Mildred Clegg

F, (6 July 1904 - )
FatherJames Benjamin Broxton Clegg (5 Apr 1874 - 27 Oct 1935)
MotherSarah Carlisle (6 Jul 1874 - 2 Dec 1959)
Birth*6 July 1904 Mildred was born at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 6 July 1904.1 
1920 Census*1920 Mildred was listed as a daughter in James Benjamin Broxton Clegg's household on the 1920 Census at Manchester, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 45 m-ED 92 sheet 4 line 74. 
Marriage* She married Ray A. Nixon. 
Married Name Her married name was Nixon. 
Residence*1978 Mildred resided at Palmetto, Fulton Co., Georgia, in 1978. 
Biography*  (an unknown value.) 

Family

Ray A. Nixon (3 March 1902 - 15 December 1987)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited20 September 2007

Citations

  1. Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library, Randolph County, Alabama Birth Register 1896-1905, Anniston, AL Annie Calhoun Book Shop, 1991.
    p. 226.

Ray A. Nixon

M, (3 March 1902 - 15 December 1987)
Birth*3 March 1902 Ray was born on 3 March 1902. 
Marriage* He married Mildred Clegg. 
Death*15 December 1987 He died at Palmetto, Fulton Co., Georgia, on 15 December 1987 at age 85. 
Biography* James Burie Clegg referred 1 to Ray Nixon as "Col." Ray was a graduate of Georgia Tech and was Chief of Public Works for the city of Atlanta for many years before retiring in 1972. 2 

Family

Mildred Clegg (6 July 1904 - )
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited20 September 2007

Citations

  1. letter 2 Oct 1978
  2. James Burie Clegg letter 2 Oct 1978

Gordon Lee Clegg

M, (15 September 1906 - )
FatherJames Benjamin Broxton Clegg (5 Apr 1874 - 27 Oct 1935)
MotherSarah Carlisle (6 Jul 1874 - 2 Dec 1959)
Birth*15 September 1906 Gordon was born at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 15 September 1906. 
(Son) 1920 Census1920 Benjamin, Gordon, James and Homer was listed as a son in James Benjamin Broxton Clegg's household on the 1920 Census at Manchester, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 45 m-ED 92 sheet 4 line 74. 
World War II*between 1942 and 1945 He served in World War II between 1942 and 1945
(U.S. Navy Landing Craft Infantry, Pacific.) 
Employment* Gordon's occupation: accountant. 
Residence*1978 Gordon resided at Miami, Dade Co., Florida, in 1978. 
Biography*  (an unknown value.) 
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited18 October 2008

James Burie Clegg

M, (30 December 1908 - 26 January 1990)
FatherJames Benjamin Broxton Clegg (5 Apr 1874 - 27 Oct 1935)
MotherSarah Carlisle (6 Jul 1874 - 2 Dec 1959)
Birth*30 December 1908 James was born at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 30 December 1908. 
(Son) 1920 Census1920 Benjamin, Gordon, James and Homer was listed as a son in James Benjamin Broxton Clegg's household on the 1920 Census at Manchester, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 45 m-ED 92 sheet 4 line 74. 
Marriage* He married Leonor Burgos. 
Employment* James's occupation: baseball umpireAmerican Association. 
Residence*1979 James resided at Calhoun, Gordon Co., Georgia, in 1979. 
Death*26 January 1990 He died at Calhoun, Gordon Co., Georgia, on 26 January 1990 at age 81. 
Biography* James Burie Clegg was the son of James Benjamin Broxton and Sarah (Carlisle) Clegg. He was named Burie after his great-uncle, Jeremiah Beauregard Carlisle, in Texas.1 Although he was born in Wadley, AL, his father moved the family to Meriwether Co., GA where they were noted in 1920 census records. Burie attended Manchester High and played basketball for the school.2 He went on to attend Centre College of Kentucky, Western Kentucky, University of Georgia, University of Florida, and Auburn University in Alabama.3 Burie wrote: 3

I have three degrees, the B. of Arts, Master of Education, and Specialist in Ed. Administration.

Burie served during World War II and, after the War, Burie wrote:4

I was a professional baseball umpire for 15 years (American Association) and a public school teacher, coach, and administrator for about a quarter of a century. 

