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( >— rna * * sSocidy Satmuba tfhofttetr It f( .»' 'H Wjz* -?. r<^- By ELIZABETH BRAY SHERRILL, CGRS • -••• Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/smyrnasocietycatOOeliz 3E3SOQQSOSSQQSQQSE State Library of North Carolina D Raleigh Presented by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill 3BE3SQQQQQQOSBQQB This book is dedicated to Donna B. Brown, my dear friend. I truly appreciate her assistance, sweet and loving disposition, gentle nature, caring manner, and genuine faith. Donna is a breath of fresh air in a struggling society, a person from whom I have learned much and desire to be like. $25 ppd SMYRNA SOCIETY/CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS . All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America by International Minute Press, 1722 Hwy . 70 S.E., Hickory, NC 28602, USA. SPECIAL NOTE TO THE READER Tombstone information transcribed for this book were done to the best of this author's ability. so II. The 1860 Smyrna Class Book is TRANSCRIBED, meaning every word was copied EXACTLY as it was written in 1860 .... misspell ings , mark-outs, non-capitalized names, bad punctuation , etc . Please do not judge the recordings as the author's fault. III. In order to help create the feeling of reality that the people appearing in this book were real people, information about them was extracted from The Enterprise , the earliest newspaper that covered the southeastern section of Catawba County, NC . The earliest existing issue was dated 1879. IV. A full name index has been compiled for you beginning on Page 110 for your convenience. V. If you have any comments or questions with regard to this book, please write to the author at: SHERRILL INVESTIGATIONS, Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , 2263 Mollys Backbone Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673. Phone #704-478-2469. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your reply. Thank-you ! fLtnixth. <&. AJiohmjPL raw Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS ' SMYRNA SOCIETY/CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA BY Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS August, 1991 Catawba United Methodist Church TABLE OF CONTENTS Smyrna Society-1860 Smyrna Methodist Church and Cemetery Listings 1 Smyrna Methodist Mentioned In Rev. Branson's Directories ... 8 Class Book of Smyrna Society-1860 [Transcription] 10 Catawba United Methodist Church - It's Beginning 31 Catawba's First Minister, Rev. Wesley M. Bagby 31A [ Picture ] List of Pastors 32 Rev. Beverly Wilson, Catawba's 18th Minister 35A [Picture] Circuit Chronology 38 Church Improvements 38 Outstanding Members, Sharing, Homecoming 40 Catawba United Methodist Church Cemetery Listings 41 [With 1879-1895 Newton Enterprise information when available] Church Register of the Catawba Circuit, WNC Conference 79 Register of Marriages , 80 Register of Infant Baptisms 83 Register of Members - Catawba 102 Conclusion 109 Full Name Index 110 Questions/Comments 140 Smyrna Society - 1860 SMYRNA METHODIST CHURCH Catawba, NC Smyrna Methodist Society had its beginning sometime well before the War Between the States, however, the only record of its existence begins in 1860. The church and its cemetery were loca-ted just outside the little village of Catawba, in Catawba County, NC , but all that remains are remnants of the past that take the form of old tombstones, field stones, and an abundance of ground indentions . From the town of Newton, NC , the cemetery is located just off of Highway #10. In other words, travel down Highway #10 toward Catawba, turn right onto Hudson Chapel Road; follow the road around a curve, passing several fields; and, the cemetery is loca-ted on the left side of the road. It is said that white people were buried on the left side of the cemetery, while black people were buried on the right; however, the cemetery grounds are now being utilized exclusively for black residents to 'jury their loved ones, as many black churches in the area do not have attached burying grounds. The cemetery is now named Smyrna Memorial Park. Before I begin recording the history of Smyrna, I would like to list all the tombstone inscriptions within the cemetery. The first grave has no marker but a red, mud indention exists . Ralph L. White, 7 March 1926 - 8 December 1985 "The last mile of the way" - Married 24 November 1949 Naomi T. White, 16 May 1926 - no date "When I've gone the last mile of the way, I will rest at the close of the day, And I know there are joys that await me When I've gone the last mile of the way" Ralph L. White, US Navy, WWII, 7 March 1926 - 8 December 1985 Charles "Doc" White, 25 February 1914 - 25 March 1988 "Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound That Saved A Wretch Like Me" Married Saturday, April 11, 1942 Zelda R. White, 27 December 1914 - no date Head: "Gone But Not Forgotten" Thomas Griffin Springs, 1932 - 1983 / [Piano on Stone] "Come and go with me to my Father's house" Foot: Thomas G. Springs, CPL, US Army, Korea Smyrna Society 2 7 October 1932 - 30 March 1983 Garvin G. Abernathy, 15 January 1897 - 13 March 1979 Inez Clark Abernathy, 1 April 1895 - no date Robert L. Vinson, 2 September 1923 - no date "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal" Josephine M. Vinson, 1 January 1922 - 16 June 1974 "Our love goes with you and our souls wait to join you" Marian M. Lewis, 7 October 1912 - 8 June 1989 Clay Christopher Robinson (Photo on the tombstone) 29 June 1960 - 30 September 1989 Son of Henry Clay and Betty Robinson (Baseball glove, bat, and ball on flat stone covering grave and the nickname, "Fuzzy" below the symbols] "We shall meet again - Love Brenda, Cynthia, Jeffrey, Carol, Shumika" No Name, 1977 - 1978 Mother, Nora Lewis, 7 March 1889 - 18 June 1964 Justin P. Smith, 1979 - 1980 John Champion, no dates Ruth M. Wilson, 1926 - 1989 Head: Charlie Paul Lewis, 1920 - 1990 Foot: Charlie P. Lewis, Tec 5, US Army, WWII 12 May 1920-19 February 1990 John Wesley Miller, 15 May 1899 - 7 February 1968 Edna F. Hull Miller, 19 December 1914 - no date "Rusty" Harold Morocco Miller 13 September 1945 - 6 August 1963 Richard K. Wright, Sr. , 5 October 1914 - 11 October 1965 J. M. - no dates Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home Marker [Not in Place] Smyrna Society 3 Marion Tyson Edwards, 1932 - 1973 J. C. Anthony, Jr., NC CPL US Army, Korea 30 December 1928 - 26 September 1971 Jay C. Anthony, 2 May 1903 - 28 December 1968 Married 11 April 1925 Zelda C. Anthony, 20 April 1900 - 27 August 1975 A Billy Anthony was ? [Broken stone/illegible. Child's grave.] John Eddie Templeton, 12 April 1895 - 22 April 1957 "Now cometh eternal rest" Rodney 0. Hu\tt, 18 May 1905 - 7 February 1986 "Precious Lord, take my hand" Gertrude Champion Huitt, 13 March 1910 - no date Minnie Blanch Ervin, 25 August 1883 - 22 December 1952 David Ervin, 16 October 1869 - 17 April 1956 Claudis Ford Bond, NC Tec 5, 3310 QM Truck Co., WWII 6 June 1914 - 27 January 1966 Married 25 November 1943 "When we all get to Heaven" Husband of Gladys S. Bond Roy Justin Roseman, 1901 - 1986 William Roseman, 4 April 1876 - 10 February 1946 Lillian Roseman, 15 June 1878 - 12 July 1943 "Thy God has claimed thee as His own" "A Loving Brother," Willie "King" Roseman, 1907 - 1956 Cecil Roy Huitt, Sr. , 1930 - 1989 Joe Willie Drake, 1918 - 1990 Laneecha Tyson, 1979 - 1980 "Daughter," Daisy Pauline Tyson, 17 July 1927 - no date "Father," Taft L. Tyson, 16 August 1908 - 14 May 1984 Webster Odell Tyson, 22 September 1919 - 9 May 1977 "In Memory of Our Beloved Father" Smyrna Society 4 Albert Covington, 1895 - 1990 Rev. James E. Bond, 1879 - 1956 Henrietta W. Bond, 1880 - 1960 Mitchell L. Williams, 2 November 1927 - 22 May 1941 Gloria J. Williams, 14 April 1945 - 20 January 1946 Henry Sam Williams, 19 February 1906 - 5 December 1970 Louvie Bond Williams, 19 June 1907 - 2 June 1964 [The above four inscriptions are near a rather large tombstone that is engraved with a "Family Tree." I have never seen a tombstone like it before in all my meanderings and it is a magnificent idea as it lists the parents' names at the top, children and their birth years below. The parents' marriage date appears in a heart located at the bottom of the tree.] Henry S. | Louvie B. *THE WILLIAMS^ Cleophas 1932 Thelma "Pam" 1934 Gloria 1945-1946 Shirley 1947 "We have no greater joy than to hear our children walk in truth" Paul L. Williams, 1904 - 1980 Agnes B. Williams, 1905 - no date Vera F. Williamson, 1903 - 1962 Eugene L. Williamson, 1902 - 1980 Clifton D. Miller, 27 July 1920 - 2 June 1939 Francis O. Miller, 16 April 1923 - 9 July 1939 Bessie C. Miller, 28 July 1901 - 11 October 1939 Fred D. Miller, 19 March 1895 - 21 April 1950 Smyrna Society 5 Jessie Wilson, 19 September 1897 - 18 June 1939 James Miller Baby, 1958 - 1958 W. C. Covington, 14 April 1871 - 12 June 1940 Fannie A. Covington, 18 December 1871 - 16 October 1972 Cleveland Tyson, 12 July 1885 - 24 February 1963 Charlie W. Tyson, 19 February 1887 - 2 September 1964 "Father" "The rose still grows beyond the wall" Sallie Parker Tyson, 18 March 1890 - 8 January 1965 "Mother" "With her life she wrote a Book" "The Lord is my shepherd" Marshall Dewitt Tyson, 7 July 1917 - 9 August 1973 "Loving wife and children" Winford C. Tyson, 16 April 1913 - 4 July 1976 "Precious Lord, take my hand" Pandora H. Tyson, 27 April 1910 - 1990 Stanley Lavon Farley, 2 June 1967 - 11 June 1967 Cindy Nichole Farley, 29 July 1970 - 9 December 1970 Bessie James Hewitt, 7 February 1906 - 26 December 1982 Roy Hosie Hewitt, 20 March 1907 - 12 March 1970 Annie, wife of Richard Thompson, 15 August 1899 - 20 July 1914 [Editor's Note: Because this marker seemed to be old and it was covered deeply with briars, I checked the information thereon, as well as the older markers, against death certificates at the Catawba County Register of Deeds Office, Newton, NC. I learned the following about Annie Thompson, wife of Richard: Deaths, Book 1, Page 144 - Annie Adams Thompson Born: 15 August 1899 in Iredell Co., NC Died: 20 July 1914, Catawba Co., NC Mulatto Age: 14y 11m 5d Died of: Typhoid Fever Parents: Richard Adams, b. Iredell Co., NC Hettie Adams, b. Catawba Co., NC Informant: Richard Thompson Buried: Smyrna Cemetery] Judy Adams, Died February, 1926 R. H. Adams, 1874 - 1909 Many buried field stones and lots of identions. Virginia Cornelius Collier, 1912 - 1990 Smyrna Society 6 Henry Robinson, 18 August 1913 - no date Rosie C. Robinson, 17 January 1917 - 21 April 1990 [The following old tombstones are buried in a grown-up strip of land between the cleared cemetery land and a ploughed up field. There is a possibility that the white section is unmarked now due to age, or was where the ploughed up land is now.] Elitha Sherrill was born Nov. 16 1832 [stone broken in half and leaning up against a tree in the top left corner of the cemetery] And died Jan. 15, 1893 Also Names of Adolphs Sherrill, Jos. Sherrill, Jessie Sherrill In Memory of Mary Sherrill 1834 [illegible] In Memory of Benjamin Sherrell died July 9th 1852 Aged 83y 5m 4d [Mary and Benjamin's tombstones were difficult to read being that they were buried deep within the thicket.] 2 unmarked tombstones Jane C. Consort of J. T. Harwell &. Dau. of J. A. & R. C. Milligan Died Feb. 1st 1870 Aged 39?y 5m 2d [Editor's Note: In the Smyrna 1860 Class Book appearing immediately following the cemetery listing, a Jane C. Milligan Harwell is listed in 1869 as being a member.] M. E. Wycoff died Sept 4th 1857 Aged 5y 10m lid Margaret wife of W. H. Lawrence [in woods] Born 21 December 1848 - Died 4 August 1929 Aged 80y 7m Id William H. Laurence [stone illegible] Glenn Earl Danner, 1950 - 1977 Gordon Lee Whitner, 1907 - 1985 Dora Danner Smith, 2 October 1924 - 17 January 1974 "The Lord is my shepherd" Minnie Mack, 1880 - 1972 Paul V. Scott, 1907 - 1973 Lee Ernest Nash, Jr., 23 November 1907 - 1 February 1979 Jannie Wallace Nash, December, 1905 - no date Smyrna Society 7 South Carolina Funeral Home Marker, illegible Red mud soaked the paper behind the loose glass Espy M. Clark, 19 May 1923 - 22 January 1985 "Our Father which" Cardelia C. Clark, 17 August 1925 - 26 December 1983 "Art in Heaven" Ketwan Jerell McCorkle, 22 November 1988 - 24 November 1988 "Jesus loves me this I know" Floyd Lewis Adams, 19 October 1905 - 4 April 1976 In Loving Memory Lois S. Adams, 2 June 1902 - 7 June 1983 James Lewis Clark, 1918 - 1988 James Clyde Keaton, 1905 - 1989 Bertha Azalee Keaton, 1906 - 1988 Pink Miller, 20 October 1881 - 19 November 1927 Oscar Alfred Carson, Jr., 25 December 1923 - 27 December 1989 Family Plot Head: James Edward Carson, 29 September 1927 - 28 March 1988 Foot: James E. Carson, US Air Force, 29 September 1927 - 28 March 1988 Laura Elizabeth Carson, 19 November 1925 - 6 June 1988 Alfred Quentin Howell, 1 November 1947 - 24 November 1974 Oscar Alfred Carson, Sr. , 21 October 1888 - 7 December 1971 "The Lord is my Shepherd" Ruby Farrer Carson, 20 June 1891 - 20 October 1969 "There are no partings in Heaven" Bishop Paul A. Carson, 7 June 1900 - 31 March 1980 "Precious Lord take my hand" Greta R. Carson, 11 February 1903 - no date Anna R. Miller, 20 June 1875 - 13 October 1964 Pink Miller, NC CPL, 1954 QM Truck Co., WWII 12 February 1918 - 28 February 1965 Greta Rosa Hewitt Carson, 11 February 1903 - 24 August 1990 - End of Cemetery Listings - Smyrna Society 8 Smyrna Methodist Church, according to A HISTORY OF CATAWBA COUNTY [Charles J. Preslar, Jr., Rowan Printing Company, Salisbury, NC , 1954], was founded "about 1869" and was located "probably in the Newton area." According to the "1860 Class Book of the Smyrna Society," in care of Catawba Methodist Church, Catawba, NC , the Smyrna Church was located in the Catawba area, and it was founded well before the War Between the States, as previously mentioned. In A HISTORY OF THE CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH by Thomas H. Jones [Special thanks to Misses Lorene &. Winona Leonard], THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CENTENNIAL, 1876 - 1976, Mr. Jones records the following information. The oldest official records of the church are in the Class Book of 1860. Quarterly conference records are available from 1885, and there are a few remaining minutes of church organizations. Mr. Jones states, "From all available evidence, it seems that the original Methodist church of Catawba was called Smyrna. It was located one mile southwest of the present church (in the Town of Catawba), and was reported to have been built out of logs. The logs were said to have been donated by Caney Lowrance who is said to have paid for the carpentry work in gold." Smyrna Methodist was on the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference. There are no existing records as to when it was established nor when it was dissolved. The Class Book does list members from 1860 through 1876. A possible decline in membership could have "prompted members in Catawba to organize a new church in Catawba." At this point I decided to check Rev. Levi Branson's NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1867/1868 [Branson & Jones, Publishers, Raleigh, NC], the earliest directory copy I had. This book listed only the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches and Pastors in the Newton area and close surroundings. Under the sub-heading, MINISTERS, the Methodist Minister serving Newton was listed as being Rev. J. P. Hughes. Branson's Directory for 1869 lists (p. 34) under the Catawba County heading, sub-heading, CHURCHES AND PASTORS, Smyrna, Newton [Circuit], B. G. Jones, Pastor of the Methodist Church. B. G. Jones was also listed for the following churches: r Grove, Newton, Pisgah, and SMYRNA. Under the sub-heading, MINISTERS, a B. G. James is listed as pastor for Newton. I read all the Branson's Directories I had in my library and the results of my search are as follows: Smyrna Society 9 1872 - CHURCHES - Smyrna Methodist, Catawba Station Lemon Shell, Methodist Minister [He is also listed as Pastor of Concord, Hopewell, Pisgah, Newton and Oak Grove ] . 1877/1878 - CHURCHES - J. C. Hartsell is Methodist Minister of Concord, Hopewell, Smyrna, Pisgah, Mays Chapel, Newton, and Oak Grove. 1884 - G. W. Ivey and E. L. Stamey are listed as Methodist Ministers: Ivey lived in Newton and Stamey lived in Catawba. Churches involved were Concord, Hopewell, Smyrna, May's Chapel, Oak Grove, Catawba, and Friendship. [It is a possibility that Branson made an error in his recording at this point since no records thus far uncovered have indicated that Smyrna and Catawba existed at the same time. Smyrna's congregation seems to have blended in with Catawba's congrega-tion. ] 1890 - Directory V. VII - CHURCHES - Catawba, Hopewell, Pisgah, and Smyrna are listed with G. M. Gentry as Pastor. [Once again, I feel like this is in error. ] 1896 - Directory V. VIII - CHURCHES - Bethlehem, Concord, Hope-well, Pisgah are mentioned with J. F. England as Pastor. NO SMYRNA METHODIST CHURCH IS LISTED. Under the sub-heading, PASTORS, J. F. England is listed as being Pastor of Center, Bandys , Catawba, and Hickory churches. [The Hickory Church could be a possible error as F. L. Townsend is listed as being the Methodist Minister in the Hickory area. ] 1897 V. IX - CHURCHES - J. F. England is Pastor of Bethlehem, Concord, Hopewell, Pisgah, Bandys, Center, and Catawba Methodist. He is, also, still listed as Pastor of the Hickory Church, although F. L. Townsend is listed as Pastor of the Hickory Church under the sub-heading, MINISTERS. I found the directories to be very valuable as definite proof exists that Smyrna was in the Newton Circuit as of 1867/68. The earliest existing proof of Smyrna does appear, as mentioned, in the Class Book of 1860. I read and transcribed the Class Book to the best of my ability and the results of my research are recorded below. Smyrna Society 10 CLASS BOOK OF SMYRNA SOCIETY 1860 E. Ellen B E eater? darkeys pinkney tomos Aron shirell Elihew Shirrell Willum broks Peter lowrance Dear brethren live in peace you Joined July 17 and the God of peace shall be with Pray for us your brethren in Christ F. A. Moore Daniel May P.C. P. D. Moore J P P.S. Remember to observe the Friday before each Q.M. Meeting] as fast day. Male Members [Quarterly 1860 1. Auburn Lee C. Leader 2. Miles S. Abernathy 3. Elihu Harwell dead 4. Askew Harwell n 5. L. D. Robinson 6. Abram Wyckoff 7. Thomas Drum 8. Julius Webb 9. Turner Abernathy gone 10. James Harwell in armay 11. Cany M. Lowrance 12. Marcus Bost 13. John Cambell removed to Con 14. Jacob Wyckoff 15. Samuel Abernathy Sept 2 1861 16. Jacob Abernethy in armey 17. Augustus Robinson Joined Sept/63 18. Calvin Calvin Lael M h ti 19. N. H. Laurence Nov. 4th 1863 20. Isaac Icenhour ft If It 21. James Sherrill tt fl tt Female Members 1860 1. 0. M. Lee 2. Epsy Wyckoff 3. Martha Abernathy (Mrs. John Lowrance ' s mother) Smyrna Society 11 4. Mahala Abernathy 5. Julia Abernathy 6. Elizabeth Abernathy 7. Mary Harwell 8. Adaline Harwell 9. Amanda Harwell 10. Susan Abernathy 11. Jane Abernathy 12. Lavina Robinson 13. Mary M. Lowrance 14. Mary McKinzie 15. Susan Wyckoff 16. Margaret Witherspoon 17. Harriet Witherspoon 18. Sarah Drum 19. Louisa Bost 20. Susan Harwell 21. Jane Cambell 22. Lavina Cambell 23. Dovey Cambell 24. Susan Woodward 25. Frances Lowrance 26. Jane Lowrance 27. Elizabeth Witherspoo 28. Martha Caldwell 29. Manday Ellote 30. Delilla Lael 31. Elizabeth Edwards 32. Mary Wilfong 33. Jenelia Bost 34. Jane Witherspoon 35. Polly Lael 36. Elizabeth Chenault 37. Mahala Sigman 38. Polly ann Sigman 39. Sophrona Lael 40. Elizabeth Wyckoff 41. Nancy MCinzy Catharine lowrance Hi birneia? Martin Pricilla Lawrance Susana Hunsucker Susan Moody Marthay Edwards Mary A. Edwards Maray Willfong Margret Lowrance Mary Lowrance Elisabeth Sigmon 1865 Elisabeth witherspoo mother Jake Abernethy gone a P a a Gone Jane Sluman's mother a Removed a P Pa P P Removed Removed Removed to Concord joined Sept 2/61 a remov n a remove Joind July 13/1862 joined Sept. 1862 Gone a a a n is ded Joined Sept/1862 Joined Sept. 1863 a Nove 4th 1863 pa ii « ii _P H it ii P ii n ii a ii n n _a Joined November 30 1863 a a 1864 Jo June 19 Joined July 17 1864 Sept 10 D D D D D Joined November 1864 join sept 24 Smyrna Society 12 1864 John McJinis septembe 10 josiph " W " Ballard oCtober 20 Giley Harbinson D Removed by letter Class Book for Smyrna Church Newton Circuit S C Conference Transcribed by Israel P. Hughes for A.D. 166 # State Male in Members Life 1 m Osburn Lee 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 m m s m m m s m Miles S. Abernathy L. D. Robinson Abram Wyckoff Thomas Drum Julius Webb Elkanah N?M? Lowrace Marcus Bost Jacob Wyckoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson Calvin Lael N. H. Lowrance Isaac Icenhour James [H.] Sherrill John McGinnis Gilley Harberson Logan Witherspoon John Lawrance William Lawrance Marcus Robinson State State in in Grace Churc h b f f withdrew in disorder f withdrew in disorder b f Removed f ti f b f b f b f b Removed Removed by letter b candate b remov Sidnay W.? Sigmon June 8th 1866 Pinkney Willson David J. sherrill Pinkney Setzor Charlay Cleumon Thorns ardehold Julus lael M. C. Talbert Turner Abernathy Harison H. Robinson rem b b candate dead Removed Removed to Concord Removed by letter Removed Removed Removed to Concord withdrew in disorder 1868 Restored withdrew in disorder Smyrna Society 13 Andrew B. Powel (Eva Little's brother) removed William E. Aderhold G. C. Stowe W. H. Laurens by letter James F. Harvel Female Members Smyrna Church - 1862 1. m 0. M. Lee withdrew in disorder 2. m Epsy Wyckooff 3. s Martha Abernathy 4 . m Mahala Abernathy 5. Elisabeth Abernathy 6. Mary Harwell 7. Adaline Harwell 8. Amanda Harwell 9. Louvina Robinson 10. m Mary M. Lowrance 11. Sousan Wyckoff Removed 12. Margaret Witherspoon 13. Harriett Witherspoon 14. Sarah Drum 15. Louiza Bost 16. Sousan Harwell 17. Sousan Woodward Sept/61 Remove to Statesville 18. Frances Lawrence sept/61 Removed 19. Elisabeth Witherspoon 20. Amanda Elliotte Sept/62 Removed 21. Dillila Lael Sept 62 22. Elisabeth Edwards Sept 62 charged Withdrew in disorder 23. Ann C. Willfong Adeholdt Sept 62 married Wm Aderholdt Feb 13, 1866 24. Jane Witherspoon Sept/63 25. Polly Lael Nov/63 26. Elisabeth Chenault Nov/63 27. Mahala Sigman Expelled for bastardy 28. Polly Ann Sigman Removed [NOTE: There is no number 29.] 30. Saphronia Lael gon Removed 31. Elisabeth Wyckoff Smith married Franklin Smith Feb 14, 1867 Removed 32. Nancy McKinsy Withdrew in disorder 33. Catharine Lowrance Nov 30/63 to Bethlehem 34. Hibernia Martin Removed 35. Priscilla Lowrance June 19/63 Removed 36. Susanna Hunsucker July/63 Removed to [blank] Smyrna Society 14 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. m Susan Moody Sept/63 Martha Edwards Mary A. Edwards Mary Wilfong Margaret Lowrance Mary Lororance Elisabeth Sigman May 15, 1868 Expelled for bastardy suspended to Nov 15 6 months Error Adline Willfong Sarah M. Milligan Martha Milligan June 8 - 1866 married Miles A April 23d 1868 Abernathy Cinthia Marsh Sarah Marsh Ann Shirrell Laura Sherrill Martha Abernathy Martha Setzor Jula McGuinis Cathrine Setzor Mary Setzor C. J. Robinson Emlay Marsh Frances Lael J. E. C. Abernathy Julia Abernathy Eleanor F. Sigman Francis Lowrence Haner Coldran? Agnus E. lowrance Mahaly Sherrill Rebecca C. Milligan Sarah Anns Sherrill Hulday E. Lael Susan C. Yount Rachel L. Camppbell Candis S. Haller Julia E. Abernathy Removed by letter Restored Restored Removed Removed Nov 30 1869 Withdrew in disorder Class Book for Smyrna - 1868 Dear brethren, live in peace & the God of love & peace be with you & keep you. Remember to observe the Friday before each Quarterly Conference as a day of fasting and prayer for the prosperity of Zion. Pray for us your ministers - John Wesley North P.E. Basil Gaither Jones pastor Record all the deaths & marriages. Note all that are expelled, & that withdraw, or remove. Note all are received into the church. Smyrna Society 15 Record all the baptisms, be lost . M. stands for married S. for single & seeker B. for believer W. for widow/widower Keep all the old class Books that none Quarterly Meetings 1st at Newton Apr 5th & 6th 2nd at Smyrna June 6" & 7 3d at Newton Sept 19th & 20th 4th at [blank] 1869 J. W. North P. E. Daniel May P. C. Look for your preacher January B Burns(?) State State In In No Life Grace m b 1 m b 2 s 3 m b 4 m b 5 m b 6 s s 7 m b 8 m 9 s b 10 m b 11 s b 12 m b 13 m b 14 s 15 s 16 m b 17 m b 18 m b 19 s b 20 s b 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Mala Member! 1868 4 1869 Miles S. Abernathy Thomas F. Drum Julius Webb C. L. [Class Leader] Removed without Cir. [Certificate] Steward Removed to Alexander(?) Removed by Cirtif Removed below Charlotte ( Dropped) Removed Cany Lowrance Marcus Bost Jacob Wycoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson Isaac Isenhower James H. Sherrill John McKinnis Logan Witherspoon David L. Sherrill Pinkney Setzer Charles H. Sleuman Julius Lael Turner Abernathy William E. Aderholdt George C. Stowe C. L. [Class Leader] Removed William H. Laurence James F. Harwell Rily Dickerson Recivd 1869 Removed Franklin Cambell Distant 1869 Jacob F. Drum Isaac A. Pearson Henry D. Lowrance Rufus Deaton Frank Wilfong Augustus Milligan Walter Sherrill Coleman Lee Pinkney Milligan State State In In No Life Grace m b 1 s b 2 m b 3 s b 4 w b 5 s b 6 s b 7 m b 8 ID b 9 s b 10 s b 11 m b 12 ra b 12 s b 13 m b 14 s b 15 m b 16 s b 17 m b 18 19 s b 20 s b 21 Smyrna Society 16 33 Franklin Smith Removed to Iredell 34 John Lowrance 35 William A. Lofton 36 Robert Wilfong 37 Andrew Wycoff 38 Able Kale 39 Perry Bost Removed by Cir. 40 Robert Cline at Witherspoons 41 Henry Lollar Left disorderly 42 James E. Loftin 43 Sidney Asbury Removed by Cir. 44 John Cambell Distant 45 Charles Lowrance 46 James W. Sigman 47 Wm H. Laurence 48 Silas Kale 49 Augustus Kale 50 William Turbyfill Removed by Cir. Gilbert A. McCinnis George W. Cansler FEMALES 1868 Epsy Wycoff Elizabeth Abernathy Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Mary Harwell Adaline Harwell Amanda Harwell Lovina Robinson Mary M. Lowrance Margaret Witherspoon Harriel Witherspoon Sarah C. Drum Louisa Bost [Note: There are 2 #12 's] Susan Harwell Elizabeth Witherspoon Delila Lael Ann C. Aderholds Jane Witherspoon Polly Lael Elizabeth Chenault Mui' Lha Edwaiil& Mary Ann Edwards Jane C. Harwell [written over #21] dead 22 Mary Wilfong married Brunns Removed by Cir Smyrna Society 17 s b 23 Margaret Lowrance s b 24 Mary C. Lowrance w 25 Elizabeth Sigman Removed m b 26 Adaline Wilfong s b 27 Sarah M. Milligan 1869 m b 28 Martha R. Abernathy Removed to Con[cord] s 29 Synthia Marsh Moved Away s 30 Sarah Marsh Moved away m 31 Ann Sherrill (Dropped) s b 32 Laura A. C. Sherrill Cline s s 33 Martha Ann Abernathy s b 34 Martha Setzer s 35 Julia McKinnis m b 36 Catharine Setzer s 37 Mary Setzer s 38 Emily Marsh Moved away s b 39 Francis Lael s s 40 Jane E. C. Abernathy Jane E. C. Sleuman m b 41 Julia E. Abernathy 42 Catharine Witherspoon Received 1869 43 Nancy Lee 44 Martha I . Drum 45 Mary E. Lowrance 46 Lida Pearson 47 Litha Sherrill 48 Sarah McKinnis 49 Dora Lowrance 50 Harriet Lowrance 51 Victory Abernathy 52 Julia Ann Sigman 53 Adda Lowrance 54 Laura Sigman 55 Mary Lofton 56 Allia Setzer 57 Martha A. E. Wycoff Lowrance 58 Anna M. Sigman 59 Susan Abernathy [Note: Numbering begins with 42 after 59] m b 42 Hannah Loller m b 43 Agnus E. Lowrance m b 44 Mahala Sherrill w b 45 Rebeca C. Milligan m b 46 Sarah A. S. Sherrill s b 47 Huldah E. Lael s b 48 Susan C. Yount m b 49 Rachel L. Campbell Removed to Lincon s b 50 Sallie I. Bost Class book 1869 Smyrna Society 18 51 Jane C. Milligan Harwell Dead Feb 70 [1870] 52 Examina Kale 53 Sarah Kale 54 Octavia Lowrance 55 Morgaret Turbyfill Removed by Cir 56 Laura -Yount Long 57 Harriet Mcfinnis 58 Fannie Lowrance 59 Mrs. P. Lowrence 60 Nancy C, J)rum Celia McGinnis Vergelia Miligan Cora Wilfong George W. Cansler Jane E. Cansler Jane E. C. Slewman J. W. North P. E, Daniel May P. C Class Paper for Smyrna - 1872&3 Dear brethren Remember to observe the friday before each Quarterly meeting as a day of fasting and prayer, for the prosperity of our Zion and for Gods blessing on your pastors & on your Society. Live in peace and may the God [of] peace make you perfect in every grace and keep you unto eternal life Love one another [blank] Thompson, P. E. Lemmon Shell. Pastor Names of Male Members m b m b m b m b m b m b s s m b m b m b m s m b m b m b 10 Miles S. Abernathy Thomas F. Drumm C. Cany M. Lowrance George W. Cansler Marcus Bost Jacob Wycoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson John McKinnis Pinkney Setzer Charles H. Slewman Turner Abernathy William E. Aderholt William H. Lowrance L. Stwd m b s b s b s b s b s b s b s m s m b s b s m b s s b s b III b m b Smyrna Society 19 Droped at his own consent 15 James F. Harwell Franklin Campbell Jacob F. Drum Henry D. Lowrance Rufus Deaton 20 Frank Wilfong Augustus Milligan Walter Sherrell Coleman Lee Pinkney Milligan 25 John Lowrance William A. Loftin Robert Wilfong Andrew Wycoff Able Kale 30 James E. Lofton Chr.rles Lowrance James W. Sigmon Silas Kale s Augustus Kale m b 35 Gilbert H. McKinnis M. A. Abernathy Names of Females Epsey Wycoff Elizabeth Abernathy Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy 40 Mary Harwell Adeline Harwell Amanda Harwell Levina Robinson Mary M. Lowrance 45 Margaret Witherspoon Harriet Witherspoon Sarah C . Drum Louise Bost Susan Harwell 50 Elizebeth Witherspoon Delila Lael Ann C. Aderholt Jane Witherspoon Polly Lael 55 Elizebeth Chenault Margaret Lowrance Mary C. Lowrance Adeline Wilfong Sarah M. Milligan 60 Laura A. C. Cline m b s b m b s b w b s b s b m b m b s b s b ra b m b s b w b s b m b s b w b w b m b s b m b s b ra b s b s b s m b s b s b m b s b w b s b s b s b s b s b s b m b s b s b s b s b s b s s m b m b s b m b w b w b ra b s b s b s b ? b s b ra b m b m b m b m b s b s b s b s b m b m b Smyrna Society 20 Martha Ann Abernathy Martha Setzer Julia McKinnis Catharine Setzer 65 Mary Setzer Frances Lael Julia E. Abernathy Catharine Witherspoon Nancy Lee 70 Martha J. Drum Mary E. Lowrance Lida Pearson Litha Sherrell Sarah McKinnis 75 Dora Lowrance Harriet Lowrance Victoria Abernathy Julia Ann Sigman Adda Lowrance 80 Laura Sigman Martha Loftin Allice Setzer Martha A. E. Lowrance Anna M. Sigman 85 Susan Abernathy Hannah Loller Mahala Sherrell Rebecca C. Milligan Sarah A. Sherrell 90 Hulda E. Lael Susan C. Yount Sally J. Bost Examina Kale Sarah Kale 95 Octavia Lowrance Laura Long Harriet McKinnis Fannie Lawrance Prissilla Lawrance 100 Nancy C. Drum Celia McKinnis Virgelia Milligan Cora Wilfong Jane E. Cansler 105 Jane E. C. Slewman Martha R. Abernathy Martha Houston Laura Cocrham L. T. Burkhead, P E P L Herman Pastor Smyrna Society 21 NAMES OF MALES & FEMALES 1874 Miles Abernathy Mahaly Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy Turne[r] Abernathy Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elizabeth Abernathy Ann C. Aderholdt 10 