James Jasper Thomas, Jr. -- Trigg County Farmer

 

Jim and Lula Thomas

James Jasper Thomas, Jr. was born on May 28, 1863 in Trigg County, Kentucky. James Jr. or Jim as he was called was the third of nine children born to James Jasper Thomas, Sr. and Mary Magdaline Cunningham Thomas.  James, Sr. and Mary Magdaline were both natives of Trigg County where James worked as a farmer.  Jim was a grandson of Starkie Thomas.

Jim’s siblings were Seldon Trimble Thomas, born in 1857 and married Martha Elizabeth Bridges; Joseph Cullen Thomas, born in 1860 and married Onie F. Thomas; Ophelia Thomas, born in 1867 and married Charles H. Pursley; Starkie William Thomas, born in 1869 and married Julia Louise Sumner; Ella May Thomas, born in 1871 and married Clarence Winston Wilson; John Spurlin Thomas, born in 1874 and married Hattie Lee Ricks; Cicero Berter Thomas, born in 1880 and married Edward Seymore Spurlock; and Edgar Clyde Thomas, born in 1881. 

On October 13, 1891, Jim married Lula Maye Crews who lived in the Oakland community. Lula was born on August 17, 1871 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the daughter of Alexander Dodderidge Crews and Edmonia A. Gaines Crews.  Alex was a native of Virginia and Edmonia was native of Green County, Kentucky. Alex and Edmonia had settled in Trigg County where he was a farmer.  Jim and Lula had no children.

Jim and Lula lived on a farm which had been in Jim’s family since the 1800s.  Their historic old home was located on the Old Dover Road  which was located about seven miles south of Cadiz.  Jim lived on the farm for his entire life and was well known and respected in the community.  After Jim’s death, Lula moved to Cadiz where she lived until her death.

Although Jim and Lula had no children of their own, they had a foster daughter, Dorothy Mae White, who was born on June 11, 1923.  Dorothy came to live with Jim and Lula in 1935.  Dorothy later married George Robert Sumner.

Jim died on July 7, 1941 at the age of 78 at his home.  He was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery in the Oak Grove community.  Lula died on September 29, 1962 at the age of 91 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz after suffering from a broken hip. She was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery next to her husband.

LINEAGE: (James Jasper Thomas, Jr. was the son of James Jasper, Sr. and Mary Magdaline Cunningham Thomas and the grandson of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Ezekiel Allen "Zeke" Lancaster -- Trigg County Farmer

 

 Zeke Lancaster

Ezekiel Allen “Zeke” Lancaster was born on December 6, 1867 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the fifth of ten children born to Thomas Jefferson Lancaster and Margaret Frances Lawrence Lancaster.  Thomas was a farmer and both he and Margaret were natives of Trigg County.  Zeke was a descendant of Jemima Bridges Sholar.

Zeke’s siblings were Trimble Thomas Lancaster, born in 1859 and married Julia Porthena Flood; William Dorsey “Doss” Lancaster, born in 1861 and married Eliza Ann Lawrence; Josephus Lancaster, born in 1863 and married Judie Annie Broadbent; James Henry Lancaster, born in 1865 and married Mabel Louise “Mae” Hobbs; Peachy Ann Lancaster, born in 1870 and died at the age of two; Emma Elizabeth Lancaster, born in 1874 and married Thomas Allen Thomas; Mary Ida Lancaster, born in 1872 and married Joseph Richard Hughes; Addie F. Lancaster, born in 1877; and John Jefferson Lancaster, born in 1881 and married Alberta “Bird” Sholar.

At his birth, Zeke’s family lived in the Linton community of Trigg County.  When he was in his early teens, his family moved to the Canton community.

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1894, Zeke married Peachie Matilda Harrell.  Matilda was born on July 31, 1871 in Trigg County.  She was the daughter of  Pinkney B. Harrell and Matilda Adeline Dixon Harrell.  Pinkney was a farmer and had served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War.  Both he and Matilda Adeline were natives of Trigg County.

Zeke was a farmer and he and Matilda farmed in several areas of Calloway and Trigg Counties.  He later bought a farm on the South Road, south of Cadiz in the Oakland community where he farmed for the rest of his life.

Zeke and Matilda were the parents of five children, Thomas Lloyd Lancaster, born in 1895 and married Elsie Gradinsky; Pinkney Loys Lancaster, born in 1896 and married Virginia Thomas Mitchell; Ophia Pearl Lancaster, born in 1898 and married Otho Whitfield Tuggle and then married Otho Lee Spurlin; Jesse Carl Lancaster, born in1900 and married Nancy Whitt Mitchell; and Denny Derwood Lancaster, born in 1902 and married Oneta Belle Rees.

Matilda died on October 18, 1904 at the age of 33 of tuberculosis after only ten years of marriage.  She was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg County.

After Matilda’s death, Zeke married his second wife, Virginia Nora “Jennie” Wiles on December 25, 1910.  Jennie was born on September 3, 1875 in Montgomery County, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of Durell B. Wiles and Martha “Mary" Brooks Wiles.  Durell was a carpenter and farmer and both he and Mary were natives of Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

Zeke and Jennie were the parents of two children, Otis Hopson Lancaster, born in 1912 and married Ruby Rhea Ezell and Inez Lorene Lancaster, born in 1914 and married Clifton Earl Bridges.
Jennie died on November 29, 1949 at the age of 74 at her home.  She was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery.

Zeke died on December 12, 1952 at the age of 85 at the home of his daughter, Ophia Pearl, on the South Road.  He was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery where both of his wives were buried.

Matilda Harrell Lancaster

 

Zeke tombstone

 

Matilda tombstone

 

Jennie tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Ezekiel Allen “Zeke” Lancaster was the son of Thomas Jefferson and Margaret Frances Lawrence Lancaster.  Margaret was the first child of Ezekiel M. and Polly Sholar Lawrence.  Polly is the second child of Allen and Jemima Bridges Sholar.  Jemima is the first child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

Clyde Herman Vinson -- Bookkeeper and City Commissioner

 

Clyde Herman Vinson was born on February 7, 1882 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the fifth and youngest child of Henry Cullen Vinson and Mary Catherine Sumner Vinson.  Henry was known as one of the leading farmers of Trigg County and was a native of Stewart County, Tennessee.  Mary was a housewife and a native of Trigg County.  Clyde’s siblings were Alfred Thomas Vinson, born in 1866 and married Inez Thomas; Alice Lula Vinson, born in 1869 and married Bluford Ira Thomas; John Robert Vinson, born in 1871 and married Willie Armstrong and then Gertrude Wilson and Jesse Monroe Vinson, born in 1874 and married Forrest May Thomas.

Clyde grew up on the family farm in Trigg County and attended the county schools.  Clyde began his long and active business career at his first job in Cadiz with Chappell and Cowherd Company, a grocery store which was later known as J. W. Cowherd and Company.  Clyde left his job at Chappell and Cowherd and moved to Louisville where he attended the Spencerian Business College. Spencerian’s Louisville campus now operates as part of the regionally accredited Sullivan University in Louisville.  After leaving Spencerian, Clyde came back to Cadiz to serve as the bookkeeper for the Hancock Tobacco Company.

In 1910, Clyde moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky where he was employed by the American Snuff Company and later the U. S. Tobacco Company. He went on to hold the position of bookkeeper for many years at the J. H. Anderson Department Store in Hopkinsville.

In 1936 Clyde began serving as the City Commissioner for the City of Hopkinsville, a position that he would serve in for eight terms.  A former city clerk of Hopkinsville noted that when Clyde took office in 1936, the city had only $1,400 in the bank and owed more than $300,000. Through Clyde’s conservative position regarding governmental spending there was over $173,000 in the general fund of the city and Hopkinsville was debt-free at the close of 1957.  He was praised by officials of the city as the best city commissioner Hopkinsville had ever had.

Clyde was never married.

On March 8, 1958 at about 1 p.m. in the afternoon Clyde was apparently stricken with a heart attack at his home in Hopkinsville.  He was rushed to the Jennie Stuart Hospital where he died a few hours later.  Clyde was 76 years old at the time of his death.  His body was taken back to Cadiz where he was buried in the East End Cemetery.

Clyde Vinson tombstone

LINEAGE: (Clyde Herman Vinson was the son of Henry Cullen and Mary Catherine Sumner Vinson and the grandson 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.)

Henry Lloyd and Kathleen Ezell Herndon -- Farmer and Homemaker

 

Henry Lloyd Herndon was born on August 9, 1912 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the second of five children born to Chester Anderson Herndon and Daisy Adeline Calhoun Herndon.  Chester was a farmer and both he and Daisy were natives of Trigg County.  Henry was a descendant of Simco Bridges. 