Family

Leonor Burgos (circa 1911 - )
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited20 September 2007

Citations

  1. James Burie Clegg letter 21 Jan 1979
  2. James Burie Clegg letter 30 Nov 1978
  3. James Burie Clegg letter 2 Oct 1978
  4. letter 2 Oct 1978

Leonor Burgos

F, (circa 1911 - )
Birth*circa 1911 Leonor was born at Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico, circa 1911. 
Marriage* She married James Burie Clegg. 
Married Name Her married name was Clegg. 
Biography*  (an unknown value.) 

Family

James Burie Clegg (30 December 1908 - 26 January 1990)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited20 September 2007

Homer Harrington Clegg

M, (1 September 1911 - 30 October 1987)
FatherJames Benjamin Broxton Clegg (5 Apr 1874 - 27 Oct 1935)
MotherSarah Carlisle (6 Jul 1874 - 2 Dec 1959)
Birth*1 September 1911 Homer was born at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 1 September 1911. 
(Son) 1920 Census1920 Benjamin, Gordon, James and Homer was listed as a son in James Benjamin Broxton Clegg's household on the 1920 Census at Manchester, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 45 m-ED 92 sheet 4 line 74. 
Marriage*12 April 1947 He married Audrey Rost at Buffalo, Erie Co., New York, on 12 April 1947 at age 35. 
Death*30 October 1987 He died at Fort Myers, Lee Co., Florida, on 30 October 1987 at age 76. 
Biography* Homer Harrington Clegg was the son of James Benjamin Broxton and Sarah (Carlisle) Clegg. He was named after uncle, Homer H. Clegg wrote 1 that he "was named after my mother's favorite brother, Homer Carlisle of Alexander City, Ala...." He continued:

[I] grew up in Manchester, Ga. and finished high school there in 1929. Started to work for Texaco, Inc. in November 1929 in Atlanta, Ga. Was transferred to Buffalo, NY in 1937. Served 4 years in the U. S. Air Force during World War II and returned to Texaco and Buffalo in 1946.... Texaco transferred us [Homer and family] to Boston, Mass in 1962, then to Chicago, Ill. in 1964, then back to Atlanta in 1970. In each instance I was manager of Texaco's accounting offices at these locations. I elected early retirement in 1973 and since that date have been vainly attempting to improve my golf game. This was one of the reasons for the recent move to Florida. So far - no improvement. 

Family

Audrey Rost (circa 1914 - )
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited23 January 2000

Citations

  1. letter 28 Sep 1978

Audrey Rost

F, (circa 1914 - )
Birth*circa 1914 Audrey was born circa 1914. 
Marriage*12 April 1947 She married Homer Harrington Clegg at Buffalo, Erie Co., New York, on 12 April 1947. 
Married Name12 April 1947  As of 12 April 1947, her married name was Clegg. 
Residence* Audrey resided at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. 

Family

Homer Harrington Clegg (1 September 1911 - 30 October 1987)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited9 July 1999

Boyce Winston Noel

M, (17 February 1905 - 16 August 1970)
FatherWalter Winston Noel (c 1878 - Mar 1931)
MotherMartha A. M. Carlisle (11 Feb 1876 - 30 Jun 1965)
Birth*17 February 1905 Boyce was born on 17 February 1905. 
(Grandson) Photographed23 November 1905 He appeared as a grandson in a family photograph on 23 November 1905 at Randolph Co., Alabama, at age 53
Presumed to be Thanksgiving Day, 1905:

Left to right, back row: Coral Lee Carlisle, Mary Emma Carlisle, Artimisha (Motley) Carlisle, Paul Richard Carlisle, being held by his father Washington Homer Carlisle. The seven children on the right side of the photo all belong to Washington Homer.

Middle row, left to right: Mattie (Carlisle) Noel, Boyce Winston Noel, held by his father Walter Winston Noel, Sarah Ann Elizabeth (Stephens) Culpepper (wife of John Malcolm Culpepper), Emily Miriam (Culpepper) Carlisle (wife of B. Y. Carlisle), Miriam Carlisle, Yarbrough Hopkins Carlisle, Hoyt Lorraine Carlisle, Wayne McKinley Carlisle, John D. Carlisle;