W. H. Aderholdt Louisa Bost Marcus S. Bost Laura Cline G. W. Cansler Jane E. Cansler Lara Cochram Thos. F. Drum Jacob F. Drum 10 Sarah C. Drum Martha J. Drum Nancy C. Drum Thos. J. Drum George P. Drum Charlott C. Drum Martha Huston Janes [James] B. Harvell Wife Jane Adline Harvell 10 Manda Harvell Susan Harvell Silas Kale Augustus Kale Exie Kale Sarah Kale Henery Lorance Sallie Lorance John Lorance Fannie Lorance 10 Hariet Lorance a Widowe Mary Lorance Ada Lorance [x'd out] Dora Lorance Ida Lorance R C Milligan T L Milligan O (D. ) W. Milligan 10 J. A. Milligan G. P. Milligan Gilbert Mchinnes Harriet Mchinnes Smyrna Society 22 John Mchinnes Julia Mchinnes Celie Mchinnes Polly Leal Delila Leal Fannie Leal 10 Hulay Leal Willian A. Lofton Mary Lofton Lorah Long Uriah Long Eva Little Maggie Lorance Jane Cox Ann Pearson J W Sigman A M Sigman Julia Sigman Laura Cook Mary Setzer Mattie Setzer Allice Setzer Calvan Shuck Catherine Shuck Mahala Sherill W L Sherill R E Chenault 10 S L Robinson Jacob Wyckoff Epsy Whycoff Adline Wilfong F C Wilfong Loga A. Wilfong Elisabeth Witherspoon Harrie Weatherspoon Margret Witherspoon 10 Jane Witherspoon Catherine Weatherspoon Sarah S. Sherrill Hannah Lollar R E Long M. G. Long C. H. Slueman J Sleuman Litha Sherrill 1875 Names of Males members Miles Abernathy Turner Abernathy Thomas F. Drum Smyrna Society 23 Miles Arderholt Marcus bost Jacob F. Drum Thomas J. Drum Candidate George P. Drum Candidate G W. Cansler Alexander H. Huston Candidate Silas Kale Augustus Kale Henry Lorance John Lorance Cana Lorance J. A. Milligan G. P. Milligan Gilbert McKinnes John McKinnes William A Lofeten Uriah long James H. Sigman Calvan Shuck Expelled Pink setzer Males W L. Sherill Jacob wyckoff F C. willfong C H. Slwman William Aderholdt Marcus Bost Names of Females Members s Mahala Abernathy s Martha Abernathy s Victory Abernathy Julia Abernathy s Susan Abernathy s Martha Abernathy s Elizabeth Abernathy Ann C. Arderholt Louisa Bost Lauria Cline Jane E. Cansler Lauria Cochram Widow Jane Cox move a way removed by letter Sarah C Drum s Martha J. Drum s Nancy C . Drum s Charlott C. Crum Martha huston s Adline harwell Smyrna Society 24 s Manda harwell s Susan harwell Exile Kale Sarah Kale Widow Nancy Lee widow Harrit Lorance widow Maggie Lowrance Sallie Lorance Harriet Lorance changed to Bethlahem Mary Lorance Fannie Lorance Dora Ida Lorance changed to Bethlehem Mary Lorance widow Polly Lael s Delila Lael s Fannie Lael Hulda Lael s Mary Lofton Drumm Married J. F. Drum Lauriah Long Eva Little widow R. C. Millegan S. L. Millegan Eccord married to P. Eccord s Virginia W. Millagan s Julia Mckinnes Droped Females s Celia Mckinnes Harriet Mckinnes Ann Pearson changed to Bethlehem Manerva Sigman s Julia Sigman s Mary Setzer s Mattie Setzer s Allice Setzer Ded Catharine Setzer Died June the 8 1876 Catharine Shuck Changed to Bethlehem widow Mahala Shearill Jane Sluman Sarah Sherill Litha Sherill Droped S. L. Robinson Epsy wyckoff Adline wilfong s Cora wilfong widow Elisabeth witherspoon s harriet witherspoon s Margaret witherspoon s Jane witherspoon Abernathy removed by letter to Gaston maried and moved a way Smyrna Society 25 Female s Catherine witherspoon Lauria Cook Changed to Hopewell widow R. E. Chenault R. E. Long M. G. Long Hannah Lollar Dora C. Shuck Changed to Bethlehem Class Paper For 1876 & 7 at Catawba Station Dear Brethren & Sisters Remember to observe the 4 Friday before each Quarterly Meeting as days of fasting & prayer for the prosperity of our Zion and for us your pastors. Pray for each other live in peace & the Lord bless & keep you. R G Bond, P E Lemmon Shell Pastor. Names of Male members m Miles Abernathy m Turner Abernathy m William Aderholdt m Marcus Bost 5 Thomas F. Drum Jacob F. Drum Thomas J . Drum George P. Drum George W. Cansler withdrew by consent 10 Silas Kale Augustus Kale removed Henry Lowrance John Lowrance Cany Lowrance 15 Augustus J Milligan Gilburt Mckinnis John Mckinnis William A Loftin 20 Euriah Long James W Sigman Walter L Sherrill Jacob Wycoff Frank C. Wilfom Charles H Slewman 26 Alexander H. Huston Candidate Daniel Drum Margaret Drum Recieved Nov 18th Smyrna Society 26 Wm Drum as tranferd to Elvy Drum Pisgar Class Class paper for Catawba Station Church 1877 Dear brethren & sisters, you will observe the Friday before each Q M con as days of fasting & Prayer for the prosperity of our beloved Zion & for us your Ministers Names of Females 1 Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy 5 Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elzebeth Abernathy Ann C Aderholdt Louisa Bost 10 Ruth E Chenault Laura Cline Jane E Cansler Laura Cockran Martha E Collins Mary Drum 15 Sarah C Drum Catharine Drum Martha J Drum Nancy C Drum Charlotte C Drum Sarah L Eccord 20 Martha Huston Adaline Harwell Amanda Harwell Susan Harwell Exile Kale 25 Sarah Kale Nancy Lee Harriet Lowrance Maggie Lowrance Sallie Lowrance 30 Mary Lowrance Polly Lael Delila Lael Fannie Lael Hulda Lael 35 Laura Long Racheal Long Mary G Long Smyrna Society 27 [starts with 45] 45 Julia Sigman Mary Setzer Mattie Setzer Allice Setzer S. L. Robinson 50 Mahala Sherrill Sarah Sherrill Jane Slewman Epsey Wycoff Adaline Wilfong 55 Cora Wilfong Elizabeth Witherspoon Harriet Witherspoon Margaret Witherspoon Cathorine Witherspoon 60 Fannie Lowrance Mary Lowrance Names of Male Member 1877 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a x a P P a P P P P P P P 1 Miles Abernathy Turner Abernathy William Aderholt Marcus Bost 5 Jonas R Cline Jacob F Drum Thomas J Drum George P Drum Thomas T Drum 10 Alexander H Huiston Silas Kale Cana Lowrance Henry Lowrance John Lowrance 15 William A Loftin Uriah Long Augustus J Miligan Pinkney G Miligan Gilber McKinnis 20 John McKinnis James W Sigman Walter L Sherrell Charles H Slewman Lorenzo D Sigman 25 Jacob Wycoff Frank C Wilfong Joseph E Wilfong Augustos B kale Moved by letter Dropped by action of church conferance Moved a way Died november the 21 1876 with Drawen with Drawen Droped by action of church confrance Smyrna Society 28 23? James t harwell [x'd out] george Cansler Miles Abernethy James Sigman James H Sherrill John Sherrill Frances G. Cook J. C. Arney? Remove to hopewell Move to Concord Names of Females a a a a a a a a a a P a a P P P P P P P P a a a a a a p a p a p P P P P P P P 10 15 Maried 20 25 30 35 40 Move by letter Moved to Move to Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elizebeth Abernathy Ann C Aderholt Ada B Aderholt Louisa Bost Ruth E Chenault Laura Cline Jane E Cansler Laura Cochran Martha E Collins Mary Drum Sarah C Drum Martha J Drum Cook Nancy C Drum [marked out] Charlotte C Drum Sarah E Ecord remov Louisa J Gibson removed Adaline Harwell Hudgepeth Amanda Harwell Susan Harwell Martha Huiston Exile Kale Sarah Kale Nancy Lee Harriet Lowrance Sally Lowrance Fannie Lowrance Mary Lowrance Maggie Lawrence Died July the 1 1877 Deranged Newton States ville ed by letter by letter Removed Removed to hopwell to hopewell Polly Lael Delila Lael Fannie Lael Hulda Lael Laura Long Racheal Long Slewman Maried Died Aug (x'd out) us the 4 1879 Smyrna Society 29 Mary G Long Blackwelder Maried a p Hannah Lollar a 45 Eva Little p Racheal C Miligan p Virginia W Miligan Celia Mckinnis Moved a way a Harriet Mckinnis p 50 S L Roberson p p Manerva Sigman p Julia Sigman a Mattie Setzer Moved to newton a Alice Cline Setzer Maried Moved a way p p 55 Mahala Sherrell p Sarah Sherrell Jane Slewman Died January 10th 1877 p Espey Wycoff a Adeline Wilfong a 60 Cora Wilfong a Elizebeth Witherspoon a p Harriet Witherspoon a Margaret Witherspoon a Cathorine Witherspoon a Mary Setzer Moved to newton p Mary lorance a Laura Loftin a p 59? Matilda Rufty Martha Abernethy Moved to Concord Mary Rufty Cela Sigman Ida Drum Sallie Guthrie Cela McGinnis Elizabeth Loftin Laurah Cook Mary Arney? The Preacher in Charge I shall Report he has met all his appointtmen[ ts ] at this place he has visited all the familys at this place Class Leaders Reporte no meetings Since last Summer but set first Sunday in each month at 2 o'clock to meet requested all to attend it is Proposed that the Assement for finances be raised as last yeare it left to vote & caryed unanamust it agreed that the Secretay provid a Book to keep the Church Record on Report the arangements for the New Church is progressy Minutes of Church Meetings held at Catawba Station March 17 1876 Smyrna Society 30 Members Present Tho Drum J. W. Sigman W. H. Adderholdt C. M. Lowrance G M Cansler Gen. A. H. Houston Frances Drum John Lowrance Ladies Names Mary Lowrance R. C. Chenault Franez Sherrill Polly Lael Sarah Drum Larah Cline Ann Aderholdt Harriett Witherspoon Vina Drume Louisa Bost May Witherspoon Sue Harwell Cathen Drum Manerva Sigmon Eps Wyckoff Rachil Long Martin Sherrill (col) Post Master Joined at Smyrna 1869 [Black Members] Joined 4th June 1866 Helin lawrice Joined October 20 1864 Haley Abernathy Susan Shirell William Abernathy Jane Frasher Sary Null Harriet sheriell Emmay Sherrill Sylva Roseman Chariot Null Harrt Frasher Susay Lowrance Visay Lowrance Removed - End of Class Book - Smyrna Society/Catawba United Methodist Church 31 As aforementioned on page 29, "the New Church is progressy." Church records indicate the certain flow from the Smyrna Society into the Catawba United Methodist Church from 1860 through the end of the Smyrna Class Book in 1876. At that time, meetings were held at "Catawba Station," and the same members of the Smyrna Society Church are the same members listed in the Catawba United Methodist Church record books. CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Catawba's "new church" began in the Academy, a private school located to the left of the present church on East Central Avenue in Catawba, NC . Book 28, Page 563 of the land transactions in the county at the Catawba County Register of Deeds Office, Newton, NC , record an 1876 deed initiated by Manual Robinson to J. W. Sigmon, J. U. Long, G. W. Cansler, W. H. Aderholt, and C. M. Lowrance , church trustees. One acre of land was deeded to the church at that time, and another acre was deeded in 1879 by M. F. Cline, James H. Sherrill paid for the land and donated it to the church. Land for the cemetery was acquired from Mike and Salina Rufty. Locals recall Edgar E. Smith as being the first janitor of the church, he being paid $1 per month for sweeping floors, firing the stoves, and ringing the bell. Mr. Smith resigned his position when the congregation wanted to lower his salary. The first church is said to have been completed in 1878 and paid for in full; however, existing conference records indicate financial difficulties shortly after the church began building; still, faith, hard work, and dedication, got the job done. ***^^. '•*}:;"*&*' -•" r«s '•3S5t? if m jags?. id~- JBl- Catawba United Methodist Church 31A CATAWBA'S FIRST MINISTER Rev. Wesley M. Bagby Frances Linney (Fannie) Robinson [Photographs and information courtesy of Mary Frances Bagby Mauney of Cherryville, NC , granddaughter of Rev. and Mrs, Wesley M. Bagby; information also from 1922 Annual United Methodist Conference Journal; Donna Brown Brown, Editor/Secretary, Catawba Current/Catawba United Methodist Church, Catawba, NC ] . Catawba United Methodist Church 31B CATAWBA'S FIRST MINISTER Wesley M. Bagby was the son of Abner and Lucinda Bagby. He was born to them on 2 November 1852 in Yadkin County, NC . Although Rev. Bagby did not learn to read until he was eighteen years old, it could not be said that he was an uneducated man. He entered East Bend High School, finishing the high school course, and prepared for his life's work. At the age of nineteen, he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later he became licensed to preach by that church and he joined the Blue Ridge Conference in 1876. He served the following charges [in order]: Catawba, Yadkin, Kings Mountain, and Concord Circuits, and Asheville Station . On 31 August 1875, while serving as pastor in Catawba, Rev. Bagby married Frances Linney (Fannie) Robinson [2 Mar. 1853 - Nov. 1919], daughter of Emanuel (Manual) and Polly Robinson. The Robinsons lived on a large farm near Catawba, a few miles from Shiloh United Methodist Church. In fact, Fannie's father deeded a one-acre lot to the Catawba Church trustees "for the use of the Methodist Church South," in May of 1875. His daughter's marriage to the pastor took place a few months later. Rev. Bagby soon moved on to other charges, other than those mentioned above, to Statesville, Mooresville, Greensboro, Gastonia, High Point, Morganton, Hickory, Mt . Airy, among other places. His ministry lasted forty years. During this time, the couple had nine children. Upon Mrs. Bagby 's death in 1919 it was said that, "she was a woman strong in body, intellect, and spiritual power." Her death was quite unexpected and she had been packing to go on a trip. In her valise was found each of her children's pictures, folded away with the last letter she had received from each one. Rev. Bagby passed away suddenly on 17 July 1922 at his home in Montezuma. He was buried with his wife in Avery County. In the 1922 Annual Conference Journal of the United Methodist Church, it stated that, "Brother Bagby was an able preacher ... He made the Bible his chief book and could quote it readily; and its great principles were inwrought into his very being... He was a clean, pure, exemplary man, upright in his daily walk and conversation... What a sheaf the grim reaper has gathered, and safely garnered in the home above." Rev. Wesl Rev. R. C Rev. C. M Rev. P. H Rev. E. L Rev. G. W 1873 - 18 76 1877 1878 - 1879 1880 - 1882 1882 - 1883 1883 - 1884 Catawba United Methodist Church 32 The following is a list of pastors who led the Catawba United Methodist Church congregation: r M. Bagby Hartsell Anderson W. Stamey Stamey Ivey [From The Newton Enterprise , a local paper covering news of south-eastern Catawba County, 27 November 1885, records the following: "Card of Thanks - I desire to return thanks to my friends at Newton, Catawba, Concord, Hopewell, Friendship, and Fair Grove churches for the purse of money presented with which to buy a suit of clothes. Such acts of kindness will long live in my memory, cheering me in my arduous work and strengthening the chain of love and sympathy that binds me to the people I have served. G. W. Ivey" And , "11 December 1885 - [Abstracted] G. W. Ivey leaves the Newton Circuit to take charge of the Iredell Circuit. He will live at Olin."] Rev. A. M. Lowe 1884 ["The Newton Enterprise, 11 December 1885 - [Abstracted] The Newton Circuit will be divided into two, Newton and Catawba Circuits. Rev. C. M. Gentry, a married man, of Smithfield Circuit, will take charge of the Newton Circuit. Rev. Mr. Lowe, an unmarried man, will take charge of the Catawba Circuit. Both are young men."] Rev. M. V. Sherrill 1885 - 1887 1888 - 1891 1892 - 1893 1894 1895 - 1896 1897 - 1898 Current newsletter, January issue, 1991 by Donna B. Brown, Editor - Article edited by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS - "Rev. C. C. Brothers was the pastor at Catawba United Methodist Church during 1897 and 1898. If one would walk through the church cemetery, one would locate his tombstone, near the back entrance at the Annie Sherrill Bible Class. This was all the information available to us until Rev. Rev. C. M. Gentry Rev. J. M. Downum Rev. J. S. Nelson Rev. J. H. England Rev. C. C. Brothers The Cat awba n Catawba United Methodist Church 33 Brothers' grandson, Merlin Berry of Garabrills, MD, made his presence known. Mr. Berry provided us with an interesting history of the man, along with a wonderful photograph. Rev. Charles Clary Brothers Mary Montier (Mollie) Weston Charles Clary Brothers was born on 24 March 1860 in Elizabeth City, NC. He attended the Methodist Rutherford College and went into the ministry. By the time he was appointed to Catawba, he was married and a father of six. Two of the children died in 1888; therefore, he and his wife, Mollie [Mary Montier Weston], brought their four young children with them to Catawba. Rev. Brothers had charge of six Hopewell, Pisgah, Center, and Bethle must have been a 'real ball of fire baptized 92 people and received 152 s in this area! His yearly salary f his quarterly conference reports he of the church is about as at the last however, some of our members have have engaged in dancing..." churches: Catawba, Concord, hem. He stayed very busy and ' During his short stay, he ouls into church membership ell short of $500. In one of stated, "The spiritual state conference. I understand, been drinking liquor and some While in Catawba, Mrs. Brothers learned she was to have another child. Eugenia "Genie" Weston Brothers was born on 19 July 1898. Tragically, Mrs. Brothers died on 31 July 1898 at the age of 39 years 5 days. She is buried in Catawba's cemetery. The baby was baptized on 14 August 1898 by another former pastor, Martin Sherrill. An aunt from Hyde County came to Catawba and took the little baby, and one of the other children, home with her. Again, tragedy struck, and the baby died on 26 September 1898. In November of 1898, Rev. Brothers was transferred from the Western North Carolina Conference to the eastern part of the state Catawba United Methodist Church 34 to be near relatives. Another daughter died in 1902 at the age of twelve. He remarried in 1924, and passed away ten years later. He was brought back to Catawba to be buried beside his first wife, Mollie. His second wife, Annie, is also buried in the cemetery. t Rev. Brothers kept a diary in his later years and the following is his final entry for 1918 - 'Christmas Day: ...The Lord has been so good to me through my friends. Weston (his only son) and little Charles (Berry, his grandson) came around in time for breakfast. Miss Maysel Lupton brought me a box of layer cake, this morning. Mamie (a daughter) sent me 21 eggs and 2 lbs. sausage. I read, aloud, my morning Bible-Lesson, and Weston and I bowed in prayer, and I prayed for each of my 3 children. May God bless them. " Rev. J. D. Buie 1899 Rev. J. W. Bowman 1900 - 1901 Rev. R. S. Howie 1902 - 1905 Rev. Ebenezer Meyers 1906 - 1907 Rev. J. M. Price 1907 - 1910 Rev. Beverly Wilson Dec, 1910 - 1914 Rev. A. G. Loftin 1914 - 1918 Rev. J. F. Ratledge 1918 - 1921 Rev. A. C. Kennedy 1921 - 1925 Rev. Beverly Wilson 1925 - 1929 Rev. E. D. Ballard 1929 - 1932 Rev. G. W. Clay 1932 - 1936 Rev. Reid Wall 1936 - 1938 Rev. W. Q. Grigg 1938 - 1941 Rev. A. G. Lackey 1942 - 1951 Rev. A. W. Lynch 1951 - 1955 Rev. Marvin Boggs 1955 - 1958 Rev. M. C. Ellerbe 1958 - 1962 Rev. John C. Vernon 1962 - 1965 Rev. Charles E. Bruce 1966 - 1971 Rev. R. J. Starling 1971 - 1974 Rev. Clegg Wallace Avett 1975 - 1976 [Rev. Avett died in November of 1976. He was climbing on a ladder at the parsonage when he slipped and fell. Although he did not die at that time, it is thought that he died from internal comp-lications from the fall.] Rev. R. J. Starling Nov., 1976 - June, 1977 Rev. Marion Joe Parker June, 1977 - June, 1984 Rev. William G. Biggerstaff June, 1984 - June, 1986 Rev. Clyde L. White June, 1986 - June, 1991 Rev. Gervase Craig Hitch June, 1991 - Current Pastor Funding for the property for the first Catawba Circuit parsonage was difficult to acquire. A committee was appointed to secure a lot on which to build the parsonage at Catawba. Members of that committee were L. H. Shuford, Lewis Jones, W. H. Morrow, J. H. Sherrill, J. W. Sigmon, and Jacob Wycoff. A deed for the old church parsonage was made to the trustees by George and Jane Catawba United Methodist Church 35 Cansler. Another deed, adding to the parsonage lot, was made from Jacob D. and Mary (Rufty) Little in 1887; another tract was added in 1888 from George and Jane Cansler once again. The Newton Enterprise records, "Rev. W. M. Bagby [minister from 1873 - 1876] preached the funeral of Miss Olen Shook on yesterday. Rev. Mr. Cooper of the M. E. Church has bought a lot and putting up a nice cottage. The Methodist Church [Catawba United Methodist] has bought a lot and will build a parsonage at once . Several others are looking around for lots with a view to building. " In 1888 permission to receive was given to Rev. C. M. Gentry. Creek Camp Ground, it was dec Conference, to sell the camp parsonage construction and other seems that even Rev. Gentry invest the parsonage per the church re upset. At the Second Quarterly C served to Rev. J. R. Scruggs stati advanced money that went into bu to be paid back by 1 April 1893 action against the Catawba Circuit bids to build the parsonage Having interest in the Balls ided at the First Quarterly ground in order to finance the possible outstanding debts. It ed some of his own capital into cords which seemed to cause some onference in 1892, notice was ng that the church must pay back ilding the parsonage. Money had or Rev. Gentry would take legal The selling of the Balls Creek Camp Ground land, however, never took place as records indicate that Rev. Gentry was paid his approximate $160, and the necessity for the special committee was no more. On 8 March 1889, the Newton Enterprise chronologed the building progress via, "The Methodist parsonage is being built and when finished will be quite an improvement to the town." The Old Parsonage Catawba United Methodist Church 35A REV. BEVERLY WILSON, CATAWBA'S 18TH MINISTER Rev. Beverly Wilson and "Deck" at Walt Alley's Store, Catawba, NC . [Photo courtesy of Mrs. Annie Lou Gantt, Catawba, NC; story compiled by Donna Brown Brown from an interview with Mrs. Ira Wilson Lowrance on 26 March 1991. "Miss Ira" is Catawba's oldest member] . Rev. Beverly Wilson has the distinction of being the only pator that was appointed to serve at Catawba twice. His years of service were from December, 1910 - 1914 and from 1926 - 1929. Even though he finally left Catawba, three of his daughters remained as residents of the town and members of Catawba UMC: Ira W. Lowrance, Laura W. Nichols, and Louise W. Nichols. Catawba United Methodist Church 35B Beverly Wilson and his wife, Minnie Jane Petrie, started their married life as a typical, hard-working couple. Mr. Wilson was a carpenter by trade, building houses and furniture. He also farmed and taught school. As his family started to grow, he felt the urge to preach but he fought against it, knowing that he did not have the money needed for college. When Ira was about four or five, a sister died at the age of eleven months. At this point, Mr. Wilson changed his mind and decided he would accept his call to the ministry. He began attending Rutherford College. Mrs. Wilson kept roomers at their home to help pay the bills. One of his early appointments as a pastor was at Stanley Creek, below Shelby. It was at this location that he learned of his transfer to Catawba. Miss Ira remembers the trip to Catawba very well. She was fourteen at the time and looked forward to moving and making new friends at church and at school. She and her six siblings bot up before dawn on 1 December 1910 to make the trip. It took two covered wagons to transport all their belongings and it took all day to make the journey. Their chickens were strapped in cages to the top of the wagon. It was so cold that day that the chickens were completely frozen by the time they reached Catawba! The large, frame parsonage was located on the spot where the town pharmacy and dentist's office not stands [1991]. The "Ladies Aid" had a hot meal waiting for them which they ate around 8 p.m. Fires had been built for them in all the fireplaces and one of the chimneys caught on fire the very first night they were here! Ira remembers men going up on the roof to put it out. Rev. Wilson had several churches to serve, in addition to Catawba. Often he preached three times per Sunday, driving a horse and buggy to visit his churches and members. The minister's salary was supposed to be $800 per year but often the Wilsons received payment in eggs, milk, butter, and even horsefeed! Each child in the Wilson household was given a penny to take to Sunday School each week. And, the family continued to grow, eventually numbering twelve children. The Ladies Aid would meet at the parsonage to discuss mission work and to help Mrs. Wilson with all the mending and the sewing necessary for a large family. In 1914 Rev. Wilson was appoointed to a charge at Rutherford College. Ira helped them in their move and stayed with them for two weeks. She returned to Catawba and married Butler Lowrance on 10 December 1914, four days before her eighteenth birthday. She has lived in Catawba ever since. Catawba United Methodist Church 36 Not only did the Enterprise record building events, but it conducted a major historical service to a distant county area by recording social events. This social event was rather a happy one since the precious gathering place, the Balls Creek Camp Ground, was still owned by the church, and was still being enjoyed by all. It was a major part of local life, yea, the reglious and social event of the year! "7 June 1889 - Doings About Catawba The Methodist Sunday School picniced at Balls Creek Camp Ground last Friday the 31st ult [ult meaning ultimate or previous, thus 31st ult on 7 June 1889 would mean 31st May 1889]. A large crowd enjoyed the occasion. After dinner the children (and others who were out) engaged in games of ring and other amusement, and all went away happy; but the happiest of them all were a certain couple. I don't know what it means but some said they were "mashed," but after consulting the dictionary, I find that the word is very appropriate - mixed - Well it did look a little so, but we called it by another name when I was young; I forget right now, but it didn't sound like that, nor do I think the mixture was so thought in the good old days, consequently did not need a word so pointed. Some of our citizens have agreed to give birthday dinners this year; some have already been given, and the "big eater" says one or two are to come off in June. Should this be seen by any whom it may concern, be he landlord or guest let him prepare for the occasion and govern himself accordingly; Though times are hard and chickens small, This think shall ne'er go under; For what they lack in size, my friend, Just make it up in number." The Enterprise recorded sad events, also, that pertained to the church. "26 July 1889 - Died Monday evening, July 22nd, at Catawba, the daughter of Mr. J. W. Blackwelder, died of flux, aged about fifteen months. She was buried at the Methodist church in that place Wednesday." The tombstone of the aforementioned child reads, "Inf. dau. of J. W. and M. J. Blackwelder, born February 7, 1887, lived 12 hours." Many stories are hidden beneath tombstones of the past. On the comical side, the Enterprise gives a taste of personalities of a generation past. When read for an extended period of time, one loses himself/herself in the time in which our ancestors lived... into a time when moral standards ran high, and faith was strong and thriving. "3 January 1890 - Christmas at Catawba A Christmas tree at the Methodist church Christmas eve, was Catawba United Methodist Church 37 enjoyed by the entire community. The tree was loaded with presents and the hearts of the little folks were made glad as their names were called and the presents carried to them. Rev. Mr. Monroe of Newton preached two excellent sermons in the Methodist church Sunday and night. Sermons that will long be remembered by all who heard them. But part of the one on Sunday night was lost. The part to tattlers and busybodies. We have no such people here: but then the preacher did not know it, and we excuse him. No, our people never talk about each other or anybody else, and we have quite enough to do to attend to our own business and frequently that suffers for want of attention. We all love each other and are trying to help each other along, it matters not which way we are going, up or down. Knowing how hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven and how easily for a poor man, our prayer is "God help the rich, the poor can beg." In 1890, at the Fourth Quarterly Conference, a committee reported that it had been offered $7 per acre for the camp ground property. No one wanted to sell the land, and it was decided that, if the 'friends of the camp ground' could raise the needed $300 to pay off claims against the Catawba Circuit, the land would remain theirs. The $300 was apparently raised as the Balls Creek Camp Ground remained church property once again. The Enterprise is always useful in backing up information contained in church records. The three main events in a person's life, birth, marriage, and death, were recorded as information was provided to the Editor. Births are only briefly mentioned, marriages quite frequently, and the obituaries of local residents are always dignified, informative, and emotional. "10 April 1891 - Marriages - At the Methodist parsonage at Catawba Station by the Rev. C. M. Gentry on February 25th 1891, Mr. Lee Setzer and Miss Hattie Love. At the residence of the bride's father on April 2nd, at Catawba Station by Rev. C. M. Gentry, Dr. T. W. Long and Miss Daisy, daughter of Mr. J. U. Long." It is impossible to record all entries regarding the Catawba United Methodist Church from the Enterprise . but I do encourage all whom are interested to visit the Catawba County Public Library in Newton, NC, and read old papers stored on microfilm in that repository. Catawba United Methodist Church 38 CIRCUIT CHRONOLOGY 1876 - 1885 The church was part of the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference. 