Ott, Consul of Switzerland

The Ott branch of my family reaches back to Melchoir Ott, my 7x great grandfather, who was born in Switzerland in 1699. From Switzerland, the family settled in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Later generations moved further south, into Mississippi and Louisiana.

 

When I saw this brief announcement in an 1843 New Orleans newspaper, it caught my attention. The combination of the surname Ott and Switzerland would indicate a connection to our family. John Tyler would have been the President at the time of this appointment. I have been unsuccessful in determining what was involved with the job.

 

I do not know, specifically, who “A. Ott” was. If you have any information please share. 

 

 

Executive Appointment. The President of the United States has recognized A. Ott, of Indiana, as Consul of Switzerland for the states of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan and the territories of Wisconsin and Iowa.

 

Source: Summary of News. (New Orleans, LA: The Times-Picayune, 18 Jan. 1843) 2; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Sept. 2021.

 

 

 

Forget Me Not: Frank R. Brumfield, 1960 MS

Frank Richard Brumfield

31 December 1869 MS – 15 Feb 1960 MS

Son of: Joseph Warren Brumfield & Courtney Jane Simmons

Husband of Julia Gardner

 

 

 

Frank R. Brumfield Dies at 90

 

Services for Frank Richard Brumfield, 90, retired farmer of Progress, who died Monday at Rueff’s Nursing Home, will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at Catching’s Funeral Home.

 

Burial will be in the Brumfield cemetery with nephews acting as pallbearers.

 

The Rev. J. B. Riley of Magnolia and the Rev. W. W. Tipton of Fernwood will officiate at last rites.

 

Survivors include two sons, Frank Brumfield, Moss Point, and Thad Brumfield of Pascagoula; six daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Burnson, Mrs. Leta Ford and Mrs. Norene Pittman, all of Magnolia, Miss Hannah D. Brumfield, Mrs. Pearl Stout and Mrs. Toy Murphree of Pascagoula.

 

A brother, D. J. Brumfield, Walker’s Bridge; two sisters, Miss Maggie Brumfield, Walker’s Bridge and Mrs. Matt Brumfield, Progress; and 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

 

 

Ssource: Frank R. Brumfield Dies at 90. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 15 Feb 1960) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2021.

American Legion Forms in Pike Co., MS 1919

This is one of my favorite types of newspaper articles because it includes names from several branches of our family. This one includes: Alford, Brumfield, Ellzey, Fortenberry & Ott family members. This is also useful to identify men from our family who served in World War I. Veterans' Day seems the perfect time to publish this list of WWI soldiers.

Read my endnotes to learn more about those men I was able to identify. 

 

Pursuant to call issued by J. H. Price, Jr., delegate to National caucus, a meeting of soldiers, sailors and marines convened at the Pike county court house at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, June 21^st, 1919, and organized by the Pike County Post of the American Legion. Temporary were elected as follows: K. G. Price, McComb, chairman; Thomas Cotton, Summit, vice-chairman; Van H. Weathersby, secretary and treasurer.

 

Although this was the first attempt that has been made to organize a Post of the American Legion in Pike county, a great deal of enthusiasm was manifested by those present, and plans were perfected for organizing Posts over the entire county, the desire being expressed that every soldier, sailor or marine who had served honorably during the war should become a member of his local post.

 

The only credentials required of a candidate to make him eligible for membership to the American Legion is his honorable discharge, and fifteen or more such members can organize a local post and obtain a charter from the National organization.

 

The following committees on membership were appointed for the purpose of organizing posts at the various places in the county, and they are urged to do this at once as it is desired that as many Posts as possible be organized by July 12^th. In addition thereto, it was decided to have a general meeting or rally, inviting every soldier, sailor or marine in the county. The time and place of this rally to be the same as the celebration which will be given the soldiers by the Council of Defense. The time and place will be announced later.

 

The following is a list of committees on memberships, and they are urged to perfect their organizations without delay, and are requested to apply to the chairman or secretary for information.

 

Johnston Station – E. I. Carruth, Claude C. Carruth, J. A. Parnell.

 

Summit – Thomas Cotton, H. F. Wolbrecht, A. B. Reeves.

 

McComb – Harry Naul, Ewell Martin, Luther Lane, Pelham Mills, Jr.

 

Fernwood – C. L. Taylor, Albert Fitzgerald, unreadable name

 

(Unreadable Location) – L. C. Allmand, Ernest Curruth, Emmett Carruth, L. M. Speed.

 

Osyka – Sam Fortenberry[1], John Mixon, Culver Ott[2], Hollis Webb.

 

Silver Springs – H. L. Simmons, A. E. Fortenberry[3]. 

 

Progress – (Address R. F. D. Magnolia) Elmer Alford[4], Edwin Alford.