Front row, left to right: Richard Henry Carlisle, John Malcolm Culpepper, Broxon Yarbrough Carlisle, William Olin Carlisle.1
Broxon Yarbrough Carlisle family
1910 Census*1910 Boyce was listed as a son in Walter Winston Noel's household on the 1910 Census at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED 148, sheet 1. 
1920 Census*1920 Boyce and Carlisle was listed as a son in Walter Winston Noel's household on the 1920 Census at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama. 41 m-ED 149, sheet 3, line 92. 
Marriage*26 September 1927 He married Wilma Gertrude McDonough at Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama, on 26 September 1927 at age 22. 
Death*16 August 1970 He died at Columbia, Richland Co., South Carolina, on 16 August 1970 at age 65. 
Burial*18 August 1970 His body was interred on 18 August 1970 at Ridge Crest Cemetery, Batesburg, Lexington Co., South Carolina. 
Biography* Boyce Winston Noel was the son of Walter Winston and Martha A. M. (Carlisle) Noel. He was born and raised in Wadley, AL where he was noted in 1910 and 1920 census records. 

Family

Wilma Gertrude McDonough (10 August 1902 - 10 October 1969)
Child
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited21 September 2004

Citations

  1. Correspondence from Dwight L. Carlisle to Lew Griffin.

Wilma Gertrude McDonough

F, (10 August 1902 - 10 October 1969)
Birth*10 August 1902 Wilma was born at Leeds, Jefferson Co., Alabama, on 10 August 1902. 
Marriage*26 September 1927 She married Boyce Winston Noel at Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama, on 26 September 1927 at age 25. 
Married Name26 September 1927  As of 26 September 1927, her married name was Noel. 
Death*10 October 1969 She died at Columbia, Richland Co., South Carolina, on 10 October 1969 at age 67. 
Burial*12 October 1969 Her body was interred on 12 October 1969 at Ridge Crest Cemetery, Batesburg, Lexington Co., South Carolina. 

Family

Boyce Winston Noel (17 February 1905 - 16 August 1970)
Child
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited11 June 2004

Carlisle Noel

M, (1911 - 1943)
FatherWalter Winston Noel (c 1878 - Mar 1931)
MotherMartha A. M. Carlisle (11 Feb 1876 - 30 Jun 1965)
Birth*1911 Carlisle was born in 1911. 
(Son) 1920 Census1920 Boyce and Carlisle was listed as a son in Walter Winston Noel's household on the 1920 Census at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama. 41 m-ED 149, sheet 3, line 92. 
Death*1943 He died at Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama, in 1943. 
Burial* His body was interred at Wadley City Cemetery, Wadley, Randolph Co., Alabama. 
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited23 January 2000

Everette Winston Noel

M, (29 November 1930 - 27 June 2006)
FatherBoyce Winston Noel (17 Feb 1905 - 16 Aug 1970)
MotherWilma Gertrude McDonough (10 Aug 1902 - 10 Oct 1969)
Birth*29 November 1930 Everette was born at Opelika, Lee Co., Alabama, on 29 November 1930. 
Residence*1978 Everette resided at Johnston, Edgefield Co., South Carolina, in 1978. 
Death*27 June 2006 He died at Johnston, Edgefield Co., South Carolina, on 27 June 2006 at age 75.1 
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited12 September 2014

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm

William Abner Coker

M, (2 June 1913 - 26 November 1977)
FatherAbner Coker (Feb 1882 - 18 Aug 1929)
MotherCoral Lee Carlisle (22 Aug 1885 - Jul 1983)
Birth*2 June 1913 William was born at Roanoke, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 2 June 1913. 
Marriage*5 May 1935 He married Virginia Lee Boyles on 5 May 1935 at age 21. 
Death*26 November 1977 He died at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, on 26 November 1977 at age 64. 

Family

Virginia Lee Boyles (29 April 1917 - 20 March 2008)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited21 September 2007

Virginia Lee Boyles

F, (29 April 1917 - 20 March 2008)
Birth*29 April 1917 Virginia was born on 29 April 1917. 
Marriage*5 May 1935 She married William Abner Coker on 5 May 1935 at age 18. 
Married Name5 May 1935  As of 5 May 1935, her married name was Coker. 
Death*20 March 2008 She died at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, on 20 March 2008 at age 90.1 

Family

William Abner Coker (2 June 1913 - 26 November 1977)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited18 June 2014

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm

Katheryn Larue Coker

F, (7 October 1915 - 25 October 2006)
FatherAbner Coker (Feb 1882 - 18 Aug 1929)
MotherCoral Lee Carlisle (22 Aug 1885 - Jul 1983)
Birth*7 October 1915 Katheryn was born at Roanoke, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 7 October 1915. 
Marriage*8 November 1958 She married Glover Emerson Bryant on 8 November 1958 at age 43. 
Married Name8 November 1958  As of 8 November 1958, her married name was Bryant. 
Residence*1978 Katheryn resided at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, in 1978. 
Death*25 October 2006 She died at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, on 25 October 2006 at age 91.1 

Family

Glover Emerson Bryant (17 June 1895 - April 1979)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited19 June 2014

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm

Glover Emerson Bryant

M, (17 June 1895 - April 1979)
Birth*17 June 1895 Glover was born on 17 June 1895. 
Marriage*8 November 1958 He married Katheryn Larue Coker on 8 November 1958 at age 63. 
Death*April 1979 He died at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, in April 1979 at age 83. 

