Forget Me Not: Norman Alford, 1955 MS

Mr. Alford was a descendant of “a pioneer family.” 

Reading that lets me know that he was a member of my Alford family.

 

 

Norman Alford

4 October 1880 – 20 June 1955 MS

Son of Barnabas Seaborn Alford & Anna Rebecca Norman

 

Norman Alford is Buried in McComb

 

Norman Alford, 74, prominent furniture merchant of McComb for over a third of a century, died at his residence Monday afternoon.

 

Descendant of a pioneer family which settled near the Bogue Chitto river in 1807, Mr. Alford was associated with the McColgan interests in his youth. He served as cashier of the first National Bank for several years and entered the furniture business in 1919. Toward the end of 1952 he retired as active head of the Main Street furniture firm which bore his name. He had been confined to his home during recent months.

 

Mr. Alford was a member of the board of stewards of the Centenary Methodist church, of McComb Masonic Lodge No. 382 and other organizations.

 

Services were held Tuesday afternoon from Centernary Methodist church, Rev. E. W. Ulmer conducting, assisted by Rev. W. Stokes. Honorary Pall Bearers were members of the board of stewards of Centernary Methodist church and members of the Masonic Lodge.

 

He leaves his wife; Mrs. Lola Alford; two sons; George and Mason Alford, McComb; two brothers, J. B. of McComb and Rev. L. E. Alford of Jackson; one sister, Mrs. D. M. Hayes of New Orleans, La. Burial was in Holly Wood cemetery. 

 

Clarion – Ledger, Jackson MS

22 June 1955, page 14

Newspapers.com

 

 

Vintage Photograph: Alberta Joy Gardner Brown

 My mother's birthday is approaching. It seems a good time to post a vintage photograph of her. I love her fluffy hat. 

Alberta Joy Gardner Brown

26 March 1928 NY - 10 Aug 1992 NY

Only child of Nathaniel Gardner & Helen F. Coyle 

Wife of Delbert Keith Brown

Mother of four children

My Mother

Letters from the Past – July 1901 Gruissy - Moore Letter

  My family has letters from our Mark/Gruissy family. My paternal aunt, Genevieve A. Brown Wieland Schaperjahn shared those letters with me.  This was written from one half - sister to another. 

 

This letter was written to my great grandmother

Nancy Regina Victoria (Gruissy) Mark 

31 Jan 1879 Medina, OH - 24 May 1959 Medina, OH

Daughter of Augustus Ceaser Gruissy & Esther Barbara Wolf

Wife of Thomas Kenneth Mark

 

This letter was written by 

Caroline Louise Gruissy Moore

23 Oct 1863 OH - 15 Apr 1936 OH

Daughter of Augustus Ceaser Gruissy & Mary Ann Everett

Wife of Peter Jonathan Moore

Caroline & Regina were half - sisters.

 

The punctuation in this letter is mine to make it a little easier to read.

In the same envelope was a letter from Caroline's daughter, Vera.

To: Miss Regina V. Gruissy, St. John’s, Clinton Co., Michigan

From: Caroline Louise Gruissy Moore

Postmarked: 1901 OH

 

 

lergy [early] july the 29^th

 

dear sister I will try and rite a few lines to let you know that we are well and hope these few lines will find you well. was glad to hear from you and that you got there all right. have you seen Emma yet and how is she getting along? I will try and tell you the news … Mrs hanes has got a new house [horse?]. they paid Ma hundred for it. You aught [sic] see hear said [?]. McFarlands got theirs. Miss Moyer has got a porch on this end of her house. Oli has gone to seville [sic] to narh [?] as barc [?] Fred. I see him go by and look lonely. I gess [sic] his mind is far away. I feel so sorry for him but I cant [sic] reach him bass [?] bellow [?] Mary and Albert[i] was well the last time I saw them.

Cousin Albert and -?- was up and stayed a night with me. We had a nice time. We had a real nice rain this morning. It has been real -?- this summer. Have you heard from Bill since you went out there? Poor fellow. I wonder if you have time in his dreams. Well how many hear -?- you washed since you went out there.

 

 rita [sic] has got back from the farm. she sayes [sic] it was fine. They have got Mr. Moyer out of jail. he [sic] forged a note. the ladies are to give a shosl [?] next saturday evening in the parish. they had the meeting out in the yard last evening. it was so warm in the church. peter[ii] has gone to Wadsworth to market brick laying. They are putting up a large building there. I will close from yur [sic] Carrie Moore rite [sic] soon

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[i] Mary Magdalene Gruissy Lutz, half – sister to Regina, was born 23 November 1865. She married Albert Lutz 3 July 1889. In 1900 they were living in Westfield Township, Medina County, Ohio. They had no children. 

[ii] Peter J. Moore, born March 1857 in Ohio. Husband of Caroline Louise Gruissy

This is how the first page of the letter looks.

Related Post:

• 1896 Gruissy letter, from a teacher
• 1899 Gruissy Letter, from a beau 
• Jan 1901 Gruissy Letter

Irish: In my Roots & In my Heart

As March 17 nears each year I feel a strong connection to my Irish family. 

