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.)

Emma Lee Sumner Guier -- Wife of a Farmer

 

Emma Sumner Guier

Emma Lee Sumner was born on January 26, 1875 in the Maple Grove community  of Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the second of nine children born to Benjamin Miles Sumner and Henrietta Gabrella Bridges Sumner.  Benjamin Miles was a farmer and both he and Henrietta were natives of Trigg County.  Emma was a descendant of Drewry Bridges.

Emma’s siblings were Julia Louise Sumner, born in 1873 and married Starkie William Thomas; John Calvin Sumner, born in 1877 and married Lucy Ethel Lawrence; James Ottawa Sumner, born in 1880 and married Martha Miller Thomas; Durwood Floyd Sumner, born in1882 and married Lillie Jane Thomas, Elmer “Elmo” Thomas, born in 1885 and died at the age of nine; Nora Pearl Sumner, born in 1888 and married John Starkie Armstrong; Beulah May “Eula” Sumner, born in 1890 and married Joshua Light; and Mattie Maud Sumner, born in 1893 and married Starkie Thomas.

Emma grew up on the family farm in Maple Grove and attended the one-room Maple Grove School where she completed the eighth grade.

On November 22, 1891, Emma married Nathan Stanley Guier in Dover, Tennessee.  Nathan was born on October 20, 1867 in Trigg County, the youngest son of Nathan Tart Guier and Martha Mitchell Guier.  Nathan was a farmer and both he and Martha were natives of Trigg County. 

Nathan was known as “Little Nath” as he was so much younger than his brothers.  He attended the old Guier School which was located on the family farm.  After their marriage, Nathan and Emma lived on his family farm where Nathan farmed with his father.  After his father’s death, he purchased his brother’s interest in the farm and he and Emma lived on the farm until his death.

Unfortunately, Nathan died at the age of 31 and Emma was forced to raise her family alone.  She continued to live on the family farm after Nathan’s death, but rented the land to her father until after the children were grown.  She became a very strong, efficient, organized, and independent woman. She ran a very orderly life in an extremely well-run home.  Emma always had time to help other people, nursing the sick, sewing for neighbors and helping family members.  The last years of her life were spent in Toledo, Ohio where she lived with her oldest son and his family.

Emma and Nathan were the parents of four children, Frank Elmer Guier, born in 1893 and married Eula Franklin Thomas; 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.

Nathan died on August 26, 1899 at the age of 31 at his home of typhoid fever.  He was buried in the old Tart (now Guier) Cemetery.  Emma died on June 25, 1936 at the age of 61 at the home of her son in Toledo, Ohio.  She was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg County.

Nathan Guier

 

Emma tombstone

 

Nathan tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Emma Lee Sumner was the daughter 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.)

Preston Beauford Bridges -- Garage Shop Foreman

 

Preston and Monico Bridges

Preston Beauford Bridges was born on October 5, 1909 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of three children born to William Stanley “Willie” Bridges  and Bessie Earl Ricks Bridges.  Willie was a farmer and both he and Bessie were natives of Trigg County.  Preston was a descendant of Drewry Bridges.

Preston’s siblings were Eston Mitchell Bridges, born in 1913 and married Mavis Pauline Skinner and Ernest Lee Bridges, born in 1915 and married Virginia Irene Terrell.

Preston grew up in rural Trigg County and attended the local schools.  His highest level of education was the completion of elementary school which was the norm for youth of his time. As a young man he worked as a farm helper along with his father who was a farmer. He worked on the farm through most of the 1920s.

On March 8, 1931, he married Monico Dell Guier.  Monico was born on July 9, 1912 in Trigg County.  She was the daughter of John Gilbert “Gip” Guier and Docia Baker Guier.  Gip was a farmer and both he and Docia were natives of Trigg County.

In the 1940s, Preston began working as a shop foreman at the Henry C. White Chevrolet Company in Cadiz and the family settled in Cadiz. He worked at the company for 44 years at the time of his retirement.  In addition, he and his wife Monico operated a day care center for young children for a number of years.