Family

Katheryn Larue Coker (7 October 1915 - 25 October 2006)
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited25 January 2000

Earl Kermit Coker

M, (23 July 1918 - 6 December 1993)
FatherAbner Coker (Feb 1882 - 18 Aug 1929)
MotherCoral Lee Carlisle (22 Aug 1885 - Jul 1983)
Birth*23 July 1918 Earl was born at Roanoke, Randolph Co., Alabama, on 23 July 1918. 
Biography*  (an unknown value.) 
Death*6 December 1993 He died at LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia, on 6 December 1993 at age 75.1 
ChartsFrancis Carlisle Descendants
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#1)
John Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants (#2)
Last Edited19 June 2014

Citations

  1. U.S. Social Security Administration, compiler, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Online database at Ancestry.com.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm

Ella Mondorah Haralson

F, (31 October 1867 - 2 December 1891)
FatherJames Fletcher Haralson (23 Jul 1848 - 16 Jan 1891)
MotherSarah Jane Culpepper (17 Jan 1844 - 24 Jul 1925)
Birth*31 October 1867 Ella was born at Alabama on 31 October 1867. 
(household member) 1870 Census25 August 1870 Sarah, Ella and William listed as a household member living with James Fletcher Haralson on the 1870 Census at Miller Valley PO, Clay Co., Alabama. 26 m-p. 268 hh 164. 
(Daughter) 1880 Census1880 Ella, Fanetta, Sarah, Alice and Clara was listed as a daughter in James Fletcher Haralson's household on the 1880 Census at DeKalb Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED59 sht 14 ln 35 twp 7 range 6. 
Death*2 December 1891 She died at Vance, Lewis Co., Washington, on 2 December 1891 at age 24. 
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited4 August 1999

William Elias Haralson

M, (17 January 1870 - 21 April 1894)
FatherJames Fletcher Haralson (23 Jul 1848 - 16 Jan 1891)
MotherSarah Jane Culpepper (17 Jan 1844 - 24 Jul 1925)
Birth*17 January 1870 William was born at Alabama on 17 January 1870. 
(household member) 1870 Census25 August 1870 Sarah, Ella and William listed as a household member living with James Fletcher Haralson on the 1870 Census at Miller Valley PO, Clay Co., Alabama. 26 m-p. 268 hh 164. 
(Son) 1880 Census1880 William was listed as a son in James Fletcher Haralson's household on the 1880 Census at DeKalb Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED59 sht 14 ln 35 twp 7 range 6. 
Death*21 April 1894 He died at Vance, Lewis Co., Washington, on 21 April 1894 at age 24. 
Biography* William Elias Haralson was born and raised in Alabama. When he was 16 years old, his parents decided to move west, ending up in Chehalis, WA. Willie was 19 when his father became ill with La Grippe and it fell to him to get the family moved to the Island in Cora P. O. District, near Vance, now Randle, in the Big Bottom area of the Cowlitz River in Washington. Over a three week period in the fall of 1890, William used a team of oxen to haul household goods from where the family was camped on the Cowlitz River about eleven miles below what is now the Nesika Bridge to the house which his father had had built on the Island in the Cowlitz River.1 Since William's father could no longer walk, he rode the pony, Beaver, and the family put on two suits of clothes and carried pails and packages weighing about twenty pounds each and walked four miles to the Island. The family then crossed the slough by canoe to the Island arriving the evening of October 11, 1890 in the pouring rain.1 During the next week, William sowed four acres of timothy.1 The family also began slashing down vine maples and, as there was time, William returned to where the family had camped to bring in the remainder of the household goods.1

