John Troy and Maurine Sumner Adams -- Foreman and Pallet Maker

John Troy Adams

John Troy Adams was born on October 30, 1897 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the second of twelve children born to John Qunicy Adams  and Suphronia Adeline Williams Adams.  John Quincy was a timberman and farmer and both he and Suphronia were natives of Trigg County.  John Troy was a descendant of Perry Thomas

Troy’s siblings were Lou Bess Adams, born in 1895 and believed died in childhood; James Floyd Adams, born in 1899 and married Maggie Belle Hargroves; Hattie Bell Adams, born in 1901 and married Perry Amos Thomas; Willie May Adams, born in 1904 and married Oscar Earl Thomas; Sammy Ray Adams, born in 1905 and died in childhood; Thomas Odell Adams, born in 1906 and married Helen Anne Moore and then married Betty Earle Ford; Herbert Truman Adams, born in 1909 and married Mary Thomas; Herman Taylor Adams, born in 1912 and married Bessie Mae Thomas; Plomer Douglas Adams, born in 1914 and died at the age of one; Daphane Estelle Adams, born in 1921 and died at the age of twelve; and an unnamed infant who died at birth.

Troy grew up in rural Trigg County and attended the local schools.  He attended elementary school and his highest level of education was the completion of the eighth grade which was the norm of most farm children at that time.

On May 23, 1916, Troy married Nova Mae Sumner in Stewart County, Tennessee  Nova was born on August 15, 1900 in Trigg County.  She was the daughter of John Columbus Sumner and Myra Bell Herndon Sumner.  John was a farmer and both he and Myra were natives of Trigg County.  Troy and Nova’s marriage was short lived in that Nova died on June 25, 1916, just a few days after they had been married for one month. Nova was only 15 years old at her death which was the result of typhoid fever.  She was buried in the Fuller Cemetery in Trigg County.

Following his wife’s death Troy moved back in with his parents  in the Linton community. He was working as a farm laborer at the time.

On November 5, 1923, Troy married his second wife, Maurine Sumner.  Maurine was born on June 10, 1906 and was the fifth of nine children of William Lowery Sumner and Mary Jane Thomas Sumner. William was a farmer and both he and Mary Jane were natives of Trigg County.  Maurine was also a descendant of Perry Thomas.

Maurine’s siblings were William Averitt Sumner, born in 1891 and married Mary Virginia Wilson; Eulis Otho Sumner, born in 1897 and married Cordie Rene Futrell and later married Tennye Lee Puckett and then married Margaret Louise Miles Hackenberg; Clementine “Clem” Lee Sumner, born in 1901 and married Melvina Alta Mellie Ridgeway and then married Violet Long Swann and then married Lucia Virginia Ellenberg; Ira Ivan Sumner, born in 1904 and married Bertie Gertrude Ezell and later married Cressie Mae Holman; Gladys Queen Sumner, born in 1908 and married Wayman Sherman Green and later married William Frank Young; Alfred K. Sumner, born in 1912 and married Lorene Vincent Paulis; Etna Malleville Sumner, born in 1915 and married Arthur Lonzo Page; and Lacey Davenport Sumner, born in 1918 and married Mary Marceline Moore.

Troy and Maurine moved from Trigg County to Akron, Ohio in the 1920s where he worked in Akron’s growing rubber tire industry.  The 1930 census states he was working as a tube builder in a rubber shop.

Troy and Maurine were the parents of two children, William Fred Adams, born in 1926 who died just before he became two years old and Jacqueline Doris Adams, born in 1929 and married David Archer Hastings.