Preston and Monico were the parents of three children, Preston Blandford Bridges, born in 1931 and married Peggy Jo Murphy; Dolores Dean Bridges, born in 1934 and married John William Calhoun; and Patsy Jane Bridges, born in 1961 and married Herbie D. Connors and later married William Belmont Gregory.

Preston died on November 5, 1986 at the age of 77 at the Nashville Memorial Hospital in Madison, Tennessee.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  Monico died on January 5, 1999 at the age of 86 at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.

Preston and Monico tombstone

LINEAGE: (Preston Beauford Bridges was the son of William Stanley “Willie” and Bessie Earl Ricks Bridges. Willie was the third child of William Henry and Sarah Elizabeth Lancaster Bridges. William was the fourth 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.)

Nelle Cleveland Bridges McCarty -- Wife of an Insurance Company Employee

 

Mark and Nelle Bridges McCarty

Nelle (Nellie) Cleveland Bridges was born on October 14, 1892 in the Maple Grove community of  Trigg County, Kentucky. She was the oldest of five children born to Mark Dale Bridges and Mallie Mae Lancaster Bridges.  Mark Dale was a traveling salesman and both he and Mallie were natives of Trigg County.  Nelle was a granddaughter of Cullen Thomas Bridges.

Nelle’s siblings were Flo Templeton Bridges, born in 1897 and married Ira Clifton Bridges; Preston Dale Bridges, born in 1899 and died at the age of 1½ years of age; Percy Dillard Bridges, born in 1902 and married Edna Pearl Thomas; and Douglas Eugene Bridges, born in 1909 and married Katherine Elizabeth Edwards and then married Dixie Louise Minton and later married Letha Louise Plumbee.

Nelle went to elementary school in the Maple Grove community at the one-room schoolhouse.  She later went to the Cadiz High School where she graduated on May 11, 1909 in a ceremony held in the Court House in Cadiz.  Nelle was a talented musician and played several instruments. She played a trumpet for the Bridges Brothers Band, a family instrumental group and taught music in several schools.  She also played the organ and the piano.  Her father was a traveling salesman who went to schools in western Kentucky to sell organs and pianos and Nelle would travel with him and play the instruments for prospective customers.  It was while she was teaching school in Lyon County that she met her future husband.

On August 2, 1914, Nelle married Mark McCarty in Cairo, Illinois.  They traveled by train from Paducah, Kentucky to Cairo and returned to Paducah to live.  Mark was born May 2, 1895 in Lyon County, Kentucky.  He was the son of William Herny McCarty and Sarah Bell Barnett McCarty. William was a farmer and a native of Caldwell County, Kentucky and Sarah was a native of Lyon County.

Mark and Nelle left Paducah to live on a farm in Lyon County, later returning to Paducah where they owned and lived on a farm in the St. John’s community of McCracken County.  They finally ended up living in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  Mark left farming and worked for the National Life and Accident Insurance Company for the rest of his career. Nelle was primarily a housewife but did work part time at Gordon Cayce’s Gift Shop in Hopkinsville.

Mark and Nelle were the parents of two children, Harry Clifford McCarty, born in 1915, and married Marguerite Everhart and later married Rosa Lorene McClain and Marian Virginia McCarty, born in 1918 and married Sherewin Hallis Northcutt.

Mark died on October 7, 1953 at the age of 58 of a heart attack in his home in Hopkinsville.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  Nelle died on February 14, 1968 at the age of 75 in Coalmont, Tennessee at the home of her daughter with whom she had made her home. She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.

Baby Nelle

 

Mark and Nelle tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Nelle Cleveland Bridges McCarty was the daughter of Mark Dale and Mallie Mae Lancaster Bridges. Mark Dale was the fifth child of Cullen Thomas and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Martha Ann was the third child of Peyton and Sarah L. Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Emma Elizabeth Thomas -- Living Life in Total Darkness

 

Emma Elizabeth Thomas was born on November 15, 1894 on a farm in Trigg County, Kentucky. She was the oldest of four children born to George Walton Thomas and Margaret “Jennie” Thomas Thomas. Both George and Jennie were natives of Trigg County.  George was a farmer and was a grandson of Perry Thomas.  Jennie was a homemaker and a granddaughter of James Thomas, Jr. 