Henry’s siblings were Annie Lois Herndon, born in 1911; Luby Earl Herndon, born in 1914 and married Allene Brown; Roberta Herndon, born in 1915 and married Orvil Herschel Calhoun; and Lola Gleen Herndon, born in 1918 and married Harlon Edward Maddox.

Henry or “Buck” as he was known grew up in rural Trigg County and attended Ross School and later Lower Donaldson School.

On September 26, 1938 he married Mary Kathleen Ezell in Benton, Kentucky.  Kathleen was only 15 years old so they had eloped.  Kathleen was born on May 10, 1923 in Trigg County, the only child of Wilford Jett Ezell and Mattie Earl Sumner Ezell.  Wilford was a farmer and both he and Mattie were natives of Trigg County.  Kathleen was a descendant of Perry Thomas.

Buck and Kathleen lived in Trigg County their entire lives.  They settled in the South Union community where Buck worked primarily as a farmer.  He also worked at Felix Carr’s Sawmill, Cedar Bluff Stone Company and at the Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation.  During the time that the Barkley Lake reservoir was being cleared, he worked with the company that moved cemeteries out of the area.  Kathleen was a homemaker.

Kathleen and Buck were the parents of five children, Doris Rhea Herndon, born in 1940 and married Jasper Joe Hayes; Polly Ann Herndon, born in 1943 and married Billy Eugene Thomas; Blanche Earl Herndon, stillborn in 1945; Wilford Lloyd Herndon, born in 1946 and married Thelma Ruth Calhoun; and Gwenna Kay Herndon, born in 1959 and married Ricky Alan Settle.

Buck died on April 4, 1992 at the age of 79 at the Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  He was buried in the McIntosh Cemetery in Trigg County.  Kathleen died on October 9, 2005 at the age of 82 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  She was buried in the McIntosh Cemetery next to her husband.

Buck and Kathleen tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Henry Lloyd Herndon was the son of Chester Anderson and Daisy Adeline Calhoun Herndon.  Daisy was the first child of William Archibald “Bill” and Peachie Ann Bridges Calhoun.  Peachie was the seventh child of Simco N. and Emeline Martin Bridges.  Simco was the fourth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

(Mary Kathleen Ezell was the first child of Wilford Jett and Matie Earl Sumner Ezell.  Wilford was the first child of Carl Hugh and Betsy Jane Coleman Ezell.  Betsy was the first child of Felix Grundy and Martha Jane Noel Coleman.  Felix was the fifth 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.

Chilton Allen Thomas-- Donaldson Creek Merchant

 

Chilton Allen Thomas

Chilton Allen Thomas was born on January 5, 1841 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was tenth of fourteen children born to Perry Thomas and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was born in Bertie County, North Carolina but had migrated to Trigg County along with his family in 1806 when he was nine years old.  Elizabeth was a native of Trigg County as she was born in 1804 shortly after her family arrived from North Carolina.  Chilton was a grandson to both James Thomas and Drury Bridges.

Chilton’s  siblings were Albert Thomas, born in 1822 and married Mary Jane Frizzell Holland; Alpha Thomas, born in 1823 and married Alfred Boyd Coleman; Allison William Thomas, born in 1825 and married Catherine Elizabeth Carloss; William Stanley Thomas, born in 1827 and married Sallie Jacqueline Thomas; Rufus King Thomas, born in 1829 and married Alvie Adeline Dunn; Benjamin Franklin Thomas, born in 1832 and married Ruth Noe; James Hervey Thomas, born in 1834 and died at the age of four; Perry Thomas, Jr., born in 1836 and married Aurora Wimberly; Eliza Jane Thomas, born in 1839 and married William R. Futrell; Starkie Duprey Thomas, born in 1843 and married Sarah Frances Pugh and then married Parmelia Elizabeth Pugh Ingram; Josephine Thomas, born in 1846; Etna Thomas, born in 1848 and married William Jackson Turner; and Winfield Scott Thomas, born in 1850 and married Cassandra Jemima Futrell.

On January 10, 1867, Chilton married Martha Ann Duncan in Stewart County, Tennessee.  Martha was born on April 17, 1852 in Stewart County, Tennessee and was the daughter of Thomas Henry Duncan and Martha Jane Kenneda Duncan both natives of Stewart County, Tennessee. Thomas was a farmer.