Troy and Maurine’s marriage ended in divorce and on January 4, 1943, Maurine married Robert John Kurtz in Akron, Ohio.  Robert was born on May 17, 1905 in Canal Fulton, Ohio, the son of John Henry Kurtz and Edith Hoover Kurtz. Both John Henry and Edith were natives of Stark County, Ohio. Maurine died at the age of 86 on July 23, 1992 in Akron, Ohio.  She was buried in the Mt. Peace Mausoleum in Akron.  Robert John died on August 22, 1977 at the age 72 in Akron.  He was buried in the Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

Troy returned to Trigg County from Ohio and on April 12, 1937, he married his third wife, Ora Monico Gordon.  Monico was born on August 25, 1914 in Trigg County.  She was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Gordon and Minnie Ole Porter Gordon.  Andrew was a farmer and was a native of Smith County, Tennessee. Minnie was a native of Mississippi.

Troy and Monico settled in a home on Donaldson Creek Road and he worked as a foreman with the State of Kentucky.  He later owned his own business where he made wood pallets and he and his family had settled in a home on the South Road, south of Cadiz.

Troy and Monico were the parents of six children, Wanda Jean Adams, born in 1938 and married David Archer “Red” Scott, Jr. and then married Edward E. Glass; Juanita “Edie” Adams, born in 1939 and married Donald Marquess Moore; Mildred Louise Adams, born in 1942 and married Gayle Trice Moore and later married Freddie Bryant; Johnnie Thomas Adams, born in 1944 and married Mary Linda Futrell; Martha Ann Adams, born in 1947 and married Terry M. Braboy and later married Gene R. Brown; and Ronnie Jackson Adams, born in 1949 and married Deborah L. Trimble.

Troy died on October 8, 1979 at the age of 81 at his home.  He was buried in the Bristo Lancaster Cemetery in Trigg County.  Monico died on November 30, 1990 at the age of 76 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  She was buried in the Bristo Lancaster Cemetery next to her husband.

Troy and Monico tombstone

LINEAGE: (John Troy Adams was the son of John Quincy and Suphronia Adeline Williams Adams.  John Quincy was the second child of John Wylie and Martha Jane Coleman Adams.  Martha was the second child of Alfred Boyd and Alpha Thomas Coleman.  Alpha was the second child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

(Maurine Sumner was the daughter of William Lowery and Mary Jane Thomas Sumner.  Mary Jane was the seventh child of Rufus King and Alvie Adeline Dunn Thomas.  Rufus was the fifth child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James Mary Standley Thomas.)

 

Carey and Mallie Guier Vinson -- Distinguished Trigg County Farm Family

 

Carey and Mallie Guier Vinson

Carey Thomas Vinson, Sr. was born on June 1, 1898 on the family farm in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the second of four children born to Jesse Monroe Vinson and Forrest May Thomas Vinson. Carey’s father Jesse was a native of Lonoke County, Arkansas, although Carey’s paternal great-grandmother was Emeline Thomas from Trigg County, Kentucky and a daughter of Cullen Thomas.  Forrest was a native of Trigg County and a descendant of Starkie Thomas.  Jesse was a successful farmer and operator of a horse-trading business.

Carey was the only one of the four children of Jesse and Forrest to grow to adulthood. Carey’s siblings were Clifton B. Vinson, born in 1896 and lived only one day; Mary Julia Vinson, born in 1907 and lived only two months; and Lula Vinson, born in 1908 and lived for one- and one-half years.

Carey grew up in the Warrenton community of Trigg County and attended the Warrenton Grade School through the eighth grade and then went on to attend the Cadiz High School, but was only able to complete one year as he had to quit school to assume the responsibility of operating the family farm due to his father’s illness. His father died in 1916 when Carey was 18 years old.

On January 6, 1918, Carey married Mallie Mae Guier at her home in Trigg County with her brother, Amos, and her good friend, Nellie Thomas, as their attendants.  Mallie was born on September 7, 1898 in Trigg County, the youngest of four children of Nathan Stanley Guier and Emma Lee Sumner Guier. Both Nathan and Emma were natives of Trigg County where Nathan was a farmer. Emma was a granddaughter of Drewry Bridges. Mallie’s siblings were Frank Elmer Guier, born in 1893 and married Eula Franklin Thomas; Amos Ira Guier, born in 1894 and married Ambie Lois Bridges; and Jesse E. Guier, born in 1896 and died at the age of 17.

In 1920 Carey and Mallie purchased his grandfather Henry’s farm and moved into the home that Henry had built in the 1880s. The house was renovated in 1959 when the back portion of the house was replaced with a modern structure.  Carey farmed over 1000 acres  and was well known as a progressive farmer using conservation practices on his farmland.  Her served on many conservation and forestry committees in the county and was a charter member of the Trigg County Farm Bureau.

In addition to his farm, Carey worked as a bookkeeper for the Thompson Loose Leaf Floor in Hopkinsville in the 1930s.  He also served on the county ration board during World War II.  He was instrumental in promoting a public drive to build a hospital in Cadiz.  He owned and operated a small business known as Vinson’s Garage which started out as a blacksmith and automobile repair shop and later became a center of community activity in the Warrenton and Oak Grove communities.

Carey was a lifelong member of the Democratic party and was active in political activities. On the other hand, Mallie was a staunch member of the Republican party.  This produced some very interesting political discussions in the family.

Carey and Mallie were the parents of six children, Lula Vinson, born in 1919 and married Lawrence Allen Wilson; June Theresa Vinson, born in 1921 and married Johnny Edmond Yeates, Jr.; Jesse Stanley Vinson, born in 1923 and married Kathryn Constance Sweeney; James Monroe Vinson, born in 1925 and died at the age of one; Carey Thomas Vinson, Jr., born in 1926 and married Winnie Nell Petty; and Clyde Roger Vinson, born in 1940 and married Marcia Randolph Dean and then married Ellen Hawley Watson.

Carey died on January 20, 1969 at the age of 70 in the Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  He was buried in the Vinson Cemetery in Trigg County.  Mallie died on June 7, 1986 at the age of 87 in the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  She was buried in the Vinson Cemetery next to her husband.

Young Carey Vinson

 

Young Mallie Guier

 

Carey and Mallie tombstone

LINEAGE: (Carey Thomas Vinson was the son of Jesse Monroe and Forrest May Thomas Vinson. Jesse was the fourth child of Henry Cullen and Mary Catherine Sumner Vinson. Henry was the first child of Thomas Allison and Emeline Thomas Vinson.  Emeline was the fifth child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Forrest May was the first child of Jonathan Starkie and Julia Dyer Thomas. Jonathan was the third child of William Bridges and Nancy Jane Rogers Thomas.  William was the first child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas. Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

(Mallie Mae Guier Vinson was the daughter of Nathan Stanley and Emma Lee Sumner Guier.  Emma was the second child of Benjamin Miles and Henrietta Gabrella Bridges Sumner.  Gabrella was the first child of Drewry and Peachie Ann Tart Bridges.  Drewry was the fourth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridge.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

John Quincy Thomas -- Prominent Trigg County Farmer

 

John Quincy Thomas

John Quincy Thomas was born on April 12, 1860 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the sixth of nine children born to Allison William Thomas  and Catherine Elizabeth Carloss Thomas.  Allison was a farmer and a native of Trigg County.  Catherine was a native of Sumner County, Tennessee.  John Quincy was a grandson of Perry Thomas.

John’s siblings were Sarah “Sallie” Elizabeth Thomas, born in 1849 and married James Judson Patterson; Benjamin Clay Thomas, born in 1852 and died at the age of three months; Charles Edgar Thomas, born in 1854 and married Fannie Quick; Martha Jane Thomas, born in 1856 and married John Carr Quick; Thomas “Tommy” Wilson Thomas, born in 1858 and died at the age of eight years; Mary Allison Thomas, born in 1862 and married James Henry Carloss; Kate Eliza Thomas, born in 1864 and married John Howard and later married James Watson “Pete” Bruff; and George Prentice Thomas, born in 1869 and married Annie Laurie Meacham.

Although his family lived in Marshall County, Kentucky soon after his birth, the family returned to Trigg County and John grew up in Trigg County.  As a youth, he worked on his father’s farm and received a basic elementary level of education.