Emma’s siblings were three brothers, Perry Amos Thomas, born in 1896 and married Hattie Bell Adams; John Herbert Thomas, born in 1901 and married Willie D. Meador; and Ewing Odell Thomas, born in 1907 and married Virginia Leona Francis.

In her early childhood, Emma was afflicted with blindness which left her in total darkness.  In spite of her handicap, Emma showed strong perseverance.  She lived all of her life with her parents in the Donaldson Creek community.

When she was 15 years old, she joined Donaldson Creek Baptist Church and became one of the most earnest workers for the church’s activities.  Even though she was blind, she went about among her neighbors and organized several groups relating to her church, including a Women’s Mission Society, Mission Study Classes and she helped to organize Sunday School classes.  She was so successful with her organization skills in her home neighborhood that she traveled about the county to various other churches and helped to organize similar group there.  As she traveled about the county, she made many friends wherever she went.

As a young woman, Emma took a study course on the Braile System which she easily mastered. She obtained several books of the Bible printed in that system so that she might read them.  A member of the family taught her to use a typewriter where she was able to do most of her correspondence.  She also completed a course of study from the Southern Baptist Convention and received her diploma even though she was completely blind.

In the last years of her life, Emma was stricken with an illness that prevented her from putting forth physical effort and rendered her almost helpless.  She died on May 8, 1939 at the age of 44 at her parent’s home on Donaldson Creek.  It was said that the community of Donaldson Creek had lost one of its best and most loved personalities.  At her funeral at the Donaldson Creek Baptist Church, people from all over Trigg County and several from other counties were present to pay a final tribute to this widely known and beloved person. It was expressed at the funeral that: — “No funeral could be said which would do her justice; she lived a life that needed no words said.”

Emma Elizabeth Thomas was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz, Kentucky.

 

Emma Thomas tombstone

LINEAGE: (Emma Elizabeth Thomas was the daughter of George Walton and Margaret “Jennie” Thomas Thomas.  George Walton was the sixth child of Rufus King and Alvie Adeline Dunn Thomas.  Rufus King was the fifth child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas. Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.   Margaret was the daughter of Carroll and Margaret Jane Reid Thomas. Carroll was the second child of James, Jr. and Margaret Ethridge Thomas.  James, Jr., was the sixth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

William Bridges Thomas -- Pioneer Farmer and Civil War Soldier

 

William Bridges Thomas

William Bridges Thomas was born on December 20, 1825 in the Oak Grove community of Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of eleven children born to Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was born in Bertie County, North Carolina and had migrated to Trigg County in 1806 with his parents James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Mary was born in Trigg County and was the youngest child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.

Williams’s siblings were; Stanley Thomas, born in 1828 and married Emily Ann Light; Adeline Thomas, born in 1830 and died at the age of seven; James Jasper Thomas, born in 1833 and married Mary Magdaline Cunningham; Peachie A. Thomas, born in 1834 and died at the age of four; Alfred Marshall Thomas, born in 1835 and married Eliza Anne Martin; Francis Marion “Fant” Thomas, born in 1839 and married Mary Forrest Rogers; Bluford Mills Thomas, born in 1841 and married Peachie Ann Martin; Perry Curlin Thomas, born in 1843 and married Mary E. Carter; Starkie Armstead Thomas, born in 1844 and married Inez Miller; and Mary Jane Thomas, born in 1847 and married William Thomas Armstrong.

William married Nancy Jane Rogers on October 15, 1847 in Trigg County.  Nancy was born on April 23, 1831 in Trigg County and was the daughter of Jonathan Rogers and Sarah Ricks “Sallie” Lancaster Rogers. Jonathan and Sallie were both natives of Northampton County, North Carolina. Jonathan and Sarah had settled in Trigg County in the 1820s.

On July 6, 1861, William was mustered into the militia of the Confederate Army along with his brothers, James Jasper, Stanley, Bluford M, Francis M. Perry C and Alfred M.  They all served under the command of Captain A. C. Thomas.