Chilton and Martha settled in the Donaldson Creek community near his large family and for many years he engaged primarily in farming. The Donaldson Creek area was a growing area from the 1870s through the 1940s.  In those early years the Donaldson valley was cleared from the hills of the east for about seven miles all the west to the Cumberland River. The area became prime for farming and as the community prospered a post office was established in 1855 and lasted until around 1920. In addition, the community gained several grocery and general merchandise stores.  Around 1900 Chilton became a well-known proprietor of a grocery store in the valley.  Later in the 1910s, Chilton operated a general merchandise store located between his home and the post office which was at the intersection of Donaldson Creek Road and Maple Grove Road.

Chilton and Martha were the parents of eight children, Thomas Allen Thomas, born in 1868 and married Emma Elizabeth Lancaster; Mora Martha Thomas, born in 1871 and married Joel Calvin Sumner; Elizabeth Jane Thomas, born in1876 and died at the age of seven; Sallie Ann Idella Kate Thomas, born in 1878 and married Joel Henry Dixon; Lula B. Thomas; Sanford Pierce Thomas, born in 1885 and married Tiny Mae Belle Ezell; Alpha Thomas, born in 1878 and died at birth; and Mary Maud Thomas, born in 1890 and died at the age of two.

On March 12, 1892, Chilton’s wife, Martha Ann died at the age of 39.  She was buried in the Chilton Thomas Cemetery in the Donaldson Creek community near her home.

Chilton married his second wife, Amanda Ellen Chewning, in 1896.  Amanda was born on October 16, 1860 in Trigg County and was the daughter of John Edward Chewning and Julia Ann Simmons Chewning. John was a farmer and a native of Trigg County. Julia Ann was a native of Wilson County, Tennessee.  Chilton and Amanda were the parents of three children, Etna Thomas, born in 1897 and married Walker Redd; Nina Thomas, born in 1899 and died at age of two months; and Alice Thomas, born in 1900 and married Joseph Blackford Fowler.

Chilton died on April 7, 1924 at his home on Donaldson Creek of pneumonia at the age of 83. He was buried in the Chilton Thomas Cemetery next to his first wife, Martha.  Amanda died the following year on December 5, 1925 at the Thomas homeplace on Donaldson Creek of Pneumonia at the age of 65.  She was buried in the Chewning Cemetery in Trigg County.

 

Chilton Thomas house at left, his general merchandise store in center and the post office at the right, photo taken about 1913

 

 Chilton Thomas tombstone

 

 

Martha Duncan Thomas tombstone

LINEAGE: (Chilton Allen Thomas was the son of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James Mary Standley Thomas.  Elizabeth was the sixth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

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Clarence Collie Lawrence -- Trigg County Farmer

 

Clarence Collie Lawrence was born on September 11, 1900 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the oldest of four children of James Robert Lawrence and Lucy Rebecca Mize Lawrence.  James Robert was a farmer and was a native of Trigg County.  Lucy was a native of Stewart County, Tennessee.  Clarence was a descendant of Starkie Thomas and Jemima Bridges Sholar.

Clarence’s siblings were Will Josh Lawrence, born in 1902 and married Faithy Madelyn Wilson; Clyde Layton Lawrence, born in 1907 and married Myra Lou Bridges; and Dennis Bernard Lawrence, born in1910 and married Rebecca Ann Mitchell and later married Earline Luzira Shemwell Brown.

On September 2,1926, Clarence married Jettie Bleidt.  Jettie was born on June 8, 1900 in the Golden Pond community of Trigg County.  She was the second child of Ernest R, Bleidt and Della Lane Bleidt.  Ernest was a farmer and was a native of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania and his family were immigrants from Germany. Della was a native of Trigg County.

After Clarence and Jettie were married, they settled on a farm located on the Cerulean Road outside of Cadiz.  Clarence worked as a farmer at that location for his entire life.  Jettie was a homemaker.

Clarence and Jettie were the parents of three children, Freida Bleidt Lawrence, born in 1932 and married John Anthony Henneberger; James Robert Lawrence, born in 1935 and Married Linda S. Fuller, and then married Rita Faye Ezell Roberts and later married Janice Lottich Barker; and Ernest Ronald Lawrence, born in 1938 and married Clara Dell Gentry.

Clarence died on August 1, 1975 at the age of 74 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz, Kentucky.  He was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery in the Dyers Chapel community.  Jettie died on March 20, 1993 at the age of 92 at the Trigg County Hospital.  She was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery next to her husband.