On January 24, 1888, John married Catherine Moore Bruff.  Catherine was born on October 17, 1867 in Lafayette, Kentucky and was the youngest daughter of George Bruff and Mary Howell Bruff.  George was a native of Christian County and Mary was a native of Tennessee. Catherine was a teacher and was teaching at the Bethel School when she met John.

John and Catherine established their home in the Bethel community where John became a very prominent and leading  farmer of the community.  He was public spirited and always took great interest in the educational and material welfare of his county. Catherine had lost her father when she was nine months old and her mother when she was fifteen.  She grew up in the home of her grandparents in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  After finishing her primary and grammar schools, she entered Bethel College in Hopkinsville. Upon graduation she began teaching school primarily in the Trigg County schools.  She was affectionally know as “Miss Cattie” by her students as well as her friends and neighbors.  Her teaching career lasted for fifty years and had been a teacher at the Cadiz Graded School at the time of her death.

John and Catherine were the parent s of nine children, Mary Catherine Thomas, born in 1889; John Allison Thomas, born in 1892 and married Grace Bell Hammonds Witt; Howard Ranson Thomas, born in 1896 and married Ruth Breeding Hulse; George Edgar Thomas, born in 1899 and married Nellie Drew Keatts, and then married Helen Ruth Haupert and later married Ella Helen Orth; Perry Stanley Thomas, born in 1900 and married Jessie M. Ware; Sarah Elizabeth Thomas, born in 1903 and married William Lloyd Sumner; Howell Moore “Billy” Thomas, born in 1906 and married Opal Garnet Charles; William Hardin Thomas, born in 1907 and married Geraldine Rose Atkins and then married Elsa Carolyn Hoyt Clifton; and Benjamin Carloss Thomas, born in 1911 and married Dorothy Mae Randolph.

John died on April 8, 1915 at the age of 54 at his home in the Bethel community.  He was buried in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Trigg County.  Catherine died at the age of 71 on January 6, 1939.  She was buried in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery next to her husband.

Catherine Bruff Thomas

John and Catherine tombstone

 

Home built by John in the Bethel community

 

Stone in memory of John Q. Thomas family in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery

LINEAGE: (John Quincy Thomas was the son of Allison William and Catherine Elizabeth Carloss Thomas.  Allison was the third child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Frank and Eula Thomas Guier -- Factory Worker and Homemaker

 

Frank Elmer Guier was born on February 2, 1893 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the oldest of four children born to Nathan Stanley Guier and Emma Lee Sumner Guier.  Nathan Stanley was a farmer and both he and Emma Lee were natives of Trigg County.  Frank was a descendant of Drewry Bridges.

Frank’s siblings were Amos Ira Guier, born in 1894 and married Ambie Lois Bridges; Jesse E. Guier, born in 1896 and died at the age of 17 with pneumonia; and Mallie Mae Guier, born in 1898 and married Carey Thomas Vinson.

On December 6, 1914, Frank married Eula Franklin Thomas.  Eula was born on February 20, 1896 in the Donaldson Creek community of Trigg County.  She was the fifth of twelve children born to Robert Henry Thomas and Virginia “Jennie” Lee Ezell Thomas.  Robert was a farmer and both he and Jennie were natives of Trigg County. Eula was a descendant of Perry Thomas.

Eula’s siblings were Alvie Harrison Thomas, born in 1889 and married Modie Pearl Dixon; Inez Agnes Thomas, born in 1892 and married Samuel Henry Bridges; Etna Lee Thomas, born in 1893 and married Albert Carlton Dixon; Beulah Ann Thomas, born in 1894 and married Felix Monroe Coleman; Leona “Ona” Pearl Thomas, born in 1897 and married Edgar McDavitt Gober III; Rufus King Thomas, born in 1900 and married Addie Bell Ezell and then married Elizabeth Elkins, and later married Flora Cunningham; Cleveland McKinley Thomas, born in 1901 and married Mary Elizabeth Edwards; Vernon Jagoe Thomas, born 1904 and married Ruby Lee Byrd; Othell Lamont Thomas, born in 1907 and married Minnie Lou McIntosh; Robert Edward Thomas, born in 1910 and married Ora Mae Calhoun; and Bertie Mae Thomas, born in 1913 and married Joseph Emanuel Parker and then married a Wilford Hoover “Jack” Chewning.