William and Nancy settled into their home which was located about one mile west of the Oak Grove Baptist Church near the boundary of the Maple Grove community.  William had helped to organize the Oak Grove Baptist Church and  in 1877 was ordained as a deacon in the church.  . William worked as a farmer at his homeplace for his entire life.

William and Nancy were the parents of eight children, Peachie Ann Thomas, born in 1848 and married John Richard Mills; Sarah Josephine Thomas, born in 1851 and married William Henry Martin; Jonathan Starkie Thomas, born in 1853 and married Julia Dyer; Martha E. Thomas, born in 1858; William Madison “Bud” Thomas, born in 1859; Mollie Emily Thomas, born in 1861 and married James Pickney Sholar; Bluford Ira Thomas, born in 1867 and married Alice Lula Vinson; and Jane “Jennie” Thomas, born in 1870 and married Durwood Stanley Bridges.

Nancy died on March 19, 1875 at the age of 43.  She was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery in the Oak Grove community.

On March 8, 1877, William married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Light.  Sarah was born on December 1, 1850 in Trigg County and was the daughter of James T. Light and Sarah “Sally” Wallis Light. James was a native of Virginia  and Sarah was a native of Casey County, Kentucky. Sarah Elizabeth was affectionally known as “Ma Bet” by her new family as she helped William to rear his children.  William and Sarah had no children of their own.

William died on July 9, 1901 at his home in Trigg County at the age of 75 of pneumonia. He was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery.  Sarah died on August 27, 1919 at the age of 68.  She was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery.

Nancy Rogers Thomas

 

William Bridges Thomas tombstone

 

Nancy Rogers Thomas tombstone

 

Sarah Light Thomas tombstone

LINEAGE: (William Bridges Thomas was the son of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Lillie Frances Thomas DeName -- Telephone Operator and Insurance Agent

 

Frances Thomas DeName

Lillie Frances Thomas was born on January 13, 1927 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the only child of Cordie Gilbert Thomas and Mina Louise Wallis Thomas. Cordie was an employee of a milling company and a restaurant operator. Mina worked as a telephone operator and was the co-owner and operator of the Thomas Roost Restaurant. Both Cordie and Mina were natives of Trigg County.  Frances was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Frances grew up in Cadiz and graduated from Trigg County High School in 1944. 

On June 8, 1946, Frances married Carmine “Johnny” DeName in Cadiz at the home of the pastor of the Methodist Church, the Rev. T. C. Morrison.  At the time, Johnny was serving in the military at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He was born on December 23, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Anthony Joseph DeName and Louisa “Louise” LaGrego DeName.  Anthony worked in the construction industry and was a native of Italy.  Louisa was a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Johnny was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 11, 1942 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  He was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945 and he re-enlisted that same day into the regular Army and was finally discharged on December 7, 1946, with the rank of staff sergeant.  While assigned to Fort Campbell, he was an assistant compound commander in charge of guarding German prisoners of war.

After Frances and Johnny were married, they made their home at Fort Campbell where Frances worked at the Post Ordinance Office.  After they left the military, the couple settled in Cadiz,  Frances was employed at a number of places including working as a switchboard telephone operator for the Southern Bell Telephone Company, with the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Company, the State Farm Insurance Company and as an insurance agent and vice president of the Trigg County Insurance Agency.   Johnny was employed by the Cadiz Milling Company, the Trigg County High School bookstore and the City of Cadiz Sewage Treatment Plant. Frances also served as a member of the Cadiz City Council.

Frances and Johnny were the parents of four children, Toni Louise DeName, born in 1946 and died at birth; Thomas Anthony “Tony” DeName, born in 1949 and married Wanda Gail Calhoun; Vicki Louise DeName, born in 1951 and married Ronald Payne Hutchinson and then married Paul Ray Godwin; and Cindy Frances DeName, born in 1955 and married Kenneth Joe Smith and later married Ronald Maurice Long, 

Frances died on April 13, 1996 at the age of 69 at her home in Cadiz.  She was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  Johnny died on July 10, 2001 at the age of 81 at his home in Cadiz. He was buried in the East End Cemetery next to his wife.