So here is an Irish post with pictures I took in Ireland in April 2012.

Saint Patrick's Well

County Tipperary, Ireland 2012

Wishing you always...

Walls for the wind, 

A roof for the rain

And tea beside the fire.

Laughter to cheer you, 

Those you love near you, 

And all that your heart may desire.

A few of my Irish ancestors:

Michael Coyle

Mary Josephine Mullane Coyle

Daniel Mullane

Thomas Brady

Helen F. Coyle Gardner

An Irish Blessing for you on St. Patrick's Day, 

my birthday!

Colleen

Forget Me Not: Annie McClendon Simmons, 1942

Annie was a "pioneer citizen" according to her obituary. Those words grab my interest and make me wish I could have sat down and heard stories from the past.

 

Annie Idelia McClendon Simmons

18 November 1864 – 10 July 1942

Daughter of David Jackson McClendon & Eliza Jane Smith

Wife of Edward Alexander Simmons

 

My 1^st Cousin 3x removed

 

County Loses Pioneer Citizen

 

Funeral For Mrs. Simmons to be Held Saturday Morning

 

The community lost another of the pioneer citizens when Mrs. Annie McClendon Simmons, age 77, widow of the late Edward A. Simmons of the Progress community, passed away at 5:30 a. m., Friday at a local hospital here.

 

The funeral will be held from the Progress Baptist church at 11 a. m. Saturday, and interment will follow in the church cemetery.

 

Mrs. Simmons had spent practically all her life in Progress community, where she was a long time member of Progress Baptist Church. About a year ago, due to feeble health and advancing age, she became a member of the household of her daughter, Mrs. C. V. Webb, of Fernwood. About two weeks ago she became ill and was moved to the hospital.

 

The survivors include two sons, W.  W. Simmons of Cleveland, Miss., and George E. Simmons, of Magnolia, one daughter, Mrs. C. V. Webb of Fernwood; two sisters Mrs. A. E. McGee of Franklinton La., and Mrs. A. S. Fortenberry of Denver; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

 

Davis Funeral Home in charge.

Enterprise - Journal, McComb, MS

10 July 1942, page 6

Newspapers.com

 

Stray Horse, 1838 MS

 This little clipping is interesting. It looks like Edward's horse wandered away from home. I wonder if the horse was ever found.

Edward Stewart Brown

26 Jul 1806 Liberty GA - 7 May 1856 MS

Son of Moses Brown & Sarah Robertson 

My 3x great grandfather

Piney Woods Planter (Liberty, Mississippi) · 12 May 1838, Sat · Page 3

Newspapers.com

Related Post:

• Stray Horse of Moses Hollis

Letters from the Past – Jan. 1901 Gruissy Letter

  My family has letters from our Mark/Gruissy family. My paternal aunt, Genevieve A. Brown Wieland Schaperjahn shared those letters with me.  I am happy that she shared these letters & I am happy they had been saved and handed down to the future.

This letter was written to my great grandmother

Nancy Regina Victoria (Gruissy) Mark 

31 Jan 1879 Medina, OH - 24 May 1959 Medina, OH

Daughter of Augustus Ceaser Gruissy & Esther Barbara Wolf

Wife of Thomas Kenneth Mark

N. Regina Gruissy Mark

This letter was written by

Emily Catherine Morrison

b 15 Jan 1866

Daughter of William Hiram Morrison & Emily Banner

Sister of Seth Banner Morrison

Regina was the half - sister of Seth's wife, Margaret Jane Gruissy Morrison

 

 

To: Miss Regina Gruissy, Leroy, Medina Co., OH

From: E. Morrison, Sullivan, OH

Postmarked: 17 Jan 1901, Sullivan, OH

 

Dear friend regina I suppose you will think strange to get a letter from me But I am worrying aBout [about] seths[1] I have lookt [looked] and lookt [looked] But I ant heard one word from them since they went away I don’t know what is rong [wrong]  I allways [always]  tride [tried]  to do all I could for them wall [well] if you have heard eny [any] thing from them will you plas [please] let me no [know] if you pleas [please]and I will do as much for you if ever Can I hope to find you all well excuse mis taks [mistakes] and poor wrightin [writing] from a friend E Morrison[2] to regina Ancer [answer] soon and all the news goodby [goodbye]

Anser [answer] soon as you can

My love and Best wishes for you

 

 

Note: This letter was written in pencil on lined paper. There are many spelling errors & no periods in this letter.

 

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[1] Regina’s half sister was Margaret Jane Gruissy b 26 Dec 1861. Margaret married Seth Morrison. In 1900 they were living in Sullivan Twp., Ashland Co., OH. In 1910 they lived in Medina County. This letter may refer to their move.

[2] E Morrison was most likely Emily Morrison, sister of Seth B. Morrison.

Related Post:

• 1896 Gruissy letter, from a teacher
• 1899 Gruissy Letter, from a beau