Clarence and Jettie tombstone

 

Clarence tombstone

 

Jettie tombstone

LINEAGE: (Clarence Collie Lawrence was the son of James Robert and Lucy Rebecca Mize Lawrence.  James was the first child of William Allen and Margaret Jane 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 Lawrence and Elizabeth Sholar.  Elizabeth was the fifth child of Allen and Jemima Bridges Sholar.  Jemima was the first child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)

Lula Vinson Wilson -- Elementary School Teacher

Lula Vinson was born on April 5, 1919 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the oldest of six children born to Carey Thomas Vinson, Sr. and Mallie Mae Guier Vinson. Carey and Mallie were both natives of Trigg County and Carey was a farmer. Carey was a descendant of Cullen Thomas and Mallie was a descendant of Drewry Bridges, therefore, making Lula a true member of the Thomas and Bridges family.

Lula’s siblings were 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 four months; 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 later married Ellen Hawley Watson.

Lula began her education in the one-room Warrenton School where she attended for eight years. She then attended the Cadiz High School where she graduated in 1936.  She went on to Bowling Green, Kentucky and enrolled at the Western Kentucky Teacher’s College, now University, graduating in 1941. During this period of time, she also taught in the Oakland, Warrenton and Linton Schools in Trigg County.

On November 6, 1943, Lu, as Lula became to be called, married Lawrence Allen Wilson at the bride’s home in Cadiz, Kentucky. Larry, as Lawrence was called, was born on August 31, 1919 in Apollo, Pennsylvania, the son of Russell Andrew Wilson and Margaret Eleanor McElfresh Wilson, both natives of Pennsylvania. At the time of their marriage Larry was a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he was assigned to the Twelfth Armored Field Artillery Division.

After Lu and Larry were married, they were transferred to several army posts throughout the country, including Camp Barkeley near Abilene, Texas, and Fort Knox, near Louisville, Kentucky.  Larry was sent overseas in September 1944 where he was involved in several fierce German battles in France and Austria,  Larry sustained several battle injuries but after a stay in a field hospital, he insisted on returning to battle where he stayed until the end of the war  He returned to the states in late November, 1945.

While Larry was overseas, Lu worked with her sister, June, in a Tennessee Eastman Lab in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  They unknowingly were involved in the making of the two atomic bombs which eventually were used to end World War II.

After the war, Larry and Lu settled in his hometown of Apollo, Pennsylvania,  He, like several generations of his family, worked in the steel mill in the small town. They later moved to Vandergrift, Pennsylvania where Lu taught school in nearby Apollo and Larry attended the University of Pittsburgh.
After Larry received his B.S. degree in 1948, he and Lu moved to Lafayette, Indiana where Larry accepted a position with the Alcoa Corporation. He served as the Personnel Plant Director for the company which required he and Lu to move to several locations throughout the country including Cleveland, Ohio, Evansville, Indiana, Vancouver, Washington and  Massena, New York.  When Larry ended his career with the company, he was the Manager of Industrial Relations in Alcoa’s Pittsburgh, Ohio office,

Larry and Lu had two sons, Andrew Thomas Wilson, born in 1951 and married Ronnie Gail Emden and Daniel Lawrence Wilson, born in 1952.

Larry died on April 30, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the age of 63. Lu died on December 31, 2005 in Wilsonville, Oregon at the age of 86.

LINEAGE: (Lula Vinson was the daughter of Carey Thomas and Mallie Mae Guier Vinson and the granddaughter 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. Mallie Mae Guier was the fourth child of Nahan 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.)  

Harmon Marcellious Hughes -- Trigg County Farmer

 

Harmon Hughes

Harmon Marcellious Hughes was born on December 18, 1903 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of ten children born to Luther Lee Hughes and Mattie Patterson Light Hughes.  Luther was a farmer and he and Mattie were both natives of Trigg County.  Harmon was a descendant of Starkie Thomas. 

Harmon’s siblings were Verna Elizabeth Hughes, born in 1904 and married Clinton Harrell 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; Edna Lorene Hughes, born in 1912 and married Charlie Calvert Flood; 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.

Harmon grew up in Trigg County and went to the rural elementary schools.  He left school after the eighth grade and went to work on his father’s farm.

On October 31, 1925, he married Georgia Lyle New.  Georgia was born on October 3, 1904 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the daughter of George Mattison New and Lizzie Rhea Cobb New.  George was a farmer and a timberman and both he and Lizzie were natives of Trigg County.

After Harmon and Georgia were married, he continued to work as a farmer and Georgia taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Siloam community of Trigg County.  They later moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Harmon worked for the Ewing Milk Company.  After the depression arrived, they moved back to Trigg County where Harmon again worked on the farm.  In February 1934 a fire destroyed all their possessions.  In 1935 the family moved to Henderson, Kentucky, where Harmon worked for a furniture manufacturing company. Harmon and Georgia lived in Henderson for the rest of their lives.

Harmon and Georgia were the parents of four children, Martha Lyle Hughes, born in 1927 and married Delmas John Norrick and then married Robert Dale Clements; Harmon Bernard Hughes, born in 1932 and married Janice Hazelwood and then married Martha Joyce Kirby; Carolyn Elizabeth Hughes, born in 1934 and married Sherman Douglas Staples; and Frieda Nell Hughes, born in 1938 and married Milton L. Frieburg.

Georgia died on February 29, 1952 at the age of 47 of a brain tumor at the Norton Memorial Infirmary in Louisville, Kentucky.  She was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson.

On March 27, 1953, Harmon married his second wife, Mary Dixon Townsend Clayton.  Mary was born on November 6, 1908 in Providence, Kentucky.  She was the daughter of Roland Gooch Townsend and Lockie Jane Dixon Townsend.  Roland was a farmer and both he and Lockie were natives of Webster County, Kentucky.  Harmon and Mary’s  marriage ended in divorce.

Harmon died on January 10, 1983 at the age of 79 at the Community Methodist Hospital in Henderson.  He was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery next to his wife, Georgia.

Georgia Hughes

 

Harmon and Georgia tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Harmon Marcellious Hughes was the son 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.)

James Peyton "Buck" Thomas -- Trigg County Farmer

 

James Peyton “Buck” Thomas was born on January 26, 1878 in the Donaldson Creek Community of Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the oldest of four children born to James Dillard and Sarah Armentia Sholar Thomas. Both James Dillard and Sarah were natives of Trigg County and James Dillard was a farmer. Buck’s siblings were Grace Day Thomas, born in 1880 and married Joseph Alvin Sumner; Willie Mae Thomas, born in 1882 and married Dallie Brown Thomas; and Alfred Herman Thomas, born in 1886 and married Maggie Lee Emma Carr.

Buck grew up in the Donaldson Creek community and like his father, he became a farmer.  On January 2, 1901, he married Avia Frankline Eggner.  Avia was born on July 25, 1885 and was a native of Marshall County Kentucky.  She was the daughter of Franklin P. Whitford and Telitha Jane Dunn Eggner. Frank ran the ferry over the Tennessee River in western Trigg County.  In 1932 when the bowstring truss bridge across the river was opened it was named Eggner’s Ferry Bridge. This bridge was replaced by a new four lane arch bridge in 2016 and the new bridge was also named Eggner’s Ferry Bridge. Telitha was a teacher and also served as postmistress in Aurora, Kentucky.

Buck was known for his sense of humor and love of a good laugh and he and Avia were a welcoming couple to their home. They often opened their home to people who were traveling.  They boarded a school teacher who taught at Upper Donaldson Creek School and several ministers who preached at Donaldson Creek Baptist Church spent their weekends at the Thomas home.  Avia was also an excellent seamstress which included crocheting, embroidering and making quilts.  She made clothes which she would sell, a job she turned into an occupation after Buck’s death.

Buck and Avia were the parents of six children.  They were Charles Wilford Thomas, born in 1902 and married Piccola R. Stafford and later married Neva Brown; Preston Hoover Thomas, born in 1904 and married Mary Pauline Bridges; Lila Beatrice Thomas, born in 1908 and married William H. Downs and later Fred William Kottman; James Frank Thomas, born in 1910 and married Mary Mavis Barnes; Eugene Eggner Thomas, born in 1916 and married Audra Elizabeth Sisk and later Juanita Mildred Cooke; and Barbara Nell Thomas, born in 1922 and married Frank Albert Potter.

James Peyton died on August 23, 1946 at the age of 68 at his home.  He was buried in the Peyton Thomas Cemetery in Trigg County.  Avia died on July 28, 1980 at the age of 95 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  She was buried in the Trigg Memory Acres cemetery in Trigg County.

Buck tombstone

 

Avia tombstone

LINEAGE: (James Peyton “Buck” Thomas was the son of James Dillard and Sarah Armentia Sholar Thomas and the grandson 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.)

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