Johnny DeName

 

Frances and Johnny

 

Newspaper article on the end of the telephone operators--Frances is shown in the lower left row of the operators
 

Johnny and Frances tombstone

LINEAGE: (Lillie Frances Thomas was the daughter of Cordie Gilbert and Mina Louise Wallis Thomas.  Cordie was the second child of Stanley Dyer and Willie Ethel Hite Thomas.  Stanley was the first child of William Henry and Sidney Dyer Thomas. William Henry was the third 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.)

Rosa Bridges Cunningham -- Farmer's Wife

 

Rosa Lee Bridges Cunningham

Rosa Lee Bridges was born on January 29, 1876 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was one of ten children born to Cullen Thomas Bridges and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges. Cullen was a farmer, a teacher, made hand-tooled leather products as well as other trades.  He was a native of Trigg County who had fought in the Civil War.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William Bridges. Virginia was a native of  Trigg County and was a granddaughter of Cullen Thomas, the first child of James Thomas.

Rosa Lee’s siblings were Sallie Bridges, born in 1864 and died in 1865; An unnamed infant, born and died in 1865; Ghent Alfred Bridges, born in 1867 and married Nettie Linden Cunningham; Ora Agnes Bridges, born in 1869 and married Robert Henry Thomas; Mark Dale Bridges, born in 1871 and married Mallie Mae Lancaster; John Trice Bridges, born in 1874 and married Maggie Dora Cunningham; Cleveland Bridges, born in 1878 and died at the age of ten; Mollie May Bridges, born in 1880 and married Benjamin Flood Grigsby; and Jesse Clyde Bridges, born in 1887 and married Myrtess Grace “Myrt” Davis.

Rosa Lee grew up along with her numerous siblings in a home on Beechy Fork Creek in the Maple Grove community of Trigg County.  The home was part of the original log cabin that had been built by her grandfather in the early 1800s. She attended school in the one-room Maple Grove School where her father served as the teacher.

On December 27, 1896 Rosa Lee married Elmer Ellsworth “Ell” Cunningham.  Ell was born on October 19, 1873 in Trigg County.  He was the son of William Thomas Cunningham and Martha Jane “Mattie” Cameron Cunningham.  William and Mattie were both natives of Trigg County.  Ell’s paternal grandfather, William “Buck” Cunningham, Jr. migrated to Trigg County from Albemarle County, Virginia and married Virginia Jane “Jennie” Mitchell of Christian County and they were the progenitors of the many Cunningham descendants in Trigg County.

Ell was a farmer and he and Rosa Lee lived on several farms in Trigg County during their lives. Their first farm was in the Oak Grove community and later they farmed in the Blue Spring and Canton areas before they made their home in the Maple-Grove-Donaldson Creek area.   In addition to being a farmer, Ell served as county magistrate for four years.

Rosa Lee and Ell were the parents of seven children.  They were Myrtle Mable Cunningham, born in 1898 and married Burnett Finley; Olive James “Ollie” Cunningham, born in 1900 and married Lillie Roberta Williams; George Clyde Cunningham, born in 1904 and married Robbie Bell Bridges; Carmon Aubrey Cunningham, born in 1907 and married Ora Noel and later married Belva Ricks Dixon; Maurine Ell Cunningham, born in 1909 and married Grover Douglas “Bubby” Creamer; Earl Wayne Cunningham, born in 1912 and married Lois Velma Page; and Ivy Mavis Cunningham, born in 1915 and married Robert “Jack” Rowen, Jr.

Ell died on December 23, 1953 at the age of 80 in Trigg County at the home of his daughter, Myrtle Finley. He was buried in the Allen Cemetery in the Oak Grove community.  After Ell’s death, Rosa Lee continued to live in the family home-place for a number of years before she moved to Eureka, California in October 1964 to live with her daughter, Mavis Rowen.  Rosa Lee died on April 8, 1965 at the age of 89 in Eureka.  She was buried in the Allen Cemetery next to her husband.