After they were married, Frank and Eula settled in the Oak Grove community where Frank worked as a farmer.  In 1924, Frank, Eula and his family moved to Toledo, Ohio.  For most of his working years in Toledo, Frank worked for the DeVilbiss Manufacturing Company which manufactured atomizers, spray paints and medical equipment.  Frank retired from the company in 1958. After his retirement, Frank and Eula spent most of their winters in Florida.  They also made several trips back to Trigg County visiting family and friends.

Frank and Eula were the parents of two daughters, Martha May Guier, born in 1915 and married Donald Willard Harbaugh and Opal Hardy Guier, born in 1917 and married Robert Louis Wiggins and later married Albert Alvin Eggleston.

Eula died on June 6, 1978 at the age of 82 in Toledo.  She was buried in the Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, Ohio.  Frank died on March 2, 1982 at the age of 89 in Toledo.  He was buried in the Toledo Memorial Park next to his wife.

Frank and Eula tombstone

LINEAGE: (Frank Elmer Guier was the son of Nathan Stanley and Emma Lee Sumner Guier.  Emma was the second child of Benjamin Miles and Henrietta Gabrella Bridges Sumner.  Henrietta was the first child of Drewry and Peachie Ann Tart Bridges.  Drewry was the fourth child of William and Mary Thomas bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

(Eula Franklin Thomas was the daughter of Robert Henry and Jennie Lee Ezell Thomas.  Robert was the fifth child of Rufus King and Alvie Adeline Dunn Thomas.  Rufus was the fifth child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Edward Alton Mitchell -- Baptist Minister and Printing Company Owner

 

Edward Alton Mitchell was born on May 24, 1931 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the oldest of three children born to John Carter Mitchell and Mary Cicero Terrell Mitchell.  Carter and Cicero were both natives of Trigg County where Carter was a well-known farmer and county magistrate.  Cicero was a homemaker and a descendant of Simco Bridges, the third son of William Bridges.

Alton’s siblings were Martha Ann Mitchell, born in 1932 and married George Newton King and John Gerald Mitchell, born in 1936 and married Barbara Hayes.

Alton attended elementary school at the Cadiz Graded School in Cadiz and went on to graduate from Trigg County High School in 1950.  In February 28, 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years, being honorably discharged in February 27, 1955.  After his military service, he attended Bethel College in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Austin Peay College in Clarksville, Tennessee.

On June 17, 1956, Alton married Laverne Lancaster.  Laverne was born on May 27, 1937 in Trigg County the daughter of Aubrey H. and Julia F. Braboy Lancaster, both natives of Trigg County.

Alton became a minister for the Southern Baptist Convention and his early positions was as pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lyon County and the Cerulean Baptist Church in Trigg County. While pastoring in Trigg County, he was very active in the work of the Little River Baptist Association, serving as clerk of the association and serving on the executive board for four years.  In January 1964 Alton accepted the pastorate of the Sullivan Baptist Church in Sullivan, Kentucky.  The family moved to Union County, Kentucky near his new job.  In 1969 he began serving the Ohio Valley Baptist Association as Director of Missions, a position he held until his death.  In addition to Alton’s pastoral duties, he and his son jointly owned and operated the M&M Printing company in Sturgis, Kentucky.

Alton and Laverne were the parents of two children, Gary Neil Mitchell, born in 1957 and married Debra Ann Henshaw and Casandra Lynn Mitchell, born in 1959 and married Michael Paul Buttram. His son Gary earned the honor of being the youngest registered basketball official in the history of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. He received his official card from the KHSAA in 1974 at the age of 16 following completion of a study course and successful passage of the test required of all officials.