William turned 21 the day after his father died. Ten months later, William's older sister died. Less than a year and a half later, William's younger sister, Sarah Leslie Haralson, died. Rev. William J. Rule, a Methodist circuit rider who met the family in January of 1894, described William as "big bodied," thoughtful and a comfort to his mother.2 Then William contracted tuberculosis.2 One of the things that was weighing on William's mind was how to ensure that the family did not lose the land after all that had happened. The early Big Bottom settlers held their lands by squatters' rights.3 In 1892, the first official U. S. Government survey was completed for the Big Bottom area and President Benjamin Harrison signed papers allowing settlers to claim their land as homesteads.3 On his deathbed, William told his mother how "prove up" the claim so that her land would become a homestead and, with this burden lifted, he died.2 William was 24 years old. 
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited4 August 1999

Citations

  1. Mrs. J. (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft, "The Pioneering Experiences of James Fletcher Haralson and his wife - Sarah Jane Culpepper," three typed sheets, 27 Feb 1960
  2. Rev. William J. Rule, Riding the Upper Cowlitz Circuit, 1893 -- 1896
  3. Walker Allison Tompkins, "The Big Bottom (Lewis County) 1833-1933," 1933

Fanetta Missouri Haralson

F, (31 January 1872 - circa 1883)
FatherJames Fletcher Haralson (23 Jul 1848 - 16 Jan 1891)
MotherSarah Jane Culpepper (17 Jan 1844 - 24 Jul 1925)
Birth*31 January 1872 Fanetta was born at Alabama on 31 January 1872. 
(Daughter) 1880 Census1880 Ella, Fanetta, Sarah, Alice and Clara was listed as a daughter in James Fletcher Haralson's household on the 1880 Census at DeKalb Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED59 sht 14 ln 35 twp 7 range 6. 
Death*circa 1883 She died at Alabama circa 1883. 
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited16 January 2000

Sarah Leslie Haralson

F, (7 May 1873 - 18 May 1893)
FatherJames Fletcher Haralson (23 Jul 1848 - 16 Jan 1891)
MotherSarah Jane Culpepper (17 Jan 1844 - 24 Jul 1925)
Birth*7 May 1873 Sarah was born at Alabama on 7 May 1873. 
(Daughter) 1880 Census1880 Ella, Fanetta, Sarah, Alice and Clara was listed as a daughter in James Fletcher Haralson's household on the 1880 Census at DeKalb Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED59 sht 14 ln 35 twp 7 range 6. 
Death*18 May 1893 She died at Vance, Lewis Co., Washington, on 18 May 1893 at age 20. 
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited4 August 1999

Clara LeBertha Haralson

F, (27 February 1876 - 25 February 1964)
FatherJames Fletcher Haralson (23 Jul 1848 - 16 Jan 1891)
MotherSarah Jane Culpepper (17 Jan 1844 - 24 Jul 1925)
Birth*27 February 1876 Clara was born at Gadsden, Etowah Co., Alabama, on 27 February 1876. 
(Daughter) 1880 Census1880 Ella, Fanetta, Sarah, Alice and Clara was listed as a daughter in James Fletcher Haralson's household on the 1880 Census at DeKalb Co., Alabama. 31 m-ED59 sht 14 ln 35 twp 7 range 6. 
Marriage*16 March 1893 She married Job William Moorcroft at Sarah Haralson home near, Vance, Lewis Co., Washington, on 16 March 1893 at age 17. 
Married Name16 March 1893  As of 16 March 1893, her married name was Moorcroft. 
Death*25 February 1964 She died at Kelso, Cowlitz Co., Washington, on 25 February 1964 at age 87. 
Biography* Clara was born in Alabama; but, when she was ten years old, her parents moved the family west, to the Territory of Washington. Clara's father had claimed land in the Big Bottom valley of the Cowlitz River and had the land cleared and a house built for the family. Washington became a state in 1889 and, in October of 1890, since no road had yet been built into the valley, the family packed in on foot and by canoe to their new home.

Clara was 14 when her father died and her oldest sister died a few months later. Clara's mother and oldest brother got the family settled on their land. The first schoolhouse in the valley was built of hand-hewn cedar logs on the Job William "Joe" Moorcroft place near Mountain View and this is where Clara and her younger sister and brother along with Clifford, Charles, Albert, Addie and Ora Blankenship and Walter, Leona, and LeilaYoung and George Charles, Bird Walter and Florence Stevenson were taught by Miss Zona Dodge. 1

When Clara turned 16, she was courted by "Joe" Moorcroft. Clara later recalled this experience:2

One Sunday afternoon my boy-friend and I went horseback riding on two Indian ponies or Cayuses as the Indians call them... It took my boy-friend at least two hours to round them up for our trip. We crossed the river in an Indian canoe to get on the trail. This was long years ago when I was only sweet-sixteen and he was a young Irish bachelor.... In those days the girls and women rode side-saddle and never thought of riding astride as they do now. I was riding on a man's saddle; but sitting as if it were a side-saddle. This was not very comfortable to sit in sideways.

