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LUNSFORD ~ WILSON

 

The first 50 years 1896-1946, Lunsford - Wilson

 

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Taken From "History of Poinsett County, Arkansas" Submitted by Mrs. Charles E. Wilson

 

Leroy Lunsford and son, William Albert Lunsford, settled in Poinsett County in or around Trumann ca. 1896.  At that time both men worked in the logging business, but later became farmers.  Albert also served as Trumann town Marshall for a time.  Albert met Mattie Lou Hill whom he married about 1897.  To this union were born; Claud (1899-1902), Lillian (1900-1900), Lilly Mae (1902-1970), Jeff David (1904-1979), William Dixon (1907-1970), Jimmie (1909-1909) and Ima Lou (1916-1978).  Leroy Lunsford died in 1904 and is buried in Wilson Cemetery north of Trumann.  Claud is buried in Wilson Cemetery north of Trumann.  Claud and Lillian, children of Albert and Mattie Lou, are also buried here.  The burial place of Jimmie is unknown.

 

(Note from Deb Yates: Jimmie Lunsford is listed as being buried at Wilson Cemetery along with his grandfather, Lee Lunsford, and brother, Claude.   A second William Lunsford, born Jan. 7, 1900, died Apr. 27, 1900, is also listed in this cemetery.  It is not stated if this was also a son of Albert Lunsford and Mattie Lou Hill. Based on the 1910 census which states that Mattie Lunsford had given birth to 4 children, with 3 still living at the time of the census, it would indicate that this child did not belong to Albert and Mattie.)

 

According to the 1910 census of Poinsett County, Albert managed a store and mill.  Sometime after 1910 the family moved to Weona where he did surveying for a logging company.  He also served as Justice of the Peace and Postmaster at Weona.  Mattie Lou died in 1935 and Albert followed her in death in 1937.  Both are buried at Harrisburg Memorial Cemetery. 

 

(Note from Deb Yates: Death certificate for William Albert Lunsford states his mother's name as Rhodes, and that he was born in either Tennessee or Virginia.  The 1900 census shows his birthplace as Tennessee, as does his father's, Lee Lunsford.  W. A. Lunsford died of pneumonia 13-Feb-1937 and suffered from pulmonary TB.  He was born 01-Aug-1870, age 66, and was listed as occupation: Postmaster, Weona, Arkansas.  Griffin Funeral Home of Harrisburg is listed as Undertaker)

 

In the early 1900's three Wilson brothers moved to the Trumann/Judd Hill area.  Oscar (1893-1954) and wife, Lois, lived in Trumann where he worked as cashier for the Cooperage.  Rubert (1899-1944) worked in Poinsett County in the '20's as a sealer in the logging industry.  William "Bill" (1894-1967) worked at that time as superintendent of farming and logging at Judd Hill.

 

"Bill" was born near Ward, Arkansas and grew up in Beebe.  He went to school at Hendrix and graduated from the University of Arkansas where he ran track and played football.  "Bill" graduated from the University with a degree in agriculture in 1918 and enlisted in the Army.  Second Lieutenant Wilson received his honorable discharge from the Army at Camp Dix, New Jersey, where he served in Company C, 333 Battalion Tank Corps.  After discharge, he returned to Arkansas and shortly thereafter moved to Poinsett County.  After moving to Poinsett County, "Bill" met Lilly Mae Lunsford.  "Bill" wooed her and won her hand and on Feb. 22, 1922, they married.  For a few years the young couple lived in Judd Hill, but later moved to Trumann.  It was in Trumann that their three sons were born and reared.  William Cody was born in 1926, James "Bud" in 1927, and Charles in 1929.  While Lilly Mae maintained their home and looked after their sons, Bill worked at Singer and managed rent properties they owned.  Bill was also active in community affairs serving as a post commander of the American Legion and volunteer coach for boys weighing less than 100 pounds, and one of his teams won second place in the state tournament in the early 1940's.  In 1944, "Bill" was volunteer coach for Trumann High School's football team, and they played for state championship.  In 1945 the American Legion baseball team he coached went to the state tournament.

 

In 1945 "Bill" began his career of teaching vocational agriculture which necessitated a move from Trumann.  "Bill" died in Little Rock in 1967.  Lilly Mae survived him by three years dying in 1970.  Both are buried at Harrisburg Memorial Cemetery.

 

Cody left Trumann in 1943 to attend the University of Arkansas on a scholarship.  He enlisted in the US Navy;  after his discharge he earned a master's degree and later a Ph.D.  He is presently a professor at Adelphi University in New York.

 

"Bud" left Trumann in 1944 to attend the University of Arkansas on a scholarship.  He joined the US Navy and after his discharge, went to Japan where the taught English and did some architecture work.  He's now retired and living in Tokorozawa, Japan.