 

 Rosa and Ell

Ell and Rosa

Rosa and Ell tombstone

LINEAGE: (Rosa Lee Bridges was the daughter of Cullen Thomas and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)
   

Morris Dale "M.D." Bridges -- Automotive Parts Supply Dealer

 

Morris Dale "M.D." Bridges

Morris Dale “M.D.” Bridges was born on September 6, 1918 in the Maple Grove community of  Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of four children born to Ira Clifton Bridges and Flo Templeton Bridges Bridges.  Ira Clifton was a farmer, carpenter and construction worker and both he and Flo were natives of Trigg County.  M. D. was a descendant of Drewry Bridges, Cullen T. Bridges, Starkie Thomas and Cullen Thomas.

M.D.’s siblings were Barbara Mae Bridges, born in 1920 and married William Eugene McBride, Ira Clifton Bridges, Jr., born in 1923 and married Margaret Frances Church; and Frieda Nell Bridges, born in 1933 and married Eugene Lewis Sumner.

M.D. grew up in the Maple Grove community on the banks of the Beechy Fork Creek.  He received his elementary education at the one-room Maple Grove School and the Lower Donaldson School.  He attended high school at both Pickwick High School and Trigg County High School.

On November 19, 1939, M.D. married Lora Dean Cunningham of the Linton community.  Lora Dean was born on October 3, 1921 and was the daughter of Blair Thurston “Doc” Cunningham and Ida Mae Allen Cunningham. Doc was a farmer and both he and Ida Mae were natives of Trigg County.  Lora Dean was a descendant of the pioneer Cunningham family that settled in Trigg County.  She had attended elementary schools in the Linton community and was a graduate of Rogers High School, class of 1938.

M.D. and Lora Dean settled in Trigg County after their marriage where M. D. engaged in farming.  In 1952, the family relocated to Paducah, Kentucky and eventually settled in Reidland, a suburb of Paducah.  M.D. was employed in the automotive parts supply business.  He was employed at the Southside Auto Parts in Paducah and later retired from the McCaskill Auto Parts in Paducah.

M.D. and Lora Dean were the parents of six children, Walter Earl Bridges, born in 1941 and married Linda Faye Burgess and later married Glenda Hicks; Linda Mae Bridges, born in 1943 and married James Robert Wallace and later married Charles D. Parish; Jerry Dale Bridges, born in 1945 and married Cherrie Darlene Fowler; Lanny Morris Bridges, born in 1947 and married Patty Jean Johnson; Rodger Allen Bridges, born in 1950 and married Deborah Jean Keeling; and Flora Lee Bridges, born in 1956 and married Michael Daniel Smith.

M.D. died on March 15, 2001 at the age of 82 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah.  He was buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Paducah.  Lora Dean died on December 26, 2012 at the age of 91 at Western Baptist Hospital.  She was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens next to her husband.

Lora Dean

 

M.D. and Lora Dean tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Morris Dale “M.D” Bridges was the son of Ira Clifton and Flo Templeton Bridges Bridges. Ira was the third child of Durwood Stanley and Jane “Jennie” Thomas Bridges. Durwood was the sixth 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. Flo was the second child of Mark Dale and Mallie Mae Lancaster Bridges.  Mark Dale was the fifth child of Cullen Thomas and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges. William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges. Jane “Jennie” Thomas was the eighth 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.  Martha Ann Virginia Thomas was the third child of Peyton and Sarah L. Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Robert Read Meadows -- Rancher, Builder and Pilot

 

Robert Read Meadows was born on February 15, 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the third of four sons born to Henry Edward Meadows and Read Thomas Meadows.  Henry worked for Exxon and Humble Oil Company and was a native of Comanche, Texas.  Read was a native of Midland, Texas and although her maiden name was Thomas, she was not a descendant of our James Thomas.  Henry, however,  was a descendant of Stanley Thomas. 

Robert’s siblings were Henry Edward Meadows, Jr., born in1939 and married Michele Jan “Mickey” Jowers; Thomas Oliver Meadows, born in 1942 and married Shirley Ann Niehaus; and John Buford Meadows, born in 1947 and married Vicki Louise Reeves.

Soon after Robert’s birth, his family moved from New Orleans to Midland, Texas where Robert attended the local schools. He graduated from Midland High School in 1963.  He then enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin.  After three and a half years at the university, Robert left the school and joined the United States Marine Corps.

Robert completed his basic Marine training at Camp Pendleton, California.  In November 1967, he was sent to Vietnam where he was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.  He served for thirteen months in Vietnam and when he returned to the states, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. 

After his military service, Robert returned to the University of Texas where he graduated with a BBA in marketing in 1969. He then traveled to Europe and returned to the states and enrolled at Louisiana State University where he received his MBA in 1972.

In December 1973, Robert married Jan Ellen Hultberg at the St. Matthew the Apostle Church in Louisiana.  Jan was born on March 22, 1952,  the daughter of James Eldon Hultberg and Marion Simmons Hultberg.  James was native of Burlington, Iowa and Marion was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.

After their marriage, Robert and Jan moved to Austin where Robert was employed by the Gulf Oil Company.  After several years they moved to Elgin, Texas where he was employed by the RDF Instruments Company and he later became the membership director of the Texas Medical Association.  They purchased a ranch property on the outskirts of Elgin which not only served as their home, but was also made available for scouting, church and family activities. Robert was a pilot and he had his own landing strip on his ranch.  He was very interested in history, especially the Civil War period.  He was very proud of his heritage and was a member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and loved to host reenactments of Civil War battles on his ranch.

Robert and Jan were the parents of two children, Erin Read Meadows, born in 1977 and Joshua Stewart Meadows, born in 1979 and married Angela Foster.

Robert died on October 19, 1998 at the age of 53 in Midland, Texas.  He was cremated and his ashes were buried beneath a tombstone on his family ranch outside of Elgin, Texas.

 Robert memorial tombstone on his ranch

 Robert

LINEAGE: (Robert Read Meadows was the son of Henry Edward and Read Thomas Meadows.  Henry was the second child of Claude William and Susan Martin Moore Meadows.  Susan was the seventh child of Thomas Oscar and Sarah Adelie Thomas Moore.  Sarah was the third child of Stanley and Sarah Thompson Rothrock Thomas.  Stanley was the seventh child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Rose Clare Bridges Freeman -- County Circuit Court Clerk

 

 

 

Rose Clare Bridges Freeman

Rose Clare Bridges was born January 15, 1932 in Trigg County, Kentucky. She was the oldest of two children born to John Carl Bridges and Julia Thomas Bridges. Carl and Julia were both natives of Trigg County. Carl was a farmer and a mechanic and was grandson of Cullen Bridges.  Julia was a descendant of Starkie Thomas. Rose’s brother was Carl Trice “Bunny” Bridges, born in 1934 and married Shelvia Jean Curling.

Rose grew up in Trigg County and graduated from Trigg County High School in 1949.  She went on to attend Bethel Women’s College and the Hopkinsville Community College. While attending Bethel she met and married her first husband, Bruce Maxwell Stanley, Jr. on April 21, 1950.  Bruce was a sergeant at nearby Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.  This marriage ended in divorce.

On June 27, 1959, Rose married her second husband, Samuel Dell Freeman, Jr. in a ceremony at her aunt’s home in Cadiz. Dell was born on January 30, 1931 in Christian County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Dell Freeman, Sr. and Icelona Tyline Mitchell Freeman.  His father was a native of Trigg County and his mother a native of Lyon County.

After their marriage, Rose and Dell lived on a farm in Trigg County, and in 1963 they moved to Todd County where Dell became a livestock dealer and was part owner of the Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market in Guthrie, Kentucky which was affiliated with the Union Stockyard in Nashville. Rose became a poll worker and was later elected to the Guthrie City Council, where she gained her first experience working in local government. In 1970, the Freemans returned to their farming operations in Trigg County while Dell continued to commute to the stockyards in Guthrie and Nashville.

After returning to Trigg County Rose was employed at the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Campbell, at Barkley  Dam and the Lake Barkley Acquisition Project and at the  101st  Airborne  Division  Dental Clinic at Fort Campbell. In November 1977 Rose became the Chief Deputy to the Trigg County Circuit Clerk in and in 1982 she was elected to a six-year term as the Trigg Circuit Clerk, serving until 1988.

Rose had two children by her first husband, Brenda Susan Maxwell, born in 1951 and married Danny James Taylor and later married William David Bellar and Jackie Woodson Oliver; and Bruce Stanley Maxwell, III, born in 1952 and died in a motorcycle accident in 1969.  Rose and Dell were the parents of three children, Carla Ann Freeman, born in 1960 and married Nathan Gregory Jones; Samuel Dell Freeman, III, born in 1961 and married Mary F. Bartee; and Smith Taylor Freeman, born in 1962 and married Jerri Lee DeLoach.

Dell died on February 19, 2009 at the age of 78 at the Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. He was buried in the Starkie Thomas Cemetery in Trigg County. Rose died at the age of 91 on September 10, 2023 in Eddyville, Kentucky. She was buried in the Starkie Thomas Cemetery next to her husband.

 Rose Clare Freeman

 Rose and Dell Jr.

LINEAGE: (Rose Clare Bridges was the daughter of John Carl and Julia Bell Thomas Bridges. John Carl was the fifth child of John Trice and Maggie Dora Cunningham Bridges. John Trice was the sixth child of Cullen T. and Virgina Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Julia Bell was the first child of Smith and Ida Mae Meador Thomas.  Smith was the third 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. Virginia Thomas was the third child of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas. Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Clyde Tinsley Thomas -- Farmer

 

Louise and Clyde Tinsley Thomas

Clyde Tinsley Thomas was born on January 10, 1923 in the Dry Creek-Linton community of Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the youngest of seven children of Conrad Tinsley Thomas and Nola Lorraine Sholar Thomas. Conrad Tinsley was a farmer and both he and Nola were natives of Trigg County.  Tinsley was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Tinsley’s siblings were unnamed twin infants born and died in 1916; an unnamed infant born and died in 1917; Virginia Estelle Thomas, born in 1919 and died at 15 months; and Conrad Boyd Thomas, born in 1920 and married Caroline Virginia Thomas.

Tinsley attended elementary schools in the Linton community until his family moved to Christian County. He then attended LaFayette High School where he graduated in 1940.  He then enrolled in the University of Kentucky.  He was there for 1½ years until he left school to volunteer for the armed forces in 1942.

On October 19, 1942 he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and was sent to training in several states including Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.  He was trained as a pilot of a B-24 bomber plane.  He was sent overseas and flew several bombing missions over Germany.  He was honorably discharged from the Air Corps on October 29, 1945 as a first lieutenant.

On November 27, 1948, Tinsley married Emma Louise Dawson at the Ninth Street Christian Church in Hopkinsville, the same church where Louise’s parents were married 24 years earlier.  Louise was born on June  16, 1927 in Trigg County, the daughter of Almont Dawson, Sr. and Agnes Belle Miller Dawson.  Almont was a farmer and both he and Agnes were natives of Trigg County.

After Tinsley left the military in 1945, he returned to work on his father’s farm where he started his own lifelong career as a farmer.  He also served as a director and later vice chairman of the Western Kentucky Fair Board from 1952 to 1979.  Louise was a homemaker and had served as a board member of the Christian County Farm Bureau.

Tinsley and Louise were the parents of three children, Clyde Tinsley Thomas, Jr., born in 1951; Deborah Louise Thomas, born in 1954 and married Michael Fred Murphy; and Donald Lynn Thomas, born in 1958 and married Anita Jo Robertson.

Louise died on August 8, 2001 at the age of 74 at her home in Herndon, Kentucky.  She was buried in the Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Christian County.  Tinsley died on July 20, 2002 at the age of 79.  He was buried in the Green Hill Memorial Gardens next to his wife.

Tinsley and Louise tombstone

LINEAGE: (Clyde Tinsley Thomas was the son of Conrad Tinsley and Nola Lorraine Sholar Thomas.  Conrad was the eighth child of William Henry and Ophelia Estelle Tinsley Thomas.  William was the third 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.)