1885 The Catawba Circuit was organized and was part of the North Carolina Conference. The first pastor was Rev. A. M. Lowe. 1890 The Circuit became part of the Western North Caro-lina Conference by the Fourth Quarterly Conference. The Catawba Circuit consisted of five churches: Catawba, Bethlehem, Hopewell, Concord, and Pisgah. One pastor served all five churches and, in turn, all five churches were responsible for his salary. At the 1888 Quarterly Conference, it was agreed to pay $625 salary to the circuit pastor. Any presiding elder would receive $75. This tallied up the total disbursement to $700. Of that $700, Catawba paid $175.00; Concord paid $180.00; Hopewell paid $115.00; Bethlehem paid $110.00; and, Pisgah paid $90.00. In 1890 Center and Setzer's Chapel churches were added to the circuit. When in 1892 Setzer's Chapel congregation was dissolved, Bethel Methodist Church took its place. In 1902 Pisgah dropped out of the circuit, leaving Catawba, Bethlehem, Concord, Hopewell, and Center Churches. Many years passed before another major change to the circuit was made. In 1920 Center United Methodist Church became a part of a new circuit; and, in 1942, Bethlehem separated. The most important change to the circuit, with regard to the Catawba Church, took place in 1954 when Catawba became a one-church charge . CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS As the congregation grew improvements to the church were necessary. In 1924 the old church was remodeled and Sunday School rooms were added. The front door area was totally renovated by adding porch columns, new doors, and arch effects over the doors. Rev. A. C. Kennedy [pastor from 1921 - 1925] was pastor during this time. On 28 March 1948, a special service was held by Rev. A. G. Lackey [pastor from 1942 - 1951], giving thanks for the church structure. The Dedication Service took place on 20 March 1949. Catawba United Methodist Church 39 As new changes were being made to the church structure, new changes needed to be made with regard to the old parsonage. It has been recorded that Rev. C. W. Gentry was the first minister to live in the parsonage, and it is also noteworthy to mention that Rev. A. G. Lackey was the last to live there. The Catawba Pharmacy now stands on the grounds on which the old parsonage was built long ago, on Highway #10 in Catawba, NC. The new parsonage was built and was the home of Rev. A. G. Lackey. He was minister to the, then existing, Catawba Charge which consisted of Catawba, Concord, and Hopewell United Methodist Churches. Members of the building committee were: W. M. Musgrove, Chairman; Henry Elmore, Challie Jones, Seth R. White, G. S. York, McKinley Hildebrand, Ray Drum; and J. P. Coulter, Treasurer. The pastonage was dedicated on 11 April, 1954, with Rev. A. W. Lynch as pastor. Catawba parsonage : 1964 1968 1971 1975 Church continues to make improvements to the new carpets in livingroom, diningroom, hall kitchen remodeled, serving bar removed, new cabinets and floor covering installed new furniture in five rooms new carpet in the master bedroom & pastor's study master bedroom, bath, kitchen wall-papered Catawba United Methodist Church 40 THE WOMEN'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE This society was organized on 30 September 1940 with forty charter members. The first president was Mrs. John Troutman and the pastor was Rev. W. G. Grigg. OUTSTANDING MEMBERS Present Catawba Church members say that Mr. J. U. Long was Sunday School Superintendent for forty years. Mrs. Annie Rhyne Sherrill, wife of John Sherrill, was a local school teacher as well as a Sunday School teacher and devout church member. For her outstanding contributions to the church, a Sunday School class was formed and named in her honor in 1924. Rev. Beverly Wilson, pastored twice at the Catawba Church: (1) Dec, 1910 - 1914 and (2) 1925 - 1929. He was the father of 13 children, four of whom he left in Catawba. They were, Ira who married Butler Lowrance , Laura who married Dee Nichols, Louise who married Reggie Nichols, and Catherine. The latter is now deceased, while Ira, Laura, and Louise are still active members of the church. SHARING As in many town instances where many denominations worship, space is sometimes a problem. The act of sharing becomes necessary when new denominations arrive, or when other denomina-tions are making their necessary renovations to existing buildings . Catawb mile . ' Be was built, building fo a time peri participate been forme Danner, a different special occ a United Methodis fore the present Catawba allowed r worship service od before 1923 wh d in the Methodis d by their church Baptist, taught i religious persua asions as Thanksg t Church has always 'gone the extra structure of Redeemer Lutheran Church their congregation to use their church s. Another example of sharing enters en the youth of Catawba Baptist Church t Sunday School because such had not at that time. In fact, Miss Edna n the Methodist Sunday School. Lastly, sions held joint services on such iving and Easter. HOMECOMING The first Homecoming for Catawba United Methodist Church was held on 27 September 1933. Rev. E. D. Ballard was pastor. Homecoming did not take place every year since 1933. The next event occured on 30 August 1959 while Rev. M. C. Ellerbe was pastor. But, the most important Homecoming, other than the first, Catawba United Methodist Church 41 thus far, was in 1976, when the church celebrated its first 100 years.... its Centennial! The church congregation, up-to-date, since its naming of Catawba United Methodist Church, is now [1991] 115 years old, working toward its 200th birthday, no less! ! ! CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY As with all town churches, as aforementioned, space has always been a problem. Just as many churches needed to share the actual church structure, some needed to share burying grounds. Catawba's cemetery has been shared with Catawba Baptist Church which is located on 2nd Avenue, NE, in Catawba, NC . It is thought, also, that maybe Redeemer Lutheran Church has a few plots there. In recording tombstone inscriptions, verses have been omitted, however, when this author had additional information in her files, this was added after the tombstone inscription. Listings have been recorded by Row, moving from left to right. Row #1, as a person is facing the front of the church, begins to the left/back of the church. The tombstone nearest to the back/left is the beginning stone. This area seems to be the oldest section. ROW #1 Marion Long, wife of Eli Warlick 3 Nov. 1892 to 19 Dec. 1917 Frank J. Long, 31 Aug. 1868 to 16 Dec. 1914 HEAD - T. Walter Long, MD - 15 Feb. 1858 to 11 June 1916 FOOT - Thomas W. Long, Jr., MD - 3 Feb. 1906 to 27 Feb. 1987 Daisy Long, wife of Thomas Walter Long 21 Mar. 1873 to 26 Mar. 1923 Oscar Sherrill - 7 Aug. 1878 to 29 May 1933 Gretta Long, wife of Oscar Sherrill 17 Oct. 1874 to 11 Nov. 1943 HEAD - James A. Sherill, NC PHM3 US Navy, WWII 22 Feb. 1912 to 28 Feb. 1971 / FOOT - James Andrew Sherrill, son of Oscar 4 Gretta Sherrill 22 Feb. 1912 to 28 Feb. 1971 John R. Hamil - 4 May 1874 to 3 July 1943 His Wife Martha Bozeman - 14 Feb. 1874 to 9 Dec. 1946 Catawba United Methodist Church 42 Lula Drum, daughter of J. F. & Mary L. Drum 1893 to 1975 / Jacob Francis Drum - 1854 to 1942 / Mary Frances Loftin, wife of J. F. Drum - 1855 to 1936 / Anthea Pearl Drum, daughter of J. F. &. Mary L. Drum 1888 to 1969 / Era May Drum, daughter of J. F. & Mary L. Drum 1880 to 1969 ROW #2 John W. Blackwelder - 30 June 1855 to 7 Mar. 1925 / Mary Long Blackwelder - 1 July 1864 to 26 Jan. 1928 Claude A. Jordan - 12 Aug. 1874 to 14 May 1934 / Mayce Blackwelder Jordan - 28 Mar. 1882 to 11 July 1973 HEAD - Oscar Neill Sherrill - 2 May 1913 to 20 Jan. 1990 FOOT - Oscar Neill Sherrill - CSP US Navy, WWII 2 May 1912 to 20 Jan. 1990 Craig Marion Spencer - 3 Feb. 1924 to 20 May 1967 Sally Margie Lowrance - 23 Nov. 1901 to n.d. [no date] / Mary Esther Lowrance - 13 July 1890 to 5 Jan. 1973 / Joseph Butler Lowrance - 21 Oct. 1893 to 16 Oct. 1970 Avery W. Setzer - 2 April 1897 to 21 Jan. 1986 MARRIED - 29 Dec. 1941 Fannie Mae L. Setzer - 23 Dec. 1898 to 10 Oct. 1984 Earl Pinkney Spencer - 1913 to 1974 ROW #3 William Long was born in Prince George Co., MD Dec. 28, 1792 Died Aug. 29, 1884 Aged 91y 8m Id Rachel E., wife of William Long, Born July 20, 1810 Died May 23, 1899 Aged 88y 10m 3d Thos. S. Long Died June 29, 1884 Aged 49y 7m 23d Catawba United Methodist Church 43 f The Enterprise - 5 July 1884 Last Sunday morning the quietude of our village was startled as the news was told that Colonel Long had taken his life. Death under all circumstances has a poignant shaft to stab the feelings of those left behind, but under circumstances which we will now proceed to tell, it is heart rending and even the stranger will stand awed when he contemplates the horror of the deed. A short while after day break last Sunday, Colonel Long was seen by one of the servants going in the direction of the privy house and it was not long before the citizens of the place heard the heavy report of a pistol but from the noise it made they concluded it was in the country, being in a close house the sound seemed to be some distance. Mr. Long not returning for some time, the servant told one of Mr. Long's sons he had better see where his father was. He went to the house and looking in saw his father in a sitting position and ran back and told the family that his father had tried to cut his throat again as he saw he was very bloody - a plank kept him from seeing his actual condition. On returning they found him sitting on a seat leaning against the wall of the house with all the top of his head blown off, and his body lifeless. At his feet lay a large pistol known as a horse pistol. His head was torn off from his nose all the way back and the discharge was so terrific that the walls of the house were covered with blood and brains and a portion of his skull was blown through the cracks of the house. Mr. Long attempted suicide a few weeks ago and denied it through this paper. [Due to missing issues of this paper, the author did not find this denial in published form] . He used a great deal of whiskey but had stopped drinking ever since he attempted suicide. Colonel Long had his faults but he had many good principals - he had a generous heart and gentle reader, let us weave a wreath and with it we will decorate his cold, icy grave."] Rosanna C, wife of Thomas S. Long Died August 4, 1884 Aged 51y 2m 8d f The Enterprise - 16 August 1884 "Died at Catawba on August 4 after a long and painful illness, Mrs. Camila Long, wife of Colonel Thomas Long, aged about fifty years. Mrs. Long was a noble woman and bore her many afflictions with Christian fortitude. She had a generous disposition and at her home, she so acted that she made you feel at home. She was a good woman and her place will long be missed . " ] James T. Long - 15 Feb. 1864 to 16 Feb. 1881 Catawba United Methodist Church 44 Infant Daughter of J. W. & M. J. Blackwelder 7 Feb. 1887 Lived 12 hours f Nettie Neill, daughter of J. W. & M. J. Blackwelder 30 Mar. 1888 to 22 July 1889 f The Enterprise - 26 July 1889 "Died Monday evening, July 22nd, at Catawba, the daughter of Mr. J. W. Blackwelder, died of flux, aged about fifteen months. She was buried at the Methodist church in that place Wednesday.] Logan S. Long - 22 Dec. 1870 to 19 Jan. 1896 Aged 25y 22d George W. Cansler - 29 Oct. 1831 to 9 Nov. 1896 Aged 65y 19d [According to The Enterprise . G. W. Cansler was the Mayor of Catawba in 1883 and he smoked cigars.] Jane Elizabeth, wife of G. W. Cansler 25 Mar. 1837 to 31 May 1903 [Almost Illegible] Clara? C. Aba, daughter of C. M. & M. M. Lowrance 25 May 1867 to 18 Dec. 1888? Aged 21y 6m 27d Mary M. , wife of Cany M. Lowrance 7 Dec. 1824 to 12 Aug. 1896 Aged 71y 8m 5d Daughter of S. E. & D. A. Lowrance 23 Nov. 1901 to 11 July 1902 Aged 7m 18d Samuel Edward Lowrance - 3 June 1863 to 16 Mar. 1943 / Dorcas Ann Abernathy Lowrance - 26 Nov. 1863 to 11 Sept. 1939 Cornelia E., wife of A. L. Loftin - 18 July 1875 to 11 Feb. 1964 Aged 28y 6m 23d I. A. Lowrance - 1856 to 1938 L. J. Lowrance - 1858 to 1909 Henry D. Lowrance - 25 May 1851 to 26 Mar. 1936 / Sarah J. Bost Lowrance - 24 Apr. 1853 to 20 Feb. 1904 T. Antha Massey - 25 Sept. 1878 to 23 June 1924 Joseph H. Lowrance - 28 Oct. 1882 to 21 Aug. 1914 Ralph A. Huffman - 6 Aug. 1920 to 8 June 1924 Catawba United Methodist Church 45 Essie Creedmore Huffman - 9 Jan. 1904 to 15 July 1957 Fred A. Huffman - 1892 to 1980 / Mabel H. Huffman - 1897 to 1971 ROW #4 Miles Abernethy - n.d. Haley Abernethy - n.d. Victoria Abernethy - n.d. Joseph Abernethy - n.d. Thomas Setzer - n.d. Jacob F. Abernathy - 19 Sept. 1845 to 4 June 1914 / Mary Ella Pope Abernathy - 31 Jan. 1863 to 13 Dec. 1936 Mattie Robinson - n.d. Catherine E. Deal, wife of Tobias Shook 1848 to 1932 In Memory of Tobias Shook, son of Jacob &. Susan Shook Was born Dec. 11, 1838 and died 6 June 1882 Aged 42y 5m 25d 1 field stone Benjamin F. Robinson - 1879 to 1946 A. Robinson - 1845 to 1927 / Mary A. Robinson - 1844 to 1892 Sarah L. , wife of L. D. Robinson 31 Mar. 1827 to 16 Sept. 1896 Aged 59y 5m 15d L. D. Robinson - 30 May 1822 to 13 Oct. 1896 Aged 74y 4m 13d Nora Crawford, wife of Z. V. Leonard - 31 Dec. 1872 to 4 June 1941 / Joseph Zeb Vance Leonard - 30 May 1863 to 19 Mar. 1944 / Novella Leonard - 18 Nov. 1890 to 24 June 1967 / Winona Leonard - 4 Feb. 1896 to 2 July 1971 ["Winona Leonard spent a great deal of time and energy researching the history of [our] church"] / Genevieve Gaither, wife of Chouves T. Leonard 13 Feb. 1903 to 23 Aug. 1976 / Chouves Talmadge Leonard - 27 July 1899 to 12 Feb. 1986 Catawba United Methodist Church 46 ROW #5 In Memory of Calvin A. Wilfong - 1 Mar. 1826 to 8 Feb. 1895 Aged [stone broken] M. A. Wilfong, wife of [stone broken] A. Lowrance and daughter of Joseph & katie Wilson was born 5 Apr. 1825 and died 9 Sept. 1883 Aged 58y 5m 6d Floy G., daughter of W. L. k M. L. Moore - 12 May 1880 to 29 Mar. 1884 Elizabeth, wife of Rev. E. David - 14 Nov. 1884 to [death date plastered over during repair] A. H. Houston - 28 June 1829 to 18 Mar. 1900 Aged 70y 8m 20d Martha Ann [daughter of] W. H. E. & A. H. Houston - d. 20 Sept. 1883 Aged 50y 6m 27d Ann V. L. Houston - Born [hole in stone]uary 3, 1845, Died [hole in stone]ember 14, [death year cemented over] f The Enterprise - 21 April 1883 "We are sorry to learn that Mrs. A. H. Houston is in very feeble health and has been so for some time."] William G. James - Born [stone broken and cemented together] and Died 13 Aug. 1883 Aged 70y 6m 29d [Was a Justice of the Peace in 1879] Lillia A., wife of William S. Deal 26 Dec. 1828 to 15 Feb. 1902 Aged 73y lm 19d Erected by son, P. C. Deal Clyde M. Maguire - 11 June 1902 to 7 Feb. 1985 Jack Braxton Sherrill - 23 Nov. 1924 to n.d. Ina Travis Sherrill - 13 Mar. 1924 to 20 July 1976 Randy Dean Sipe - 5 Aug. 1956 to 25 Aug. 1980 / Cpl David L. Sipe, 9th Div. FA, Awarded Silver Star For Bravery, WWII - 7 Feb. 1919 to n.d. / Virginia E. Sipe - 2 Dec. 1928 to n.d. ROW #6 Rev. C. C. Brothers - 24 Mar. 1860 to 24 Feb. 1934 / Catawba United Methodist Church 47 Mollie M., wife of Rev. C. C. Brothers - died 31 July 1898 Aged 39y 5m Annie C. Brothers - 29 Feb. 1876 to 22 Oct. 1947 "Neppie" Clary, wife of Charles B. Brothers and Mother of Rev. C. C. Brothers, died 6 Feb. 1897 Aged 72y 5m 13d S. Beatrice, daughter of W. H. & A. G. Aderholdt Died [stone broken] 26, 1886 Aged 19y 8m lOd J. M. Lewis - Died 12 Jan. 1887 Aged 72y 8m 17d f The Enterprise - 20 February 1885 "The medical attendants of J. M. Lewis, inform us that they are fearful his hand will yet require amputation." NOTE: See entry for Laura C. Lewis below.] Children of J. M. and L. A. Lewis Mary L. - Died 4 April 1865 Aged 6m Carrie S. - Died 13 June 1876 Aged ly lm 19d Laura C, daughter of J. M. & L. A. Lewis 17 Mar. 1867 to 15 Jan. 1885 f The Enterprise - 9 January 1885 "A very distressing accident occurred just across the river from the town of Catawba last Saturday morning. The clothes of Laura Lewis, a daughter of Mr. J. M. Lewis, caught on fire from some coals while passing across the hearth and before the fire was discovered her clothes were ablaze. The father, a very old man, being present extinguished the fire as soon as possible by tearing off and smothering the burning garments, but not before the young lady was severely burned from her waist down. Her friends fear that she cannot recover from the injuries. The father was, also, severely burned on his hands and arms and required medical attention. " ] Elizabeth H., wife of J. M. Lewis - 18 Nov. 1831 to 8 June 1893 or 1898 Dora Viola, daughter of A. N. & B. J. Aderholdt Died 21? April 1886 Aged 7y 5m 31d Jacob E., son of A. N. & B. J. Aderholdt Died 29 April 1886 Aged 5y 14d Raymond M. Kennedy - 18 July 1904 to 10 June 1917 Aged 12y 11m 24d Catawba United Methodist Church 48 Daughter - Kay Nancy Goodson - 22 Nov. 1932 Aged 3d David A. Kennedy - 1864 to 1943 / Nancy Kennedy - 1878 to 1960 Katie L. , daughter of J. V. & Fannie Brown 12 Nov. 1909 to 23 June 1912 Susan A. Killian - 10 Jan. 1854 to 17 Nov. 1913 Aged 49y 10m 7d Laban Killian - 29 Feb. 1844 to 22 Sept. 1929 Mariah Killian - Died 21 Jan. 1927 Aged 87y ROW #7 John Phillip Coulter - 24 Feb. 1911 to 22 July 1958 John Henry Coulter - 11 Feb. 1847 to 5 Apr. 1917 / Laura Pitts Coulter - 7 Oct. 1853 to 22 Apr. 1929 / Addie E. Coulter - 1883 to 1886 / Infant - 8 Jan. 1890 to 14 Feb. 1890 Zoe , daughter of Alex & Sallie A. Yount 28 July 1884 to 19 Aug. 1890 Aged 6y 24d f The Enterprise - 29 August 1890 "Died, at her grandfather's (F. A. Yount) near Catawba, NC. , August 19th, at 10 o'clock p.m. of Bright's kidney disease, Zoe Yount, daughter of I. Alex Young, age 6 years and 21 days. A child of the covenant, she sleeps in Jesus, and is safe in the arms of Him who said: "Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."] Sallie A., wife of Ira A. Yount - 28 July 1859 to 28 July 1885 Ralph, son of I. A. & S. A. Yount [date covered by cement repair of stone] died 27 June 1885 Virgilia W. , wife of J. W. Clark and daughter of C. A. 4 R. C. Milligan - died 15 Jan. 1888 Aged 29y 11m 18d f The Enterprise - 26 Jan. 1888 "Died near Catawba. .. January 15, 1888, Vergilia W. Clark, (whose maiden name was Milligan; but married to James W. Clark, February 12, 1885). She was converted and joined the M. E. Church South at the age of 12 years, and lived a consistent member of the Catawba United Methodist Church 49 same till death called her away. Her death was almost sudden - being taken suddenly ill at 1 o'clock p.m. Saturday and died about 1 o'clock a.m. on Sunday. M. A. Abernethy . " ] Rebecca Cornelius, wife of G. A. Milligan 5 July 1824 to 16 Oct. 1898 84y 3m lid Laura Ellen, wife of W. N. Kale - 4 Apr. 1873 to 26 May 1948 Wilburn Noah Kale - 2 Sept. 1863 to 6 Apr. 1944 Clyde Kale - 8 Sept. 1898 to 21 Feb. 1913 Roy W. Kale - 4 Dec. 1903 to 19 Mar. 1986 Paul R. Croom - 9 Oct. 1914 to 21 Dec. 1914 Charlie F. Fox - 17 Jan. 1891 to 23 Dec. 1966 / Bertha H. Fox - 21 Jan. 1892 to 21 July 1975 AUNT - Harriet E. Witherspoon 20 Apr. 1840 to 20 Sept. 1919 / MOTHER - Katherine B. Witherspoon 26 Jan. 1853 to 9 Jan. 1936 Joe Phillip Spencer - 12 June 1931 to 26 Aug. 1979 ROW #8 Clara Bost Korn - 25 Dec. 1905 to 23 Jan. 1970 / Wilburn T. Korn, Sr. - 1 Oct. 1900 to 27 Apr. 1979 Alice Mae T. Isenhour, wife of G. W. Isenhour 27 Jan. 1895 to 2 Apr. 1981 George W. Isenhower (sic) - 21 Sept. 1877 to 23 May 1956 Fannie, wife of G. W. Isenhour - 16 Mar. 1884 to 14 Jan. 1917 Flossie, wife of F. L. Wilson 30 Mar. 1894 to 3 Mar. 1917 Aged 20y 11m 3d Harriett Sipes Miller - 11 Oct. 1875 to 22 Oct. 1958 J. Ernest Love - 1900 to 1983 / Lois D. Love - 1907 to n.d. Catawba United Methodist Church 50 Jo Ann Musgrove Jackson - 21 Feb. 1930 to 22 Nov. 1988 / Robert Jackson, Jr. - 29 Aug. 1926 to n.d. ROW #9 Mary Adeline, wife of P. J. Pitts 30 Oct. 1825 to 26 Feb. 1902 Aged 76y 3m 26d / Phillip J. Pitts - 10 Dec. 1822 to 7 Feb. 1897 Aged 74y lm 27d J. H. Pitts - 16 Aug. 1850 to 21 July 1930 [store owner in 1890's] / Laura Ingold Pitts - 14 Feb. 1855 to 6 Sept. 1933 Kenneth Bernard, son of J. H. & L. I. Pitts 31 Aug. 1891 to 29 Sept. 1891 Winnie B., daughter of Rev. A. M. & N. E. Lowe 7 Oct. 1886 to 8 Sept. 1887 Children of Rev. A. M. & N. E. Lowe / Otho Oscar - 26 July 1881 to 26 Feb. 1886 Mary Florence - 6 Oct. 1883 to 3 Mar. 1886 Alda Zenobia, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 6 Sept. 1890 to 24 May 1891 Florence Emma, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 19 Aug. 1892 to 24 Oct. 1892 Mary Etta Rufty, wife of J. D. Little 6 Mar. 1861 to 23 Sept. 1893 r The Enterprise - 29 September 1893 "Mrs. J. D. Little died at her home at Catawba on the 25th, inst. (Inst, means instant or current month; therefore, 25th inst. would indicate 25th September 1893)."] Mary Bell, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 7 Sept. 1893 to 7 May 1894 Jacob Daily Little - 22 June 1849 to 6 April 1932 [Jacob was Dr. J. D. Little, and in December of 1882, he completed a new home in Catawba. He was also acting postmaster as per The Enterprise dated 6 February 1885, in place of his deceased brother. The newspaper records, "There are two petitions out for postmaster at this place, Gen. A. H. Houston and J. D. Little, both good citizens and staunch Democrats."] Catawba United Methodist Church 51 Ralph Little, son of J. D. & M. E. Little 12 Dec. 1883 to 10 May 1948 ROW #10 Benjamin Baxter James - 16 Feb. 1863 to [stone broken and cemented over date] Franklin Alexander James - 11 Oct. 1825/75 to 14 April 1906 Will Sipe - 15 May 1881 to 19 June 1913 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Lee Sipe - 31 Mar. 1930 ROW #11 Jacob Wycoff - 18 Nov. 1821 to 6 Jan. 1894 Aged 72y lm 18d Espa A., wife of Jacob Wycoff - 12 Nov. 1819 to [stone broken across the death date] Joseph William, son of J. W. and M. E. Lowrance b. 21 Aug. 1891 to 5 ? 1892 Aged 9m 9d Seth W. Lowrance - 7 Sept. 1888 to 11 May 1912 J. W. Lowrance - 12 Nov. 1853 to 5 Nov. 1942 / M. E. Frances Wycoff, his wife - 11 Aug. 1852 to 19 May 1928 Blanche Lowrance Brower - 26 Oct. 1874 to 14 Dec. 1937 Frances E[lizabeth] [Fannie Shuford], wife of Dr. A. M. Powell 14 Feb. 1824 to 17 June 1901 Dr. Q. M. Little - 21 June 1847 to 12 Nov. 1907 / Quintus M. Little - NC Pvt , Co. B, 3 Regt , NC Jr. Res., CSA 21 June 1847 to 12 Nov. 1907 / Eva L. Little - 12 Aug. 1854 to 8 Dec. 1937 / Beulah E. Little - 2 Dec. 1873 to 3 Aug. 1947 Emma, daughter of D. & L. Hedrick - Died 29 Apr. 1911 Age 12y / Lillie, wife of D. Hedrick - Died 14 Nov. 1912 Age ca. 60y / Daniel Hedrick - Died 28 Mar. 1919 Age ca. 73y Daniel Hefner - 5 Jan. 1857 to 4 May 1924 Aged 67y 3m 29d Catawba United Methodist Church 52 Catherine L. Isenhower - 7 June 1855 to 15 Sept. 1939 / Joe C. Isenhower - 11 June 1844 to 2 Aug. 1927 ROW #12 Nelson Lowrance - 21 Mar. 1816 to 13 Mar. 1901 Age 85y lid / Harriet, wife of S. Nelson Lowrance 10 Sept. 1817 to 16 Aug. 1901 Age 83y 11m 6d F. M. Whitaker - 20 Jan. 1848 to 31 Jan. 1900 Age 52y lid / Mary C, wife of F. M. Whitaker - 2 Mar. 1845 to 31 Aug. 1930 Charles V. Lowrence - 7 Apr. 1860 to 9 Dec. 1931 / Frances L., wife of C. V. Lowrance - 10 Nov. 1866 to 8 Oct. 1901 Freda, wife of T. R. Phelan - 20 Feb. 1895 to 5 Mar. 1922 Age 27y 5d Oscar B. Herman, NC Pvt , Army Air Forces, WWII 28 Jan. 1903 to 10 Apr. 1970 John F. Herman - 10 Dec. 1864 to 16 Jan. 1947 / Lizzie E. Herman - 27 Mar. 1866 to 30 Nov. 1918 John Franklin, son of J. F. & L. E. Herman 16 Nov. 1900 to 22 June 1902 Reuel Howard, son of R. S. & L. L. Isenhour 22 Aug. 1912 to 6 Oct. 1912 Luther Hampton, son of R. S. &. L. L. Isenhour 14 Oct. 1913 to 15 Nov. 1914 Dolphus N. Allen - 17 Sept. 1849 to 30 May 1942 / Nancy Vaughn - 12 Dec. 1842 to 12 Feb. 1915 R. Glenn, g. son of L. S. & J. C. Isenhour 8 May 1910 to 28 Sept. 1915 Aged 5y 4m 20d Troy C. Fox - 13 June 1909 to 20 Sept. 1922 Colen? Fox - 30 Apr. 192? to 20 Apr. 1926? [Illegible] Daniel F. Isenhour - 11 June 1883 to 19 June 1939 Catawba United Methodist Church 53 ROW #13 J. U. Long - 25 Dec. 1843 to 3 Nov. 1928 [According to The Enterprise . J. U. Long was a successful businessman in 1883, was a Commissioner in 1884, was a district representative to the Democratic Convention in 1884, and a Sheriff's nominee in 1888. He was a Registrar for Catawba in 1890; and, in a 6 February 1891 entry, a fire consumed his store in Catawba, however, he carried insurance of $2000 on the goods, but unfortunately carried no insurance on his store building. J. U. was again mentioned as a Commissioner in 1892 as well as being a representative in the 1892 Democratic Convention.] Laura Yount Long - 27 April 1848 to 1 Feb. 1930 Annie Lee Long - 13 Aug. 1885 to 25 Feb. 1886 Robert E. Trexler - 1874 to 1924 Dr. Fred Yount Long, MD - 20 Jan. 1875 to 29 T uly 1965 [Delivered hundreds of babies during his lifetime. His small office building still stands in the Town of Catawba as a monu-ment to his work. He was a jolly, round man, that worked many a time to be paid with vegetables and work around his property. People still remember Dr. Long with affection.] Carrie Belle Davis, wife of Dr. Fred Y. Long 17 Jan. 1888 to 15 Feb. 1967 Catherine Jean, daughter of E. L. & Lena Huffman 5 Aug. 1927 to 30 Dec. 1948 / Lena Kale Huffman - 4 Sept. 1901 to 25 Mar. 1990 / Eugene L. Huffman - 25 July 1899 to 2 Oct. 1974 Earl McCoy - 7 June 1917 to 16 June 1979 ROW #14 Charles C. Moore, SI US Navy, WWII 13 Feb. 1928 to 9 May 1975 Charlie C. Moore, Sr. , NC CPL, Co. E, 105 Ammo, TN, WWI 4 Jan. 1895 to 30 Mar. 1970 Leslie J. Moore - 21 Aug. 1898 to 19 Apr. 1970 Nina Moore Reichard - 6 Apr. 1881 to 1 Nov. 1963 Catawba United Methodist Church 54 REID Charles A. - 1871 to 1932 Cenephas A. - 1843 to 1928 Sarah B. - 1849 to 1934 Susan - 1883 to 1885 Addie - 1868 to 1889 Z. B. R. - 1876 to 1915 [ The Enterprise - 9 August 1889 - Regarding Addie Reid "SAD ACCIDENT IN CATAWBA - It has never been our painful duty to chronicle a sadder accident than that which occurred at Catawba during the storm which raged on last Sunday night. Mr. James Trolinger and Miss Addie Reed had just returned from church and entered the parlor of the latter, when lightening struck the house, dealing instant death to both parties, and setting fire to the window curtains, also to Miss Reed's dress. Mr. Sherrill and Miss Reed's sister were in the parlor at the same time and were slightly shocked. Mr. Sherrill 's hands were badly burned in putting the fire out. Mr. Trolinger and Miss Reed had been sitting by an open window in the room, but had just moved their seats near another window which was closed, and by the side of the fire place. Mr. Trolinger was sitting near the mantel, while Miss Reed was on his other side by the window. There seemed to be two forks of the lightening. One striking the weather-boarding just above the window, and following down the glass melted several panes and struck Miss Reed on the temple, running down her head, breaking her neck and continuing down one side of her body, passing out at her foot, tearing the shoe to pieces. The other bolt descended the chimney, striking Mr. Trolinger on the back of the head and crossing in front of his body, passing down one side and out at his foot, destroying his shoe, also. Mr. Trolinger fell at once to the floor, but Miss Reed remained sitting upright in her chair, with her eyes open and her death was not thought of until after help reached them; when her eyes closed and death ensued. The pulses of both parties were beating when they were reached, but consciousness had fled with the stroke. All the other inmates of the house, excepting the four in the parlor, were asleep, and slightly shocked. The young couple were both laid out on the same bed in Mr. Reed's house, and Tuesday afternoon they were placed together in the separate coffins side by side, within the same grave. A crowd of sympathizing relatives and friends witnessed the funeral services, which were conducted by Rev. Bagby, and thus undivided by death, the yount couple await the coming of the Judgement Day together in the Methodist grave yard at Catawba. Our most sincere sympathies are offered to the bereaved families." And, this report from the same edition, dated 7 August 1889, and written by the local correspondant , Catawba United Methodist Church 55 "The heart strings of two of our best families are torn and bleeding, and the entire village is veiled in gloom. Last Sunday night, the 4th inst., when the services at the Methodist church were closed, a dark and potentous cloud overhung the village. As it rolled up ominous darkness prevaded the expanse, but now starting flashes gleam through the massy clouds so frequently, as if to light the very way to our homes. Under these condi-tions the congregation broke up, and hurriedly rushed for their homes. Those who lived nearby barely reached them when the rain began to pour. Jimmie Trollinger, a young man of the town, escorded Miss Addie Reid to her home only a few hundred yards distant. Twenty or thirty minutes after their arrival, and while seated in the parlor (with two others) discussing common places and whiling away the hours of the rain, a flash of lightening struck the west end of the house - the parlor end, running down on both sides of the chimney and entering the room, killed Jimmie and Miss Addie, and strange to say, did not even shock the two who were sitting very near . Jimmie was killed instantly; but it is thought that Miss Addie breathed a few times after the stroke; however, all efforts to resuscitate her by Dr. Long, aided by kind friends, proved fruitless . Jimmie was sitting on the hearth with his back to the fire-place and immediately under the mantel. The stroke burst on top of his head, following down the full length of his body to the feet, tearing one of his shoes; his body immediately falling to the floor. Miss Addie was sitting one or two feet to his left with back to end window. She was struck on right side of forehead and face, burning considerably and following down the entire length of her body, melting her stays, setting her clothes on fire and tearing even her shoes to pieces. Her body remained in a sitting posture; her head falling back against the window. They were children of J. H. Trollinger and C. A. Reid and were both in their twentieth year. They were kind genial and affectionate and loved by all who knew them; but especially will our young people miss them, as they were taken from their ranks and their forms will be seen among them no more. They will miss them at home - here my pen falters. They were buried in the same grave at this place the 6th inst. [August]. Rev. W. M. Bagby preached the funeral sermon. The largest concourse of people present than I ever saw at a funeral. Elkin" Catawba United Methodist Church 56 Saphronia A. Sherrill - 5 Nov. 1842 to 12 Dec. 1894 John A. Sherrill - 26 Apr. 1836 to 21 Aug. 1927 [Helen Rhyne and Donna B. Brown, of Catawba, provided information and a story about Annie Rhyne Sherrill and John Sherrill. They were lovingly known as Aunt Annie and Uncle Johnny to the community . John A. Sherrill was a confederate soldier during the War Between the States. He was a member of Company I, 12th Regiment. He enlisted in the county's first company in April of 1861, and is said to have fought through the war until he surrendered with Lee's army on 9 April 1865. John was severely wounded at Hanover Junction in May of 1862, and after a two-months furlough, he recovered and returned to his company. He was a county Commissioner from 1894 to 1896 and the county Treasurer from 1900 to 1904. John had been a member of Catawba Methodist since ca. 1889. ] Annie L. Sherrill - 9 Oct. 1861 to 4 Sept. 1928 [Per Helen Rhyne and Donna B. Brown of Catawba - Anna Lee Rhyne was born in 1861 and grew up on a large farm on the South Fork River near Startown. At the age of 16, she went off to college in Greensboro. Upon her return, she began a school-teaching career that continued until her death in 1928. In 1901 she became the second wife of John Sherrill. Annie was received into membership at Catawba by J. W. Bowman in 1901, according to an old Register of Members. The couple had no children of their own but raised a nephew after Annie's sister passed away. Because of her devotion and hard work for the church, a Bible Class was named in her honor, "The Annie Sherrill Bible Class."] Henderson Sherrill - 6 Nov. 1807 to 25 Aug. 1866 Aged 58y 9m 19d [Helped to establish the Western North Carolina Railroad. Was a representative in the House of Commons in 1844.] / Mahala Sherrill - 7 May 1815 to 27 Feb. 1893 Age 77y 9m 20d [ The Enterprise - 3 Mar. 1893 - "We are sorry to hear of the death in Catawba, Tuesday, February 28th of Mrs. Mahala Sherrill, mother of Messrs. John and James Sherrill. She was 75 years old and mother of eight children. " ] Lieut. U. F. Sherrill - 17 June 1834 to 3 Sept. 1861 [From Prof. George Hahn's, Catawba Soldier of the Civil War . Clay Printing, Hickory, 1911 - Catawba United Methodist Church 57 "Company A., 12th Regiment - U. F. Sherrill, 1st Lieutenant; commissioned April 27, 1861; promoted from 2nd Lieutenant; died September 1861; first man who died in Company A. Uriah Franklin, son of Henderson and Mahala Sherrill, a brother to John A., James H., Walter L., Beauregard Sherrill, Mrs. Dr. Chenault and Mrs. Laura Cline, was born in 1834. His father, a prominent farmer, had represented Catawba County in the legislature. Franklin was a fine looking young man; he was a splendid school teacher as the writer can testify. When the "Cry of war" went through the land for volunteers, Sherrill was among the first to respond; he joined the Catawba Rifles the first Company organized in old Catawba, in April 1861, before reaching his 27th year. He was elected First Lieut, and was with the Co. at Norfolk, Va. While at Norfolk he became sick, and on the 3rd day of Sept. AD 1861 he died. He was the first confederate soldier from Catawba Co., who sacrificed his life on the alter of his country; peace to his ashes. Had Sherrill lived we feel sure he would have filled high positiors in the army as he was a man of commanding appearance, and his men were devoted to him. We who survive will soon have to follow. Jan. 1911 M. 0. Sherrill"] Seth, son of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill - 10 Mar. 1883 to 17 Oct. 1903 Ross, son of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill 2 Feb. 1887 to 10 Nov. 1905 Aged 13y 9m 8d Zoe , daughter of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill 23 Nov. 1884 to 10 May 1905 Stella, daughter of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill, wife of W. I. Pitts 16 Sept. 1879 to 5 June 1908 James H. Sherrill - 1845 to 1927 Capt. Co. A, 49th Regt, CSA & W [Because of his service during the War Between the States, he attended the Old Soldiers' Reunions in the county. In 1892 he was the Vice-President of Company I's Veteran's Association. He was an assessor for Catawba Township (with regard to taxes) for a four-year period beginning in 1891. He was involved in county and local government.] Mary J. Davidson Sherrill - 1846 to 1920 J. H. L. Coulter - 22 Feb. 1869 to 19 Jan. 1943 / Eula Sherrill Coulter - 24 Dec. 1881 to 16 Dec. 1931 [J. H. Coulter's Enterprise entries include his building a new Catawba United Methodist Church 58 house in 1890, was a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Salisbury on 24 Aug. 1892 for Catawba Township, was an Inspector for Catawba Township in 1892, and was a member of the Jury during February Court, 1895 in Catawba County, NC . ] Infant daughter of J. H. L. & E, Coulter 3 Aug. 1911 Thomas E. Harwell - 7 Oct. 1873 to 6 July 1965 / Jessie L. Harwell - 18 Feb. 1883 to 4 Mar. 1966 Richard J. Lowrance - 3 July 1857 to 4 Sept. 1946 / Julia Ann Sigmon Lowrance - 21 Dec. 1857 to 29 May 1932 William Claude Sigmon - 30 Dec. 1894 to 3 Oct. 1945 / T. Dorus Sigmon - 6 June 1874 to 26 Sept. 1953 / Cora D. Sigmon - 13 Apr. 1879 to 25 May 1958 Clyde H. Sigmon - 3 Mar. 1899 to 23 Feb.. 1970 / Maggie Brown Sigmon - 17 Mar. 1906 to 21 Dec. 1987 T. Geter Keith - 1907 to 1950 ROW #15 Glenn G. Glovier, Sr., Fl US Navy, WWI 15 Apr. 1889 to 30 June 1967 / Zula Sherrill Glovier 14 Apr. 1899 to 11 Feb. 1986 Don D. Sherrill, Capt . , Medical Corps, WWI & WWII 29 Mar. 1897 to 16 Oct. 1968 Walter Lee Sherrill - 29 Mar. 1853 to 18 Oct. 1938 / Minnie Davidson Sherrill - 6 Jan. 1859 to 8 Oct. 1935 1 Illegible Tombstone Capt. W. W. Chenault, 49 Regt. NCT 9 Feb. 1837 to 1 Feb. 1863 Aged 25y 11m 22d [He died at Petersburg, Va . , February, 1863.] Elizabeth S. Chenault - 12 Mar. 1839 to 22 Feb. 1924 Catawba United Methodist Church 59 [ The Enterprise - 14 July 1883 "Mrs. Chenault, an invalid for several months, is convalescing . " ] G. M. Cline - 1884 to 1886 J. R. Cline - 1847 to 1916 l" The Enterprise - 13 Oct. 1883 - JR Cline has built two large tobacco barns and is now busily engaged in curing the weed. His crop looks well, and we have no doubt he will meet with success. 