Roots From The Bayou: May 2014

May 31, 2014

Sports Center Saturday ~ Lady Tigers of 1932

From an article appearing in the October 19, 1932 edition of the Monroe News Star:

The two sisters, Rosemary and Sarah Nell 'Wilkerson' were the daughters of Roger Price Wilkinson, Sr. and Bernice Lipsey.

Rosemary married John Henry Crawford and Sarah Nell married Ellis Hunt.

May 30, 2014

Follow Friday ~ Veterans' Voices

Each Friday I will begin featuring other blogs or websites that I follow. Some featured blogs or websites will pertain to Catahoula Parish while others will be about surrounding areas within Louisiana or neighboring states. Topics will vary but history will be my priority.

My first 'Follow Friday' post features the blog, Veterans' Voices. History told by those who made it.

Melinda Holloway on why she began Veterans' Voices and what she hopes to accomplish with her blog.

"This project was birthed because I believe each veteran has a story to tell — whether that person served in front line combat or in a stateside desk job. The contribution of every veteran in every position and rank made an impact to the cause. It is my desire to help tell these stories.

I publish interviews on this site from veterans from all conflicts, but interviews with World War II veterans will take priority. Even the youngest veterans of this war are in their late eighties and early nineties and will not be with us for many more years.

Each of these interviews needs to be published so that others may glean not only information, but solidify their patriotism for our country and realize the cost of the freedoms we enjoy, as well as gain more respect for veterans and the sacrifices that have been made in service to our country."

I hope you will take the time to visit Veterans' Voices. Melinda's interviews with our Veterans are interesting and very informative.

Friday's Faces From the Past ~ Betty Florence Peck

Betty Florence Peck

1944-2010

Daughter of

William Smith Peck, III and Lena Juanita "Nita" Steele

Sister to

William "Will" Smith Peck, IV

Wife of

Jack Shaffer

Mother to

Russell and Missy Shaffer

Family Recipe Friday ~ Eggplant Patties

The following recipe was submitted to the Monroe News Star by Mrs. Carrie Trisler McGuffee of Harrisonburg. It appeared in the April 21, 1953 edition.

May 29, 2014

Thriller Thursday ~ Fishermen's War

Hattiesburg American - 8/25/1949

May 28, 2014

1936 Dry Forces of Catahoula

From an article published in the April 28, 1936 edition of the Monroe News Star:

Wednesday's Child ~ Henry and William Doniphan

Henry Slaughter Doniphan

Born on July 1, 1861

Died on August 31, 1861

William Slaughter Doniphan

Born on April 12, 1865

Died on October 8, 1867

Sons of

Dr. Henry Slaughter Doniphan and Amelia King Scott

Brothers to

Thomas Scott, Anna, Katie, Lucy Amelia, Frank Cartwright,

Zelia, Eugene and Henry Slaughter Doniphan

Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery

Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

May 27, 2014

Michael and Eliza Manning McMillin Family

Michael McMillin was born circa 1806. Some records indicate his place of birth was Ireland. Other records show his place of birth as New York. The first record of residency in Catahoula Parish is the 1850 U. S. census. Prior to the September 2, 1850 census, Michael had married Eliza Manning and was the father of one son.

By 1860, three more sons had been born to the marriage of Michael and Eliza. Eliza Manning McMillin died circa 1858. The 1860 census shows Michael McMillin and children living in the township of Black River near Trinity in Catahoula Parish.

Michael McMillin died in January of 1870 in Carroll, Louisiana.

The following children were born to the marriage of Michael McMillin and Eliza Manning:

Talbert "Tolly" Arthur
James
John West
George Washington

Talbert "Tolly" Arthur McMillin was born in 1850. On October 19, 1871 he married Hulda Ann Finlay who was born on December 5, 1850 to the marriage of William Campbell Finlay and Miranda Poole. Tolly died on August 20, 1919. Hulda died on February 8, 1940.

Children born to this marriage were:

Michael Manuel, 1872-1934 (m. Catherine Caroline Davis, 1886-1966)
William Lankford, 1873-1951 (m. Lavenia Tyler, 1876-1910)
Elizabeth "Lizzie", 1874-1934 (m. James Caughey Webb, 1873-1956)
George Washington, 1877-?
James Robert, 1878-1962 (m. Sarah S., 1880-1957)
Susie, 1883-1952 (m. Joseph W. Tyler, 1881-1968)
Nan Elvira "Nannie", 1887-1945 (m. Morris Terry, 1886-1951)
Cye, 1887-? (m. Irene Marr, 1892-?)
Tolbert Ray, 1894-1977 (m. Lillie Hazel Terry, 1897-1967)

James McMillin was born on July 19, 1852. On December 18, 1873 he married Harriet Eleanor "Ellen" Finlay who was born on March 16, 1858. Ellen was a sister to Tolly's wife, Hulda. James died on February 18, 1903. Ellen died on January 23, 1928. Both are buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Manifest, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Tombstone photographs were taken by FindAGrave member, Chiquita Richison Thompson.