 

Walker’s Bridge – (Address R. F. D. Magnolia) L. M. Brumfield[5], J. C. Rimes, Emmett Gulledge[6].

 

Holmesville – (Address R. F. D. Magnolia) Luther Brent, Hugh Bullock, Chas. A. Gibson, Joe Bullock.

 

Graycoat – (Address R. F. D. Osyka) Willie Bryant, Ben Spears.

 

Carter’s Creek – (Address R. F. D. McComb) D. P. Walker, Jr., Tom Norman, Purser Boyd.

 

Felder’s Camp Ground – (Address R. F. D. Summit) Jack Felder, Jewell Dunaway, Rayner McEwen.

 

Source: American Legion for Pike County Organizes. (McComb, MS: The McComb City Enterprise, 10 Jul 1919) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Sept. 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

---

[1]Samuel Floyd Fortenberry, b 15 March 1889 Pike, MS, d Feb 1964 Pike, MS; husband of Maude Robert Easley; son of Richard A. Fortenberry & Josephine Ellzey.

[2]Culver Lamer Ott, b 2 May 1895 MS, d 17 Jan 1924 LA; son of Samuel Adolphus Ott & Georgia Ritchie.

[3]Alfred Eugene Fortenberry, b 26 June 1879, d 7 April 19953 LA; husband of Annie Elizabeth Ott; son of William Franklin Fortenberry & Mariah B. Hall.

[4]Elmer C. Alford, b 19 March 1890 Pike, MS, d 30 Jan 1966 Pike, MS; husband of Willie Belle Hall; son of Julius Ceaser Alford & Sarah Elizabeth Fortenberry; US Army, 345^thInfantry.

[5]Leura McCauley Brumfield, b 5 October 1887 LA, d 19 August 1948 LA; husband of Norma Flint; son of Uriah V. Brumfield & Julia McElveen.

[6]Willis Emmett Gulledge, b 14 September 1895 MS, d 26 October 1961; husband of Hettie Muriel Ellzey; Corporal WWI Army Infantry.

133 Years Ago: Wedding of John J. Brumfield & Eliza Lee, 1888 MS

Married 8 November 1888

I love the descriptions of the bride in the report. She was a "perfect blonde".  Of course, the groom was handsome and elegantly attired. 

John J. Brumfield

11 July 1865 MS – 11 January 1940

Son of: Joseph Warren Brumfield & Courtney Jane Simmons

 

&

Eliza Lee

8 February 1868 MS – 28 October 1935

Daughter of: F. M. Lee

 

Married – Thursday Nov 8, 1888, by Mr. J. M. Tate at the residence of the bride’s father Mr. F. M. Lee, Mr. J. J. Brumfield to Miss Eliza Lee. The bride never looked more lovely in her life. Her trousseau was beautiful, she is a perfect blonde and a queen could not have appeared to a better advantage. The groom was handsome, elegantly attired and appeared that he fully appreciated the jewel he had won. The nuptial ceremony by Mr. Tate was solemn his language emphatic and his manner graceful. The relatives and a few friends of the family constituted the guests. The room in which the ceremony took place was carefully arranged in fact every thing was apropos to the occasion. The company retired to the supper that had been prepared skillful hands and the viands [items of food] were not  only in great abundance but of all the most delicate quality. After all had partaken of the feast the young people whiled the time away by various amusements until the “wee small hours” when most of the guests left for their homes, pronouncing their benediction on Mr. and Mrs. Lee for the hospitable manner in which they had been entertained. 

 

The groom’s father, Maj. Joe Brumfield gave a reception Friday the 9^ththe happy couple and the reception was in no way particular inferior to the wedding. Every thing about the table was in perfect order and the most fastidious would have been pleased.  Mrs. Brumfield has a happy way of making every one feel at home. These marriage festivities remind one of antebellum times, when the tables groaned under the edibles and the aristocracy revealed in luxury. 

 

Source: Married. (Magnolia, MS: The Magnolia Gazette, 17 Nov. 1888) 3; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2021.

Forget Me Not: Amie Elizabeth Pace Kelly

I am related to Amie through her husband.  

His grandfather was William Stark Kelly, 1739 - 1826. William Stark Kelly was a Revolutionary War soldier. 

His son, Sims Kelly, served in the War of 1812. Sims' son, husband of Amie, served in both the Mexican - American War and the Civil War.

Learn more about our family's Soldiers.

 

 

Amie Elizabeth Pace Kelly

Daughter of Rev. Richard Pace

Widow of Samuel Camp Kelly

Mother of Richard & William

Wife of my 1st cousin, 5x removed 

 

 

Oxford. After a lingering illness of many months, Mrs. Samuel C. Kelly, mother of Hon. Richard B Kelly, of Anniston, died at the home of Mr. A. B. Scarbrough, near Choccolocco, about 8 p. m. the 22d inst., and after funeral services at Oxford Baptist church, conducted by Revs. E. T. Smyth, J. C. Wright and J. E. Barnard, her remains were deposited by the side of her husband, Capt. Samuel C. Kelly, in Oxford cemetery, the 24^th, about 12 M. Mrs. Kelly was a daughter of Rev. Richard Pace, deceased, formerly of this county, and for many years has been a consistent member of Oxford Baptist Church, and a thoroughly devoted, consecrated Christian. She leaves two sons and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn their loss.

 

Source: Oxford. (Talladega, AL, Our Mountain Home, 29 Sept. 1897) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed June 2020).

1935 MS Engagement: Fortenberry & McGehee

 

Edith Franklin Fortenberry McGehee

29 Sept 1914 MS - 27 Aug 2002

Daughter of:

Willis Franklin Fortenberry & Ivy May Smith

Source: Engagement. (McComb, MS: Enterprise - Journal, 7 June 1935)4; digital image, newspapers.com: accessed Oct 2021.

Related Posts:

• Willis Franklin Fortenberry in Social Notes
• Willis Franklin Fortenberry in the US Census
• Fortenberry family Reunion

Forget Me Not: Watson William Brumfield, 1968 MS

Funeral Director Dies.

Watson William Brumfield

1 October 1903 MS – July 1968 MS

Son of: Henry James Brumfield & Lula O’Quin

Husband of: Cora Mae Laseter

My 3rd Cousin, 2x Removed

 

 

Tylertown – Funeral services for Watson Brumfield, 64, will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday in Mesa Baptist Church.

 

Mr. Brumfield, funeral director for Capps Funeral Home, died Tuesday night in a local hospital where he had been a patient for about five days.

 

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Cora Mae Laseter Brumfield, one son, Hilton Brumfield, Rochester, Minn., one daughter, Mrs. Ralph McElveen, Tylertown, his mother, Mrs. Henry Brumfield, Jackson, four brothers, Cullen, Seth, Verne and Ephram Brumfield, all of Tylertown, five sisters, Mrs. T. C. Stringer, Mrs. Wilson Brock, Mrs. William Laseter, all of Tylertown, Mrs. Roy Laseter, Jackson, Mrs. Casey Johnson, Magnolia, and nine grandchildren.

 

Rev. Tommy King and Rev. Paul Shell will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the church and active pallbearers will be his nephews.

 

Burial will be in the Rushing Cemetery with Capps Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Source: Watson Brumfield Rites Set. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 31 Jul 1968) 3; digital image, newspapers.com: accessed March 2021.

5. Memorial for Charles Edgar Brumfield, Jr.

Searching through Newspapers.com has led me to many interesting discoveries related to our family. Charles Brumfield appears in several newspaper articles. I will be sharing 5 posts about this young man, in the order they appeared in the newspaper: 1. Lost in a Swamp; 2. His Wedding & Happy times; 3. World War II; 4. A tragic Crash, 5. A Memorial.

 5. A Memorial. 

A month after the terrible plane crash a memorial service was held. The remains of Charles "were not recovered." Charles left his young wife and two small children. An August 1946 newspaper shares the announcement of Charles' widow's second marriage to Cecil C. Broome. 

Charles Edgar Brumfield, Jr.

18 December 1918 MS – 10 February 1944

Son of Charles Edgar Brumfield & Katie Leona Freeman

Husband of Virginia Rawls

 Services Held in Memphis for Crash Victims

Members of Brumfield Family Attend Rites for Lieutenant

 

Dr. Robert H. Brumfield of McComb, and Mrs. W. A. Bilbo, Jr., of Magnolia, left Tuesday afternoon for Jackson, where they were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Brumfield and Mrs. Charles Edgar Brumfield, all going to Memphis where a joint funeral service was held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon for the victims of the plane crash which brought death to their little brother, son and husband, Lieut. Charles Edgar Brumfield.

 

The services were of a military nature and held in the manner of a memorial to the service personnel losing their lives, the bodies of many of whom, including that of Lieutenant Brumfield were not recovered from the waters of the Mississippi River near Memphis, where the tragic crash of a huge commercial air transport occurred Tuesday, February 10.

 

Several identifiable bodies and portions of bodies of others of the 24 victims, were recovered by United States engineers and salvage workers, following the plunge of the plane into the river. Salvage efforts were given up after many days of intensive probing of the waters.

 

Lieutenant Brumfield had been stationed with the U. S. Ferry Command at Memphis and was returning to the city after a military trip to the West Coast, after which he was to have been transferred to a station at Evansville, Ind.