3 Jan. 1889 - Sale of Land for Taxes JR Cline - 240 Acres.... due tax is $27.04 11 October 1889 - A Catawba Book The Enterprise presses have just turned off the most valuable work on agriculture we have ever seen from the pen of a North Carolinian. It is written by J. Romulus Cline, a brainy young farmer of Catawba township. It is bound in a paper cover, of convenient size, bold type, and excellent print. It is for sale, and can be obtained by addressing, Mr. Cline, at Catawba, Catawba County, NC. We have read the work carefully, and do not hesitate in saying that it should be in the hands of every farmer. It contains ideas and suggestions that have not occurred to many farmers, and which all who read will at once admit to be wrought in their condition in a short time. The title of the pamphlet is: "Fewer Acres, with a System of Improvement, or Twenty Acres to the Horse in All Crops, Enough." The work first treats of the condition of the farmers and shows the reasons of the present depression, and then points out the remedies. His system of dividing all farms, no matter what the size, into six parts and rotating crops is an undeviating order, is alone worth much more than the price of the work, while his directions for planting and cultivating all the principal crops grown in the South, and makine the farm enrich itself, are very valuable, even to the most experienced of farmers. We, without reserve, recommend Mr. Cline* s work to farmers, and hope he will have ready sale for it. It should be in every household." 15 November 1889 - We are glad to learn that Mr. J. R. Cline's book is selling very well and is endorsed by every good farmer that reads it. At the State Fair copies were sold to parties in many sections of the state. Orders by mail are now being received briskly and the home people are taking to it right along. It is a Catawba United Methodist Church 60 good thing to read. Twenty-five cents per copy. 25 April 1890 - Mr. J. R. Cline's school will close with an entertainment the first night in May."] Laura S. Cline - 1850 to 1929 Lawson Henry Lowrance - 10 Oct. 1862 to 18 July 1910 [Was an assistant to the entry taker for the 1890 census.] Essie Long Lowrance - 15 Jan. 1877 to 21 Mar. 1968 Annie Laurie Lowrance - 19 Dec. 1900 to 21 Feb. 1953 Infant son of L. H. & E. L. Lowrance - 10 Oct. 1899 to 10 Oct. 1899 Gladys Lowrance - 7 May 1896 to 26 May 1963 Carlos 1. Lowrance, MAJ . US Army, WW I & II 20 Jan. 1895 to 11 Nov. 1985 Virginia Lowrance - 28 Nov. 1905 to 28 Apr. 1986 Aileen Lowrance - 13 July 1903 to 25 Mar. 1987 George Whitener Rhyne , Sr. - 28 Apr. 1894 to 11 Apr. 1973 Gordie Lowrance Rhyne - 24 July 1892 to 9 June 1963 Samuel Milton Gantt - 25 June 1925 to 5 Jan. 1982 Glenn Nicholas Matthews - 16 Sept. 1945 to n.d. / Cathy Gantt Matthews - 6 Dec. 1953 to 22 May 1983 / Married 17 July 1976 ROW #16 Robert Edwin Carpenter - 29 Apr. 1880 to 19 Feb. 1962 / Annie Shuford Carpenter - 23 June 1883 to 24 Sept. 1968 Michael Rufty - 24 Jan. 1823 to 30 Sept. 1906 Aged 83y 8m 6d / Salena Rufty - 28 Apr. 1841 to 9 Jan. 1925 Aged 83y 9m lid f The Enterprise 20 January 1883 - "Bad Accident - Last Thursday week, when the earth was covered with ice and snow, and the thermometer pointed a few Catawba United Methodist Church 61 degrees above zero, Mr. Mike Rufty of Catawba went to Ball's Creek, alone, for the purpose of attending to his cattle, a distance of two miles, and while attempting to cross on a foot log that spanned the creek, fell and fractured his leg. He commenced calling for help, and at the same time he crawled on his hands a considerable distance in the snow. Some persons hunting heard his cries and came to his relief, or he would have frozen. He was hauled home, and his leg was fixed by Dr. Little with a splaster paris bandage, and he is now doing very well." 21 April 1883 - We notice Mr. Mike Rufty traveling on our streets with crutches, caused by getting his leg broken last January. 7 June 1889 - Mr. Mike Rufty bid off the A. D. Shuford lands Monday for $3,100. The bids on the Smyre and the Bolick lands have been raised and they will be resold." 9 January 1891 - Mr. Mike Rufty of Catawba has discovered a valuable gold mine on his Hamilton place. 21 October 1892 - Mr. Mike Rufty has struck it rich in his gold mine near Catawba. One day last week he got out one rock that yielded $1000. There are rumors afloat that it has been sold at a big price. 28 October 1892 - The Rufty gold mine has been sold to Mr. W. M. Moseworth, of Washington County, Tennessee. The deed and money passed Tuesday. The sale was negotiated by Messers. Dellinger, Martin, and Daugherty, of Hickory, who had it bonded at $13,000. It is said that they sold it for $25,000.] James Thomas Rufty - 7 Jan. 1912 to 14 Nov. 1917 Charlie B. Rufty, Sr. - 5 Jan. 1870 to 6 June 1956 f The Enterprise - 14 September 1894 "Mr. Charles Rufty of Catawba and his brother, Bob, of Statesville, have gone to Blowing Rock on their bicycles and we predict the boys will have a hard roll when they strike the mountains . " ] Charles B. Rufty, Jr. - 30 Nov. 1909 to 26 Nov. 1964 Carl Edwin Moore - 20 Mar. 1914 to 29 Mar. 1975 "Tuby" Comet Marie Moore - n.d. Robert D. Rufty, SGT 1 NC Inf. SP. AM. War 8 Nov. 1872 to 1 Oct. 1951 Ada Palestine Cobb Rufty - 24 Sept. 1883 to 31 Oct. 1964 Catawba United Methodist Church 62 Amoret Rufty Speagle - 4 Nov. 1908 to 25 Apr. 1967 Hugh Rufty - 30 Apr. 1912 to 7 June 1964 OASIS Felix Alonzo Little, NC LT USNR WWII 26 June 1916 to 18 Dec. 1944 Peter Phillip Little - 24 Feb. 1920 Missing in Action since 2 Dec. 1942 Murrill Pitts Little - 30 Nov. 1883 to 4 Feb. 1967 Dr. Charles A. Little - 9 Mar. 1878 to 1 Jan. 1969 James William Grant - 19 Apr. 1910 to 6 Apr. 1977 Sara N. Little - 7 Jan. 1928 to n.d. John Monroe Little, US Army, WWII 23 Sept. 1923 to 23 July 1981 Jeffrey Stanton Landis - 9 Apr. 1955 to 13 July 1990 Catawba United Methodist Church 63 ROW #17 George W. Popwell - 20 May 1893 to 9 Jan. 1983 / Vita B. Popwell - 3 May 1894 to 6 July 1984 Lillian Josie Bridges - 12 Oct. 1899 to 24 July 1989 John H. James - 1870 to 1961 Maude B. James - 16 May 1885 to 28 Sept. 1976 Sallie Powell Bridges - 1867 to 1930 / Joseph V. Bridges - 1864 to 1943 J. S. Bridges - 1830 to 1914 / Amanda S. Bridges - 1829 to 1919 [J. S. Bridges was heavily involved in county politics. He helped build roads, was a Democrat, was listed as "Captain J. S. Bridges, and was on the Jury for the February, 1895 court session. He found gold on his land toward the latter part of the 1800 's and even had someone burn down his barn in the Fall of 1888.] Sarah A., wife of M. H. Ervin 12 May 1854 to 27 Sept. 1897 f The Enterprise - 12 December 1890 "At the residence of the bride's father, Capt . J. S. Bridges, of Catawba township Dec. 10th, Mr. Miles H. Ervin to Miss Sarah A. Bridges (marriage)."] J. B. Bridges - 2 Feb. 1857 to 4 June 1923 / Laura Wilson Bridges, his wife - 28 Jan. 1860 to 26 Apr. 1941 Margaret Cornelius, wife of J. B. Bridges 4 Dec. 1862 to 19 Nov. 1897 / Coyte Cornelius, their son 10 Sept. 1897 to 29 July 1917 J. A. Aderholdt - 3 April 1853 to 13 July 1938 [Was a committeeman for District 27, Flint Hill School, along with JH Pitts and Jacob Moore on 7 Sept. 1885.] Cordelia Bridges Aderholdt - 20 Dec. 1858 to 21 Nov. 1946 Catawba United Methodist Church 64 Pearl Aderholdt, wife of Charles B. Rufty, Sr. 22 July 1885 to 21 Oct. 1864 Joseph Henry Bridges, NC AS USNR WWII 8 Apr. 1924 to 18 Apr. 1957 Ed Bridges, Sr. - 29 Sept. 1887 to 30 Aug. 1973 / Estelle Croom Bridges - 4 Sept. 1897 to 28 May 1987 Ed Bridges, Jr. - 3 May 1918 to 19 Oct. 1988 Ora Sigmon Bridges - 28 Feb. 1902 to 16 Feb. 1984 Hoyte W. Bridges, US Navy, WWII 27 Mar. 1926 to 25 Nov. 1989 Thomas H. Myers, Sr. - 5 July 1931 to 24 Jan. 1963 Fanny M. Myers - 12 Feb. 1923 to 15 Jan. 1991 Infant, George Franklin Myers - 10 Oct. 1963 George W. Hubbard - 22 July 1924 to 12 June 1975 May Bridges Hubbard - 15 Aug. 1889 to 22 Aug. 1969 / Memphis M. Hubbard - 25 Nov. 1871 to 7 Apr. 1950 Donna Isabel Hubbard - 23 Sept. 1914 to 24 July 1928 Earl Clayton Myers - 27 Sept. 1910 to 3 Aug. 1989 / Married 13 May 1930 / Evelyn (Polly) Myers - 30 July 1912 to 17 May 1990 Everette F. Stewart - 23 Dec. 1925 to 19 June 1982 / Hazel W. Stewart - 31 Dec. 1925 to n.d. ROW #18 Dr. Hubert E. Booth - 12 Nov. 1903 to 9 Nov. 1976 Mildred H. Carpenter, wife of Dr. H. E. Booth 26 June 1912 to 26 Aug. 1974 Rev. J. H. Booth - 14 Feb. 1845 to 28 Oct. 1917 Frank E. Booth - 29 Aug. 1870 to 8 July 1954 Catawba United Methodist Church 65 i Lillian G. Sleuman, wife of F. E. Booth 29 Apr. 1871 to 29 Oct. 1944 Eugenia Gail Booth - 6 Mar. 1899 to 4 Sept. 1872 Charles A. McNeill - 22 July 1913 to 20 Dec. 1987 / Avery H. McNeill - 2 May 1872 to 17 Aug. 1925 / Janie Sleuman McNeill - 29 Dec. 1876 to 10 May 1958 / Infant daughter of A. H. & J. S. McNeill - 4 Apr. 1912 [The family Bibles of Charles A. McNeill and his father, Avery H. McNeill are in the possession of Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , author. Charles McNeill was a lawyer and graduate of Davidson College. Charles never married.] Charles H. Sleuman - 12 Sept. 1837 to 23 Dec. 1892 / Willie E., son of C. H. & J. E. Sleuman - 19 Oct. 1869 to 10 July 1870 / Jane E. Sleuman - 2 Aug. 1848 to 10 Jan. 1877 Sue A. Abernethy - 24 Dec. 1842 to 21 Jan. 1917 Turner Abernethy - 10 Dec. 1803 to 26 July 1881 / Elizabeth Abernethy - 10 Oct. 1807 to 18 June 1881 "Uncle Joe" - J. A. Sleuman - 1846 to 1914 Emma Y. Abernethy - 24 Mar. 1878 to 20 Nov. 1911 Aged 33y 7m 26d Mildred Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. O. Robinson 29 June 1908 - 7 July 1908 Samuel H. Abernethy - 22 July 1844 to 22 Jan. 1929 / Sarah R. Utley, wife of S. H. Abernethy 1 Jan. 1856 to 27 Mar. 1938 / Martha Gertrude Abernethy - 13 Oct. 1882 to 3 Sept. 1950 Charles Warren Gantt - 28 Feb. 1898 to 16 Aug. 1979 / Virginia Lowrance Gantt - 30 May 1898 to 31 Dec. 1984 Charles Hoyte Webber, NC PVT Quartermaster Corps, WWI 19 Sept. 1890 to 8 Feb. 1957 Esther B. Webber - 24 Sept. 1901 to 17 Nov. 1978 Catawba United Methodist Church 66 Debra Kay Brown - 1 July 1950 to 6 Oct. 1952 15th Air Force, S/SGT William Davis Brown 19 Feb. 1923 to 25 July 1974 / Vivian Stewart Brown - 22 Aug. 1924 to n.d. William Q. Jones - 24 Nov. 1911 to n.d. / Thelma W. Jones - 3 Apr. 1921 to n.d. ROW #19 John Rector Trollinger - 16 June 1892 to 1 Aug. 1948 Jacob H. Trollinger, Sr. - 18 Feb. 1841 to 22 Nov. 1927 [Jacob was a committeeman for the 28th School District for Catawba School along with John Lowrance and Q. M. Little on 7 Sept. 1885. Jacob was a magistrate for Catawba Township in April of 1891.] Ora E. Trollinger - 1891 to 1891 / Fannie L. Trollinger - 1893 to 1894 Mrs. Eunice B. Trollinger - 20 Feb. 1851 to 23 Jan. 1894 Jacob H. Trollinger, Jr. - 25 Sept. 1885 to 13 May 1914 James A. Trollinger - 27 Jan. 1870 to 4 Aug. 1889 [See the newspaper write-up for Addie Reid.] Myrtie Frances Abernethy, wife of Jacob Burton Cornelius 1 July 1876 to 29 Jan. 1955 0. F. Abernethy - 20 Oct. 1845 to 28 Mar. 1925 / Sarah A. Abernethy - 19 Dec. 1839 to 5 Apr. 1925 Annie Drum, daughter of Charles & Edith Drum - 1907 to 1915 Charles Henry Drum - 1877 to 1956 Edith A. Drum - 1878 to 1966 Frances Elizabeth, daughter of A. J. & F. F. Yount 9 Aug. 1912 to 20 Nov. 1913 Infant daughter of M. S. & S. Winecoff 15 July 1916 to 26 July 1916 Catawba United Methodist Church 67 Virginia Bland Winecoff - 30 Dec. 1919 to 13 Feb. 1943 Marvin S. Winecoff - 19 Nov. 1882 to 8 Nov. 1966 / Shirley A. Winecoff - 28 July 1882 to 17 Dec. 1983 Robey, son of J. J. and S. F. Smith - 11 Oct. 1888 to 24 Apr, 1890 John J. Smith - 1858 to 1924 / Susan F. Smith - 1861 to 1931 f The Enterprise - 7 June 1889 "Rumor says that John J. Smith has been, or will be appointed post master, at this place (Catawba)." John J. Smith ran a store in Catawba's town. Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , author, has transcribed a ledger that belonged to Mr. Smith. This ledger belongs to the Raymer sisters of Newton, NC , but was forwarded to Mrs. Sherrill via Fred Smith of Catawba, NC. ] Bessie L. Smith - 24 Nov. 1883 to 4 Sept. 1975 Vivian Smith - 1915 to 1951 Vallie M. Smith - 1890 to 1959 J. Arthur Smith - 1885 to 1966 Bobby Frankin, infant son of L. F. & Alice Murray - 30 Apr. 1931 Will Rogers Murray - 15 Oct. 1932 to 18 Aug. 1958 Lloyd Frank Murray - 26 Feb. 1906 to 2 Sept. 1990 / Alice Shuford Murray - 5 Mar. 1910 to n.d. Ruth Shuford Pruitt - 25 Dec. 1904 to 22 May 1974 William L. Shuford - 6 May 1871 to 12 July 1949 / Ella Massey Shuford - 27 Aug. 1873 to 19 Jan. 1948 ROW #20 Charles J. Henry, S/SGT US ARMY, WWII 28 Mar. 1918 to 20 Apr. 1981 Catawba United Methodist Church 68 Thomas T., son of J. T. & A. G. Troutman 12 Nov. 1920 to 11 Dec. 1920 John T. Troutman - 2 Aug. 1887 to 15 Dec. 1973 / Annie W. Troutman - 8 Jan. 1895 to 6 Sept. 1982 Gordon Alexander Drum - 13 July 1913 to n.d. / Frances Scott T. Drum - 8 Mar. 1925 to n.d. Louisa A., daughter of H. G. & N. C. Harris 9 Feb. 1918 to 2 May 1919 Winnie Wike - 15 Dec. 1894 to 15 Apr. 1919 Age 25y 4m D. L. Wike - 31 Oct. 1860 to 12 Apr. 1925 Alice Huitt Wike - 30 Sept. 1864 to 29 Feb. 1948 Frank Cline, son of W. A. & Ollie Spencer 12 Oct. 1921 to 1 June 1923 William A. Spencer - 21 June 1892 to 20 July 1952 Ollie Cline Spencer - 14 Apr. 1892 to 25 Oct. 1980 Fred J. Travis, Jr. - 28 Apr. 1964 to 30 Apr. 1964 Robert L. Travis - 11 Apr. 1899 to 1 May 1971 Betty E. Travis - 30 Apr. 1905 to 19 Oct. 1983 George L. Travis - 13 Feb. 1928 to 22 Apr. 1928 Wade Coleman Raymer, DDS - 16 Mar. 1892 to 2 Apr. 1959 Mary Maude Smith Raymer - 4 Sept. 1890 to 21 Dec. 1981 Ernest E. Deal - 16 Nov. 1896 to 23 Oct. 1950 / Ruth R. Deal - 14 June 1901 to n.d. Berlie Brice Frye, NC PVT 1322 SVC COMD UNIT, WWII 23 July 1909 to 4 June 1967 Dorothy Deal Grooms - 1919 to 1988 Thomas Wayland, son of Thomas H. & Betty N. Jones 26 Feb. 1971 to 5 Mar. 1971 Catawba United Methodist Church 69 ROW #21 Thomas F. Shuford - 12 Oct. 1848 to 30 Oct. 1928 Hibernia Martin, wife of T. F. Shuford - 1850 to 1920 George Q. Shuford - 17 Jan. 1873 to 19 Apr. 1945 Hubert M. Travis - 9 Jan. 1920 to 28 Nov. 1923 ROW #22 Parlier Boggs - 19 Oct. 1922 to 12 Oct. 1924 Fitzhugh Boggs - 11 Mar. 1899 to 25 Mar. 1949 Chester Kale Boggs - 28 July 1909 to 13 Feb. 1980 Frances Sherrill , wife of Robert L. Boggs, Sr. 17 July 1908 to 2 Oct. 1977 Robert L. Boggs, Sr. - 18 Dec. 1907 to 13 Jan. 1969 Ralph R. Boggs - 7 Jan. 1886 to 18 Nov. 1956 Zelda Lee Kale, wife of Ralph R. Boggs 14 Nov. 1884 to 17 May 1954 Hughey Y. Frazier, NC PVT Co. E, 57 Regt, NC Inf., CSA 1830 to 1865 Robert C. Frazier - 22 Aug. 1861 to 20 Oct. 1931 Martha Ann Wilson, wife of Robert C. Frazier 15 Apr. 1865 to 6 Oct. 1950 Beulah L. Frazier - 4 May 1886 to 7 Sept. 1967 George Fox, husband of Harriette H. Fox 20 June 1859 to 9 Sept. 1931 Harriette Fox - 22 May 1855 to 21 Dec. 1927 Dallas E. Fox - 12 June 1886 to 6 July 1963 / Jennie P. Fox - 30 July 1886 to 22 Feb. 1931 Henry J. Sigmon - 8 July 1929 to 21 July 1929 Rachel Louise Travis - 19 Feb. 1967 to 28 May 1967 P. K. Travis - 4 Sept. 1872 to 16 Sept. 1945 / Catawba United Methodist Church 70 Mary Etta Allen Travis - 16 Oct. 1872 to 2 Nov. 1937 Everette Baxter Travis - 11 Aug. 1931 to 28 June 1982 Mary Ella Huffman - 14 Sept. 1916 to 26 May 1931 Daniel Lafate Huffman - 18 May 1882 to 11 Apr. 1954 / Pearl Travis Huffman - 29 Apr. 1889 to 13 June 1966 Garland E. Huffman - 2 June 1911 to 2 September 1991 / Kathleen Eades Huffman - 9 May 1924 to n.d. ROW #23 John L. F. Danner - 13 Oct. 1844 to 3 Mar. 1928 / Effie M. Danner - 3 June 1875 to 19 Aug. 1960 Edna Eula Danner - 3 Oct. 1900 to 5 Mar. 1988 John Samuel Alexander Danner - 30 Aug. 1906 to 9 Oct. 1975 Blanche Elizabeth Smyre Danner - 28 Sept. 1904 to 10 July 1980 John Samuel Danner, Jr. - 14 June 1946 to 12 Dec. 1946 Margaret S. Danner - 18 Nov. 1842 to 1 Apr. 1934 Alice C. A. Danner - 23 Dec. 1858 to 30 Dec. 1932 Martha S. Danner - 2 Oct. 1851 to 4 July 1938 Ross E. Frazier - 25 Oct. 1890 to 3 Sept. 1943 Robert Lee Frazier - 13 Aug. 1897 to 14 June 1964 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Worth W. Frazier, b. & d. 15 Nov. 1930 ROW #24 Jasper Hubert Bissette - 25 Aug. 1921 to 26 May 1990 / Murrell Coulter Bissette - 2 Mar. 1917 to 11 Oct. 1987 John Henry, son of G. P. & Julia E. Coulter - 13 May 1925 Julia Stroud Coulter - 15 Apr. 1891 to 16 Aug. 1970 / George Phillip Coulter - 10 Mar. 1892 to 30 Oct. 1961 FATHER - E. Alex Witherspoon - 11 Sept. 1859 to 29 Nov. 1935 Catawba United Methodist Church 71 / MOTHER - Mollie E. Witherspoon - 26 Nov. 1860 to 31 Jan. 1926 [E. Alex was a delegate to the Democratic Convention on 24 Aug 1892. ] Georgia Witherspoon Green - 4 May 1895 to 15 Apr. 1953 Henry A. Witherspoon - 20 Dec. 1889 to 20 Sept. 1971 Rachel A. Witherspoon - 28 July 1884 to 3 Aug. 1955 Lewis F. Danner - 18 Mar. 1865 to 13 May 1946 / Annie Hunsucker Danner - 3 Aug. 1870 to 7 Dec. 1939 M. Elizabeth Jones, wife of J F. Gilleland 4 June 1871 to 5 Feb. 1932 Aleda A. Gilleland, Capt . US Army, WWII 26 Sept. 1906 to 25 Jan. 1978 SON, Corp. Thomas M. Gilleland - 27 Feb. 1898 to 24 Feb. 1943 Co. D., 105 Supply Train, 30 Div. Edgar Eugene Smith - 17 Dec. 1886 to 7 June 1979 / Mabel Gilleland Smith - 24 Sept. 1896 to 17 Aug. 1962 Martha S. Yount - 17 Nov. 1882 to 20 Jan. 1965 FATHER - John Conley Yount - 4 Jan. 1883 to 8 July 1973 / MOTHER - Mary Ida Yount - 22 Nov. 1873 to 29 Nov. 1948 Ivey Glenn Sigmon - 1 May 1903 to 8 Jan. 1976 / Mary Beatrice S. Sigmon - 24 Apr. 1909 to 4 Feb. 1968 Edward J. Lessnau - 22 Oct. 1907 to 13 Feb. 1988 Shirley Sigmon Lessnau - 17 May 1936 to n.d. ROW #25 Woodrow W. Campbell, SC PVT , 302 Inf., 94 Inf. Div. WWII 8 Oct. 1917 to 28 Feb. 1945 Magdalene Miller Yount - 22 Aug. 1854 to 21 Dec. 1947 / Laban Elisha Yount - 25 June 1854 to 9 Aug. 1927 Alfred T. Queen - 21 June 1881 to 4 June 1925 / Catawba United Methodist Church 72 Lovie Y. Queen - 29 Dec. 1895 to 23 Apr. 1970 R. E. Robinson - 13 July 1874 to 17 July 1928 / Minnie B. Reinhardt Robinson - 15 Mar. 1883 to 20 Sept. 1931 Annie Mae Robinson - 1907 to 1991 Bertie L. Robinson - 31 Oct. 1909 to 21 June 1988 Josephine E. Robinson - 1 Sept. 1905 to 4 June 1943 / George W. Robinson - 27 Aug. 1901 to 6 June 1960 Ruth H. Robinson - 11 Aug. 1916 to 16 June 1989 Manson L. Wilkinson - 1 Oct. 1888 to 11 June 1960 Jessie Bandy Wilkinson - 1 Sept. 1892 to 23 Nov. 1966 Robert H. Brown - 15 Nov. 1880 to 9 Sept. 1950 Attwood S. Brown - 3 Jan. 1882 to 5 Oct. 1964 Bobby Carroll Shell - 16 Feb. 1938 to 23 July 1983 Donald R. Albert, US Air Force - 19 Feb. 1944 to 27 Aug. 1988 ROW #26 Pink McReynolds Dunlap - 23 Nov. 1872 to 23 Feb. 1963 / Dora Lela Yount Dunlap - 17 Dec. 1879 to 8 Apr. 1931 Dan H. Gaddy, Sr. - 23 Dec. 1907 to 1 Apr. 1970 / Sue D. Gaddy - 13 Sept. 1907 to 16 Feb. 1980 Elbert M. Suthard, Sr. - 13 June 1895 to 19 Dec. 1970 / Lela D. Suthard - 11 Nov. 1904 to 5 Oct. 1971 Dora B. Robinson - 29 Dec. 1877 to 21 Feb. 1965 Ruth Robinson - 11 Apr. 1915 to 22 Mar. 1931 Fred Gordon Robinson, NC PVT , US Army, WWII 14 Aug. 1907 to 15 May 1960 William 0. Robinson - 6 Aug. 1907 to 27 Aug. 1939 Killed James Leroy, son of Carson and Annie Lineberger 16 Feb. 1924 to 27 Aug. 1939 Killed Catawba United Methodist Church 73 Onnie B. Robinson, wife of Carson Lineberger 8 Dec. 1898 to 15 Nov. 1932 James Robinson - 26 Mar. 1876 to 14 Nov. 1932 Mary P. Holdsclaw, wife of James Robinson 27 Feb. 1874 to 22 Aug. 1960 J. Daniel Gantt - 20 Oct. 1881 to 1 June 1936 Pearl Wike Gantt - 25 Sept. 1886 to 17 May 1958 N. Faye Gantt - 26 Sept. 1907 to 8 Sept. 1931 Tate L. Gantt - 20 Aug. 1919 to 9 Oct. 1955 John D. Gantt, NC S/SGT Co. B, 4 AVN BN 4 INS DIV 18 Oct. 1927 to 5 Apr. 1964 ROW #27 W. Cephas Elmore - 5 June 1872 to 29 Jan. 1934 / Mary I. Mackey Elmore - 20 Sept. 1871 to 27 Sept. 1928 John Henry Elmore - 26 Aug. 1901 to n.d. Grace Miller Elmore - 16 Aug. 1902 to 19 Mar. 1980 John Luther Rufty - 30 Nov. 1936 to 15 Aug. 1986 Thurman G. Elmore - 1896 to 1977 / Bertha R. Elmore - 1895 to 1971 Guy R. Elmore - 20 Aug. 1925 to 31 Mar. 1985 / Loretta S. Elmore - 24 Apr. 1927 to n.d. Guy Dwight Elmore - 18 Jan. 1952 to n.d. Garland E. Elmore - 8 Oct. 1909 to 31 May 1969 / Catherine N. Elmore - 14 Mar. 1910 to n.d. Infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. E. Elmore - 13 May 1932 John F. Miller - 14 May 1904 to 31 Jan. 1983 / Bertha H. Miller - 11 Sept. 1897 to 23 Sept. 1977 / Margie Levernus Miller - 10 Apr. 1930 to 15 July 1931 Catawba United Methodist Church 74 Silas Carl Wike - 8 Sept. 1891 to 17 Aug. 1980 / Essie C. Wike - 23 Nov. 1897 to 19 Sept. 1864 Addison Ernest Croom - 11 June 1872 to 8 Feb. 1936 ROW #28 Henry William Harris - 11 Nov. 1895 to 20 May 1929 / Katie Coulter Harris - 3 Aug. 1898 to 3 Nov. 1984 John J. Coulter- 5 Aug. 1886 to 4 July 1950 / Mamie Coulter Leiby - 18 Mar. 1875 to 5 July 1942 James M. Cook - 1891 to 1961 / Emma T. Cook - 1894 to 1931 Charlie Hubert Cook - 1915 to 1985 ROW #29 Carl Worth Ervin - 1 May 1895 to 9 Jan. 1955 Contractor/Deacon/Sunday School Superintendent Cecil Lorene Pope [Ervin] - 19 Feb. 1896 to 14 Oct. 1956 Noah A. Pope - 30 July 1855 to 16 Aug. 1942 / Aletha Little Pope - 5 Sept. 1858 to 21 Mar. 1930 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Ervin - 3 Jan. 1934 C. Worth Ervin, Jr. - 7 Aug. 1916 to 15 Apr. 1950 Fred Sherrill - 10 Nov. 1860 to 8 Feb. 1944 / Laura Sherrill - 11 Apr. 1859 to 1 Nov. 1940 James W. Miller - 18 Apr. 1869 to 14 Feb. 1941 / Harriet E. Baker Miller - 29 Sept. 1870 to 1 July 1957 Bertha Pearl Miller - 25 Jan. 1897 to 25 Sept. 1963 Annie Mae Miller - 15 Nov. 1892 to 12 Dec. 1981 Infant son of James & Thelma Matthews - 17 May 1944 to 19 May 1944 Pamelia Jean Mathews - 26 Mar. 1949 to 17 Apr. 1960 Catawba United Methodist Church 75 James C. Matthews, Sr. - 13 Mar. 1920 to 6 Mar. 1983 / Married 10 Aug. 1946 / Virginia G. Matthews - 13 Mar. 1923 to n.d. Jimmy Eugene Matthews, son of Oren & Beulah Matthews 26 Sept. 1936 to 2 July 1954 Orin J. Matthews - 12 Oct. 1900 to 15 Nov. 1978 / Beulah M. Matthews - 9 Mar. 1901 to 23 Oct. 1987 ROW #30 Arthur G. Miller - 27 Feb. 1899 to 3 Nov. 1983 / Zelda Mae Stewart Miller - 16 May 1903 to 25 Dec. 1930 Arthur G. Miller, Jr. - 6 May 1924 to 10 Oct. 1986 Louise M. Harris - 25 May 1922 to 17 Apr. 1988 James F. Miller, SGT US ARMY - 15 Sept. 1916 to 3 June 1978 Jonas F. Miller - 18 July 1869 to 27 Mar. 1944 / Arfa A. Miller - 20 Mar. 1876 to 31 Mar. 1970 Fred Lee Miller - 1919 to 1956 Sarah E. Miller - 20 Jan. 1897 to 20 June 1944 / Jonas E. Miller - 9 Sept. 1892 to 26 May 1971 Frances M. Miller, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Miller 3 Apr. 1928 to 8 July 1932 James R. Miller - 8 July 1867 to 23 Mar. 1941 ROW #31 H. Guy Rowe - 31 Oct. 1886 to 25 May 1932 / Rosa Lee Yount Rowe - 18 Jan. 1891 to 25 May 1932 / Daughter, Mae Elizabeth Rowe - 9 May 1913 to 25 May 1932 Billy Ray Elmore - 26 Sept. 1942 to 1 Oct. 1942 Delphia E. Barnes - 26 Aug. 1929 to 25 Jan. 1966 Edgar L. Elmore - 21 Mar. 1907 to n.d. Catawba United Methodist Church 76 Bessie M. Elmore - 30 Nov. 1908 to n.d. Raymond L. Travis - 12 Sept. 1936 to 11 Sept. 1988 / Married 6 Oct. 1956 / Shirley E. Travis - 25 Apr. 1938 to n.d. Charles L. Holler - 18 July 1871 to 14 Mar. 1947 / Hattie A. Holler - 25 Apr. 1877 to 24 Apr. 1950 Mamie Hollar Byers - 25 July 1905 to 23 Nov. 1948 Cecil H. Holler, CPL US Army - 16 June 1919 to 14 Mar. 1975 / Ruby L. Holler - 5 Apr. 1922 to n.d. Ira A. Moser - 23 May 1865 to 28 Feb. 1948 / Evia M. Moser - 31 Jan. 1883 to 19 Mar. 1969 Garry F. Travis - 22 Aug. 1945 to 2 Dec. 1945 ROW #32 J. Franklin Fish - 12 Oct. 1881 to 17 Oct. 1963 / S. Genelia Fish - 17 Mar. 1882 to 4 Dec. 1935 William F. Epps - 23 Oct. 1872 to 19 Dec. 1963 / Pearl Moose Epps - 1887 to 1969 Winnie M. Blazer - 13 Oct. 1913 to 17 Aug. 1970 / David W. Blazer - 24 Nov. 1906 to n.d. Henry J. Setzer - 8 June 1891 to 15 June 1961 / Mattie Pope Setzer - 20 May 1888 to 17 Aug. 1961 Robert Newton Waters - 26 Jan. 1931 to 28 Jan. 1948 Naomi Brown Waters - 8 Dec. 1902 to 5 Aug. 1979 / Rev. Albert Roy Waters - 20 June 1893 to 16 July 1973 Alice E. Huffman - 23 Jan. 1916 to n.d. / Willie R. Huffman - 26 May 1909 to 28 July 1964 Whit Huffman - 28 Feb. 1880 to 14 July 1948 / Catawba United Methodist Church 77 Ina Huffman - 4 Sept. 1871 to 2 Jan. 1949 J. H. Tolliver - 31 Jan. 1867 to 15 Feb. 1949 Charlie Baxter Gantt - 14 Jan. 1887 to 24 Aug. 1972 Zella M. Warren Gantt - 30 Mar. 1894 to 28 Dec. 1947 ROW #33 Guy Henry Brown - 18 May 1895 to 11 June 1976 Anna Roberta S. (Bertie) Brown - 28 June 1894 to 15 June 1971 Carlos Guy Brown, son of G. H. and A. R. Brown 11 Jan. 1916 to 1 Nov. 1937 Killed by Car in Winston-Salem Raymond J. Frye - 1887 to 1958 Bertha M. Frye - 1895 to 1973 Richard Glenn, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. E. Ervin 26 Feb. 1947 to 1 Mar. 1947 Walter E. Ervin - 13 June 1926 to 26 Jan. 1989 / Rachel M. Ervin - 16 June 1928 to n.d. Randy Lee Miller, Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Miller 23 Oct. 1951 to 25 Oct. 1951 Lester E. Miller - 27 Aug. 1894 to 4 Oct. 1965 Kenneth R. Miller - 12 Apr. 1933 to n.d. - End of Cemetery Listing - [Editor's Note: Hopefully, the newspaper records have helped the reader realize more fully that the names and dates appearing on tombstones were real people. We tend to forget, in our research, that these people existed. They were loved by someone, had unique lives, and each personal goals. I hope, also, that in some instances similar or close death dates within family units will stir a curiosity within that will lead to the pursuit of answers. Catawba United Methodist Church has steadily progressed. Its present church and congregation are of old stock, family names that have been in the area since its formation. The elderly are not forgotten in that the younger members visit with them and make them feel a valuable part of the church. The elderly have still so much to offer. Catawba United Methodist Church 78 Activities the church participates in are: a senior citiz
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Title | Smyrna Society/Catawba United Methodist Church, Catawba, North Carolina |
Other Title | Catawba United Methodist Church; Smyrna Society Catawba United Methodist Church |
Creator | Sherrill, Elizabeth Bray. |
Contributor | Smyrna Society (N.C.) |
Date | 1991 |
Subjects |
Catawba United Methodist Church (Catawba, N.C.)--History North Caroliniana Methodists--North Carolina--Catawba County Catawba County (N.C.)--Church history |
Place |
Catawba County, North Carolina, United States |
Time Period |
(1820-1860) Antebellum (1860-1876) Civil War and Reconstruction |
Description | "August, 1991." |
Publisher | Sherrills Ford, NC : E.B. Sherrill, [1991] |
Rights | Religion in North Carolina see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/ref/collection/p249901coll37/id/23786 |
Physical Characteristics | 140 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
Collection |
General Collection. State Library of North Carolina |
Type | text |
Language | English |
Format | Vital statistics records |
Digital Characteristics-A | 7919 KB; 308 p. |
Digital Collection | General Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | gen_religion_smyrnasocietycatawba1991.pdf |
Full Text | ( >— rna * * sSocidy Satmuba tfhofttetr It f( .»' 'H Wjz* -?. r<^- By ELIZABETH BRAY SHERRILL, CGRS • -••• Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/smyrnasocietycatOOeliz 3E3SOQQSOSSQQSQQSE State Library of North Carolina D Raleigh Presented by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill 3BE3SQQQQQQOSBQQB This book is dedicated to Donna B. Brown, my dear friend. I truly appreciate her assistance, sweet and loving disposition, gentle nature, caring manner, and genuine faith. Donna is a breath of fresh air in a struggling society, a person from whom I have learned much and desire to be like. $25 ppd SMYRNA SOCIETY/CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS . All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America by International Minute Press, 1722 Hwy . 70 S.E., Hickory, NC 28602, USA. SPECIAL NOTE TO THE READER Tombstone information transcribed for this book were done to the best of this author's ability. so II. The 1860 Smyrna Class Book is TRANSCRIBED, meaning every word was copied EXACTLY as it was written in 1860 .... misspell ings , mark-outs, non-capitalized names, bad punctuation , etc . Please do not judge the recordings as the author's fault. III. In order to help create the feeling of reality that the people appearing in this book were real people, information about them was extracted from The Enterprise , the earliest newspaper that covered the southeastern section of Catawba County, NC . The earliest existing issue was dated 1879. IV. A full name index has been compiled for you beginning on Page 110 for your convenience. V. If you have any comments or questions with regard to this book, please write to the author at: SHERRILL INVESTIGATIONS, Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , 2263 Mollys Backbone Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673. Phone #704-478-2469. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your reply. Thank-you ! fLtnixth. <&. AJiohmjPL raw Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS ' SMYRNA SOCIETY/CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA BY Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS August, 1991 Catawba United Methodist Church TABLE OF CONTENTS Smyrna Society-1860 Smyrna Methodist Church and Cemetery Listings 1 Smyrna Methodist Mentioned In Rev. Branson's Directories ... 8 Class Book of Smyrna Society-1860 [Transcription] 10 Catawba United Methodist Church - It's Beginning 31 Catawba's First Minister, Rev. Wesley M. Bagby 31A [ Picture ] List of Pastors 32 Rev. Beverly Wilson, Catawba's 18th Minister 35A [Picture] Circuit Chronology 38 Church Improvements 38 Outstanding Members, Sharing, Homecoming 40 Catawba United Methodist Church Cemetery Listings 41 [With 1879-1895 Newton Enterprise information when available] Church Register of the Catawba Circuit, WNC Conference 79 Register of Marriages , 80 Register of Infant Baptisms 83 Register of Members - Catawba 102 Conclusion 109 Full Name Index 110 Questions/Comments 140 Smyrna Society - 1860 SMYRNA METHODIST CHURCH Catawba, NC Smyrna Methodist Society had its beginning sometime well before the War Between the States, however, the only record of its existence begins in 1860. The church and its cemetery were loca-ted just outside the little village of Catawba, in Catawba County, NC , but all that remains are remnants of the past that take the form of old tombstones, field stones, and an abundance of ground indentions . From the town of Newton, NC , the cemetery is located just off of Highway #10. In other words, travel down Highway #10 toward Catawba, turn right onto Hudson Chapel Road; follow the road around a curve, passing several fields; and, the cemetery is loca-ted on the left side of the road. It is said that white people were buried on the left side of the cemetery, while black people were buried on the right; however, the cemetery grounds are now being utilized exclusively for black residents to 'jury their loved ones, as many black churches in the area do not have attached burying grounds. The cemetery is now named Smyrna Memorial Park. Before I begin recording the history of Smyrna, I would like to list all the tombstone inscriptions within the cemetery. The first grave has no marker but a red, mud indention exists . Ralph L. White, 7 March 1926 - 8 December 1985 "The last mile of the way" - Married 24 November 1949 Naomi T. White, 16 May 1926 - no date "When I've gone the last mile of the way, I will rest at the close of the day, And I know there are joys that await me When I've gone the last mile of the way" Ralph L. White, US Navy, WWII, 7 March 1926 - 8 December 1985 Charles "Doc" White, 25 February 1914 - 25 March 1988 "Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound That Saved A Wretch Like Me" Married Saturday, April 11, 1942 Zelda R. White, 27 December 1914 - no date Head: "Gone But Not Forgotten" Thomas Griffin Springs, 1932 - 1983 / [Piano on Stone] "Come and go with me to my Father's house" Foot: Thomas G. Springs, CPL, US Army, Korea Smyrna Society 2 7 October 1932 - 30 March 1983 Garvin G. Abernathy, 15 January 1897 - 13 March 1979 Inez Clark Abernathy, 1 April 1895 - no date Robert L. Vinson, 2 September 1923 - no date "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal" Josephine M. Vinson, 1 January 1922 - 16 June 1974 "Our love goes with you and our souls wait to join you" Marian M. Lewis, 7 October 1912 - 8 June 1989 Clay Christopher Robinson (Photo on the tombstone) 29 June 1960 - 30 September 1989 Son of Henry Clay and Betty Robinson (Baseball glove, bat, and ball on flat stone covering grave and the nickname, "Fuzzy" below the symbols] "We shall meet again - Love Brenda, Cynthia, Jeffrey, Carol, Shumika" No Name, 1977 - 1978 Mother, Nora Lewis, 7 March 1889 - 18 June 1964 Justin P. Smith, 1979 - 1980 John Champion, no dates Ruth M. Wilson, 1926 - 1989 Head: Charlie Paul Lewis, 1920 - 1990 Foot: Charlie P. Lewis, Tec 5, US Army, WWII 12 May 1920-19 February 1990 John Wesley Miller, 15 May 1899 - 7 February 1968 Edna F. Hull Miller, 19 December 1914 - no date "Rusty" Harold Morocco Miller 13 September 1945 - 6 August 1963 Richard K. Wright, Sr. , 5 October 1914 - 11 October 1965 J. M. - no dates Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home Marker [Not in Place] Smyrna Society 3 Marion Tyson Edwards, 1932 - 1973 J. C. Anthony, Jr., NC CPL US Army, Korea 30 December 1928 - 26 September 1971 Jay C. Anthony, 2 May 1903 - 28 December 1968 Married 11 April 1925 Zelda C. Anthony, 20 April 1900 - 27 August 1975 A Billy Anthony was ? [Broken stone/illegible. Child's grave.] John Eddie Templeton, 12 April 1895 - 22 April 1957 "Now cometh eternal rest" Rodney 0. Hu\tt, 18 May 1905 - 7 February 1986 "Precious Lord, take my hand" Gertrude Champion Huitt, 13 March 1910 - no date Minnie Blanch Ervin, 25 August 1883 - 22 December 1952 David Ervin, 16 October 1869 - 17 April 1956 Claudis Ford Bond, NC Tec 5, 3310 QM Truck Co., WWII 6 June 1914 - 27 January 1966 Married 25 November 1943 "When we all get to Heaven" Husband of Gladys S. Bond Roy Justin Roseman, 1901 - 1986 William Roseman, 4 April 1876 - 10 February 1946 Lillian Roseman, 15 June 1878 - 12 July 1943 "Thy God has claimed thee as His own" "A Loving Brother," Willie "King" Roseman, 1907 - 1956 Cecil Roy Huitt, Sr. , 1930 - 1989 Joe Willie Drake, 1918 - 1990 Laneecha Tyson, 1979 - 1980 "Daughter," Daisy Pauline Tyson, 17 July 1927 - no date "Father," Taft L. Tyson, 16 August 1908 - 14 May 1984 Webster Odell Tyson, 22 September 1919 - 9 May 1977 "In Memory of Our Beloved Father" Smyrna Society 4 Albert Covington, 1895 - 1990 Rev. James E. Bond, 1879 - 1956 Henrietta W. Bond, 1880 - 1960 Mitchell L. Williams, 2 November 1927 - 22 May 1941 Gloria J. Williams, 14 April 1945 - 20 January 1946 Henry Sam Williams, 19 February 1906 - 5 December 1970 Louvie Bond Williams, 19 June 1907 - 2 June 1964 [The above four inscriptions are near a rather large tombstone that is engraved with a "Family Tree." I have never seen a tombstone like it before in all my meanderings and it is a magnificent idea as it lists the parents' names at the top, children and their birth years below. The parents' marriage date appears in a heart located at the bottom of the tree.] Henry S. | Louvie B. *THE WILLIAMS^ Cleophas 1932 Thelma "Pam" 1934 Gloria 1945-1946 Shirley 1947 "We have no greater joy than to hear our children walk in truth" Paul L. Williams, 1904 - 1980 Agnes B. Williams, 1905 - no date Vera F. Williamson, 1903 - 1962 Eugene L. Williamson, 1902 - 1980 Clifton D. Miller, 27 July 1920 - 2 June 1939 Francis O. Miller, 16 April 1923 - 9 July 1939 Bessie C. Miller, 28 July 1901 - 11 October 1939 Fred D. Miller, 19 March 1895 - 21 April 1950 Smyrna Society 5 Jessie Wilson, 19 September 1897 - 18 June 1939 James Miller Baby, 1958 - 1958 W. C. Covington, 14 April 1871 - 12 June 1940 Fannie A. Covington, 18 December 1871 - 16 October 1972 Cleveland Tyson, 12 July 1885 - 24 February 1963 Charlie W. Tyson, 19 February 1887 - 2 September 1964 "Father" "The rose still grows beyond the wall" Sallie Parker Tyson, 18 March 1890 - 8 January 1965 "Mother" "With her life she wrote a Book" "The Lord is my shepherd" Marshall Dewitt Tyson, 7 July 1917 - 9 August 1973 "Loving wife and children" Winford C. Tyson, 16 April 1913 - 4 July 1976 "Precious Lord, take my hand" Pandora H. Tyson, 27 April 1910 - 1990 Stanley Lavon Farley, 2 June 1967 - 11 June 1967 Cindy Nichole Farley, 29 July 1970 - 9 December 1970 Bessie James Hewitt, 7 February 1906 - 26 December 1982 Roy Hosie Hewitt, 20 March 1907 - 12 March 1970 Annie, wife of Richard Thompson, 15 August 1899 - 20 July 1914 [Editor's Note: Because this marker seemed to be old and it was covered deeply with briars, I checked the information thereon, as well as the older markers, against death certificates at the Catawba County Register of Deeds Office, Newton, NC. I learned the following about Annie Thompson, wife of Richard: Deaths, Book 1, Page 144 - Annie Adams Thompson Born: 15 August 1899 in Iredell Co., NC Died: 20 July 1914, Catawba Co., NC Mulatto Age: 14y 11m 5d Died of: Typhoid Fever Parents: Richard Adams, b. Iredell Co., NC Hettie Adams, b. Catawba Co., NC Informant: Richard Thompson Buried: Smyrna Cemetery] Judy Adams, Died February, 1926 R. H. Adams, 1874 - 1909 Many buried field stones and lots of identions. Virginia Cornelius Collier, 1912 - 1990 Smyrna Society 6 Henry Robinson, 18 August 1913 - no date Rosie C. Robinson, 17 January 1917 - 21 April 1990 [The following old tombstones are buried in a grown-up strip of land between the cleared cemetery land and a ploughed up field. There is a possibility that the white section is unmarked now due to age, or was where the ploughed up land is now.] Elitha Sherrill was born Nov. 16 1832 [stone broken in half and leaning up against a tree in the top left corner of the cemetery] And died Jan. 15, 1893 Also Names of Adolphs Sherrill, Jos. Sherrill, Jessie Sherrill In Memory of Mary Sherrill 1834 [illegible] In Memory of Benjamin Sherrell died July 9th 1852 Aged 83y 5m 4d [Mary and Benjamin's tombstones were difficult to read being that they were buried deep within the thicket.] 2 unmarked tombstones Jane C. Consort of J. T. Harwell &. Dau. of J. A. & R. C. Milligan Died Feb. 1st 1870 Aged 39?y 5m 2d [Editor's Note: In the Smyrna 1860 Class Book appearing immediately following the cemetery listing, a Jane C. Milligan Harwell is listed in 1869 as being a member.] M. E. Wycoff died Sept 4th 1857 Aged 5y 10m lid Margaret wife of W. H. Lawrence [in woods] Born 21 December 1848 - Died 4 August 1929 Aged 80y 7m Id William H. Laurence [stone illegible] Glenn Earl Danner, 1950 - 1977 Gordon Lee Whitner, 1907 - 1985 Dora Danner Smith, 2 October 1924 - 17 January 1974 "The Lord is my shepherd" Minnie Mack, 1880 - 1972 Paul V. Scott, 1907 - 1973 Lee Ernest Nash, Jr., 23 November 1907 - 1 February 1979 Jannie Wallace Nash, December, 1905 - no date Smyrna Society 7 South Carolina Funeral Home Marker, illegible Red mud soaked the paper behind the loose glass Espy M. Clark, 19 May 1923 - 22 January 1985 "Our Father which" Cardelia C. Clark, 17 August 1925 - 26 December 1983 "Art in Heaven" Ketwan Jerell McCorkle, 22 November 1988 - 24 November 1988 "Jesus loves me this I know" Floyd Lewis Adams, 19 October 1905 - 4 April 1976 In Loving Memory Lois S. Adams, 2 June 1902 - 7 June 1983 James Lewis Clark, 1918 - 1988 James Clyde Keaton, 1905 - 1989 Bertha Azalee Keaton, 1906 - 1988 Pink Miller, 20 October 1881 - 19 November 1927 Oscar Alfred Carson, Jr., 25 December 1923 - 27 December 1989 Family Plot Head: James Edward Carson, 29 September 1927 - 28 March 1988 Foot: James E. Carson, US Air Force, 29 September 1927 - 28 March 1988 Laura Elizabeth Carson, 19 November 1925 - 6 June 1988 Alfred Quentin Howell, 1 November 1947 - 24 November 1974 Oscar Alfred Carson, Sr. , 21 October 1888 - 7 December 1971 "The Lord is my Shepherd" Ruby Farrer Carson, 20 June 1891 - 20 October 1969 "There are no partings in Heaven" Bishop Paul A. Carson, 7 June 1900 - 31 March 1980 "Precious Lord take my hand" Greta R. Carson, 11 February 1903 - no date Anna R. Miller, 20 June 1875 - 13 October 1964 Pink Miller, NC CPL, 1954 QM Truck Co., WWII 12 February 1918 - 28 February 1965 Greta Rosa Hewitt Carson, 11 February 1903 - 24 August 1990 - End of Cemetery Listings - Smyrna Society 8 Smyrna Methodist Church, according to A HISTORY OF CATAWBA COUNTY [Charles J. Preslar, Jr., Rowan Printing Company, Salisbury, NC , 1954], was founded "about 1869" and was located "probably in the Newton area." According to the "1860 Class Book of the Smyrna Society," in care of Catawba Methodist Church, Catawba, NC , the Smyrna Church was located in the Catawba area, and it was founded well before the War Between the States, as previously mentioned. In A HISTORY OF THE CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH by Thomas H. Jones [Special thanks to Misses Lorene &. Winona Leonard], THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CENTENNIAL, 1876 - 1976, Mr. Jones records the following information. The oldest official records of the church are in the Class Book of 1860. Quarterly conference records are available from 1885, and there are a few remaining minutes of church organizations. Mr. Jones states, "From all available evidence, it seems that the original Methodist church of Catawba was called Smyrna. It was located one mile southwest of the present church (in the Town of Catawba), and was reported to have been built out of logs. The logs were said to have been donated by Caney Lowrance who is said to have paid for the carpentry work in gold." Smyrna Methodist was on the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference. There are no existing records as to when it was established nor when it was dissolved. The Class Book does list members from 1860 through 1876. A possible decline in membership could have "prompted members in Catawba to organize a new church in Catawba." At this point I decided to check Rev. Levi Branson's NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1867/1868 [Branson & Jones, Publishers, Raleigh, NC], the earliest directory copy I had. This book listed only the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches and Pastors in the Newton area and close surroundings. Under the sub-heading, MINISTERS, the Methodist Minister serving Newton was listed as being Rev. J. P. Hughes. Branson's Directory for 1869 lists (p. 34) under the Catawba County heading, sub-heading, CHURCHES AND PASTORS, Smyrna, Newton [Circuit], B. G. Jones, Pastor of the Methodist Church. B. G. Jones was also listed for the following churches: r Grove, Newton, Pisgah, and SMYRNA. Under the sub-heading, MINISTERS, a B. G. James is listed as pastor for Newton. I read all the Branson's Directories I had in my library and the results of my search are as follows: Smyrna Society 9 1872 - CHURCHES - Smyrna Methodist, Catawba Station Lemon Shell, Methodist Minister [He is also listed as Pastor of Concord, Hopewell, Pisgah, Newton and Oak Grove ] . 1877/1878 - CHURCHES - J. C. Hartsell is Methodist Minister of Concord, Hopewell, Smyrna, Pisgah, Mays Chapel, Newton, and Oak Grove. 1884 - G. W. Ivey and E. L. Stamey are listed as Methodist Ministers: Ivey lived in Newton and Stamey lived in Catawba. Churches involved were Concord, Hopewell, Smyrna, May's Chapel, Oak Grove, Catawba, and Friendship. [It is a possibility that Branson made an error in his recording at this point since no records thus far uncovered have indicated that Smyrna and Catawba existed at the same time. Smyrna's congregation seems to have blended in with Catawba's congrega-tion. ] 1890 - Directory V. VII - CHURCHES - Catawba, Hopewell, Pisgah, and Smyrna are listed with G. M. Gentry as Pastor. [Once again, I feel like this is in error. ] 1896 - Directory V. VIII - CHURCHES - Bethlehem, Concord, Hope-well, Pisgah are mentioned with J. F. England as Pastor. NO SMYRNA METHODIST CHURCH IS LISTED. Under the sub-heading, PASTORS, J. F. England is listed as being Pastor of Center, Bandys , Catawba, and Hickory churches. [The Hickory Church could be a possible error as F. L. Townsend is listed as being the Methodist Minister in the Hickory area. ] 1897 V. IX - CHURCHES - J. F. England is Pastor of Bethlehem, Concord, Hopewell, Pisgah, Bandys, Center, and Catawba Methodist. He is, also, still listed as Pastor of the Hickory Church, although F. L. Townsend is listed as Pastor of the Hickory Church under the sub-heading, MINISTERS. I found the directories to be very valuable as definite proof exists that Smyrna was in the Newton Circuit as of 1867/68. The earliest existing proof of Smyrna does appear, as mentioned, in the Class Book of 1860. I read and transcribed the Class Book to the best of my ability and the results of my research are recorded below. Smyrna Society 10 CLASS BOOK OF SMYRNA SOCIETY 1860 E. Ellen B E eater? darkeys pinkney tomos Aron shirell Elihew Shirrell Willum broks Peter lowrance Dear brethren live in peace you Joined July 17 and the God of peace shall be with Pray for us your brethren in Christ F. A. Moore Daniel May P.C. P. D. Moore J P P.S. Remember to observe the Friday before each Q.M. Meeting] as fast day. Male Members [Quarterly 1860 1. Auburn Lee C. Leader 2. Miles S. Abernathy 3. Elihu Harwell dead 4. Askew Harwell n 5. L. D. Robinson 6. Abram Wyckoff 7. Thomas Drum 8. Julius Webb 9. Turner Abernathy gone 10. James Harwell in armay 11. Cany M. Lowrance 12. Marcus Bost 13. John Cambell removed to Con 14. Jacob Wyckoff 15. Samuel Abernathy Sept 2 1861 16. Jacob Abernethy in armey 17. Augustus Robinson Joined Sept/63 18. Calvin Calvin Lael M h ti 19. N. H. Laurence Nov. 4th 1863 20. Isaac Icenhour ft If It 21. James Sherrill tt fl tt Female Members 1860 1. 0. M. Lee 2. Epsy Wyckoff 3. Martha Abernathy (Mrs. John Lowrance ' s mother) Smyrna Society 11 4. Mahala Abernathy 5. Julia Abernathy 6. Elizabeth Abernathy 7. Mary Harwell 8. Adaline Harwell 9. Amanda Harwell 10. Susan Abernathy 11. Jane Abernathy 12. Lavina Robinson 13. Mary M. Lowrance 14. Mary McKinzie 15. Susan Wyckoff 16. Margaret Witherspoon 17. Harriet Witherspoon 18. Sarah Drum 19. Louisa Bost 20. Susan Harwell 21. Jane Cambell 22. Lavina Cambell 23. Dovey Cambell 24. Susan Woodward 25. Frances Lowrance 26. Jane Lowrance 27. Elizabeth Witherspoo 28. Martha Caldwell 29. Manday Ellote 30. Delilla Lael 31. Elizabeth Edwards 32. Mary Wilfong 33. Jenelia Bost 34. Jane Witherspoon 35. Polly Lael 36. Elizabeth Chenault 37. Mahala Sigman 38. Polly ann Sigman 39. Sophrona Lael 40. Elizabeth Wyckoff 41. Nancy MCinzy Catharine lowrance Hi birneia? Martin Pricilla Lawrance Susana Hunsucker Susan Moody Marthay Edwards Mary A. Edwards Maray Willfong Margret Lowrance Mary Lowrance Elisabeth Sigmon 1865 Elisabeth witherspoo mother Jake Abernethy gone a P a a Gone Jane Sluman's mother a Removed a P Pa P P Removed Removed Removed to Concord joined Sept 2/61 a remov n a remove Joind July 13/1862 joined Sept. 1862 Gone a a a n is ded Joined Sept/1862 Joined Sept. 1863 a Nove 4th 1863 pa ii « ii _P H it ii P ii n ii a ii n n _a Joined November 30 1863 a a 1864 Jo June 19 Joined July 17 1864 Sept 10 D D D D D Joined November 1864 join sept 24 Smyrna Society 12 1864 John McJinis septembe 10 josiph " W " Ballard oCtober 20 Giley Harbinson D Removed by letter Class Book for Smyrna Church Newton Circuit S C Conference Transcribed by Israel P. Hughes for A.D. 166 # State Male in Members Life 1 m Osburn Lee 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 m m s m m m s m Miles S. Abernathy L. D. Robinson Abram Wyckoff Thomas Drum Julius Webb Elkanah N?M? Lowrace Marcus Bost Jacob Wyckoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson Calvin Lael N. H. Lowrance Isaac Icenhour James [H.] Sherrill John McGinnis Gilley Harberson Logan Witherspoon John Lawrance William Lawrance Marcus Robinson State State in in Grace Churc h b f f withdrew in disorder f withdrew in disorder b f Removed f ti f b f b f b f b Removed Removed by letter b candate b remov Sidnay W.? Sigmon June 8th 1866 Pinkney Willson David J. sherrill Pinkney Setzor Charlay Cleumon Thorns ardehold Julus lael M. C. Talbert Turner Abernathy Harison H. Robinson rem b b candate dead Removed Removed to Concord Removed by letter Removed Removed Removed to Concord withdrew in disorder 1868 Restored withdrew in disorder Smyrna Society 13 Andrew B. Powel (Eva Little's brother) removed William E. Aderhold G. C. Stowe W. H. Laurens by letter James F. Harvel Female Members Smyrna Church - 1862 1. m 0. M. Lee withdrew in disorder 2. m Epsy Wyckooff 3. s Martha Abernathy 4 . m Mahala Abernathy 5. Elisabeth Abernathy 6. Mary Harwell 7. Adaline Harwell 8. Amanda Harwell 9. Louvina Robinson 10. m Mary M. Lowrance 11. Sousan Wyckoff Removed 12. Margaret Witherspoon 13. Harriett Witherspoon 14. Sarah Drum 15. Louiza Bost 16. Sousan Harwell 17. Sousan Woodward Sept/61 Remove to Statesville 18. Frances Lawrence sept/61 Removed 19. Elisabeth Witherspoon 20. Amanda Elliotte Sept/62 Removed 21. Dillila Lael Sept 62 22. Elisabeth Edwards Sept 62 charged Withdrew in disorder 23. Ann C. Willfong Adeholdt Sept 62 married Wm Aderholdt Feb 13, 1866 24. Jane Witherspoon Sept/63 25. Polly Lael Nov/63 26. Elisabeth Chenault Nov/63 27. Mahala Sigman Expelled for bastardy 28. Polly Ann Sigman Removed [NOTE: There is no number 29.] 30. Saphronia Lael gon Removed 31. Elisabeth Wyckoff Smith married Franklin Smith Feb 14, 1867 Removed 32. Nancy McKinsy Withdrew in disorder 33. Catharine Lowrance Nov 30/63 to Bethlehem 34. Hibernia Martin Removed 35. Priscilla Lowrance June 19/63 Removed 36. Susanna Hunsucker July/63 Removed to [blank] Smyrna Society 14 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. m Susan Moody Sept/63 Martha Edwards Mary A. Edwards Mary Wilfong Margaret Lowrance Mary Lororance Elisabeth Sigman May 15, 1868 Expelled for bastardy suspended to Nov 15 6 months Error Adline Willfong Sarah M. Milligan Martha Milligan June 8 - 1866 married Miles A April 23d 1868 Abernathy Cinthia Marsh Sarah Marsh Ann Shirrell Laura Sherrill Martha Abernathy Martha Setzor Jula McGuinis Cathrine Setzor Mary Setzor C. J. Robinson Emlay Marsh Frances Lael J. E. C. Abernathy Julia Abernathy Eleanor F. Sigman Francis Lowrence Haner Coldran? Agnus E. lowrance Mahaly Sherrill Rebecca C. Milligan Sarah Anns Sherrill Hulday E. Lael Susan C. Yount Rachel L. Camppbell Candis S. Haller Julia E. Abernathy Removed by letter Restored Restored Removed Removed Nov 30 1869 Withdrew in disorder Class Book for Smyrna - 1868 Dear brethren, live in peace & the God of love & peace be with you & keep you. Remember to observe the Friday before each Quarterly Conference as a day of fasting and prayer for the prosperity of Zion. Pray for us your ministers - John Wesley North P.E. Basil Gaither Jones pastor Record all the deaths & marriages. Note all that are expelled, & that withdraw, or remove. Note all are received into the church. Smyrna Society 15 Record all the baptisms, be lost . M. stands for married S. for single & seeker B. for believer W. for widow/widower Keep all the old class Books that none Quarterly Meetings 1st at Newton Apr 5th & 6th 2nd at Smyrna June 6" & 7 3d at Newton Sept 19th & 20th 4th at [blank] 1869 J. W. North P. E. Daniel May P. C. Look for your preacher January B Burns(?) State State In In No Life Grace m b 1 m b 2 s 3 m b 4 m b 5 m b 6 s s 7 m b 8 m 9 s b 10 m b 11 s b 12 m b 13 m b 14 s 15 s 16 m b 17 m b 18 m b 19 s b 20 s b 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Mala Member! 1868 4 1869 Miles S. Abernathy Thomas F. Drum Julius Webb C. L. [Class Leader] Removed without Cir. [Certificate] Steward Removed to Alexander(?) Removed by Cirtif Removed below Charlotte ( Dropped) Removed Cany Lowrance Marcus Bost Jacob Wycoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson Isaac Isenhower James H. Sherrill John McKinnis Logan Witherspoon David L. Sherrill Pinkney Setzer Charles H. Sleuman Julius Lael Turner Abernathy William E. Aderholdt George C. Stowe C. L. [Class Leader] Removed William H. Laurence James F. Harwell Rily Dickerson Recivd 1869 Removed Franklin Cambell Distant 1869 Jacob F. Drum Isaac A. Pearson Henry D. Lowrance Rufus Deaton Frank Wilfong Augustus Milligan Walter Sherrill Coleman Lee Pinkney Milligan State State In In No Life Grace m b 1 s b 2 m b 3 s b 4 w b 5 s b 6 s b 7 m b 8 ID b 9 s b 10 s b 11 m b 12 ra b 12 s b 13 m b 14 s b 15 m b 16 s b 17 m b 18 19 s b 20 s b 21 Smyrna Society 16 33 Franklin Smith Removed to Iredell 34 John Lowrance 35 William A. Lofton 36 Robert Wilfong 37 Andrew Wycoff 38 Able Kale 39 Perry Bost Removed by Cir. 40 Robert Cline at Witherspoons 41 Henry Lollar Left disorderly 42 James E. Loftin 43 Sidney Asbury Removed by Cir. 44 John Cambell Distant 45 Charles Lowrance 46 James W. Sigman 47 Wm H. Laurence 48 Silas Kale 49 Augustus Kale 50 William Turbyfill Removed by Cir. Gilbert A. McCinnis George W. Cansler FEMALES 1868 Epsy Wycoff Elizabeth Abernathy Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Mary Harwell Adaline Harwell Amanda Harwell Lovina Robinson Mary M. Lowrance Margaret Witherspoon Harriel Witherspoon Sarah C. Drum Louisa Bost [Note: There are 2 #12 's] Susan Harwell Elizabeth Witherspoon Delila Lael Ann C. Aderholds Jane Witherspoon Polly Lael Elizabeth Chenault Mui' Lha Edwaiil& Mary Ann Edwards Jane C. Harwell [written over #21] dead 22 Mary Wilfong married Brunns Removed by Cir Smyrna Society 17 s b 23 Margaret Lowrance s b 24 Mary C. Lowrance w 25 Elizabeth Sigman Removed m b 26 Adaline Wilfong s b 27 Sarah M. Milligan 1869 m b 28 Martha R. Abernathy Removed to Con[cord] s 29 Synthia Marsh Moved Away s 30 Sarah Marsh Moved away m 31 Ann Sherrill (Dropped) s b 32 Laura A. C. Sherrill Cline s s 33 Martha Ann Abernathy s b 34 Martha Setzer s 35 Julia McKinnis m b 36 Catharine Setzer s 37 Mary Setzer s 38 Emily Marsh Moved away s b 39 Francis Lael s s 40 Jane E. C. Abernathy Jane E. C. Sleuman m b 41 Julia E. Abernathy 42 Catharine Witherspoon Received 1869 43 Nancy Lee 44 Martha I . Drum 45 Mary E. Lowrance 46 Lida Pearson 47 Litha Sherrill 48 Sarah McKinnis 49 Dora Lowrance 50 Harriet Lowrance 51 Victory Abernathy 52 Julia Ann Sigman 53 Adda Lowrance 54 Laura Sigman 55 Mary Lofton 56 Allia Setzer 57 Martha A. E. Wycoff Lowrance 58 Anna M. Sigman 59 Susan Abernathy [Note: Numbering begins with 42 after 59] m b 42 Hannah Loller m b 43 Agnus E. Lowrance m b 44 Mahala Sherrill w b 45 Rebeca C. Milligan m b 46 Sarah A. S. Sherrill s b 47 Huldah E. Lael s b 48 Susan C. Yount m b 49 Rachel L. Campbell Removed to Lincon s b 50 Sallie I. Bost Class book 1869 Smyrna Society 18 51 Jane C. Milligan Harwell Dead Feb 70 [1870] 52 Examina Kale 53 Sarah Kale 54 Octavia Lowrance 55 Morgaret Turbyfill Removed by Cir 56 Laura -Yount Long 57 Harriet Mcfinnis 58 Fannie Lowrance 59 Mrs. P. Lowrence 60 Nancy C, J)rum Celia McGinnis Vergelia Miligan Cora Wilfong George W. Cansler Jane E. Cansler Jane E. C. Slewman J. W. North P. E, Daniel May P. C Class Paper for Smyrna - 1872&3 Dear brethren Remember to observe the friday before each Quarterly meeting as a day of fasting and prayer, for the prosperity of our Zion and for Gods blessing on your pastors & on your Society. Live in peace and may the God [of] peace make you perfect in every grace and keep you unto eternal life Love one another [blank] Thompson, P. E. Lemmon Shell. Pastor Names of Male Members m b m b m b m b m b m b s s m b m b m b m s m b m b m b 10 Miles S. Abernathy Thomas F. Drumm C. Cany M. Lowrance George W. Cansler Marcus Bost Jacob Wycoff Jacob Abernathy Augustus Robinson John McKinnis Pinkney Setzer Charles H. Slewman Turner Abernathy William E. Aderholt William H. Lowrance L. Stwd m b s b s b s b s b s b s b s m s m b s b s m b s s b s b III b m b Smyrna Society 19 Droped at his own consent 15 James F. Harwell Franklin Campbell Jacob F. Drum Henry D. Lowrance Rufus Deaton 20 Frank Wilfong Augustus Milligan Walter Sherrell Coleman Lee Pinkney Milligan 25 John Lowrance William A. Loftin Robert Wilfong Andrew Wycoff Able Kale 30 James E. Lofton Chr.rles Lowrance James W. Sigmon Silas Kale s Augustus Kale m b 35 Gilbert H. McKinnis M. A. Abernathy Names of Females Epsey Wycoff Elizabeth Abernathy Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy 40 Mary Harwell Adeline Harwell Amanda Harwell Levina Robinson Mary M. Lowrance 45 Margaret Witherspoon Harriet Witherspoon Sarah C . Drum Louise Bost Susan Harwell 50 Elizebeth Witherspoon Delila Lael Ann C. Aderholt Jane Witherspoon Polly Lael 55 Elizebeth Chenault Margaret Lowrance Mary C. Lowrance Adeline Wilfong Sarah M. Milligan 60 Laura A. C. Cline m b s b m b s b w b s b s b m b m b s b s b ra b m b s b w b s b m b s b w b w b m b s b m b s b ra b s b s b s m b s b s b m b s b w b s b s b s b s b s b s b m b s b s b s b s b s b s s m b m b s b m b w b w b ra b s b s b s b ? b s b ra b m b m b m b m b s b s b s b s b m b m b Smyrna Society 20 Martha Ann Abernathy Martha Setzer Julia McKinnis Catharine Setzer 65 Mary Setzer Frances Lael Julia E. Abernathy Catharine Witherspoon Nancy Lee 70 Martha J. Drum Mary E. Lowrance Lida Pearson Litha Sherrell Sarah McKinnis 75 Dora Lowrance Harriet Lowrance Victoria Abernathy Julia Ann Sigman Adda Lowrance 80 Laura Sigman Martha Loftin Allice Setzer Martha A. E. Lowrance Anna M. Sigman 85 Susan Abernathy Hannah Loller Mahala Sherrell Rebecca C. Milligan Sarah A. Sherrell 90 