We went on and on for some miles and had started back for home when suddenly, my old grey mare ran away with me.... We came to a place where a fallen fir tree was leaning against a rock cliff above the trail. There was just room enough to pass under by ducking ones head. By this time my horse was going like the wind and my boy-friend, later my husband, felt sure I would get my head knocked off as my horse passed under the tree. As it happened, I ducked my head at just the right time to pass under the tree; somehow I managed to stay on the horse and in the saddle, too.... When Joe caught up with me he was surely frightened.

The experience apparently did not deter Clara and she would later write:

In the year of 1893 - March 16th at 4:00 p.m; on a Thursday - Joseph Moorcroft and I were married at the home of my mother (Mrs. Sarah Culpepper Haralson.)3

The couple settled down to raise a family near Randle, WA. Together, Clara and Joe planted and did the other chores necessary to run the farm and keep the cattle and other livestock fed. Life in the valley was not easy, within ten years, all but Clara's mother and her youngest brother died and Clara, Joe and their children survived a major flood and other calamities. Clara wrote to A. S. Koons, the manager of the Montgomery Ward store in Portland, OR about one such incident. For Christmas of 1897, for $19.50, Joe had purchased a sewing machine for Clara and Clara recalled the experience:4

In those days we were far removed from towns and all conveniences. Chehalis, 70 miles away, was the nearest town and could be reached only over rough corduroy roads, composed mostly of logs and poles which had been thrown in the mud holes so that wagons could be pulled through safely. I had no sewing machine, and with two little children and such a promising future ahead of us in this new pioneering country, I was in dire need of one. My husband decided this would be the finest gift he could give me for Christmas, so he made out an order to Montgomery Ward in Chicago.

In due time, we received notice that my machine had been shipped to Chehalis. In a few days we started on our journey to Chehalis to pick up my new machine and several other supplies we needed. My mother and young son were with my husband and myself. My husband was the only one outside on the wagon seat. The rest of us rode inside our covered wagon.

We spent one day in town to purchase and load our supplies and the Montgomery Ward sewing machine, which was in a crate 12 inches higher than our wagon box. Among our groceries and other supplies was a cross-cut saw which my husband had stood on edge in the wagon. The next morning we started for home.

It was early November, and the fall rains had set in. We had been traveling with our horses and wagon for most of a week, and were within six miles of home, with the heavy rains and darkness surrounding us, when suddenly the outside edge of the road broke off and the wagon turned completely over. My husband was thrown clear of the wagon. The rest of us were not so fortunate. We were underneath the overturned wagon--but surely, God must have been looking over us. That wonderful sewing machine crate was just the right height to hold the wagon-bed up enough so that I could slip out on my stomach. My husband and I scraped away enough dirt with our hands to pull out my mother and son. They were in grave danger of being suffocated, for the groceries and the cross-cut saw were slipping down on them, shutting out their air.

Much water has run under the bridge since this incident, but I am still using the sewing machine, which sews as well as it ever did through these 62 years. I will treasure this machine the rest of my life, as it was the means of saving our lives....

Clara was later a member of a Ladies Aid group and she wrote the following for a meeting in July of 1914 during which each member was to donate a dollar to the group after telling how the money was earned:

TEN HOLE-LY GRAIN SACKS

Ten hole-ly grain sacks--and they are all mine, Attacked the first one with vim, and then there were nine.

Nine more sacks, which I berate-- Decided I'd do that one anyway; then there were eight.

Eight more--there sides ripped and uneven, Counted them again and found only seven.

Seven more of the horrid old things to fix, Counted them over again, and oh! Joy! there were only six.

Six more! Will I ever survive? But I patched the old thing and that left--was it but five?

Five gunny sacks--mouse eaten and tore, Put some fancy stitches in that one--then there were four.

Four sacks more before I am free, Won't I be glad when there are only three.

Three more to fix--will I ever be thru? 'Twill not seem very many when I have only two.

Two sacks left--both looking so bum, Shut my eyes and grab--then there is one.

One sack left--couldn't have no fun, Took that one with me; then there were none.

Clara was 77 when she lost her husband of 60 years. She wrote several articles about pioneering life in the Big Bottom valley and she celebrated her 87th birthday in Glenoma, WA.5 Clara died a year later, just two days short of her 88th birthday. 

Family

Job William Moorcroft (12 April 1860 - 14 September 1953)
Children
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited26 January 2000

Citations

  1. Walker Allison Tompkins, "The Big Bottom (Lewis County) 1833-1933," 1933
  2. "I Rode a Runaway Horse" typed sheet
  3. Mrs. "Joe" (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft, "Clara Haralson and Joseph Moorcroft: Our 'Start' when we got Married" typed sheet, July 1961
  4. Mrs. "Joe" (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft, "Washington State Pioneer Tells How Wards Sewing Machine Saved Three Lives in 1897," For-Ward Feb 1960, p. 7
  5. "Mrs. Joseph Moorcroft, Pioneer To Celebrate 87th Birthday" Daily Chronicle 27 Feb 1963, p. 5

Job William Moorcroft

M, (12 April 1860 - 14 September 1953)
Name Variation He was also known as Joe. 
Birth*12 April 1860 Job was born at co. Longford, Leinster, Ireland, on 12 April 1860. 
Marriage*16 March 1893 He married Clara LeBertha Haralson at Sarah Haralson home near, Vance, Lewis Co., Washington, on 16 March 1893 at age 32. 
Death*14 September 1953 He died at Randle, Lewis Co., Washington, on 14 September 1953 at age 93. 
Burial* His body was interred at Silver Creek Cemetery, Randle, Lewis Co., Washington. 
Biography* Job William Moorcroft was one of the pioneers of the Big Bottom of the upper Cowlitz River in Lewis Co., WA. Big Bottom is an area which runs along a 30 mile stretch of the upper Cowlitz River from Tumwater Falls to Clear Fork.1 What is now the state of Washington originally belonged to Britain and Indians from the area are known to have taken wolverine, marmoset, lynx, beaver, bear and deer skins and furs to the Hudson's Bay Company trading post at Jackson's Prairie from 1833.2 The area then was included as part of the Oregon Territory.

A separate Washington Territory was created March 3, 1853. Lewis County was named for Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. When James Longmire and William Packwood came through the Big Bottom area in 1854, looking for a low route from the Puget Sound to the Oregon Trail, they found a Cowlitz Indian village.1 The low route was not found and the area was left mostly undisturbed until 1882 when William Joerk (now York), a German merchant from the upper Sacramento River in California, trekked north and found only two Indian families remaining; the rest had been wiped out by smallpox.1

York returned in 1883 and became Big Bottom's first white settler.1 A few other white men followed and finally, in 1886, L. A. Davis, brought his wife into the valley.2 This was the same year that Joe Moorcroft arrived.1

James Haralson also came that year and claimed land but did not bring his family in until 1890 after he had the land cleared and a house built. Washington became a state November 11, 1889. All the settlers started from scratch, clearing and leveling the land for planting and building houses and a 36 mile road which met the road at Mossy Rock and in 1893 the first wagon was driven into the Big Bottom on its own wheels.2

After the Haralson family settled in the valley, Joe courted Clara Haralson and they were married in 1893. Clara later wrote:3

Joe took me to his "homestead" about one mile from "Mama's" home - where he had built a nice little house from "split" cedar lumber; which he had planed by hand. The house had a living room with a "rock" fireplace - one bedroom - and a lean-to kitchen with a dish-cupboard built with the cedar lumber. In fact, he had made all of the furniture, himself - of cedar boards. There was a hand-made bedstead with a straw tick for a mattress; and a pair of pillows made of "cat-o-nine tails" which he had gathered from the lake that was on his land. To make this stuffing for the pillows; he gathered the "heads" from the stalks of the "cat-o-nine tails;" then, pulverized them - and this was then used in place of feathers. (They were so slippery, one could hardly keep a pillow under his head). Two "bachelor" chairs which he had made were so high - I was unable to sit on them; when I wanted to sit-down, I would sit on the floor.

He had borrowed a cook-stove from a bachelor neighbor as he had had bad-luck with his - when he tried to bring it from Chehalis, Washington - by horseback. He had gone to Chehalis and purchased the cookstove, and a wash-tub, and wash-board and a broom. We had everything packed on his horse when she decided to "buck" everything off. The cast-iron stove got broken into many pieces, so he left it in Chehalis to be repaired.... We used a 5-gallon kerosene oil-can - cut on the long side, for a wash-boiler to heat water on the stove, to wash the clothes.

