. In addition, his mother Catherine Hicks Cottrell Baxter Ross and half brother George Isaac Baxter are there as well.