Hulda E. Lael Susan C. Yount Sally J. Bost Examina Kale Sarah Kale 95 Octavia Lowrance Laura Long Harriet McKinnis Fannie Lawrance Prissilla Lawrance 100 Nancy C. Drum Celia McKinnis Virgelia Milligan Cora Wilfong Jane E. Cansler 105 Jane E. C. Slewman Martha R. Abernathy Martha Houston Laura Cocrham L. T. Burkhead, P E P L Herman Pastor Smyrna Society 21 NAMES OF MALES & FEMALES 1874 Miles Abernathy Mahaly Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy Turne[r] Abernathy Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elizabeth Abernathy Ann C. Aderholdt 10 W. H. Aderholdt Louisa Bost Marcus S. Bost Laura Cline G. W. Cansler Jane E. Cansler Lara Cochram Thos. F. Drum Jacob F. Drum 10 Sarah C. Drum Martha J. Drum Nancy C. Drum Thos. J. Drum George P. Drum Charlott C. Drum Martha Huston Janes [James] B. Harvell Wife Jane Adline Harvell 10 Manda Harvell Susan Harvell Silas Kale Augustus Kale Exie Kale Sarah Kale Henery Lorance Sallie Lorance John Lorance Fannie Lorance 10 Hariet Lorance a Widowe Mary Lorance Ada Lorance [x'd out] Dora Lorance Ida Lorance R C Milligan T L Milligan O (D. ) W. Milligan 10 J. A. Milligan G. P. Milligan Gilbert Mchinnes Harriet Mchinnes Smyrna Society 22 John Mchinnes Julia Mchinnes Celie Mchinnes Polly Leal Delila Leal Fannie Leal 10 Hulay Leal Willian A. Lofton Mary Lofton Lorah Long Uriah Long Eva Little Maggie Lorance Jane Cox Ann Pearson J W Sigman A M Sigman Julia Sigman Laura Cook Mary Setzer Mattie Setzer Allice Setzer Calvan Shuck Catherine Shuck Mahala Sherill W L Sherill R E Chenault 10 S L Robinson Jacob Wyckoff Epsy Whycoff Adline Wilfong F C Wilfong Loga A. Wilfong Elisabeth Witherspoon Harrie Weatherspoon Margret Witherspoon 10 Jane Witherspoon Catherine Weatherspoon Sarah S. Sherrill Hannah Lollar R E Long M. G. Long C. H. Slueman J Sleuman Litha Sherrill 1875 Names of Males members Miles Abernathy Turner Abernathy Thomas F. Drum Smyrna Society 23 Miles Arderholt Marcus bost Jacob F. Drum Thomas J. Drum Candidate George P. Drum Candidate G W. Cansler Alexander H. Huston Candidate Silas Kale Augustus Kale Henry Lorance John Lorance Cana Lorance J. A. Milligan G. P. Milligan Gilbert McKinnes John McKinnes William A Lofeten Uriah long James H. Sigman Calvan Shuck Expelled Pink setzer Males W L. Sherill Jacob wyckoff F C. willfong C H. Slwman William Aderholdt Marcus Bost Names of Females Members s Mahala Abernathy s Martha Abernathy s Victory Abernathy Julia Abernathy s Susan Abernathy s Martha Abernathy s Elizabeth Abernathy Ann C. Arderholt Louisa Bost Lauria Cline Jane E. Cansler Lauria Cochram Widow Jane Cox move a way removed by letter Sarah C Drum s Martha J. Drum s Nancy C . Drum s Charlott C. Crum Martha huston s Adline harwell Smyrna Society 24 s Manda harwell s Susan harwell Exile Kale Sarah Kale Widow Nancy Lee widow Harrit Lorance widow Maggie Lowrance Sallie Lorance Harriet Lorance changed to Bethlahem Mary Lorance Fannie Lorance Dora Ida Lorance changed to Bethlehem Mary Lorance widow Polly Lael s Delila Lael s Fannie Lael Hulda Lael s Mary Lofton Drumm Married J. F. Drum Lauriah Long Eva Little widow R. C. Millegan S. L. Millegan Eccord married to P. Eccord s Virginia W. Millagan s Julia Mckinnes Droped Females s Celia Mckinnes Harriet Mckinnes Ann Pearson changed to Bethlehem Manerva Sigman s Julia Sigman s Mary Setzer s Mattie Setzer s Allice Setzer Ded Catharine Setzer Died June the 8 1876 Catharine Shuck Changed to Bethlehem widow Mahala Shearill Jane Sluman Sarah Sherill Litha Sherill Droped S. L. Robinson Epsy wyckoff Adline wilfong s Cora wilfong widow Elisabeth witherspoon s harriet witherspoon s Margaret witherspoon s Jane witherspoon Abernathy removed by letter to Gaston maried and moved a way Smyrna Society 25 Female s Catherine witherspoon Lauria Cook Changed to Hopewell widow R. E. Chenault R. E. Long M. G. Long Hannah Lollar Dora C. Shuck Changed to Bethlehem Class Paper For 1876 & 7 at Catawba Station Dear Brethren & Sisters Remember to observe the 4 Friday before each Quarterly Meeting as days of fasting & prayer for the prosperity of our Zion and for us your pastors. Pray for each other live in peace & the Lord bless & keep you. R G Bond, P E Lemmon Shell Pastor. Names of Male members m Miles Abernathy m Turner Abernathy m William Aderholdt m Marcus Bost 5 Thomas F. Drum Jacob F. Drum Thomas J . Drum George P. Drum George W. Cansler withdrew by consent 10 Silas Kale Augustus Kale removed Henry Lowrance John Lowrance Cany Lowrance 15 Augustus J Milligan Gilburt Mckinnis John Mckinnis William A Loftin 20 Euriah Long James W Sigman Walter L Sherrill Jacob Wycoff Frank C. Wilfom Charles H Slewman 26 Alexander H. Huston Candidate Daniel Drum Margaret Drum Recieved Nov 18th Smyrna Society 26 Wm Drum as tranferd to Elvy Drum Pisgar Class Class paper for Catawba Station Church 1877 Dear brethren & sisters, you will observe the Friday before each Q M con as days of fasting & Prayer for the prosperity of our beloved Zion & for us your Ministers Names of Females 1 Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy 5 Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elzebeth Abernathy Ann C Aderholdt Louisa Bost 10 Ruth E Chenault Laura Cline Jane E Cansler Laura Cockran Martha E Collins Mary Drum 15 Sarah C Drum Catharine Drum Martha J Drum Nancy C Drum Charlotte C Drum Sarah L Eccord 20 Martha Huston Adaline Harwell Amanda Harwell Susan Harwell Exile Kale 25 Sarah Kale Nancy Lee Harriet Lowrance Maggie Lowrance Sallie Lowrance 30 Mary Lowrance Polly Lael Delila Lael Fannie Lael Hulda Lael 35 Laura Long Racheal Long Mary G Long Smyrna Society 27 [starts with 45] 45 Julia Sigman Mary Setzer Mattie Setzer Allice Setzer S. L. Robinson 50 Mahala Sherrill Sarah Sherrill Jane Slewman Epsey Wycoff Adaline Wilfong 55 Cora Wilfong Elizabeth Witherspoon Harriet Witherspoon Margaret Witherspoon Cathorine Witherspoon 60 Fannie Lowrance Mary Lowrance Names of Male Member 1877 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a x a P P a P P P P P P P 1 Miles Abernathy Turner Abernathy William Aderholt Marcus Bost 5 Jonas R Cline Jacob F Drum Thomas J Drum George P Drum Thomas T Drum 10 Alexander H Huiston Silas Kale Cana Lowrance Henry Lowrance John Lowrance 15 William A Loftin Uriah Long Augustus J Miligan Pinkney G Miligan Gilber McKinnis 20 John McKinnis James W Sigman Walter L Sherrell Charles H Slewman Lorenzo D Sigman 25 Jacob Wycoff Frank C Wilfong Joseph E Wilfong Augustos B kale Moved by letter Dropped by action of church conferance Moved a way Died november the 21 1876 with Drawen with Drawen Droped by action of church confrance Smyrna Society 28 23? James t harwell [x'd out] george Cansler Miles Abernethy James Sigman James H Sherrill John Sherrill Frances G. Cook J. C. Arney? Remove to hopewell Move to Concord Names of Females a a a a a a a a a a P a a P P P P P P P P a a a a a a p a p a p P P P P P P P 10 15 Maried 20 25 30 35 40 Move by letter Moved to Move to Mahala Abernathy Martha Abernathy Victoria Abernathy Julia Abernathy Susan Abernathy Martha Abernathy Elizebeth Abernathy Ann C Aderholt Ada B Aderholt Louisa Bost Ruth E Chenault Laura Cline Jane E Cansler Laura Cochran Martha E Collins Mary Drum Sarah C Drum Martha J Drum Cook Nancy C Drum [marked out] Charlotte C Drum Sarah E Ecord remov Louisa J Gibson removed Adaline Harwell Hudgepeth Amanda Harwell Susan Harwell Martha Huiston Exile Kale Sarah Kale Nancy Lee Harriet Lowrance Sally Lowrance Fannie Lowrance Mary Lowrance Maggie Lawrence Died July the 1 1877 Deranged Newton States ville ed by letter by letter Removed Removed to hopwell to hopewell Polly Lael Delila Lael Fannie Lael Hulda Lael Laura Long Racheal Long Slewman Maried Died Aug (x'd out) us the 4 1879 Smyrna Society 29 Mary G Long Blackwelder Maried a p Hannah Lollar a 45 Eva Little p Racheal C Miligan p Virginia W Miligan Celia Mckinnis Moved a way a Harriet Mckinnis p 50 S L Roberson p p Manerva Sigman p Julia Sigman a Mattie Setzer Moved to newton a Alice Cline Setzer Maried Moved a way p p 55 Mahala Sherrell p Sarah Sherrell Jane Slewman Died January 10th 1877 p Espey Wycoff a Adeline Wilfong a 60 Cora Wilfong a Elizebeth Witherspoon a p Harriet Witherspoon a Margaret Witherspoon a Cathorine Witherspoon a Mary Setzer Moved to newton p Mary lorance a Laura Loftin a p 59? Matilda Rufty Martha Abernethy Moved to Concord Mary Rufty Cela Sigman Ida Drum Sallie Guthrie Cela McGinnis Elizabeth Loftin Laurah Cook Mary Arney? The Preacher in Charge I shall Report he has met all his appointtmen[ ts ] at this place he has visited all the familys at this place Class Leaders Reporte no meetings Since last Summer but set first Sunday in each month at 2 o'clock to meet requested all to attend it is Proposed that the Assement for finances be raised as last yeare it left to vote & caryed unanamust it agreed that the Secretay provid a Book to keep the Church Record on Report the arangements for the New Church is progressy Minutes of Church Meetings held at Catawba Station March 17 1876 Smyrna Society 30 Members Present Tho Drum J. W. Sigman W. H. Adderholdt C. M. Lowrance G M Cansler Gen. A. H. Houston Frances Drum John Lowrance Ladies Names Mary Lowrance R. C. Chenault Franez Sherrill Polly Lael Sarah Drum Larah Cline Ann Aderholdt Harriett Witherspoon Vina Drume Louisa Bost May Witherspoon Sue Harwell Cathen Drum Manerva Sigmon Eps Wyckoff Rachil Long Martin Sherrill (col) Post Master Joined at Smyrna 1869 [Black Members] Joined 4th June 1866 Helin lawrice Joined October 20 1864 Haley Abernathy Susan Shirell William Abernathy Jane Frasher Sary Null Harriet sheriell Emmay Sherrill Sylva Roseman Chariot Null Harrt Frasher Susay Lowrance Visay Lowrance Removed - End of Class Book - Smyrna Society/Catawba United Methodist Church 31 As aforementioned on page 29, "the New Church is progressy." Church records indicate the certain flow from the Smyrna Society into the Catawba United Methodist Church from 1860 through the end of the Smyrna Class Book in 1876. At that time, meetings were held at "Catawba Station," and the same members of the Smyrna Society Church are the same members listed in the Catawba United Methodist Church record books. CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Catawba's "new church" began in the Academy, a private school located to the left of the present church on East Central Avenue in Catawba, NC . Book 28, Page 563 of the land transactions in the county at the Catawba County Register of Deeds Office, Newton, NC , record an 1876 deed initiated by Manual Robinson to J. W. Sigmon, J. U. Long, G. W. Cansler, W. H. Aderholt, and C. M. Lowrance , church trustees. One acre of land was deeded to the church at that time, and another acre was deeded in 1879 by M. F. Cline, James H. Sherrill paid for the land and donated it to the church. Land for the cemetery was acquired from Mike and Salina Rufty. Locals recall Edgar E. Smith as being the first janitor of the church, he being paid $1 per month for sweeping floors, firing the stoves, and ringing the bell. Mr. Smith resigned his position when the congregation wanted to lower his salary. The first church is said to have been completed in 1878 and paid for in full; however, existing conference records indicate financial difficulties shortly after the church began building; still, faith, hard work, and dedication, got the job done. ***^^. '•*}:;"*&*' -•" r«s '•3S5t? if m jags?. id~- JBl- Catawba United Methodist Church 31A CATAWBA'S FIRST MINISTER Rev. Wesley M. Bagby Frances Linney (Fannie) Robinson [Photographs and information courtesy of Mary Frances Bagby Mauney of Cherryville, NC , granddaughter of Rev. and Mrs, Wesley M. Bagby; information also from 1922 Annual United Methodist Conference Journal; Donna Brown Brown, Editor/Secretary, Catawba Current/Catawba United Methodist Church, Catawba, NC ] . Catawba United Methodist Church 31B CATAWBA'S FIRST MINISTER Wesley M. Bagby was the son of Abner and Lucinda Bagby. He was born to them on 2 November 1852 in Yadkin County, NC . Although Rev. Bagby did not learn to read until he was eighteen years old, it could not be said that he was an uneducated man. He entered East Bend High School, finishing the high school course, and prepared for his life's work. At the age of nineteen, he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later he became licensed to preach by that church and he joined the Blue Ridge Conference in 1876. He served the following charges [in order]: Catawba, Yadkin, Kings Mountain, and Concord Circuits, and Asheville Station . On 31 August 1875, while serving as pastor in Catawba, Rev. Bagby married Frances Linney (Fannie) Robinson [2 Mar. 1853 - Nov. 1919], daughter of Emanuel (Manual) and Polly Robinson. The Robinsons lived on a large farm near Catawba, a few miles from Shiloh United Methodist Church. In fact, Fannie's father deeded a one-acre lot to the Catawba Church trustees "for the use of the Methodist Church South," in May of 1875. His daughter's marriage to the pastor took place a few months later. Rev. Bagby soon moved on to other charges, other than those mentioned above, to Statesville, Mooresville, Greensboro, Gastonia, High Point, Morganton, Hickory, Mt . Airy, among other places. His ministry lasted forty years. During this time, the couple had nine children. Upon Mrs. Bagby 's death in 1919 it was said that, "she was a woman strong in body, intellect, and spiritual power." Her death was quite unexpected and she had been packing to go on a trip. In her valise was found each of her children's pictures, folded away with the last letter she had received from each one. Rev. Bagby passed away suddenly on 17 July 1922 at his home in Montezuma. He was buried with his wife in Avery County. In the 1922 Annual Conference Journal of the United Methodist Church, it stated that, "Brother Bagby was an able preacher ... He made the Bible his chief book and could quote it readily; and its great principles were inwrought into his very being... He was a clean, pure, exemplary man, upright in his daily walk and conversation... What a sheaf the grim reaper has gathered, and safely garnered in the home above." Rev. Wesl Rev. R. C Rev. C. M Rev. P. H Rev. E. L Rev. G. W 1873 - 18 76 1877 1878 - 1879 1880 - 1882 1882 - 1883 1883 - 1884 Catawba United Methodist Church 32 The following is a list of pastors who led the Catawba United Methodist Church congregation: r M. Bagby Hartsell Anderson W. Stamey Stamey Ivey [From The Newton Enterprise , a local paper covering news of south-eastern Catawba County, 27 November 1885, records the following: "Card of Thanks - I desire to return thanks to my friends at Newton, Catawba, Concord, Hopewell, Friendship, and Fair Grove churches for the purse of money presented with which to buy a suit of clothes. Such acts of kindness will long live in my memory, cheering me in my arduous work and strengthening the chain of love and sympathy that binds me to the people I have served. G. W. Ivey" And , "11 December 1885 - [Abstracted] G. W. Ivey leaves the Newton Circuit to take charge of the Iredell Circuit. He will live at Olin."] Rev. A. M. Lowe 1884 ["The Newton Enterprise, 11 December 1885 - [Abstracted] The Newton Circuit will be divided into two, Newton and Catawba Circuits. Rev. C. M. Gentry, a married man, of Smithfield Circuit, will take charge of the Newton Circuit. Rev. Mr. Lowe, an unmarried man, will take charge of the Catawba Circuit. Both are young men."] Rev. M. V. Sherrill 1885 - 1887 1888 - 1891 1892 - 1893 1894 1895 - 1896 1897 - 1898 Current newsletter, January issue, 1991 by Donna B. Brown, Editor - Article edited by Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS - "Rev. C. C. Brothers was the pastor at Catawba United Methodist Church during 1897 and 1898. If one would walk through the church cemetery, one would locate his tombstone, near the back entrance at the Annie Sherrill Bible Class. This was all the information available to us until Rev. Rev. C. M. Gentry Rev. J. M. Downum Rev. J. S. Nelson Rev. J. H. England Rev. C. C. Brothers The Cat awba n Catawba United Methodist Church 33 Brothers' grandson, Merlin Berry of Garabrills, MD, made his presence known. Mr. Berry provided us with an interesting history of the man, along with a wonderful photograph. Rev. Charles Clary Brothers Mary Montier (Mollie) Weston Charles Clary Brothers was born on 24 March 1860 in Elizabeth City, NC. He attended the Methodist Rutherford College and went into the ministry. By the time he was appointed to Catawba, he was married and a father of six. Two of the children died in 1888; therefore, he and his wife, Mollie [Mary Montier Weston], brought their four young children with them to Catawba. Rev. Brothers had charge of six Hopewell, Pisgah, Center, and Bethle must have been a 'real ball of fire baptized 92 people and received 152 s in this area! His yearly salary f his quarterly conference reports he of the church is about as at the last however, some of our members have have engaged in dancing..." churches: Catawba, Concord, hem. He stayed very busy and ' During his short stay, he ouls into church membership ell short of $500. In one of stated, "The spiritual state conference. I understand, been drinking liquor and some While in Catawba, Mrs. Brothers learned she was to have another child. Eugenia "Genie" Weston Brothers was born on 19 July 1898. Tragically, Mrs. Brothers died on 31 July 1898 at the age of 39 years 5 days. She is buried in Catawba's cemetery. The baby was baptized on 14 August 1898 by another former pastor, Martin Sherrill. An aunt from Hyde County came to Catawba and took the little baby, and one of the other children, home with her. Again, tragedy struck, and the baby died on 26 September 1898. In November of 1898, Rev. Brothers was transferred from the Western North Carolina Conference to the eastern part of the state Catawba United Methodist Church 34 to be near relatives. Another daughter died in 1902 at the age of twelve. He remarried in 1924, and passed away ten years later. He was brought back to Catawba to be buried beside his first wife, Mollie. His second wife, Annie, is also buried in the cemetery. t Rev. Brothers kept a diary in his later years and the following is his final entry for 1918 - 'Christmas Day: ...The Lord has been so good to me through my friends. Weston (his only son) and little Charles (Berry, his grandson) came around in time for breakfast. Miss Maysel Lupton brought me a box of layer cake, this morning. Mamie (a daughter) sent me 21 eggs and 2 lbs. sausage. I read, aloud, my morning Bible-Lesson, and Weston and I bowed in prayer, and I prayed for each of my 3 children. May God bless them. " Rev. J. D. Buie 1899 Rev. J. W. Bowman 1900 - 1901 Rev. R. S. Howie 1902 - 1905 Rev. Ebenezer Meyers 1906 - 1907 Rev. J. M. Price 1907 - 1910 Rev. Beverly Wilson Dec, 1910 - 1914 Rev. A. G. Loftin 1914 - 1918 Rev. J. F. Ratledge 1918 - 1921 Rev. A. C. Kennedy 1921 - 1925 Rev. Beverly Wilson 1925 - 1929 Rev. E. D. Ballard 1929 - 1932 Rev. G. W. Clay 1932 - 1936 Rev. Reid Wall 1936 - 1938 Rev. W. Q. Grigg 1938 - 1941 Rev. A. G. Lackey 1942 - 1951 Rev. A. W. Lynch 1951 - 1955 Rev. Marvin Boggs 1955 - 1958 Rev. M. C. Ellerbe 1958 - 1962 Rev. John C. Vernon 1962 - 1965 Rev. Charles E. Bruce 1966 - 1971 Rev. R. J. Starling 1971 - 1974 Rev. Clegg Wallace Avett 1975 - 1976 [Rev. Avett died in November of 1976. He was climbing on a ladder at the parsonage when he slipped and fell. Although he did not die at that time, it is thought that he died from internal comp-lications from the fall.] Rev. R. J. Starling Nov., 1976 - June, 1977 Rev. Marion Joe Parker June, 1977 - June, 1984 Rev. William G. Biggerstaff June, 1984 - June, 1986 Rev. Clyde L. White June, 1986 - June, 1991 Rev. Gervase Craig Hitch June, 1991 - Current Pastor Funding for the property for the first Catawba Circuit parsonage was difficult to acquire. A committee was appointed to secure a lot on which to build the parsonage at Catawba. Members of that committee were L. H. Shuford, Lewis Jones, W. H. Morrow, J. H. Sherrill, J. W. Sigmon, and Jacob Wycoff. A deed for the old church parsonage was made to the trustees by George and Jane Catawba United Methodist Church 35 Cansler. Another deed, adding to the parsonage lot, was made from Jacob D. and Mary (Rufty) Little in 1887; another tract was added in 1888 from George and Jane Cansler once again. The Newton Enterprise records, "Rev. W. M. Bagby [minister from 1873 - 1876] preached the funeral of Miss Olen Shook on yesterday. Rev. Mr. Cooper of the M. E. Church has bought a lot and putting up a nice cottage. The Methodist Church [Catawba United Methodist] has bought a lot and will build a parsonage at once . Several others are looking around for lots with a view to building. " In 1888 permission to receive was given to Rev. C. M. Gentry. Creek Camp Ground, it was dec Conference, to sell the camp parsonage construction and other seems that even Rev. Gentry invest the parsonage per the church re upset. At the Second Quarterly C served to Rev. J. R. Scruggs stati advanced money that went into bu to be paid back by 1 April 1893 action against the Catawba Circuit bids to build the parsonage Having interest in the Balls ided at the First Quarterly ground in order to finance the possible outstanding debts. It ed some of his own capital into cords which seemed to cause some onference in 1892, notice was ng that the church must pay back ilding the parsonage. Money had or Rev. Gentry would take legal The selling of the Balls Creek Camp Ground land, however, never took place as records indicate that Rev. Gentry was paid his approximate $160, and the necessity for the special committee was no more. On 8 March 1889, the Newton Enterprise chronologed the building progress via, "The Methodist parsonage is being built and when finished will be quite an improvement to the town." The Old Parsonage Catawba United Methodist Church 35A REV. BEVERLY WILSON, CATAWBA'S 18TH MINISTER Rev. Beverly Wilson and "Deck" at Walt Alley's Store, Catawba, NC . [Photo courtesy of Mrs. Annie Lou Gantt, Catawba, NC; story compiled by Donna Brown Brown from an interview with Mrs. Ira Wilson Lowrance on 26 March 1991. "Miss Ira" is Catawba's oldest member] . Rev. Beverly Wilson has the distinction of being the only pator that was appointed to serve at Catawba twice. His years of service were from December, 1910 - 1914 and from 1926 - 1929. Even though he finally left Catawba, three of his daughters remained as residents of the town and members of Catawba UMC: Ira W. Lowrance, Laura W. Nichols, and Louise W. Nichols. Catawba United Methodist Church 35B Beverly Wilson and his wife, Minnie Jane Petrie, started their married life as a typical, hard-working couple. Mr. Wilson was a carpenter by trade, building houses and furniture. He also farmed and taught school. As his family started to grow, he felt the urge to preach but he fought against it, knowing that he did not have the money needed for college. When Ira was about four or five, a sister died at the age of eleven months. At this point, Mr. Wilson changed his mind and decided he would accept his call to the ministry. He began attending Rutherford College. Mrs. Wilson kept roomers at their home to help pay the bills. One of his early appointments as a pastor was at Stanley Creek, below Shelby. It was at this location that he learned of his transfer to Catawba. Miss Ira remembers the trip to Catawba very well. She was fourteen at the time and looked forward to moving and making new friends at church and at school. She and her six siblings bot up before dawn on 1 December 1910 to make the trip. It took two covered wagons to transport all their belongings and it took all day to make the journey. Their chickens were strapped in cages to the top of the wagon. It was so cold that day that the chickens were completely frozen by the time they reached Catawba! The large, frame parsonage was located on the spot where the town pharmacy and dentist's office not stands [1991]. The "Ladies Aid" had a hot meal waiting for them which they ate around 8 p.m. Fires had been built for them in all the fireplaces and one of the chimneys caught on fire the very first night they were here! Ira remembers men going up on the roof to put it out. Rev. Wilson had several churches to serve, in addition to Catawba. Often he preached three times per Sunday, driving a horse and buggy to visit his churches and members. The minister's salary was supposed to be $800 per year but often the Wilsons received payment in eggs, milk, butter, and even horsefeed! Each child in the Wilson household was given a penny to take to Sunday School each week. And, the family continued to grow, eventually numbering twelve children. The Ladies Aid would meet at the parsonage to discuss mission work and to help Mrs. Wilson with all the mending and the sewing necessary for a large family. In 1914 Rev. Wilson was appoointed to a charge at Rutherford College. Ira helped them in their move and stayed with them for two weeks. She returned to Catawba and married Butler Lowrance on 10 December 1914, four days before her eighteenth birthday. She has lived in Catawba ever since. Catawba United Methodist Church 36 Not only did the Enterprise record building events, but it conducted a major historical service to a distant county area by recording social events. This social event was rather a happy one since the precious gathering place, the Balls Creek Camp Ground, was still owned by the church, and was still being enjoyed by all. It was a major part of local life, yea, the reglious and social event of the year! "7 June 1889 - Doings About Catawba The Methodist Sunday School picniced at Balls Creek Camp Ground last Friday the 31st ult [ult meaning ultimate or previous, thus 31st ult on 7 June 1889 would mean 31st May 1889]. A large crowd enjoyed the occasion. After dinner the children (and others who were out) engaged in games of ring and other amusement, and all went away happy; but the happiest of them all were a certain couple. I don't know what it means but some said they were "mashed," but after consulting the dictionary, I find that the word is very appropriate - mixed - Well it did look a little so, but we called it by another name when I was young; I forget right now, but it didn't sound like that, nor do I think the mixture was so thought in the good old days, consequently did not need a word so pointed. Some of our citizens have agreed to give birthday dinners this year; some have already been given, and the "big eater" says one or two are to come off in June. Should this be seen by any whom it may concern, be he landlord or guest let him prepare for the occasion and govern himself accordingly; Though times are hard and chickens small, This think shall ne'er go under; For what they lack in size, my friend, Just make it up in number." The Enterprise recorded sad events, also, that pertained to the church. "26 July 1889 - Died Monday evening, July 22nd, at Catawba, the daughter of Mr. J. W. Blackwelder, died of flux, aged about fifteen months. She was buried at the Methodist church in that place Wednesday." The tombstone of the aforementioned child reads, "Inf. dau. of J. W. and M. J. Blackwelder, born February 7, 1887, lived 12 hours." Many stories are hidden beneath tombstones of the past. On the comical side, the Enterprise gives a taste of personalities of a generation past. When read for an extended period of time, one loses himself/herself in the time in which our ancestors lived... into a time when moral standards ran high, and faith was strong and thriving. "3 January 1890 - Christmas at Catawba A Christmas tree at the Methodist church Christmas eve, was Catawba United Methodist Church 37 enjoyed by the entire community. The tree was loaded with presents and the hearts of the little folks were made glad as their names were called and the presents carried to them. Rev. Mr. Monroe of Newton preached two excellent sermons in the Methodist church Sunday and night. Sermons that will long be remembered by all who heard them. But part of the one on Sunday night was lost. The part to tattlers and busybodies. We have no such people here: but then the preacher did not know it, and we excuse him. No, our people never talk about each other or anybody else, and we have quite enough to do to attend to our own business and frequently that suffers for want of attention. We all love each other and are trying to help each other along, it matters not which way we are going, up or down. Knowing how hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven and how easily for a poor man, our prayer is "God help the rich, the poor can beg." In 1890, at the Fourth Quarterly Conference, a committee reported that it had been offered $7 per acre for the camp ground property. No one wanted to sell the land, and it was decided that, if the 'friends of the camp ground' could raise the needed $300 to pay off claims against the Catawba Circuit, the land would remain theirs. The $300 was apparently raised as the Balls Creek Camp Ground remained church property once again. The Enterprise is always useful in backing up information contained in church records. The three main events in a person's life, birth, marriage, and death, were recorded as information was provided to the Editor. Births are only briefly mentioned, marriages quite frequently, and the obituaries of local residents are always dignified, informative, and emotional. "10 April 1891 - Marriages - At the Methodist parsonage at Catawba Station by the Rev. C. M. Gentry on February 25th 1891, Mr. Lee Setzer and Miss Hattie Love. At the residence of the bride's father on April 2nd, at Catawba Station by Rev. C. M. Gentry, Dr. T. W. Long and Miss Daisy, daughter of Mr. J. U. Long." It is impossible to record all entries regarding the Catawba United Methodist Church from the Enterprise . but I do encourage all whom are interested to visit the Catawba County Public Library in Newton, NC, and read old papers stored on microfilm in that repository. Catawba United Methodist Church 38 CIRCUIT CHRONOLOGY 1876 - 1885 The church was part of the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference. 1885 The Catawba Circuit was organized and was part of the North Carolina Conference. The first pastor was Rev. A. M. Lowe. 1890 The Circuit became part of the Western North Caro-lina Conference by the Fourth Quarterly Conference. The Catawba Circuit consisted of five churches: Catawba, Bethlehem, Hopewell, Concord, and Pisgah. One pastor served all five churches and, in turn, all five churches were responsible for his salary. At the 1888 Quarterly Conference, it was agreed to pay $625 salary to the circuit pastor. Any presiding elder would receive $75. This tallied up the total disbursement to $700. Of that $700, Catawba paid $175.00; Concord paid $180.00; Hopewell paid $115.00; Bethlehem paid $110.00; and, Pisgah paid $90.00. In 1890 Center and Setzer's Chapel churches were added to the circuit. When in 1892 Setzer's Chapel congregation was dissolved, Bethel Methodist Church took its place. In 1902 Pisgah dropped out of the circuit, leaving Catawba, Bethlehem, Concord, Hopewell, and Center Churches. Many years passed before another major change to the circuit was made. In 1920 Center United Methodist Church became a part of a new circuit; and, in 1942, Bethlehem separated. The most important change to the circuit, with regard to the Catawba Church, took place in 1954 when Catawba became a one-church charge . CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS As the congregation grew improvements to the church were necessary. In 1924 the old church was remodeled and Sunday School rooms were added. The front door area was totally renovated by adding porch columns, new doors, and arch effects over the doors. Rev. A. C. Kennedy [pastor from 1921 - 1925] was pastor during this time. On 28 March 1948, a special service was held by Rev. A. G. Lackey [pastor from 1942 - 1951], giving thanks for the church structure. The Dedication Service took place on 20 March 1949. Catawba United Methodist Church 39 As new changes were being made to the church structure, new changes needed to be made with regard to the old parsonage. It has been recorded that Rev. C. W. Gentry was the first minister to live in the parsonage, and it is also noteworthy to mention that Rev. A. G. Lackey was the last to live there. The Catawba Pharmacy now stands on the grounds on which the old parsonage was built long ago, on Highway #10 in Catawba, NC. The new parsonage was built and was the home of Rev. A. G. Lackey. He was minister to the, then existing, Catawba Charge which consisted of Catawba, Concord, and Hopewell United Methodist Churches. Members of the building committee were: W. M. Musgrove, Chairman; Henry Elmore, Challie Jones, Seth R. White, G. S. York, McKinley Hildebrand, Ray Drum; and J. P. Coulter, Treasurer. The pastonage was dedicated on 11 April, 1954, with Rev. A. W. Lynch as pastor. Catawba parsonage : 1964 1968 1971 1975 Church continues to make improvements to the new carpets in livingroom, diningroom, hall kitchen remodeled, serving bar removed, new cabinets and floor covering installed new furniture in five rooms new carpet in the master bedroom & pastor's study master bedroom, bath, kitchen wall-papered Catawba United Methodist Church 40 THE WOMEN'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE This society was organized on 30 September 1940 with forty charter members. The first president was Mrs. John Troutman and the pastor was Rev. W. G. Grigg. OUTSTANDING MEMBERS Present Catawba Church members say that Mr. J. U. Long was Sunday School Superintendent for forty years. Mrs. Annie Rhyne Sherrill, wife of John Sherrill, was a local school teacher as well as a Sunday School teacher and devout church member. For her outstanding contributions to the church, a Sunday School class was formed and named in her honor in 1924. Rev. Beverly Wilson, pastored twice at the Catawba Church: (1) Dec, 1910 - 1914 and (2) 1925 - 1929. He was the father of 13 children, four of whom he left in Catawba. They were, Ira who married Butler Lowrance , Laura who married Dee Nichols, Louise who married Reggie Nichols, and Catherine. The latter is now deceased, while Ira, Laura, and Louise are still active members of the church. SHARING As in many town instances where many denominations worship, space is sometimes a problem. The act of sharing becomes necessary when new denominations arrive, or when other denomina-tions are making their necessary renovations to existing buildings . Catawb mile . ' Be was built, building fo a time peri participate been forme Danner, a different special occ a United Methodis fore the present Catawba allowed r worship service od before 1923 wh d in the Methodis d by their church Baptist, taught i religious persua asions as Thanksg t Church has always 'gone the extra structure of Redeemer Lutheran Church their congregation to use their church s. Another example of sharing enters en the youth of Catawba Baptist Church t Sunday School because such had not at that time. In fact, Miss Edna n the Methodist Sunday School. Lastly, sions held joint services on such iving and Easter. HOMECOMING The first Homecoming for Catawba United Methodist Church was held on 27 September 1933. Rev. E. D. Ballard was pastor. Homecoming did not take place every year since 1933. The next event occured on 30 August 1959 while Rev. M. C. Ellerbe was pastor. But, the most important Homecoming, other than the first, Catawba United Methodist Church 41 thus far, was in 1976, when the church celebrated its first 100 years.... its Centennial! The church congregation, up-to-date, since its naming of Catawba United Methodist Church, is now [1991] 115 years old, working toward its 200th birthday, no less! ! ! CATAWBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY As with all town churches, as aforementioned, space has always been a problem. Just as many churches needed to share the actual church structure, some needed to share burying grounds. Catawba's cemetery has been shared with Catawba Baptist Church which is located on 2nd Avenue, NE, in Catawba, NC . It is thought, also, that maybe Redeemer Lutheran Church has a few plots there. In recording tombstone inscriptions, verses have been omitted, however, when this author had additional information in her files, this was added after the tombstone inscription. Listings have been recorded by Row, moving from left to right. Row #1, as a person is facing the front of the church, begins to the left/back of the church. The tombstone nearest to the back/left is the beginning stone. This area seems to be the oldest section. ROW #1 Marion Long, wife of Eli Warlick 3 Nov. 1892 to 19 Dec. 1917 Frank J. Long, 31 Aug. 1868 to 16 Dec. 1914 HEAD - T. Walter Long, MD - 15 Feb. 1858 to 11 June 1916 FOOT - Thomas W. Long, Jr., MD - 3 Feb. 1906 to 27 Feb. 1987 Daisy Long, wife of Thomas Walter Long 21 Mar. 1873 to 26 Mar. 1923 Oscar Sherrill - 7 Aug. 1878 to 29 May 1933 Gretta Long, wife of Oscar Sherrill 17 Oct. 1874 to 11 Nov. 1943 HEAD - James A. Sherill, NC PHM3 US Navy, WWII 22 Feb. 1912 to 28 Feb. 1971 / FOOT - James Andrew Sherrill, son of Oscar 4 Gretta Sherrill 22 Feb. 1912 to 28 Feb. 1971 John R. Hamil - 4 May 1874 to 3 July 1943 His Wife Martha Bozeman - 14 Feb. 1874 to 9 Dec. 1946 Catawba United Methodist Church 42 Lula Drum, daughter of J. F. & Mary L. Drum 1893 to 1975 / Jacob Francis Drum - 1854 to 1942 / Mary Frances Loftin, wife of J. F. Drum - 1855 to 1936 / Anthea Pearl Drum, daughter of J. F. &. Mary L. Drum 1888 to 1969 / Era May Drum, daughter of J. F. & Mary L. Drum 1880 to 1969 ROW #2 John W. Blackwelder - 30 June 1855 to 7 Mar. 1925 / Mary Long Blackwelder - 1 July 1864 to 26 Jan. 1928 Claude A. Jordan - 12 Aug. 1874 to 14 May 1934 / Mayce Blackwelder Jordan - 28 Mar. 1882 to 11 July 1973 HEAD - Oscar Neill Sherrill - 2 May 1913 to 20 Jan. 1990 FOOT - Oscar Neill Sherrill - CSP US Navy, WWII 2 May 1912 to 20 Jan. 1990 Craig Marion Spencer - 3 Feb. 1924 to 20 May 1967 Sally Margie Lowrance - 23 Nov. 1901 to n.d. [no date] / Mary Esther Lowrance - 13 July 1890 to 5 Jan. 1973 / Joseph Butler Lowrance - 21 Oct. 1893 to 16 Oct. 1970 Avery W. Setzer - 2 April 1897 to 21 Jan. 1986 MARRIED - 29 Dec. 1941 Fannie Mae L. Setzer - 23 Dec. 1898 to 10 Oct. 1984 Earl Pinkney Spencer - 1913 to 1974 ROW #3 William Long was born in Prince George Co., MD Dec. 28, 1792 Died Aug. 29, 1884 Aged 91y 8m Id Rachel E., wife of William Long, Born July 20, 1810 Died May 23, 1899 Aged 88y 10m 3d Thos. S. Long Died June 29, 1884 Aged 49y 7m 23d Catawba United Methodist Church 43 f The Enterprise - 5 July 1884 Last Sunday morning the quietude of our village was startled as the news was told that Colonel Long had taken his life. Death under all circumstances has a poignant shaft to stab the feelings of those left behind, but under circumstances which we will now proceed to tell, it is heart rending and even the stranger will stand awed when he contemplates the horror of the deed. A short while after day break last Sunday, Colonel Long was seen by one of the servants going in the direction of the privy house and it was not long before the citizens of the place heard the heavy report of a pistol but from the noise it made they concluded it was in the country, being in a close house the sound seemed to be some distance. Mr. Long not returning for some time, the servant told one of Mr. Long's sons he had better see where his father was. He went to the house and looking in saw his father in a sitting position and ran back and told the family that his father had tried to cut his throat again as he saw he was very bloody - a plank kept him from seeing his actual condition. On returning they found him sitting on a seat leaning against the wall of the house with all the top of his head blown off, and his body lifeless. At his feet lay a large pistol known as a horse pistol. His head was torn off from his nose all the way back and the discharge was so terrific that the walls of the house were covered with blood and brains and a portion of his skull was blown through the cracks of the house. Mr. Long attempted suicide a few weeks ago and denied it through this paper. [Due to missing issues of this paper, the author did not find this denial in published form] . He used a great deal of whiskey but had stopped drinking ever since he attempted suicide. Colonel Long had his faults but he had many good principals - he had a generous heart and gentle reader, let us weave a wreath and with it we will decorate his cold, icy grave."] Rosanna C, wife of Thomas S. Long Died August 4, 1884 Aged 51y 2m 8d f The Enterprise - 16 August 1884 "Died at Catawba on August 4 after a long and painful illness, Mrs. Camila Long, wife of Colonel Thomas Long, aged about fifty years. Mrs. Long was a noble woman and bore her many afflictions with Christian fortitude. She had a generous disposition and at her home, she so acted that she made you feel at home. She was a good woman and her place will long be missed . " ] James T. Long - 15 Feb. 1864 to 16 Feb. 1881 Catawba United Methodist Church 44 Infant Daughter of J. W. & M. J. Blackwelder 7 Feb. 1887 Lived 12 hours f Nettie Neill, daughter of J. W. & M. J. Blackwelder 30 Mar. 1888 to 22 July 1889 f The Enterprise - 26 July 1889 "Died Monday evening, July 22nd, at Catawba, the daughter of Mr. J. W. Blackwelder, died of flux, aged about fifteen months. She was buried at the Methodist church in that place Wednesday.] Logan S. Long - 22 Dec. 1870 to 19 Jan. 1896 Aged 25y 22d George W. Cansler - 29 Oct. 1831 to 9 Nov. 1896 Aged 65y 19d [According to The Enterprise . G. W. Cansler was the Mayor of Catawba in 1883 and he smoked cigars.] Jane Elizabeth, wife of G. W. Cansler 25 Mar. 1837 to 31 May 1903 [Almost Illegible] Clara? C. Aba, daughter of C. M. & M. M. Lowrance 25 May 1867 to 18 Dec. 1888? Aged 21y 6m 27d Mary M. , wife of Cany M. Lowrance 7 Dec. 1824 to 12 Aug. 1896 Aged 71y 8m 5d Daughter of S. E. & D. A. Lowrance 23 Nov. 1901 to 11 July 1902 Aged 7m 18d Samuel Edward Lowrance - 3 June 1863 to 16 Mar. 1943 / Dorcas Ann Abernathy Lowrance - 26 Nov. 1863 to 11 Sept. 1939 Cornelia E., wife of A. L. Loftin - 18 July 1875 to 11 Feb. 1964 Aged 28y 6m 23d I. A. Lowrance - 1856 to 1938 L. J. Lowrance - 1858 to 1909 Henry D. Lowrance - 25 May 1851 to 26 Mar. 1936 / Sarah J. Bost Lowrance - 24 Apr. 1853 to 20 Feb. 1904 T. Antha Massey - 25 Sept. 1878 to 23 June 1924 Joseph H. Lowrance - 28 Oct. 1882 to 21 Aug. 1914 Ralph A. Huffman - 6 Aug. 1920 to 8 June 1924 Catawba United Methodist Church 45 Essie Creedmore Huffman - 9 Jan. 1904 to 15 July 1957 Fred A. Huffman - 1892 to 1980 / Mabel H. Huffman - 1897 to 1971 ROW #4 Miles Abernethy - n.d. Haley Abernethy - n.d. Victoria Abernethy - n.d. Joseph Abernethy - n.d. Thomas Setzer - n.d. Jacob F. Abernathy - 19 Sept. 1845 to 4 June 1914 / Mary Ella Pope Abernathy - 31 Jan. 1863 to 13 Dec. 1936 Mattie Robinson - n.d. Catherine E. Deal, wife of Tobias Shook 1848 to 1932 In Memory of Tobias Shook, son of Jacob &. Susan Shook Was born Dec. 11, 1838 and died 6 June 1882 Aged 42y 5m 25d 1 field stone Benjamin F. Robinson - 1879 to 1946 A. Robinson - 1845 to 1927 / Mary A. Robinson - 1844 to 1892 Sarah L. , wife of L. D. Robinson 31 Mar. 1827 to 16 Sept. 1896 Aged 59y 5m 15d L. D. Robinson - 30 May 1822 to 13 Oct. 1896 Aged 74y 4m 13d Nora Crawford, wife of Z. V. Leonard - 31 Dec. 1872 to 4 June 1941 / Joseph Zeb Vance Leonard - 30 May 1863 to 19 Mar. 1944 / Novella Leonard - 18 Nov. 1890 to 24 June 1967 / Winona Leonard - 4 Feb. 1896 to 2 July 1971 ["Winona Leonard spent a great deal of time and energy researching the history of [our] church"] / Genevieve Gaither, wife of Chouves T. Leonard 13 Feb. 1903 to 23 Aug. 1976 / Chouves Talmadge Leonard - 27 July 1899 to 12 Feb. 1986 Catawba United Methodist Church 46 ROW #5 In Memory of Calvin A. Wilfong - 1 Mar. 1826 to 8 Feb. 1895 Aged [stone broken] M. A. Wilfong, wife of [stone broken] A. Lowrance and daughter of Joseph & katie Wilson was born 5 Apr. 1825 and died 9 Sept. 1883 Aged 58y 5m 6d Floy G., daughter of W. L. k M. L. Moore - 12 May 1880 to 29 Mar. 1884 Elizabeth, wife of Rev. E. David - 14 Nov. 1884 to [death date plastered over during repair] A. H. Houston - 28 June 1829 to 18 Mar. 1900 Aged 70y 8m 20d Martha Ann [daughter of] W. H. E. & A. H. Houston - d. 20 Sept. 1883 Aged 50y 6m 27d Ann V. L. Houston - Born [hole in stone]uary 3, 1845, Died [hole in stone]ember 14, [death year cemented over] f The Enterprise - 21 April 1883 "We are sorry to learn that Mrs. A. H. Houston is in very feeble health and has been so for some time."] William G. James - Born [stone broken and cemented together] and Died 13 Aug. 1883 Aged 70y 6m 29d [Was a Justice of the Peace in 1879] Lillia A., wife of William S. Deal 26 Dec. 1828 to 15 Feb. 1902 Aged 73y lm 19d Erected by son, P. C. Deal Clyde M. Maguire - 11 June 1902 to 7 Feb. 1985 Jack Braxton Sherrill - 23 Nov. 1924 to n.d. Ina Travis Sherrill - 13 Mar. 1924 to 20 July 1976 Randy Dean Sipe - 5 Aug. 1956 to 25 Aug. 1980 / Cpl David L. Sipe, 9th Div. FA, Awarded Silver Star For Bravery, WWII - 7 Feb. 1919 to n.d. / Virginia E. Sipe - 2 Dec. 1928 to n.d. ROW #6 Rev. C. C. Brothers - 24 Mar. 1860 to 24 Feb. 1934 / Catawba United Methodist Church 47 Mollie M., wife of Rev. C. C. Brothers - died 31 July 1898 Aged 39y 5m Annie C. Brothers - 29 Feb. 1876 to 22 Oct. 1947 "Neppie" Clary, wife of Charles B. Brothers and Mother of Rev. C. C. Brothers, died 6 Feb. 1897 Aged 72y 5m 13d S. Beatrice, daughter of W. H. & A. G. Aderholdt Died [stone broken] 26, 1886 Aged 19y 8m lOd J. M. Lewis - Died 12 Jan. 1887 Aged 72y 8m 17d f The Enterprise - 20 February 1885 "The medical attendants of J. M. Lewis, inform us that they are fearful his hand will yet require amputation." NOTE: See entry for Laura C. Lewis below.] Children of J. M. and L. A. Lewis Mary L. - Died 4 April 1865 Aged 6m Carrie S. - Died 13 June 1876 Aged ly lm 19d Laura C, daughter of J. M. & L. A. Lewis 17 Mar. 1867 to 15 Jan. 1885 f The Enterprise - 9 January 1885 "A very distressing accident occurred just across the river from the town of Catawba last Saturday morning. The clothes of Laura Lewis, a daughter of Mr. J. M. Lewis, caught on fire from some coals while passing across the hearth and before the fire was discovered her clothes were ablaze. The father, a very old man, being present extinguished the fire as soon as possible by tearing off and smothering the burning garments, but not before the young lady was severely burned from her waist down. Her friends fear that she cannot recover from the injuries. The father was, also, severely burned on his hands and arms and required medical attention. " ] Elizabeth H., wife of J. M. Lewis - 18 Nov. 1831 to 8 June 1893 or 1898 Dora Viola, daughter of A. N. & B. J. Aderholdt Died 21? April 1886 Aged 7y 5m 31d Jacob E., son of A. N. & B. J. Aderholdt Died 29 April 1886 Aged 5y 14d Raymond M. Kennedy - 18 July 1904 to 10 June 1917 Aged 12y 11m 24d Catawba United Methodist Church 48 Daughter - Kay Nancy Goodson - 22 Nov. 1932 Aged 3d David A. Kennedy - 1864 to 1943 / Nancy Kennedy - 1878 to 1960 Katie L. , daughter of J. V. & Fannie Brown 12 Nov. 1909 to 23 June 1912 Susan A. Killian - 10 Jan. 1854 to 17 Nov. 1913 Aged 49y 10m 7d Laban Killian - 29 Feb. 1844 to 22 Sept. 1929 Mariah Killian - Died 21 Jan. 1927 Aged 87y ROW #7 John Phillip Coulter - 24 Feb. 1911 to 22 July 1958 John Henry Coulter - 11 Feb. 1847 to 5 Apr. 1917 / Laura Pitts Coulter - 7 Oct. 1853 to 22 Apr. 1929 / Addie E. Coulter - 1883 to 1886 / Infant - 8 Jan. 1890 to 14 Feb. 1890 Zoe , daughter of Alex & Sallie A. Yount 28 July 1884 to 19 Aug. 1890 Aged 6y 24d f The Enterprise - 29 August 1890 "Died, at her grandfather's (F. A. Yount) near Catawba, NC. , August 19th, at 10 o'clock p.m. of Bright's kidney disease, Zoe Yount, daughter of I. Alex Young, age 6 years and 21 days. A child of the covenant, she sleeps in Jesus, and is safe in the arms of Him who said: "Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."] Sallie A., wife of Ira A. Yount - 28 July 1859 to 28 July 1885 Ralph, son of I. A. & S. A. Yount [date covered by cement repair of stone] died 27 June 1885 Virgilia W. , wife of J. W. Clark and daughter of C. A. 4 R. C. Milligan - died 15 Jan. 1888 Aged 29y 11m 18d f The Enterprise - 26 Jan. 1888 "Died near Catawba. .. January 15, 1888, Vergilia W. Clark, (whose maiden name was Milligan; but married to James W. Clark, February 12, 1885). She was converted and joined the M. E. Church South at the age of 12 years, and lived a consistent member of the Catawba United Methodist Church 49 same till death called her away. Her death was almost sudden - being taken suddenly ill at 1 o'clock p.m. Saturday and died about 1 o'clock a.m. on Sunday. M. A. Abernethy . " ] Rebecca Cornelius, wife of G. A. Milligan 5 July 1824 to 16 Oct. 1898 84y 3m lid Laura Ellen, wife of W. N. Kale - 4 Apr. 1873 to 26 May 1948 Wilburn Noah Kale - 2 Sept. 1863 to 6 Apr. 1944 Clyde Kale - 8 Sept. 1898 to 21 Feb. 1913 Roy W. Kale - 4 Dec. 1903 to 19 Mar. 1986 Paul R. Croom - 9 Oct. 1914 to 21 Dec. 1914 Charlie F. Fox - 17 Jan. 1891 to 23 Dec. 1966 / Bertha H. Fox - 21 Jan. 1892 to 21 July 1975 AUNT - Harriet E. Witherspoon 20 Apr. 1840 to 20 Sept. 1919 / MOTHER - Katherine B. Witherspoon 26 Jan. 1853 to 9 Jan. 1936 Joe Phillip Spencer - 12 June 1931 to 26 Aug. 1979 ROW #8 Clara Bost Korn - 25 Dec. 1905 to 23 Jan. 1970 / Wilburn T. Korn, Sr. - 1 Oct. 1900 to 27 Apr. 1979 Alice Mae T. Isenhour, wife of G. W. Isenhour 27 Jan. 1895 to 2 Apr. 1981 George W. Isenhower (sic) - 21 Sept. 1877 to 23 May 1956 Fannie, wife of G. W. Isenhour - 16 Mar. 1884 to 14 Jan. 1917 Flossie, wife of F. L. Wilson 30 Mar. 1894 to 3 Mar. 1917 Aged 20y 11m 3d Harriett Sipes Miller - 11 Oct. 1875 to 22 Oct. 1958 J. Ernest Love - 1900 to 1983 / Lois D. Love - 1907 to n.d. Catawba United Methodist Church 50 Jo Ann Musgrove Jackson - 21 Feb. 1930 to 22 Nov. 1988 / Robert Jackson, Jr. - 29 Aug. 1926 to n.d. ROW #9 Mary Adeline, wife of P. J. Pitts 30 Oct. 1825 to 26 Feb. 1902 Aged 76y 3m 26d / Phillip J. Pitts - 10 Dec. 1822 to 7 Feb. 1897 Aged 74y lm 27d J. H. Pitts - 16 Aug. 1850 to 21 July 1930 [store owner in 1890's] / Laura Ingold Pitts - 14 Feb. 1855 to 6 Sept. 1933 Kenneth Bernard, son of J. H. & L. I. Pitts 31 Aug. 1891 to 29 Sept. 1891 Winnie B., daughter of Rev. A. M. & N. E. Lowe 7 Oct. 1886 to 8 Sept. 1887 Children of Rev. A. M. & N. E. Lowe / Otho Oscar - 26 July 1881 to 26 Feb. 1886 Mary Florence - 6 Oct. 1883 to 3 Mar. 1886 Alda Zenobia, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 6 Sept. 1890 to 24 May 1891 Florence Emma, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 19 Aug. 1892 to 24 Oct. 1892 Mary Etta Rufty, wife of J. D. Little 6 Mar. 1861 to 23 Sept. 1893 r The Enterprise - 29 September 1893 "Mrs. J. D. Little died at her home at Catawba on the 25th, inst. (Inst, means instant or current month; therefore, 25th inst. would indicate 25th September 1893)."] Mary Bell, daughter of J. D. & M. E. Little 7 Sept. 1893 to 7 May 1894 Jacob Daily Little - 22 June 1849 to 6 April 1932 [Jacob was Dr. J. D. Little, and in December of 1882, he completed a new home in Catawba. He was also acting postmaster as per The Enterprise dated 6 February 1885, in place of his deceased brother. The newspaper records, "There are two petitions out for postmaster at this place, Gen. A. H. Houston and J. D. Little, both good citizens and staunch Democrats."] Catawba United Methodist Church 51 Ralph Little, son of J. D. & M. E. Little 12 Dec. 1883 to 10 May 1948 ROW #10 Benjamin Baxter James - 16 Feb. 1863 to [stone broken and cemented over date] Franklin Alexander James - 11 Oct. 1825/75 to 14 April 1906 Will Sipe - 15 May 1881 to 19 June 1913 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Lee Sipe - 31 Mar. 1930 ROW #11 Jacob Wycoff - 18 Nov. 1821 to 6 Jan. 1894 Aged 72y lm 18d Espa A., wife of Jacob Wycoff - 12 Nov. 1819 to [stone broken across the death date] Joseph William, son of J. W. and M. E. Lowrance b. 21 Aug. 1891 to 5 ? 1892 Aged 9m 9d Seth W. Lowrance - 7 Sept. 1888 to 11 May 1912 J. W. Lowrance - 12 Nov. 1853 to 5 Nov. 1942 / M. E. Frances Wycoff, his wife - 11 Aug. 1852 to 19 May 1928 Blanche Lowrance Brower - 26 Oct. 1874 to 14 Dec. 1937 Frances E[lizabeth] [Fannie Shuford], wife of Dr. A. M. Powell 14 Feb. 1824 to 17 June 1901 Dr. Q. M. Little - 21 June 1847 to 12 Nov. 1907 / Quintus M. Little - NC Pvt , Co. B, 3 Regt , NC Jr. Res., CSA 21 June 1847 to 12 Nov. 1907 / Eva L. Little - 12 Aug. 1854 to 8 Dec. 1937 / Beulah E. Little - 2 Dec. 1873 to 3 Aug. 1947 Emma, daughter of D. & L. Hedrick - Died 29 Apr. 1911 Age 12y / Lillie, wife of D. Hedrick - Died 14 Nov. 1912 Age ca. 60y / Daniel Hedrick - Died 28 Mar. 1919 Age ca. 73y Daniel Hefner - 5 Jan. 1857 to 4 May 1924 Aged 67y 3m 29d Catawba United Methodist Church 52 Catherine L. Isenhower - 7 June 1855 to 15 Sept. 1939 / Joe C. Isenhower - 11 June 1844 to 2 Aug. 1927 ROW #12 Nelson Lowrance - 21 Mar. 1816 to 13 Mar. 1901 Age 85y lid / Harriet, wife of S. Nelson Lowrance 10 Sept. 1817 to 16 Aug. 1901 Age 83y 11m 6d F. M. Whitaker - 20 Jan. 1848 to 31 Jan. 1900 Age 52y lid / Mary C, wife of F. M. Whitaker - 2 Mar. 1845 to 31 Aug. 1930 Charles V. Lowrence - 7 Apr. 1860 to 9 Dec. 1931 / Frances L., wife of C. V. Lowrance - 10 Nov. 1866 to 8 Oct. 1901 Freda, wife of T. R. Phelan - 20 Feb. 1895 to 5 Mar. 1922 Age 27y 5d Oscar B. Herman, NC Pvt , Army Air Forces, WWII 28 Jan. 1903 to 10 Apr. 1970 John F. Herman - 10 Dec. 1864 to 16 Jan. 1947 / Lizzie E. Herman - 27 Mar. 1866 to 30 Nov. 1918 John Franklin, son of J. F. & L. E. Herman 16 Nov. 1900 to 22 June 1902 Reuel Howard, son of R. S. & L. L. Isenhour 22 Aug. 1912 to 6 Oct. 1912 Luther Hampton, son of R. S. &. L. L. Isenhour 14 Oct. 1913 to 15 Nov. 1914 Dolphus N. Allen - 17 Sept. 1849 to 30 May 1942 / Nancy Vaughn - 12 Dec. 1842 to 12 Feb. 1915 R. Glenn, g. son of L. S. & J. C. Isenhour 8 May 1910 to 28 Sept. 1915 Aged 5y 4m 20d Troy C. Fox - 13 June 1909 to 20 Sept. 1922 Colen? Fox - 30 Apr. 192? to 20 Apr. 1926? [Illegible] Daniel F. Isenhour - 11 June 1883 to 19 June 1939 Catawba United Methodist Church 53 ROW #13 J. U. Long - 25 Dec. 1843 to 3 Nov. 1928 [According to The Enterprise . J. U. Long was a successful businessman in 1883, was a Commissioner in 1884, was a district representative to the Democratic Convention in 1884, and a Sheriff's nominee in 1888. He was a Registrar for Catawba in 1890; and, in a 6 February 1891 entry, a fire consumed his store in Catawba, however, he carried insurance of $2000 on the goods, but unfortunately carried no insurance on his store building. J. U. was again mentioned as a Commissioner in 1892 as well as being a representative in the 1892 Democratic Convention.] Laura Yount Long - 27 April 1848 to 1 Feb. 1930 Annie Lee Long - 13 Aug. 1885 to 25 Feb. 1886 Robert E. Trexler - 1874 to 1924 Dr. Fred Yount Long, MD - 20 Jan. 1875 to 29 T uly 1965 [Delivered hundreds of babies during his lifetime. His small office building still stands in the Town of Catawba as a monu-ment to his work. He was a jolly, round man, that worked many a time to be paid with vegetables and work around his property. People still remember Dr. Long with affection.] Carrie Belle Davis, wife of Dr. Fred Y. Long 17 Jan. 1888 to 15 Feb. 1967 Catherine Jean, daughter of E. L. & Lena Huffman 5 Aug. 1927 to 30 Dec. 1948 / Lena Kale Huffman - 4 Sept. 1901 to 25 Mar. 1990 / Eugene L. Huffman - 25 July 1899 to 2 Oct. 1974 Earl McCoy - 7 June 1917 to 16 June 1979 ROW #14 Charles C. Moore, SI US Navy, WWII 13 Feb. 1928 to 9 May 1975 Charlie C. Moore, Sr. , NC CPL, Co. E, 105 Ammo, TN, WWI 4 Jan. 1895 to 30 Mar. 1970 Leslie J. Moore - 21 Aug. 1898 to 19 Apr. 1970 Nina Moore Reichard - 6 Apr. 1881 to 1 Nov. 1963 Catawba United Methodist Church 54 REID Charles A. - 1871 to 1932 Cenephas A. - 1843 to 1928 Sarah B. - 1849 to 1934 Susan - 1883 to 1885 Addie - 1868 to 1889 Z. B. R. - 1876 to 1915 [ The Enterprise - 9 August 1889 - Regarding Addie Reid "SAD ACCIDENT IN CATAWBA - It has never been our painful duty to chronicle a sadder accident than that which occurred at Catawba during the storm which raged on last Sunday night. Mr. James Trolinger and Miss Addie Reed had just returned from church and entered the parlor of the latter, when lightening struck the house, dealing instant death to both parties, and setting fire to the window curtains, also to Miss Reed's dress. Mr. Sherrill and Miss Reed's sister were in the parlor at the same time and were slightly shocked. Mr. Sherrill 's hands were badly burned in putting the fire out. Mr. Trolinger and Miss Reed had been sitting by an open window in the room, but had just moved their seats near another window which was closed, and by the side of the fire place. Mr. Trolinger was sitting near the mantel, while Miss Reed was on his other side by the window. There seemed to be two forks of the lightening. One striking the weather-boarding just above the window, and following down the glass melted several panes and struck Miss Reed on the temple, running down her head, breaking her neck and continuing down one side of her body, passing out at her foot, tearing the shoe to pieces. The other bolt descended the chimney, striking Mr. Trolinger on the back of the head and crossing in front of his body, passing down one side and out at his foot, destroying his shoe, also. Mr. Trolinger fell at once to the floor, but Miss Reed remained sitting upright in her chair, with her eyes open and her death was not thought of until after help reached them; when her eyes closed and death ensued. The pulses of both parties were beating when they were reached, but consciousness had fled with the stroke. All the other inmates of the house, excepting the four in the parlor, were asleep, and slightly shocked. The young couple were both laid out on the same bed in Mr. Reed's house, and Tuesday afternoon they were placed together in the separate coffins side by side, within the same grave. A crowd of sympathizing relatives and friends witnessed the funeral services, which were conducted by Rev. Bagby, and thus undivided by death, the yount couple await the coming of the Judgement Day together in the Methodist grave yard at Catawba. Our most sincere sympathies are offered to the bereaved families." And, this report from the same edition, dated 7 August 1889, and written by the local correspondant , Catawba United Methodist Church 55 "The heart strings of two of our best families are torn and bleeding, and the entire village is veiled in gloom. Last Sunday night, the 4th inst., when the services at the Methodist church were closed, a dark and potentous cloud overhung the village. As it rolled up ominous darkness prevaded the expanse, but now starting flashes gleam through the massy clouds so frequently, as if to light the very way to our homes. Under these condi-tions the congregation broke up, and hurriedly rushed for their homes. Those who lived nearby barely reached them when the rain began to pour. Jimmie Trollinger, a young man of the town, escorded Miss Addie Reid to her home only a few hundred yards distant. Twenty or thirty minutes after their arrival, and while seated in the parlor (with two others) discussing common places and whiling away the hours of the rain, a flash of lightening struck the west end of the house - the parlor end, running down on both sides of the chimney and entering the room, killed Jimmie and Miss Addie, and strange to say, did not even shock the two who were sitting very near . Jimmie was killed instantly; but it is thought that Miss Addie breathed a few times after the stroke; however, all efforts to resuscitate her by Dr. Long, aided by kind friends, proved fruitless . Jimmie was sitting on the hearth with his back to the fire-place and immediately under the mantel. The stroke burst on top of his head, following down the full length of his body to the feet, tearing one of his shoes; his body immediately falling to the floor. Miss Addie was sitting one or two feet to his left with back to end window. She was struck on right side of forehead and face, burning considerably and following down the entire length of her body, melting her stays, setting her clothes on fire and tearing even her shoes to pieces. Her body remained in a sitting posture; her head falling back against the window. They were children of J. H. Trollinger and C. A. Reid and were both in their twentieth year. They were kind genial and affectionate and loved by all who knew them; but especially will our young people miss them, as they were taken from their ranks and their forms will be seen among them no more. They will miss them at home - here my pen falters. They were buried in the same grave at this place the 6th inst. [August]. Rev. W. M. Bagby preached the funeral sermon. The largest concourse of people present than I ever saw at a funeral. Elkin" Catawba United Methodist Church 56 Saphronia A. Sherrill - 5 Nov. 1842 to 12 Dec. 1894 John A. Sherrill - 26 Apr. 1836 to 21 Aug. 1927 [Helen Rhyne and Donna B. Brown, of Catawba, provided information and a story about Annie Rhyne Sherrill and John Sherrill. They were lovingly known as Aunt Annie and Uncle Johnny to the community . John A. Sherrill was a confederate soldier during the War Between the States. He was a member of Company I, 12th Regiment. He enlisted in the county's first company in April of 1861, and is said to have fought through the war until he surrendered with Lee's army on 9 April 1865. John was severely wounded at Hanover Junction in May of 1862, and after a two-months furlough, he recovered and returned to his company. He was a county Commissioner from 1894 to 1896 and the county Treasurer from 1900 to 1904. John had been a member of Catawba Methodist since ca. 1889. ] Annie L. Sherrill - 9 Oct. 1861 to 4 Sept. 1928 [Per Helen Rhyne and Donna B. Brown of Catawba - Anna Lee Rhyne was born in 1861 and grew up on a large farm on the South Fork River near Startown. At the age of 16, she went off to college in Greensboro. Upon her return, she began a school-teaching career