 

Charles, the last of the Lunsford-Wilson line to leave Trumann, did not leave until after graduation from Trumann High School in 1946.  He lived with Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Kemp and son, "Pete", after his parents moved in order to graduate with his classmates.  Charles joined the US Navy in 1946, and after his discharge attended Arkansas Tech, earning a degree in mathematics.  Upon graduation from "Tech", Charles went to work for Continental Oil Company where he was employed for 37 years.  Charles and wife, Betty are parents of Charley and Sharon and grandparents of Meredith, Travis and Michelle.  Now retired, he and Bettye make their home in Houston, Texas.        

 

Submitted by Mrs. Charles E. Wilson

 

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Additional research from Deb Yates:

 

POINSETT COUNTY, ARKANSAS - 1900 CENSUS

 

WILLIS TOWNSHIP  PAGE 153B   ENUMERATED 04-JUN-1900

 

37/38        LUNSFORD, W. A., AGE 29, BORN AUG 1870  M 3 YRS, FARMER           TN/TN/MS

                  LUNSFORD, MATTIE, AGE 25, BORN MAY 1875, CHILDREN 2/1          TN/AL/AL

                  LUNSFORD, CLAUD, AGE 1, BORN FEB 1898, SON                                    BORN MO

                  LUNSFORD, L., AGE 5?, BORN AUG 184?(2), FATHER, FARM LABOR  TN/TN/TN    

 

POINSETT COUNTY, ARKANSAS - 1910 CENSUS

 

WILLIS TOWNSHIP  PAGE 52A  ENUMERATED 13-MAY-1910

 

133/134    LUNSFORD, W. A., AGE 39, MARRIED 12 YEARS, STORE MANAGER     TN/TN/TN

                  LUNSFORD, MATTIE, AGE 35, 4 BIRTHS, 3 LIVING, WIFE                           TN/AL/VA

                  LUNSFORD, LILLIE MAY, AGE 7, DAUGHTER                                               BORN AR

                  LUNSFORD, JEFF D???,      AGE 5, SON                                                              BORN AR

                  LUNSFORD, WM  O?, AGE 3, SON                                                                     BORN AR

*BY 1910, CLAUD LUNSFORD, AGE 1 IN 1900, HAD DIED.        

 

In 1871, Lee Lunsford was listed on the tax records of Crockett County, Tennessee

It is not proven that this was the same Lee Lunsford who was father of William Albert Lunsford.

 

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Wilson Cemetery of Craighead County

The Wilson Cemetery's earliest beginning was probably prior to the 1900's even though the earliest tombstone found is dated 1902. The cemetery derived its name from an early settler, Sam Wilson. The Wilson family lived just east of the property. A trapper was boarding with the family and became ill and died. The Wilson’s were buried him there, west of where they were living. Although, the cemetery is located in Craighead County, it seems to have been used more by the residents of Trumann, Poinsett County. It might be noted that due to the high water table, Trumann has never had a cemetery. During the floods of the early years, bodies were shipped from Trumann by rail to the surrounding towns.

 

LUNSFORD, Lee, born Aug. 10, 1850, died Jan. 15, 1904 (Jan. 5, 1904)

LUNSFORD, Claude, born Feb. 17, 1899, died Jul. 8, 1899

LUNSFORD, Jimmie, born Sept. 7, 1909, died Nov. 25, 1909

LUNSFORD, William, born Jan. 7, 1900, died Apr. 27, 1900

 

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Death Certificate for Mrs. W. A. Lunsford, died Shelby County, Tennessee 20-Aug-1935.  Tuberculosis of lungs and cancer of bowels.  Age 60 years, 6 months, born Brunswick, Tennessee.  Husband: W. A. Lunsford. Father: S. L. Hill, born Alabama.  Mother: Annia Fogg, born Alabama.  Informant:  J. D. (Jeff David) Lunsford, Charleston, Missouri. 

Burial Harrisburg, Arkansas 20-Aug-1835, Spencer Sturla Co., Undertaker.

 

Harrisburg Memorial Park Cemetery
LUNSFORD, Mattie Lou (Mrs. William Albert), born 1875, died 1935
LUNSFORD, William Albert, born 1870, died 1937
WILSON, Lillie, 68y, born 1902, died Aug. 7, 1970
WILSON, William, born Nov. 26, 1894, died March 4, 1967
 
Crittenden Memorial Park Cemetery
Marion, Crittenden County, Arkansas
 

Lunsford

Ellen Clary

Apr 03, 1914

Jan 24, 2003

Wife of William Dixon Lunsford

Sec 3

Lunsford

William Dixon

May 07, 1907

Jun 07, 1970

Son of William A. Lunsford & Mattie Lou Hill

Sec 3

Lunsford

William Dixon II

May 25, 1963

May 24, 1968

Son of William Clary Lunsford & Ruby Woodson

Sec 3

 

 

 

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Last Updated Monday, June 05, 2006 10:47:32 PM CST