Children born to the marriage of James McMillin and Ellen Finlay were:

Eliza, 1876-1950 (m. Abraham M. Womack, 1878-1945)
Matilda, 1879-1948 (m. Edward N. Dosher, 1878-1944)
James Drew, 1884-1944 (m. Nannie L. Kirkland, 1886-1974)
Tolly Arthur, 1887-1924 (m. Eula Campbell, 1894-1965)
Wade, 1891-1973 (m. Iva Mayfield, 1904-1965)
Erastus, 1895-after 1910
Luther J., 1897-1992 (m. Fannie R. Wright, 1902-2004)

John West McMillin was born in 1854. He married Julia Ann King circa 1878. Julia was born on April 1, 1858. Some time after 1880 and before 1900 John, Julia and children moved to Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi.

John died in 1886 and is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Manifest, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Julia died on January 14, 1931 and is buried in the Natchez City Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi. Tombstone photographs were taken by FindAGrave members, Chiquita Richison Thompson and Peter Bundgard, respectively.

Children born to the marriage of John West McMillin and Julia Ann King were:

Nezzie, 1881-1948 (m. Ira Eli Campbell, 1876-1945)
John, 1882-1952 (m. Irene C. Plunkett, 1909-1975)
Rosalie, 1886-after 1940 (m. Frederick W. Koops, 1877-after 1940)

George Washington McMillin was born on September 10, 1856. He married Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Young circa 1877. Sallie was born on January 7, 1861 to the marriage of Peter Young and Sarah Callahan.

George died on September 18, 1882. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Manifest, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave mrmber, Chiquita Richison Thompson.

Following George's death, Sallie married Martin Terry. She died on January 9, 1951 and is buried in Los Angeles, California where she and Martin made their home.

Children born to the marriage of George Washington McMillin an Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Young were:

Lillian October "Lillie", 1878-1914 (m. Owen L. Dosher, 1875-1928)
George, 1880-1925 (m. Almeta E. Poole, 1884-1974)

Harrisonburg and Sicily Island FFA Initiates of 1936

Monroe Morning World - 11/8/1936

May 26, 2014

Military Monday ~ Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us.

Lance Corporal Jerry Roy Long

Taken from us on March 21, 1967

Buried in the Highland Cemetery

Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Location of name on Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall: 17E, 014

May 25, 2014

Catahoula Parish Graduation Awards - 1948

Monroe News Star - 5/23/1948

Sunday's Obituary ~ James Beauregard Price

Monroe Morning World - 3/3/1935

James Beauregard Price was born on October 14, 1861 to the marriage of William M. Price and Martha Ann Pelt. He died on February 12, 1935 and is buried in the Spring Ridge Cemetery in Catahoula Parish.

Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Tommye Price.

May 24, 2014

Sports Center Saturday ~ Grady Weeks

Monroe News Star - 5/31/1962

Grady Weeks is the son of James David "J.D." Weeks, Jr. and Lillie Jasmine Casey.

May 23, 2014

Friday's Faces From the Past ~ Cheryl Ann Enright

1978

1997

Cheryl Ann Enright

Born on July 5, 1960

Daughter of

James W. Enright and Hazel Berry

Sister to

Jimmy, Walter and Pam Enright

Died on August 7, 1998

Buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery

Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Family Recipe Friday ~ Cinnamon Cookies

Monroe Morning World - 4/21/1953

The above recipe was submitted to the Monroe Morning World by Mrs. Annie Francis Garrison, wife of Edgar Eugene Garrison.

May 21, 2014

Catahoula Parish Graduates of 1953

Monroe News Star - 5/17/1953

Jonesville Graduates of 1936

Monroe News Star - 4/28/1936

Sicily Island Graduates of 1933

Monroe News Star - 4/25/1933

Sicily Island Bookkeeper Found Dead, 1938

From an article appearing in the December 4, 1938 edition of the Greenville Delta Democrat in Greenville, Mississippi:

Wednesday's Child ~ Maxie Eugene Thompson

Maxie Eugene Thompson

Born in 1927

Son of

John Jessie Thompson and Mattie Farmer

Brother of

Willie, Eula, Carlos, Vera,

Barney, Bertha and Christine Thompson

Died on February 10, 1932

Buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery

Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

May 20, 2014

Pine Hill Plantation

Pine Hill Plantation is located west of Sicily Island off Highway 913 near Norris Springs. The West Indies-style house was built between 1820-1823 by Zachariah Tucker Kirkland and Harriet Perry. Following the death of Zachariah Kirkland, Harriet married Dr. Richard Henry Norris.