that continued until her death in 1928. In 1901 she became the second wife of John Sherrill. Annie was received into membership at Catawba by J. W. Bowman in 1901, according to an old Register of Members. The couple had no children of their own but raised a nephew after Annie's sister passed away. Because of her devotion and hard work for the church, a Bible Class was named in her honor, "The Annie Sherrill Bible Class."] Henderson Sherrill - 6 Nov. 1807 to 25 Aug. 1866 Aged 58y 9m 19d [Helped to establish the Western North Carolina Railroad. Was a representative in the House of Commons in 1844.] / Mahala Sherrill - 7 May 1815 to 27 Feb. 1893 Age 77y 9m 20d [ The Enterprise - 3 Mar. 1893 - "We are sorry to hear of the death in Catawba, Tuesday, February 28th of Mrs. Mahala Sherrill, mother of Messrs. John and James Sherrill. She was 75 years old and mother of eight children. " ] Lieut. U. F. Sherrill - 17 June 1834 to 3 Sept. 1861 [From Prof. George Hahn's, Catawba Soldier of the Civil War . Clay Printing, Hickory, 1911 - Catawba United Methodist Church 57 "Company A., 12th Regiment - U. F. Sherrill, 1st Lieutenant; commissioned April 27, 1861; promoted from 2nd Lieutenant; died September 1861; first man who died in Company A. Uriah Franklin, son of Henderson and Mahala Sherrill, a brother to John A., James H., Walter L., Beauregard Sherrill, Mrs. Dr. Chenault and Mrs. Laura Cline, was born in 1834. His father, a prominent farmer, had represented Catawba County in the legislature. Franklin was a fine looking young man; he was a splendid school teacher as the writer can testify. When the "Cry of war" went through the land for volunteers, Sherrill was among the first to respond; he joined the Catawba Rifles the first Company organized in old Catawba, in April 1861, before reaching his 27th year. He was elected First Lieut, and was with the Co. at Norfolk, Va. While at Norfolk he became sick, and on the 3rd day of Sept. AD 1861 he died. He was the first confederate soldier from Catawba Co., who sacrificed his life on the alter of his country; peace to his ashes. Had Sherrill lived we feel sure he would have filled high positiors in the army as he was a man of commanding appearance, and his men were devoted to him. We who survive will soon have to follow. Jan. 1911 M. 0. Sherrill"] Seth, son of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill - 10 Mar. 1883 to 17 Oct. 1903 Ross, son of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill 2 Feb. 1887 to 10 Nov. 1905 Aged 13y 9m 8d Zoe , daughter of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill 23 Nov. 1884 to 10 May 1905 Stella, daughter of J. H. and M. J. Sherrill, wife of W. I. Pitts 16 Sept. 1879 to 5 June 1908 James H. Sherrill - 1845 to 1927 Capt. Co. A, 49th Regt, CSA & W [Because of his service during the War Between the States, he attended the Old Soldiers' Reunions in the county. In 1892 he was the Vice-President of Company I's Veteran's Association. He was an assessor for Catawba Township (with regard to taxes) for a four-year period beginning in 1891. He was involved in county and local government.] Mary J. Davidson Sherrill - 1846 to 1920 J. H. L. Coulter - 22 Feb. 1869 to 19 Jan. 1943 / Eula Sherrill Coulter - 24 Dec. 1881 to 16 Dec. 1931 [J. H. Coulter's Enterprise entries include his building a new Catawba United Methodist Church 58 house in 1890, was a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Salisbury on 24 Aug. 1892 for Catawba Township, was an Inspector for Catawba Township in 1892, and was a member of the Jury during February Court, 1895 in Catawba County, NC . ] Infant daughter of J. H. L. & E, Coulter 3 Aug. 1911 Thomas E. Harwell - 7 Oct. 1873 to 6 July 1965 / Jessie L. Harwell - 18 Feb. 1883 to 4 Mar. 1966 Richard J. Lowrance - 3 July 1857 to 4 Sept. 1946 / Julia Ann Sigmon Lowrance - 21 Dec. 1857 to 29 May 1932 William Claude Sigmon - 30 Dec. 1894 to 3 Oct. 1945 / T. Dorus Sigmon - 6 June 1874 to 26 Sept. 1953 / Cora D. Sigmon - 13 Apr. 1879 to 25 May 1958 Clyde H. Sigmon - 3 Mar. 1899 to 23 Feb.. 1970 / Maggie Brown Sigmon - 17 Mar. 1906 to 21 Dec. 1987 T. Geter Keith - 1907 to 1950 ROW #15 Glenn G. Glovier, Sr., Fl US Navy, WWI 15 Apr. 1889 to 30 June 1967 / Zula Sherrill Glovier 14 Apr. 1899 to 11 Feb. 1986 Don D. Sherrill, Capt . , Medical Corps, WWI & WWII 29 Mar. 1897 to 16 Oct. 1968 Walter Lee Sherrill - 29 Mar. 1853 to 18 Oct. 1938 / Minnie Davidson Sherrill - 6 Jan. 1859 to 8 Oct. 1935 1 Illegible Tombstone Capt. W. W. Chenault, 49 Regt. NCT 9 Feb. 1837 to 1 Feb. 1863 Aged 25y 11m 22d [He died at Petersburg, Va . , February, 1863.] Elizabeth S. Chenault - 12 Mar. 1839 to 22 Feb. 1924 Catawba United Methodist Church 59 [ The Enterprise - 14 July 1883 "Mrs. Chenault, an invalid for several months, is convalescing . " ] G. M. Cline - 1884 to 1886 J. R. Cline - 1847 to 1916 l" The Enterprise - 13 Oct. 1883 - JR Cline has built two large tobacco barns and is now busily engaged in curing the weed. His crop looks well, and we have no doubt he will meet with success. 3 Jan. 1889 - Sale of Land for Taxes JR Cline - 240 Acres.... due tax is $27.04 11 October 1889 - A Catawba Book The Enterprise presses have just turned off the most valuable work on agriculture we have ever seen from the pen of a North Carolinian. It is written by J. Romulus Cline, a brainy young farmer of Catawba township. It is bound in a paper cover, of convenient size, bold type, and excellent print. It is for sale, and can be obtained by addressing, Mr. Cline, at Catawba, Catawba County, NC. We have read the work carefully, and do not hesitate in saying that it should be in the hands of every farmer. It contains ideas and suggestions that have not occurred to many farmers, and which all who read will at once admit to be wrought in their condition in a short time. The title of the pamphlet is: "Fewer Acres, with a System of Improvement, or Twenty Acres to the Horse in All Crops, Enough." The work first treats of the condition of the farmers and shows the reasons of the present depression, and then points out the remedies. His system of dividing all farms, no matter what the size, into six parts and rotating crops is an undeviating order, is alone worth much more than the price of the work, while his directions for planting and cultivating all the principal crops grown in the South, and makine the farm enrich itself, are very valuable, even to the most experienced of farmers. We, without reserve, recommend Mr. Cline* s work to farmers, and hope he will have ready sale for it. It should be in every household." 15 November 1889 - We are glad to learn that Mr. J. R. Cline's book is selling very well and is endorsed by every good farmer that reads it. At the State Fair copies were sold to parties in many sections of the state. Orders by mail are now being received briskly and the home people are taking to it right along. It is a Catawba United Methodist Church 60 good thing to read. Twenty-five cents per copy. 25 April 1890 - Mr. J. R. Cline's school will close with an entertainment the first night in May."] Laura S. Cline - 1850 to 1929 Lawson Henry Lowrance - 10 Oct. 1862 to 18 July 1910 [Was an assistant to the entry taker for the 1890 census.] Essie Long Lowrance - 15 Jan. 1877 to 21 Mar. 1968 Annie Laurie Lowrance - 19 Dec. 1900 to 21 Feb. 1953 Infant son of L. H. & E. L. Lowrance - 10 Oct. 1899 to 10 Oct. 1899 Gladys Lowrance - 7 May 1896 to 26 May 1963 Carlos 1. Lowrance, MAJ . US Army, WW I & II 20 Jan. 1895 to 11 Nov. 1985 Virginia Lowrance - 28 Nov. 1905 to 28 Apr. 1986 Aileen Lowrance - 13 July 1903 to 25 Mar. 1987 George Whitener Rhyne , Sr. - 28 Apr. 1894 to 11 Apr. 1973 Gordie Lowrance Rhyne - 24 July 1892 to 9 June 1963 Samuel Milton Gantt - 25 June 1925 to 5 Jan. 1982 Glenn Nicholas Matthews - 16 Sept. 1945 to n.d. / Cathy Gantt Matthews - 6 Dec. 1953 to 22 May 1983 / Married 17 July 1976 ROW #16 Robert Edwin Carpenter - 29 Apr. 1880 to 19 Feb. 1962 / Annie Shuford Carpenter - 23 June 1883 to 24 Sept. 1968 Michael Rufty - 24 Jan. 1823 to 30 Sept. 1906 Aged 83y 8m 6d / Salena Rufty - 28 Apr. 1841 to 9 Jan. 1925 Aged 83y 9m lid f The Enterprise 20 January 1883 - "Bad Accident - Last Thursday week, when the earth was covered with ice and snow, and the thermometer pointed a few Catawba United Methodist Church 61 degrees above zero, Mr. Mike Rufty of Catawba went to Ball's Creek, alone, for the purpose of attending to his cattle, a distance of two miles, and while attempting to cross on a foot log that spanned the creek, fell and fractured his leg. He commenced calling for help, and at the same time he crawled on his hands a considerable distance in the snow. Some persons hunting heard his cries and came to his relief, or he would have frozen. He was hauled home, and his leg was fixed by Dr. Little with a splaster paris bandage, and he is now doing very well." 21 April 1883 - We notice Mr. Mike Rufty traveling on our streets with crutches, caused by getting his leg broken last January. 7 June 1889 - Mr. Mike Rufty bid off the A. D. Shuford lands Monday for $3,100. The bids on the Smyre and the Bolick lands have been raised and they will be resold." 9 January 1891 - Mr. Mike Rufty of Catawba has discovered a valuable gold mine on his Hamilton place. 21 October 1892 - Mr. Mike Rufty has struck it rich in his gold mine near Catawba. One day last week he got out one rock that yielded $1000. There are rumors afloat that it has been sold at a big price. 28 October 1892 - The Rufty gold mine has been sold to Mr. W. M. Moseworth, of Washington County, Tennessee. The deed and money passed Tuesday. The sale was negotiated by Messers. Dellinger, Martin, and Daugherty, of Hickory, who had it bonded at $13,000. It is said that they sold it for $25,000.] James Thomas Rufty - 7 Jan. 1912 to 14 Nov. 1917 Charlie B. Rufty, Sr. - 5 Jan. 1870 to 6 June 1956 f The Enterprise - 14 September 1894 "Mr. Charles Rufty of Catawba and his brother, Bob, of Statesville, have gone to Blowing Rock on their bicycles and we predict the boys will have a hard roll when they strike the mountains . " ] Charles B. Rufty, Jr. - 30 Nov. 1909 to 26 Nov. 1964 Carl Edwin Moore - 20 Mar. 1914 to 29 Mar. 1975 "Tuby" Comet Marie Moore - n.d. Robert D. Rufty, SGT 1 NC Inf. SP. AM. War 8 Nov. 1872 to 1 Oct. 1951 Ada Palestine Cobb Rufty - 24 Sept. 1883 to 31 Oct. 1964 Catawba United Methodist Church 62 Amoret Rufty Speagle - 4 Nov. 1908 to 25 Apr. 1967 Hugh Rufty - 30 Apr. 1912 to 7 June 1964 OASIS Felix Alonzo Little, NC LT USNR WWII 26 June 1916 to 18 Dec. 1944 Peter Phillip Little - 24 Feb. 1920 Missing in Action since 2 Dec. 1942 Murrill Pitts Little - 30 Nov. 1883 to 4 Feb. 1967 Dr. Charles A. Little - 9 Mar. 1878 to 1 Jan. 1969 James William Grant - 19 Apr. 1910 to 6 Apr. 1977 Sara N. Little - 7 Jan. 1928 to n.d. John Monroe Little, US Army, WWII 23 Sept. 1923 to 23 July 1981 Jeffrey Stanton Landis - 9 Apr. 1955 to 13 July 1990 Catawba United Methodist Church 63 ROW #17 George W. Popwell - 20 May 1893 to 9 Jan. 1983 / Vita B. Popwell - 3 May 1894 to 6 July 1984 Lillian Josie Bridges - 12 Oct. 1899 to 24 July 1989 John H. James - 1870 to 1961 Maude B. James - 16 May 1885 to 28 Sept. 1976 Sallie Powell Bridges - 1867 to 1930 / Joseph V. Bridges - 1864 to 1943 J. S. Bridges - 1830 to 1914 / Amanda S. Bridges - 1829 to 1919 [J. S. Bridges was heavily involved in county politics. He helped build roads, was a Democrat, was listed as "Captain J. S. Bridges, and was on the Jury for the February, 1895 court session. He found gold on his land toward the latter part of the 1800 's and even had someone burn down his barn in the Fall of 1888.] Sarah A., wife of M. H. Ervin 12 May 1854 to 27 Sept. 1897 f The Enterprise - 12 December 1890 "At the residence of the bride's father, Capt . J. S. Bridges, of Catawba township Dec. 10th, Mr. Miles H. Ervin to Miss Sarah A. Bridges (marriage)."] J. B. Bridges - 2 Feb. 1857 to 4 June 1923 / Laura Wilson Bridges, his wife - 28 Jan. 1860 to 26 Apr. 1941 Margaret Cornelius, wife of J. B. Bridges 4 Dec. 1862 to 19 Nov. 1897 / Coyte Cornelius, their son 10 Sept. 1897 to 29 July 1917 J. A. Aderholdt - 3 April 1853 to 13 July 1938 [Was a committeeman for District 27, Flint Hill School, along with JH Pitts and Jacob Moore on 7 Sept. 1885.] Cordelia Bridges Aderholdt - 20 Dec. 1858 to 21 Nov. 1946 Catawba United Methodist Church 64 Pearl Aderholdt, wife of Charles B. Rufty, Sr. 22 July 1885 to 21 Oct. 1864 Joseph Henry Bridges, NC AS USNR WWII 8 Apr. 1924 to 18 Apr. 1957 Ed Bridges, Sr. - 29 Sept. 1887 to 30 Aug. 1973 / Estelle Croom Bridges - 4 Sept. 1897 to 28 May 1987 Ed Bridges, Jr. - 3 May 1918 to 19 Oct. 1988 Ora Sigmon Bridges - 28 Feb. 1902 to 16 Feb. 1984 Hoyte W. Bridges, US Navy, WWII 27 Mar. 1926 to 25 Nov. 1989 Thomas H. Myers, Sr. - 5 July 1931 to 24 Jan. 1963 Fanny M. Myers - 12 Feb. 1923 to 15 Jan. 1991 Infant, George Franklin Myers - 10 Oct. 1963 George W. Hubbard - 22 July 1924 to 12 June 1975 May Bridges Hubbard - 15 Aug. 1889 to 22 Aug. 1969 / Memphis M. Hubbard - 25 Nov. 1871 to 7 Apr. 1950 Donna Isabel Hubbard - 23 Sept. 1914 to 24 July 1928 Earl Clayton Myers - 27 Sept. 1910 to 3 Aug. 1989 / Married 13 May 1930 / Evelyn (Polly) Myers - 30 July 1912 to 17 May 1990 Everette F. Stewart - 23 Dec. 1925 to 19 June 1982 / Hazel W. Stewart - 31 Dec. 1925 to n.d. ROW #18 Dr. Hubert E. Booth - 12 Nov. 1903 to 9 Nov. 1976 Mildred H. Carpenter, wife of Dr. H. E. Booth 26 June 1912 to 26 Aug. 1974 Rev. J. H. Booth - 14 Feb. 1845 to 28 Oct. 1917 Frank E. Booth - 29 Aug. 1870 to 8 July 1954 Catawba United Methodist Church 65 i Lillian G. Sleuman, wife of F. E. Booth 29 Apr. 1871 to 29 Oct. 1944 Eugenia Gail Booth - 6 Mar. 1899 to 4 Sept. 1872 Charles A. McNeill - 22 July 1913 to 20 Dec. 1987 / Avery H. McNeill - 2 May 1872 to 17 Aug. 1925 / Janie Sleuman McNeill - 29 Dec. 1876 to 10 May 1958 / Infant daughter of A. H. & J. S. McNeill - 4 Apr. 1912 [The family Bibles of Charles A. McNeill and his father, Avery H. McNeill are in the possession of Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , author. Charles McNeill was a lawyer and graduate of Davidson College. Charles never married.] Charles H. Sleuman - 12 Sept. 1837 to 23 Dec. 1892 / Willie E., son of C. H. & J. E. Sleuman - 19 Oct. 1869 to 10 July 1870 / Jane E. Sleuman - 2 Aug. 1848 to 10 Jan. 1877 Sue A. Abernethy - 24 Dec. 1842 to 21 Jan. 1917 Turner Abernethy - 10 Dec. 1803 to 26 July 1881 / Elizabeth Abernethy - 10 Oct. 1807 to 18 June 1881 "Uncle Joe" - J. A. Sleuman - 1846 to 1914 Emma Y. Abernethy - 24 Mar. 1878 to 20 Nov. 1911 Aged 33y 7m 26d Mildred Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. O. Robinson 29 June 1908 - 7 July 1908 Samuel H. Abernethy - 22 July 1844 to 22 Jan. 1929 / Sarah R. Utley, wife of S. H. Abernethy 1 Jan. 1856 to 27 Mar. 1938 / Martha Gertrude Abernethy - 13 Oct. 1882 to 3 Sept. 1950 Charles Warren Gantt - 28 Feb. 1898 to 16 Aug. 1979 / Virginia Lowrance Gantt - 30 May 1898 to 31 Dec. 1984 Charles Hoyte Webber, NC PVT Quartermaster Corps, WWI 19 Sept. 1890 to 8 Feb. 1957 Esther B. Webber - 24 Sept. 1901 to 17 Nov. 1978 Catawba United Methodist Church 66 Debra Kay Brown - 1 July 1950 to 6 Oct. 1952 15th Air Force, S/SGT William Davis Brown 19 Feb. 1923 to 25 July 1974 / Vivian Stewart Brown - 22 Aug. 1924 to n.d. William Q. Jones - 24 Nov. 1911 to n.d. / Thelma W. Jones - 3 Apr. 1921 to n.d. ROW #19 John Rector Trollinger - 16 June 1892 to 1 Aug. 1948 Jacob H. Trollinger, Sr. - 18 Feb. 1841 to 22 Nov. 1927 [Jacob was a committeeman for the 28th School District for Catawba School along with John Lowrance and Q. M. Little on 7 Sept. 1885. Jacob was a magistrate for Catawba Township in April of 1891.] Ora E. Trollinger - 1891 to 1891 / Fannie L. Trollinger - 1893 to 1894 Mrs. Eunice B. Trollinger - 20 Feb. 1851 to 23 Jan. 1894 Jacob H. Trollinger, Jr. - 25 Sept. 1885 to 13 May 1914 James A. Trollinger - 27 Jan. 1870 to 4 Aug. 1889 [See the newspaper write-up for Addie Reid.] Myrtie Frances Abernethy, wife of Jacob Burton Cornelius 1 July 1876 to 29 Jan. 1955 0. F. Abernethy - 20 Oct. 1845 to 28 Mar. 1925 / Sarah A. Abernethy - 19 Dec. 1839 to 5 Apr. 1925 Annie Drum, daughter of Charles & Edith Drum - 1907 to 1915 Charles Henry Drum - 1877 to 1956 Edith A. Drum - 1878 to 1966 Frances Elizabeth, daughter of A. J. & F. F. Yount 9 Aug. 1912 to 20 Nov. 1913 Infant daughter of M. S. & S. Winecoff 15 July 1916 to 26 July 1916 Catawba United Methodist Church 67 Virginia Bland Winecoff - 30 Dec. 1919 to 13 Feb. 1943 Marvin S. Winecoff - 19 Nov. 1882 to 8 Nov. 1966 / Shirley A. Winecoff - 28 July 1882 to 17 Dec. 1983 Robey, son of J. J. and S. F. Smith - 11 Oct. 1888 to 24 Apr, 1890 John J. Smith - 1858 to 1924 / Susan F. Smith - 1861 to 1931 f The Enterprise - 7 June 1889 "Rumor says that John J. Smith has been, or will be appointed post master, at this place (Catawba)." John J. Smith ran a store in Catawba's town. Elizabeth Bray Sherrill, CGRS , author, has transcribed a ledger that belonged to Mr. Smith. This ledger belongs to the Raymer sisters of Newton, NC , but was forwarded to Mrs. Sherrill via Fred Smith of Catawba, NC. ] Bessie L. Smith - 24 Nov. 1883 to 4 Sept. 1975 Vivian Smith - 1915 to 1951 Vallie M. Smith - 1890 to 1959 J. Arthur Smith - 1885 to 1966 Bobby Frankin, infant son of L. F. & Alice Murray - 30 Apr. 1931 Will Rogers Murray - 15 Oct. 1932 to 18 Aug. 1958 Lloyd Frank Murray - 26 Feb. 1906 to 2 Sept. 1990 / Alice Shuford Murray - 5 Mar. 1910 to n.d. Ruth Shuford Pruitt - 25 Dec. 1904 to 22 May 1974 William L. Shuford - 6 May 1871 to 12 July 1949 / Ella Massey Shuford - 27 Aug. 1873 to 19 Jan. 1948 ROW #20 Charles J. Henry, S/SGT US ARMY, WWII 28 Mar. 1918 to 20 Apr. 1981 Catawba United Methodist Church 68 Thomas T., son of J. T. & A. G. Troutman 12 Nov. 1920 to 11 Dec. 1920 John T. Troutman - 2 Aug. 1887 to 15 Dec. 1973 / Annie W. Troutman - 8 Jan. 1895 to 6 Sept. 1982 Gordon Alexander Drum - 13 July 1913 to n.d. / Frances Scott T. Drum - 8 Mar. 1925 to n.d. Louisa A., daughter of H. G. & N. C. Harris 9 Feb. 1918 to 2 May 1919 Winnie Wike - 15 Dec. 1894 to 15 Apr. 1919 Age 25y 4m D. L. Wike - 31 Oct. 1860 to 12 Apr. 1925 Alice Huitt Wike - 30 Sept. 1864 to 29 Feb. 1948 Frank Cline, son of W. A. & Ollie Spencer 12 Oct. 1921 to 1 June 1923 William A. Spencer - 21 June 1892 to 20 July 1952 Ollie Cline Spencer - 14 Apr. 1892 to 25 Oct. 1980 Fred J. Travis, Jr. - 28 Apr. 1964 to 30 Apr. 1964 Robert L. Travis - 11 Apr. 1899 to 1 May 1971 Betty E. Travis - 30 Apr. 1905 to 19 Oct. 1983 George L. Travis - 13 Feb. 1928 to 22 Apr. 1928 Wade Coleman Raymer, DDS - 16 Mar. 1892 to 2 Apr. 1959 Mary Maude Smith Raymer - 4 Sept. 1890 to 21 Dec. 1981 Ernest E. Deal - 16 Nov. 1896 to 23 Oct. 1950 / Ruth R. Deal - 14 June 1901 to n.d. Berlie Brice Frye, NC PVT 1322 SVC COMD UNIT, WWII 23 July 1909 to 4 June 1967 Dorothy Deal Grooms - 1919 to 1988 Thomas Wayland, son of Thomas H. & Betty N. Jones 26 Feb. 1971 to 5 Mar. 1971 Catawba United Methodist Church 69 ROW #21 Thomas F. Shuford - 12 Oct. 1848 to 30 Oct. 1928 Hibernia Martin, wife of T. F. Shuford - 1850 to 1920 George Q. Shuford - 17 Jan. 1873 to 19 Apr. 1945 Hubert M. Travis - 9 Jan. 1920 to 28 Nov. 1923 ROW #22 Parlier Boggs - 19 Oct. 1922 to 12 Oct. 1924 Fitzhugh Boggs - 11 Mar. 1899 to 25 Mar. 1949 Chester Kale Boggs - 28 July 1909 to 13 Feb. 1980 Frances Sherrill , wife of Robert L. Boggs, Sr. 17 July 1908 to 2 Oct. 1977 Robert L. Boggs, Sr. - 18 Dec. 1907 to 13 Jan. 1969 Ralph R. Boggs - 7 Jan. 1886 to 18 Nov. 1956 Zelda Lee Kale, wife of Ralph R. Boggs 14 Nov. 1884 to 17 May 1954 Hughey Y. Frazier, NC PVT Co. E, 57 Regt, NC Inf., CSA 1830 to 1865 Robert C. Frazier - 22 Aug. 1861 to 20 Oct. 1931 Martha Ann Wilson, wife of Robert C. Frazier 15 Apr. 1865 to 6 Oct. 1950 Beulah L. Frazier - 4 May 1886 to 7 Sept. 1967 George Fox, husband of Harriette H. Fox 20 June 1859 to 9 Sept. 1931 Harriette Fox - 22 May 1855 to 21 Dec. 1927 Dallas E. Fox - 12 June 1886 to 6 July 1963 / Jennie P. Fox - 30 July 1886 to 22 Feb. 1931 Henry J. Sigmon - 8 July 1929 to 21 July 1929 Rachel Louise Travis - 19 Feb. 1967 to 28 May 1967 P. K. Travis - 4 Sept. 1872 to 16 Sept. 1945 / Catawba United Methodist Church 70 Mary Etta Allen Travis - 16 Oct. 1872 to 2 Nov. 1937 Everette Baxter Travis - 11 Aug. 1931 to 28 June 1982 Mary Ella Huffman - 14 Sept. 1916 to 26 May 1931 Daniel Lafate Huffman - 18 May 1882 to 11 Apr. 1954 / Pearl Travis Huffman - 29 Apr. 1889 to 13 June 1966 Garland E. Huffman - 2 June 1911 to 2 September 1991 / Kathleen Eades Huffman - 9 May 1924 to n.d. ROW #23 John L. F. Danner - 13 Oct. 1844 to 3 Mar. 1928 / Effie M. Danner - 3 June 1875 to 19 Aug. 1960 Edna Eula Danner - 3 Oct. 1900 to 5 Mar. 1988 John Samuel Alexander Danner - 30 Aug. 1906 to 9 Oct. 1975 Blanche Elizabeth Smyre Danner - 28 Sept. 1904 to 10 July 1980 John Samuel Danner, Jr. - 14 June 1946 to 12 Dec. 1946 Margaret S. Danner - 18 Nov. 1842 to 1 Apr. 1934 Alice C. A. Danner - 23 Dec. 1858 to 30 Dec. 1932 Martha S. Danner - 2 Oct. 1851 to 4 July 1938 Ross E. Frazier - 25 Oct. 1890 to 3 Sept. 1943 Robert Lee Frazier - 13 Aug. 1897 to 14 June 1964 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Worth W. Frazier, b. & d. 15 Nov. 1930 ROW #24 Jasper Hubert Bissette - 25 Aug. 1921 to 26 May 1990 / Murrell Coulter Bissette - 2 Mar. 1917 to 11 Oct. 1987 John Henry, son of G. P. & Julia E. Coulter - 13 May 1925 Julia Stroud Coulter - 15 Apr. 1891 to 16 Aug. 1970 / George Phillip Coulter - 10 Mar. 1892 to 30 Oct. 1961 FATHER - E. Alex Witherspoon - 11 Sept. 1859 to 29 Nov. 1935 Catawba United Methodist Church 71 / MOTHER - Mollie E. Witherspoon - 26 Nov. 1860 to 31 Jan. 1926 [E. Alex was a delegate to the Democratic Convention on 24 Aug 1892. ] Georgia Witherspoon Green - 4 May 1895 to 15 Apr. 1953 Henry A. Witherspoon - 20 Dec. 1889 to 20 Sept. 1971 Rachel A. Witherspoon - 28 July 1884 to 3 Aug. 1955 Lewis F. Danner - 18 Mar. 1865 to 13 May 1946 / Annie Hunsucker Danner - 3 Aug. 1870 to 7 Dec. 1939 M. Elizabeth Jones, wife of J F. Gilleland 4 June 1871 to 5 Feb. 1932 Aleda A. Gilleland, Capt . US Army, WWII 26 Sept. 1906 to 25 Jan. 1978 SON, Corp. Thomas M. Gilleland - 27 Feb. 1898 to 24 Feb. 1943 Co. D., 105 Supply Train, 30 Div. Edgar Eugene Smith - 17 Dec. 1886 to 7 June 1979 / Mabel Gilleland Smith - 24 Sept. 1896 to 17 Aug. 1962 Martha S. Yount - 17 Nov. 1882 to 20 Jan. 1965 FATHER - John Conley Yount - 4 Jan. 1883 to 8 July 1973 / MOTHER - Mary Ida Yount - 22 Nov. 1873 to 29 Nov. 1948 Ivey Glenn Sigmon - 1 May 1903 to 8 Jan. 1976 / Mary Beatrice S. Sigmon - 24 Apr. 1909 to 4 Feb. 1968 Edward J. Lessnau - 22 Oct. 1907 to 13 Feb. 1988 Shirley Sigmon Lessnau - 17 May 1936 to n.d. ROW #25 Woodrow W. Campbell, SC PVT , 302 Inf., 94 Inf. Div. WWII 8 Oct. 1917 to 28 Feb. 1945 Magdalene Miller Yount - 22 Aug. 1854 to 21 Dec. 1947 / Laban Elisha Yount - 25 June 1854 to 9 Aug. 1927 Alfred T. Queen - 21 June 1881 to 4 June 1925 / Catawba United Methodist Church 72 Lovie Y. Queen - 29 Dec. 1895 to 23 Apr. 1970 R. E. Robinson - 13 July 1874 to 17 July 1928 / Minnie B. Reinhardt Robinson - 15 Mar. 1883 to 20 Sept. 1931 Annie Mae Robinson - 1907 to 1991 Bertie L. Robinson - 31 Oct. 1909 to 21 June 1988 Josephine E. Robinson - 1 Sept. 1905 to 4 June 1943 / George W. Robinson - 27 Aug. 1901 to 6 June 1960 Ruth H. Robinson - 11 Aug. 1916 to 16 June 1989 Manson L. Wilkinson - 1 Oct. 1888 to 11 June 1960 Jessie Bandy Wilkinson - 1 Sept. 1892 to 23 Nov. 1966 Robert H. Brown - 15 Nov. 1880 to 9 Sept. 1950 Attwood S. Brown - 3 Jan. 1882 to 5 Oct. 1964 Bobby Carroll Shell - 16 Feb. 1938 to 23 July 1983 Donald R. Albert, US Air Force - 19 Feb. 1944 to 27 Aug. 1988 ROW #26 Pink McReynolds Dunlap - 23 Nov. 1872 to 23 Feb. 1963 / Dora Lela Yount Dunlap - 17 Dec. 1879 to 8 Apr. 1931 Dan H. Gaddy, Sr. - 23 Dec. 1907 to 1 Apr. 1970 / Sue D. Gaddy - 13 Sept. 1907 to 16 Feb. 1980 Elbert M. Suthard, Sr. - 13 June 1895 to 19 Dec. 1970 / Lela D. Suthard - 11 Nov. 1904 to 5 Oct. 1971 Dora B. Robinson - 29 Dec. 1877 to 21 Feb. 1965 Ruth Robinson - 11 Apr. 1915 to 22 Mar. 1931 Fred Gordon Robinson, NC PVT , US Army, WWII 14 Aug. 1907 to 15 May 1960 William 0. Robinson - 6 Aug. 1907 to 27 Aug. 1939 Killed James Leroy, son of Carson and Annie Lineberger 16 Feb. 1924 to 27 Aug. 1939 Killed Catawba United Methodist Church 73 Onnie B. Robinson, wife of Carson Lineberger 8 Dec. 1898 to 15 Nov. 1932 James Robinson - 26 Mar. 1876 to 14 Nov. 1932 Mary P. Holdsclaw, wife of James Robinson 27 Feb. 1874 to 22 Aug. 1960 J. Daniel Gantt - 20 Oct. 1881 to 1 June 1936 Pearl Wike Gantt - 25 Sept. 1886 to 17 May 1958 N. Faye Gantt - 26 Sept. 1907 to 8 Sept. 1931 Tate L. Gantt - 20 Aug. 1919 to 9 Oct. 1955 John D. Gantt, NC S/SGT Co. B, 4 AVN BN 4 INS DIV 18 Oct. 1927 to 5 Apr. 1964 ROW #27 W. Cephas Elmore - 5 June 1872 to 29 Jan. 1934 / Mary I. Mackey Elmore - 20 Sept. 1871 to 27 Sept. 1928 John Henry Elmore - 26 Aug. 1901 to n.d. Grace Miller Elmore - 16 Aug. 1902 to 19 Mar. 1980 John Luther Rufty - 30 Nov. 1936 to 15 Aug. 1986 Thurman G. Elmore - 1896 to 1977 / Bertha R. Elmore - 1895 to 1971 Guy R. Elmore - 20 Aug. 1925 to 31 Mar. 1985 / Loretta S. Elmore - 24 Apr. 1927 to n.d. Guy Dwight Elmore - 18 Jan. 1952 to n.d. Garland E. Elmore - 8 Oct. 1909 to 31 May 1969 / Catherine N. Elmore - 14 Mar. 1910 to n.d. Infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. E. Elmore - 13 May 1932 John F. Miller - 14 May 1904 to 31 Jan. 1983 / Bertha H. Miller - 11 Sept. 1897 to 23 Sept. 1977 / Margie Levernus Miller - 10 Apr. 1930 to 15 July 1931 Catawba United Methodist Church 74 Silas Carl Wike - 8 Sept. 1891 to 17 Aug. 1980 / Essie C. Wike - 23 Nov. 1897 to 19 Sept. 1864 Addison Ernest Croom - 11 June 1872 to 8 Feb. 1936 ROW #28 Henry William Harris - 11 Nov. 1895 to 20 May 1929 / Katie Coulter Harris - 3 Aug. 1898 to 3 Nov. 1984 John J. Coulter- 5 Aug. 1886 to 4 July 1950 / Mamie Coulter Leiby - 18 Mar. 1875 to 5 July 1942 James M. Cook - 1891 to 1961 / Emma T. Cook - 1894 to 1931 Charlie Hubert Cook - 1915 to 1985 ROW #29 Carl Worth Ervin - 1 May 1895 to 9 Jan. 1955 Contractor/Deacon/Sunday School Superintendent Cecil Lorene Pope [Ervin] - 19 Feb. 1896 to 14 Oct. 1956 Noah A. Pope - 30 July 1855 to 16 Aug. 1942 / Aletha Little Pope - 5 Sept. 1858 to 21 Mar. 1930 Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Ervin - 3 Jan. 1934 C. Worth Ervin, Jr. - 7 Aug. 1916 to 15 Apr. 1950 Fred Sherrill - 10 Nov. 1860 to 8 Feb. 1944 / Laura Sherrill - 11 Apr. 1859 to 1 Nov. 1940 James W. Miller - 18 Apr. 1869 to 14 Feb. 1941 / Harriet E. Baker Miller - 29 Sept. 1870 to 1 July 1957 Bertha Pearl Miller - 25 Jan. 1897 to 25 Sept. 1963 Annie Mae Miller - 15 Nov. 1892 to 12 Dec. 1981 Infant son of James & Thelma Matthews - 17 May 1944 to 19 May 1944 Pamelia Jean Mathews - 26 Mar. 1949 to 17 Apr. 1960 Catawba United Methodist Church 75 James C. Matthews, Sr. - 13 Mar. 1920 to 6 Mar. 1983 / Married 10 Aug. 1946 / Virginia G. Matthews - 13 Mar. 1923 to n.d. Jimmy Eugene Matthews, son of Oren & Beulah Matthews 26 Sept. 1936 to 2 July 1954 Orin J. Matthews - 12 Oct. 1900 to 15 Nov. 1978 / Beulah M. Matthews - 9 Mar. 1901 to 23 Oct. 1987 ROW #30 Arthur G. Miller - 27 Feb. 1899 to 3 Nov. 1983 / Zelda Mae Stewart Miller - 16 May 1903 to 25 Dec. 1930 Arthur G. Miller, Jr. - 6 May 1924 to 10 Oct. 1986 Louise M. Harris - 25 May 1922 to 17 Apr. 1988 James F. Miller, SGT US ARMY - 15 Sept. 1916 to 3 June 1978 Jonas F. Miller - 18 July 1869 to 27 Mar. 1944 / Arfa A. Miller - 20 Mar. 1876 to 31 Mar. 1970 Fred Lee Miller - 1919 to 1956 Sarah E. Miller - 20 Jan. 1897 to 20 June 1944 / Jonas E. Miller - 9 Sept. 1892 to 26 May 1971 Frances M. Miller, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Miller 3 Apr. 1928 to 8 July 1932 James R. Miller - 8 July 1867 to 23 Mar. 1941 ROW #31 H. Guy Rowe - 31 Oct. 1886 to 25 May 1932 / Rosa Lee Yount Rowe - 18 Jan. 1891 to 25 May 1932 / Daughter, Mae Elizabeth Rowe - 9 May 1913 to 25 May 1932 Billy Ray Elmore - 26 Sept. 1942 to 1 Oct. 1942 Delphia E. Barnes - 26 Aug. 1929 to 25 Jan. 1966 Edgar L. Elmore - 21 Mar. 1907 to n.d. Catawba United Methodist Church 76 Bessie M. Elmore - 30 Nov. 1908 to n.d. Raymond L. Travis - 12 Sept. 1936 to 11 Sept. 1988 / Married 6 Oct. 1956 / Shirley E. Travis - 25 Apr. 1938 to n.d. Charles L. Holler - 18 July 1871 to 14 Mar. 1947 / Hattie A. Holler - 25 Apr. 1877 to 24 Apr. 1950 Mamie Hollar Byers - 25 July 1905 to 23 Nov. 1948 Cecil H. Holler, CPL US Army - 16 June 1919 to 14 Mar. 1975 / Ruby L. Holler - 5 Apr. 1922 to n.d. Ira A. Moser - 23 May 1865 to 28 Feb. 1948 / Evia M. Moser - 31 Jan. 1883 to 19 Mar. 1969 Garry F. Travis - 22 Aug. 1945 to 2 Dec. 1945 ROW #32 J. Franklin Fish - 12 Oct. 1881 to 17 Oct. 1963 / S. Genelia Fish - 17 Mar. 1882 to 4 Dec. 1935 William F. Epps - 23 Oct. 1872 to 19 Dec. 1963 / Pearl Moose Epps - 1887 to 1969 Winnie M. Blazer - 13 Oct. 1913 to 17 Aug. 1970 / David W. Blazer - 24 Nov. 1906 to n.d. Henry J. Setzer - 8 June 1891 to 15 June 1961 / Mattie Pope Setzer - 20 May 1888 to 17 Aug. 1961 Robert Newton Waters - 26 Jan. 1931 to 28 Jan. 1948 Naomi Brown Waters - 8 Dec. 1902 to 5 Aug. 1979 / Rev. Albert Roy Waters - 20 June 1893 to 16 July 1973 Alice E. Huffman - 23 Jan. 1916 to n.d. / Willie R. Huffman - 26 May 1909 to 28 July 1964 Whit Huffman - 28 Feb. 1880 to 14 July 1948 / Catawba United Methodist Church 77 Ina Huffman - 4 Sept. 1871 to 2 Jan. 1949 J. H. Tolliver - 31 Jan. 1867 to 15 Feb. 1949 Charlie Baxter Gantt - 14 Jan. 1887 to 24 Aug. 1972 Zella M. Warren Gantt - 30 Mar. 1894 to 28 Dec. 1947 ROW #33 Guy Henry Brown - 18 May 1895 to 11 June 1976 Anna Roberta S. (Bertie) Brown - 28 June 1894 to 15 June 1971 Carlos Guy Brown, son of G. H. and A. R. Brown 11 Jan. 1916 to 1 Nov. 1937 Killed by Car in Winston-Salem Raymond J. Frye - 1887 to 1958 Bertha M. Frye - 1895 to 1973 Richard Glenn, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. E. Ervin 26 Feb. 1947 to 1 Mar. 1947 Walter E. Ervin - 13 June 1926 to 26 Jan. 1989 / Rachel M. Ervin - 16 June 1928 to n.d. Randy Lee Miller, Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Miller 23 Oct. 1951 to 25 Oct. 1951 Lester E. Miller - 27 Aug. 1894 to 4 Oct. 1965 Kenneth R. Miller - 12 Apr. 1933 to n.d. - End of Cemetery Listing - [Editor's Note: Hopefully, the newspaper records have helped the reader realize more fully that the names and dates appearing on tombstones were real people. We tend to forget, in our research, that these people existed. They were loved by someone, had unique lives, and each personal goals. I hope, also, that in some instances similar or close death dates within family units will stir a curiosity within that will lead to the pursuit of answers. Catawba United Methodist Church has steadily progressed. Its present church and congregation are of old stock, family names that have been in the area since its formation. The elderly are not forgotten in that the younger members visit with them and make them feel a valuable part of the church. The elderly have still so much to offer. Catawba United Methodist Church 78 Activities the church participates in are: a senior citiz |
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