Cherokee County

Bobby G. McElwee

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2000
• Print ISBN: 9780738505879
• eBook ISBN: 9781439610770
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Within these pages, the Cherokee County's rich and varied history is illuminated by vintage photographs, and its past is brought to life in the faces of its early settlers. Created in 1836 from land held formerly by the Cherokee Indians, Cherokee County is situated in the northeast corner of Alabama, bordered by Georgia to the east.The families of the Reverend Whitefield Anthony and others settled at Mudd Creek in 1831 in what was to become Cherokee County. From these first families developed a community that would grow and change along with a young and bustling America, welcoming new industries, farming fertile lands, and building churches and schools to feed the hearts and minds of its young. The photographs in this volume, illustrating the county's past as well as how it looks in the present day, were culled from a variety of sources, including the Cherokee County History Museum, the Pine Grove Baptist Church, and the private collections of many local families. Coupled with a historical narrative, these glimpses of yesteryear will evoke fond memories for all who have made Cherokee County home.

Seven

FAMILIES OF CHEROKEE COUNTY

Mary Elizabeth Frost Clonts was the daughter of Dr. Eli Frost, both of whom are buried at Salem Church Cemetery. Mrs. Frost was born November 8, 1842, and died September 29, 1923. Her children are shown standing behind her. They are, from left to right, Robert, Benjamin, Ella Mae, Homer, and Presley. Her husband and father of her children, William Presley Clonts, preceded her in death. He is buried at Rock Run Cemetery.

Samuel James Burns was born at Spring Garden on July 27, 1847, and lived his entire life there. Mr. Burns and Mary Graham were married August 5, 1875. He owned a livery stable and boardinghouse in Spring Gardens. Although he became financially secure, it was said that he never forgot his friends.

Landrum Bramlett lived at New Moon. He was born in 1850 and lived to be 100 years old. During his life, he saw and did many things, but his biggest claim to fame was his stint as a rider on the Pony Express. He delivered the mail from station to station on horseback during the late 1800s.

W.W. Ward was Cherokee County surveyor for 40 years. He surveyed Cherokee County in 1917, and his map, dated September 1, 1917, shows 76 towns, 3 rivers, and 13 ferries in the county. Ward was a member of Dawes Commision, which surveyed the Oklahoma Territory.

The ladies of Rebecca Lodge pose outside their lodge at Rock Run in 1930. Rebecca Lodges are the lady members of Masonic Lodges.

Martha Elizabeth “Lizzie” Donaldson and Presley Clonts are pictured on their wedding day. She was born at Tecumseh on September 12, 1888, and died May 4, 1966. He was born August 9, 1884, and died November 24, 1952. They are buried at Salem Church Cemetery.

This c. 1915 photograph captured the following, from left to right: (seated) Bessie Ida, Lula Don, and Grace Estelle; (standing) Mattie Esmer, Hugh Alford, Robert Oscar, and Louanza ? (holding an unidentified baby). The last name of the family is unknown, and the young boy and lady standing to the far right remain unidentified.

The original family name of these individuals is unclear. The following names are listed as they were written on the photograph (most last names were not listed): Aunt Emma, P.M. (in arms), Uncle Pink, Aunt Marshall, Fred (in arms), Joe Wheeler, Uncle Owh, Aunt Lou, Mom, Ed (in arms), Papa, Joe Stewart, Louella, Minnie, John Roberts, Stella R., Ethel, Aunt Flo, P.W. (in arms), Uncle Pace, R. Naugher, Grandma, Leola, Aunt Mary, Noles, Claude, Joe R., Norris R., Ed R., Eliah R., Nora R., Exa R., Myrtle, Currie R., Jessie, Essie, and Leroy.

Sam C. Ward worked with TVA in 1938. He was a flight commander during World War II and instructed pilot training of women in the Army Air Corps. In 1947, Mr. Ward became part owner of a molding sand plant at Camder, TN, and worked with Southern Refractories making ladels and furnaces used in making steel.

Dr. Franklin P. Ward attended dental school at Vanderb...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - THE AREA’S EARLY INHABITANTS
• Two - THE EARLY HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
• Three - TRANSPORTATION FROM WATER UNTIL TODAY
• Four - CIVIL WAR EVENTS IN CHEROKEE COUNTY
• Five - FARMING: OLD AND NEW METHODS
• Six - CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
• Seven - FAMILIES OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
• Eight - INDUSTRY AND TRADE
• Nine - CHEROKEE COUNTY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS