Thompson

Genealogy Report (Custom)

Descendants of Gordon Thompson

Generation One

1. Gordon1 Thompson1,2 was born on September 6, 1837 in VA.3 He married Louisa J. Bailey, daughter of Jameson Walker Bailey Sr. and Elizabeth Walker. He died on May 9, 1864 in Pulaski Co., VA, at age 26; during the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain. At the time he was killed, he was a Sargent.3 It is believed he was buried near in the battlefield, Dublin, Pulaski Co., VA.

He may, also, have been known as Howard Gordon Thompson.4 On July 4, 1861 he enlisted as a Sargent in the 60th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Company H., Confederate States of America. He was demoted to Private on July 28, 1862. He was promoted back to Sargent on July 26, 1863. He was listed as sick on February 15, 1864. He was on roles on April 15, 1864.

LETTERS OF GORDON AND LOUISA THOMPSON

The following are letters exchanged by Gordon Thompson and his wife Louisa Bailey Thompson (1862-1863) during the Civil War. Gordon Thompson who was last reported seen using his rifle for a crutch. He served in the Confederate Army. 60th Virginia Regiment under Colonel WE. Starke.

 

Mercer County. Virginia April 20, 18??

Dear Husband, I take my pen an hand one more time to write you a few lines to let you know that we are well at this time but we have had some sickness lately but not fatal. And I hope that you will get this letter and that it will find you well. I expect I have received all the letters that you have sent to me, and it gives me great satisfaction to hear from you, but it grieves me that you get none that I send you but one. I would write moor (more) but I can not get my money changed, silver has departed out of our land. You wanted to know whether I got the money you sent me or not. I have received $110, and I have paid James Shrewsbury and took in your note. I also received your likening (picture). I have rented Archebald McCommas field, at his house and has mowed it and paid for turning it over (plowing). I intend to try to make our bread and get along as well as I can. Times here I expect will be bad this summer. The winter and spring, so far, has been so wet that no work toward farming is done. Scarcely but little plowing done. Some women are a plowing. The Militia is called out and there is but few men left and the most of them old and broke down. And some of them afraid to try to make anything for fear the Yankees will take it.

The Yankees is plenty over the mountain and has done a great deal of mischief here. Taken a great deal of property and among the best. Have took all of Uncle Charles Walker's horses. Shot 2 guns at his son, George, but he out run them and got away. And him and his father left here expecting to come to his boys in the Army. And if so let us know in your next letter. And we hear since he left that the Yankees has been back to his house and has sheared his sheep, drove off his cattle and took all they wanted and tore up the rest. And we are listening every day to hear of a bloody conflict over the mountain. Our Militia and Cavalry and guerilla Company are a-going into Raleigh determined to drive them out. And Nervan is in Capt. Foley's company, furnished with a Mississippi rifle. It looks like to me the govern-ment (Confederate) ought to send help quicky if it does not intend to give us up to the North. Or if it would do no more send our Mercer Volunteers and let them help defend their homes. You want to know what I think about this war. I think we are a fighting on a just cause and if so, all the power on earth can not subjugate us. Our men are fortifying in Giles at the Narrows below the Courthouse. As I hear and I supose it to be true, I hear that our men has got the Hawks Nest in possession again and are going to take Raleigh town before many days.

(The rest of this letter is missing.)

 

Willmington, N.C.
April the 7th, 1862

Dear Wife, I take the present oppertunity of informing you that I am well at this time. Hoping that when thoes few lines come to hand that they may find you all injoying the same blessing. I hardely know what to write to you as I cant get no letters from yew. I would like to hear from yew and hear your openion of this war any how. I can't tell how things is a working myself. I understand

that Western Virginia has to be given over to the Yankees. I understand that they are fortifing at Wolf Creek. It seems a hard caise (case) that we must be drawn a way here and give up our country. I wood like to know what is to come of yew and the children if the Yankes come in thar. I wont you to stay at home and work and do the best you can. The Yankes is not a going to hurt yew if yew let them be. They wont hurt any boddy (body) that will let them be and not raise armes agaist them. If nothing hapnes I ascpect to come home this spring I think I can git a furlow and if I can I will be apt to see yew all one time more. Your friends is all well here. My health has been very good ever since I left Sewel Mountain. I am now fatter than ever I was before. I understand that Isaac Fletcher and Sary Shrewsberry is married. That is a wedding that I thought never of before. I understand since I came here that William Shrewsberry and Jestin Bailey is married. So I must come to a close. So no more at present ondley (only) remain your affetionate husband until death.

Gordon Thompson to Louisa ~ Thompson
Willmington, N.C. 60th Redgiment
care of Colonel WE. Starke

 

Dear Brother, I take the oppertunity of a droping yew with a few lines to let yew know that I am well at this time. Hoping that when thoes few lines come to hand that they may find yew enjoying the same blessing. I have no news to address yew with. Only we see hard times here and I am afraid worse acoming. I am sorry to hear that the Malitia has to be called out in our state. It is very serious time indeed. They are talking of drafting us before our time is out if we don't volunteer again for during the war. I would like to see yew all again and tell yew of the many things I have seen. So nothing more a present but remain your affectionate Brother until death.

 

(Part of another Letter)

 

I want yew to know I can't get 'any letters from yew anymore. I can't see that it matters. I would like for yew to write and let me know what became of that money. I sent 40 dollars by John Calfee in the upper end of the County and and I sent 20 dollars in a letter and I can't hear from none.

Direct your letters to Charleston, South Carolina
in the care of Colonel WE. Starke 60th Va. Regt.
Company YC
Gordon Thompson
It takes 10 cents postage to get here.

 

July 31

Camp near Gordonsville, Virginia

Dear Wife, I take the oppertunity of droping yew a few lines to let yew know that I am well at this time and hoping when these few lines come to hand that they may find yew all injoying the same blessing. We are now at Gordons Ville 75 miles N.W of Richmond. Yew had better direct your lettars to Gordons Ville, Va. I would like to see yew all. I have no news to tell yew. All our company is in very bad health at present; 4 of our Company has deserted. Wm. Taylor & Andison Fletcher & Wm. Harmon & Issac McDaniel. I wont yew to right (write) to me as soon as yew can so I must come to a close.

Gordon Thompson To Louisa T Thompson

 

(Part of a letter written by Gordon Thompson to his wife.)

I understand that we are a giving them fits at Fort in Cantucky. We whiped them by land and by sea the papers say that they whiped them all aruund their borders. We taken their batteries and the (?) of men on both sides is pretty strong I aspect. They say the Yanks lost plenty at Raleigh Courthouse. I have been 15 hundred miles and have not see a wild Yankey yet all though we have been close neighbors. I supose the Governor has ordered the Companeys to be filled up a hundred men each and if they don't volunteer now to draft them. They are trying to git us to volunteer again during the war but I hardley think I will.

Gordon Thompson

 

Camp Pina, Raleigh County, Virginia May the 24th, 1863

Dear Wife, I again take the opportunity of droping a few lines to let yew know that I am well at this time hoping when these few lines come to hand that they may find you all well. We have had a pretty severe march. We marched to Fayetteville and thare we attacked the Yankeys and run them back in to their fortifications and there we shelled them for 14 hours. They returned fue brisklcy. We lay one night and part of 2 days under the range of their shells. We had 2 men wounded in all and none killed. The Yanks lost was 2 or 3 killed and several wounded. We left Fayettville and retreated back to Blakes and thare stayed all night. The Yanks followed us and run our pickets, us firing at them. We formed a line of battle and the Yanks came in sight and we gave them a volley and they fell back out of our sight. Then we come on back to Raleigh Courthouse. We stopped at Beckley in the field on the side of the Courthouse and stopped to stay all night. The Yanks came to the top of the hill on the other side of the Courthouse and fired their cannon several times over toward the Court-house trying to find out where we were. We left Beckley then and came to Pina. How long we will stay here I can't tell. We taken some 10 or 15 prisoners and 10 or 15 horses. I have my health very well since I left. I haven't had the headache since I left home. I think the Yanks have fell back from Raleigh at this time Direct your letters to Pina Raleigh Co. Va. 60th Va. Redg. right (write) soon in care of Cap't Bailey Yew can send letters down here without postage.

 

These poems written to Louisa J. Thompson by Gordon Thompson, were enclosed in his letters. The first one and probably the second one were written about April 4,1862, from Willmington, North Carolina. He was with the 60th Regiment

 

Poem One

When yew are in some farm (foreign) land
Think of your absent friend
And when the wind blows fare to me
Pray write a line and send
Yes, when the wind blows fair to me
Pray write a line or two
Perhaps I may the same return
When the wind blows fair to yew.

 

Poem Two

1. When they know if life is fled,
When the death shades o'er thee spread,
When is finished Earth's career,
Siner, where wilt thou appear?

2. When the world has passed away
When draws near the judgement day
When the awful trump shall sound
Sinner, where wilt thou be found?

3. When the Judge descends in light
Clothed in majesty and might
When the wicked quail with fright
Sinner, where will thou appear?