 

His survivors included his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Brumfield, Jackson; his widow; one son, Charles E. Brumfield III; a daughter, Virginia Brumfield, all of Jackson; two brothers, Dr. Robert H. Brumfield, McComb and Max Brumfield, U. S. Marine Corps, Quantico, Va.; and two sisters, Mrs. W. A. Bilbo, Magnolia, and Mrs. George Gulley, Brookhaven.

 

Source: Services Held in Memphis for Crash Victims. (McComb, MS: McComb Daily Journal, 8 Mar 1944) 1; digital image, Newsspapers.com: accessed April 2021.

Fellow blogger, Charles Purvis from Carolina Family Roots sent me this link to a List of Names of all in the Plane Crash. Thanks, Charlie!

Related Posts:

• Part 1, Lost in a Swamp
• Part 2. Wedding & Happy Times
• Part 3. World War II
• Part 4, A Tragic Crash
• Part 5,  A Memorial

 

4. Plane Plunged into MS River; Lt. Brumfield Died, Feb. 1944

Searching through Newspapers.com has led me to many interesting discoveries related to our family. Charles Brumfield appears in several newspaper articles. I will be sharing 5 posts about this young man, in the order they appeared in the newspaper: 1. Lost in a Swamp; 2. His Wedding & Happy times; 3. World War II; 4. A tragic Crash, 5. A Memorial.

4. A Tragic Crash

Charles Brumfield had joined the Army Air Corps with the onset of World War II. With other soldiers he was "en route from Los Angeles to New York" when the plane plunged into the Mississippi River. Searching through the articles published about this event, I was not able to find a cause for the crash. 

Charles Edgar Brumfield, Jr.

18 December 1918 MS – 10 February 1944

Son of Charles Edgar Brumfield & Katie Leona Freeman

Husband of Virginia Rawls

 

 

Plunges into Mississippi River Memphis

Sinks After Explosion

 

The Coast Guard reported Friday that drag lines had located part of an American Airlines Transcontinental plane that had crashed into the Mississippi River with 24 passengers aboard. The radio message from patrol boats to headquarters said that the luggage door had been recovered but there was no immediate contact with the remainder of the wreckage. The Coast Guard and United States Army engineers are conducting a search on the 22-foot channel 15 miles below Mississippi.

 

Charley Williams, night watchman for the engineers, said he saw the plane hit the water and sink, seconds after being enveloped in flames. “There was a terrific explosion and fire,” he said, “and it seemed to sink immediately.” He said the plane was on a course to land at the Memphis Airport where it was due at 11:38 Thursday night. The plane was en route from Los Angeles to New York and the last stop was a Little Rock. At least 10 of the 21 passengers aboard were members of the armed services. Three of the crewmen were based at Fort Worth.

 

Was Son of Former Pike County Chancery Clerk

Attended Southwest

 

First Lieutenant Charles Edgar Brumfield, Jr., formerly of Magnolia, was reported to have lost his life Thursday night in a plane crash near Memphis. Although not announced officially, members of his family have received word that he was on the American Airlines Transcontinental plane that crashed into the Mississippi river Thursday night near Memphis.

 

Lieutenant Brumfield, who was about 27 years of age, was born and reared in Magnolia, and attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College at Summit and Millsaps college in Jackson. Prior to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps he was a civilian instructor at the Jackson Air Base. After joining the air corps, he was transferred to the Ferry Command and had been in this division of the air corps for about two years.

 

Survivors. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Virginia Brumfield of Jackson; two children, a daughter, Virginia, age 4, and a son, Charles Edgar Brumfield III, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Brumfield, Sr., of Jackson, Miss., formerly of Magnolia two brothers, Dr. Robert H. Brumfield of McComb; Pvt. Max Brumfield, in the Marine Corps, stationed at Quantico, Va., and his two sisters, Mrs. W. A. Bilbo of Magnolia and Mrs. George H. Gulley of Brookhaven.

 

For a long period of years the young flyer’s father was chancery clerk of Pike county, during which time the family resided in Magnolia.

 

He was popular among the students while attending Millsaps and Southwest Junior College and was a young man of rare ability.

 

His life’s ambition was fulfilled when he received his wings ass an army pilot and he had proved his ability as a skillful pilot by the successful way in which he performed his duties in the Ferry Command.

 

Formerly stationed at Memphis, Tenn., in the Ferry Command, he was recently transferred to Evansville, Ind.

 

 

Source: Lieut. Charles Edgar Brumfield, Jr. Dies in Crash of Plane. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 12 Feb 1944) 1; digital image, Newsspapers.com: accessed April 2021.

Related Posts:

• Part 1, Lost in a Swamp
• Part 2. Wedding & Happy Times
• Part 3. World War II
• Part 4, A Tragic Crash
• Part 5,  A Memorial