We planted a vegetable garden and also a "plot" of rutabagas for cattle-feed for ensilage which was used years later. We cut the timothy-grass for hay; and used the "old-time" hand scythe. I helped with that, also. We "shocked" the hay; and, hauled it in to a good-sized barn which he had made with cedar posts and long cedar-boards which stood on end. To haul the hay in - to the barn -- we laid two small poles down - three feet apart. We nailed shakes to them leaving enough room on the ends (for handles). We would then pile as much hay as would stay on; and with Joe at one end, and I at the other - we would head for the barn. (A slow-but-sure way to haul our hay).

At one end of the barn - Joe had built "stanchions" where he fed his "beef-cattle." He had begun to raise a herd before we were married. He and another bachelor neighbor had gone to Oregon and each had purchased several head of cattle - and shipped them by boat to (at that time Monticello) but now called Longview. From there, they drove them on foot to their homesteads in the upper-Big Bottom Valley.

That first-fall we went to Chehalis and picked hops - to buy our winter-supplies and clothes. People in those pioneering-days depended on hop-picking for a money crop. So ended our first year on the homestead....

In 1896, Cowlitz River flooded and Joe had to release the farm animals and pack his wife, two year old son and three week old daughter on a horse and quickly move them to higher ground. Clara wrote:4

We unloaded at the neighbor's door and everything was confusion and excitement. Their house and barn were on higher ground so the water wasn't over six inches on the floor. The men put chunks of wood on the floor and laid planks on them for us to walk on. There was very little sleep and rest that night with the flood waters gurgling around the house.

The neighbor had put his little pigs on the front porch, thinking he would have them above the water, but the water rose over the porch, so most of them were drowned while fighting and squealing for dry places. Everyone in the valley lost nearly all of their cattle and sheep. In fact, all of their stock--even the horses that were in the pastures drowned. A farmer below us on the lower ground had his barn washed against his house. When morning came his porch was full of dead cattle and horses.

Their house was built of logs, and the water rose so high, they were forced to go upstairs; they expected the house to go most any minute, as the water had risen almost to the second floor. One family were all drowned except the husband and father. The mother and five children lost their lives and only two bodies were ever found.

When morning came, those that had Indian canoes were out to hunt and rescue those in danger. Some, they found in trees where the waters came so fast they were cut off from their homes. The flood waters stayed on for four or five days; then the weather turned bitterly cold, and the ground being full of water froze 8" deep.

When we returned to our home we found the house had almost washed away. The rock fireplace was what had held it fast. One end of the house had floated up and the mud was 6" deep on the floors. The soiled clothes that were in the bedroom were scattered all over the floor. When we tried to pick them up we found they were frozen solid to the floor. We couldn't find a stick of wood in the shed or on the place.

Most of our cattle were dead--only seven head survived, and they had climbed on top of the hay mow. All of our potatoes and apples had been washed away. It looked so very discouraging to see everything gone. Two dozen lovely Plymouth-Rock hens; which we had, were frozen on the floor under the roosts where they had drowned in their sleep.

But the family picked up and started again. In 1961, Clara wrote:5

SO PASSED the years; and Joe lived to the good age of 93 years and "passed on" in September 1953. I am now left-alone to mourn like a turtle-dove on the corner of the house-top. WE had a good life together - for 60 years. I am now 85 years of age. 

Family

Clara LeBertha Haralson (27 February 1876 - 25 February 1964)
Children
ChartsJohn Culpepper of Randolph AL Female Descendants
Last Edited10 September 2003

Citations

  1. Walker Allison Tompkins, "The Big Bottom (Lewis County) 1833-1933," 1933
  2. Walker Allison Tompkins, "The Big Bottom (Lewis County) 1833-1933," 1933
  3. Mrs. "Joe" (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft, "Clara Haralson and Joseph Moorcroft: Our 'Start' when we got Married" typed sheet, July 1961
  4. Mrs. J. (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft "The 'Great Flood of '96' on the Cowlitz River in Eastern Lewis Co., State of Washington" typed sheet
  5. Mrs. "Joe" (Clara Haralson) Moorcroft, "Clara Haralson and Joseph Moorcroft: Our 'Start' when we got Married" (typed sheet, July 1961)