Alton died on February 16, 1985 at the age of 53 at his home in Sturgis, Kentucky of an apparent heart attack. His body was returned to Trigg County where he was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery.

 

Alton Mitchell tombstone

LINEAGE: (Edward Alton Mitchell was the son of John Carter and Mary Cicero Terrell Mitchell and the grandson of Robert and Emma Skaggs Bridges Mitchell.  Emma was the fifth child of William Joseph and Sarah Wills Bridges.  William Joseph was the first child of Simco N. and Emeline Martin Bridges.  Simco was the third child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

Charlie and Edna Hughes Flood -- A Farmer and A Cafeteria Worker

 

Charlie and Edna Hughes Flood

Charlie Calvert Flood was born on June 16, 1912 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the sixth of nine children born to William Henry Flood and Florence Chappell Lawrence Flood.  William was a farmer and both he and Florence were natives of Trigg County.  Charlie was a descendant of Starkie Thomas and Jemima Bridges Sholar.

Charlie’s siblings were John Robert Flood, born in 1902 and married Mary Adeline Thomas and then married Lula Gertrude Hughes; Amos Stanley Flood, born in 1904 and married Mildred Ernestine Thomas; Janie Alberta Flood, born in 1905 and died as an infant; Eddie Lee Flood, born in 1908 and died at the age of one and one half years old;  William Ernest Flood, born in 1910 and married Adaline Baker; Myra Lou Flood, born in 1914 and married Paul Anderson Bridges; Unnamed Infant, born and died in 1916; and Cleland Douglas Flood, born 1918 and married Norine Virginia Thomas.

Charlie grew up in Trigg County and like his father, he became a farmer.  He and his family lived with his father until Charlie’s death.

On November 13, 1937, Charlie married Edna Lorene Hughes.  Edna was born on February 7, 1912 and was the sixth of ten children of Luther Lee Hughes and Mattie Patterson Light.  Luther or Luke as he was known, was a farmer and both he and Mattie were natives of Trigg County.  Mattie was also a descendant of Starkie Thomas and was the first child of John J. Light and Emeline Catherine Thomas Light.

Edna’s siblings were Harmon Marcellous Hughes, born in 1903 and married Georgia Lyle New and later married Mary Dixon Townsend Clayton; Verna Elizabeth Hughes, born in 1904 and married Clinton Harell Stalons; Mary Catherine Hughes, born in 1906 and married Thomas Edward Mize; Lula Gertrude Hughes, born in 1908 and married John Robert Flood; Luther Bertram Hughes, born in 1909 and married Edna Earl Thomas; Richard Stanley Hughes, born in 1914 and married Avernell Boyd; James Raymond Hughes, born in 1916 and married Susie Gertrude Hammonds; Sarah Loutisha Hughes, born in 1919; and Thomas Alton Hughes, born in 1921 and married Hazel Douglas Lancaster.

Edna grew up in Trigg County and attended the Warrenton School.  She worked as a cafeteria employee for the Trigg County School System for 23 years from 1954 to 1977.  After she retired from the school system, she worked at the Trigg County Hospital, Debbie’s Day Care and at the Pennyrile Allied Communities Services Kitchen for Senior Citizens.

Charlie and Edna were the parents of two children, Florence Evelyn Flood, born in 1942 and married Charles Ronald Drennan and Lela Marilyn Flood, born in 1944 and died at the age of  one-year.

Charlie died on October 28, 1944 at the age of 32 at his home on the Canton Road in Trigg County.  He was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery.  Edna died on March 8, 1988 at the age of 76 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  She was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery next to her husband.

 Edna Hughes Flood

 

Charlie and Edna tombstone

LINEAGE: (Charlie Calvert Flood was the son of William Henry and Florence Chappell Lawrence Flood.  Florence was the second child of William Allen and Margaret J. Thomas Lawrence.  Margaret was the fourth child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas. William Allen was the first child of James Henry and Elizabeth Sholar Lawrence.  Elizabeth was the fifth child of Allen and Jemima Bridges Sholar. Jemima was the first child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

(Edna Lorene Hughes was the daughter of Luther Lee and Mattie Patterson Light Hughes. Mattie was the first child of John J. and Emeline Catherine Thomas Light.  Emeline was the seventh child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Falcon Olero Baker -- Department Store Owner and Businessman

 

 Falcon Olero Baker

Falcon Olero Baker was born on December 24, 1876 on his grandfather’s farm in Hopkins County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of eight children born to Franklin Pierce “Pearl” Baker and Cornelia Osburn Baker. Both Franklin and Cornelia were natives of the Richland community in Hopkins County and Franklin was a successful farmer in the Richland area. Falcon spent his childhood and youth on the family farm and attended the neighboring schools for his early education.  At the age of 19, he went to Nebo, Kentucky and enrolled in a course in business administration, which prepared him for a career in the mercantile department store business.

In 1898, Falcon., at the age of 22 moved to Madisonville, Kentucky where he became a clerk in a department store owned by a Mr. Ashby.  In 1901, he bought into the firm and the store’s name was changed to Ashby and Baker.  In 1907, Falcon sold his interest in the store back to Mr. Ashby and he became a cashier in the Farmers National Bank.

After working three years at the bank, Falcon formed an association with L. K. Hickman, an association which continued the remainder of Falcon’s life. Together they bought a two-thirds interest in Mr. Ashby’s store and the department store became known as Ashby, Baker & Hickman.  A few months later, Mr. Ashby died and the store became known as Baker & Hickman, which was a very successful Madisonville mercantile business. In 1917, the two partners built an attractive structure for their downtown business.  Also, for the period 1912 through 1915, Falcon became a partner with F. B. Wilkinson in Cadiz in the department store known as the Baker-Wilkinson Company.  In 1933, Falcon purchased Mr. Hickman’s interest in the Baker & Hickman firm and formed a corporation which retained the name. Baker and Hickman.  Falcon continued to remain as a partner with Mr. Hickman in several real estate, oil and gas developments, and coal enterprises.

On November 24, 1909, Falcon married Myrtle Lynn Golladay in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Myrtle was a teacher in the Madisonville Graded Schools when they were married.  She was born on December 3, 1884 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the oldest of eight children of James Richard Golladay and Ida Thomas Golladay. Both James and Ida were natives of Trigg County, Kentucky. James was a well-known farmer of the Gracey neighborhood and Ida was a granddaughter of Starkie Thomas. Myrtle’s siblings were Ethel Golladay, born in 1887; Edgar Golladay, born in 1889 and died at the age of four months; Edna Golladay, born in 1889, a twin of Edgar, and died at the age of ten months; William Thomas Golladay, born in 1890 and died at the age of 13; Sarah Elizabeth Golladay, born in 1892 and married John Towles Evans; Nora Bell Golladay, born in 1894 and married Joseph Earl Randle; and Alfred Golladay, born in 1897 and died as an infant.

Falcon and Myrtle were the parents of two sons, James Golladay Baker, born in 1914 and married Anne Priest and Falcon Olero Baker, Jr., born in 1916 and married Ernestine Maria Theresa Magagna.

Falcon died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Madisonville on April 7, 1937 at the age of 60.  He was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.  Myrtle died on March 2, 1946 at her home in Madisonville, at the age of 61.  She was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery next to her husband.

 Falcon and Myrtle tombstone

 

Falcon tombstone marker

 

Myrtle tombstone marker

 Baker & Hickman Department Store in Madisonville

LINEAGE: (Falcon Olero Baker was the husband of Myrtle Lynn Golladay.  Myrtle was the daughter of James Richard and Ida Thomas Golladay.  Ida was the first child of Alfred Marshall and Eliza Anne Martin Thomas.  Alfred Marshall was the fifth child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)