4. Sinner, what shall soothe thy heart
When the Saints and thou must part
When the good with joy are crowned
Sinner, where will thou be found

5. When thoes dreadful scenes shall end
When the Saints to Heaven ascend
When their songs shall strike thy ear
Sinner, where wilt thou appear

6. While the Holy Ghost is nigh,
Sinner, to thy Savior fly
When shall piece thy spirit cheer
Then in Heaven shall thou appear.
May the Lord of Heaven bless yew all.

Gordon Thompson to Louisa T Thompson

 

Submitted by John Mosey to the Mercer County History, 1984.8

A memorial stone was erected in the Confederate Section, Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington, WV by, David Thompson, a descendant of Gordon Thompson.

Battle of Cloyd's Mountain
Campaign: Crook-Averell Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad (May 1864)
Date: May 9, 1864
Principal Commanders: Brig. General George Crook (US); Brig. General Albert Jenkins (CS)
Forces Engaged: Divisions (approx. 10,000)
Estimated Casualties: 1,500 total

Description: On May 9, Crook's three brigades (6,100 men) on a raid into southwestern Virginia encountered a patchwork Confederate force under Brig. Gen. Albert Jenkins at Cloyd's Mountain. Fighting was furious and hand-to-hand. Casualties were heavy for the size of the forces engaged: Union 10%, Confederate 15%. Jenkins was mortally wounded. Crook afterwards joined forces with Averell, who had burned the New River Bridge, and the united column withdrew to Meadow Bluff after destroying several important railroad bridges.

Result(s): Union victory.

 

History of the 60th Virginia:

The 60th Virginia Infantry, originally known as the 3rd Regiment Infantry, Wise Legion, was formed on August 13, 1861, with 10 companies lettered A to K. An 11th company was added in September, but the regiment was again reduced to 10 companies when the original Company H was transferred to the 58th Virginia Infantry on November 5, 1861.

The 60th Virginia Infantry was originally commanded by Colonel William E. Starke. While serving as the 3rd Regiment Infantry, Wise Legion under Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise, the unit fought at Sewell Mountain on September 27, 1861.

The 60th Virginia Infantry served in the Army of Northern Virginia in June and July, 1862, and as such participated in the Seven Days Battles around Richmond and specifically at Gaines Mill on June 27, 1862. Reassigned to the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee, served in the mountains from the fall of 1862 until the spring of 1864 as part of John McCausland's Brigade. From the spring of 1864 until the end of the war, the regiment served in the Shenandoah Valley as part of Smith's Brigade, Wharton's Division under General Jubal Anderson Early. Engagements during this period include Cloyd's Mountain, Piedmont, Monocacy, Winchester, Fisher's Hill Cedar Creek, and Waynesboro.4

Children of Gordon1 Thompson and Louisa J. Bailey were as follows:

Generation Two

2. Mary Jane2 Thompson (Gordon1)1 was born on December 14, 1851.6 She married Daniel Paris Bailey, son of Jameson Walker Bailey and Mary Polly McComas, on March 18, 1867 in Mercer Co., WV.7 She died on July 7, 1938 at age 86.6

Daniel Paris Bailey was born on October 28, 1848 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He died on November 7, 1934 in Mercer Co., WV, at age 86.6 He was buried in the Bailey Cemetary, Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6

Children of Mary Jane2 Thompson and Daniel Paris Bailey were as follows:

3. James Alexander2 Thompson (Gordon1)1,8 was born on December 1, 1857. He married Virginia Herdon Bailey, daughter of Eli Bailey, on August 3, 1880.8,7 He married Laura Wood on December 22, 1928. He married Malinda E. Stanley on July 15, 1935. He died on November 19, 1937 at age 79.

"UNCLE JIMMY" THOMPSON DEAD

STRUCK BY AUTO

Car Driven by Everett Walker of Pinoak Runs Down Aged Matoaka Man, Who Was Walking In Middle of Road, During Snowstorm Last Saturday

On last Friday evening, as he was walking along the Matoaka-Shawnee Lake road near Matoaka at about 6 o'clock, J. A. (Uncle Jimmy) Thompson was struck by a car driven by Everett Walker of Pinoak, and instantly killed. He was nearly 80 years old.

Upon investigation by Constable John McKinney it was learned that it was snowing at the time Walker happened along and this prevented him from seeing the aged pedestrian. It is said that Thompson was walking in the middle of the road. No charges were placed against Walker.

Mr. Thompson was born at Lashmeet on December 1, 1857, and had been a life-long resident of Mercer County. He was a stone and brick mason by trade and also did carpenter work.

After the accident Thompson was picked up and rushed to Matoaka, where it was found that the back of his head had been completely crushed.

Funeral services were held at the Matoaka Methodist Church Sunday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. Thomas Jenkins of the Primitive Baptist Church at Rich Creek. Mr. Thompson had been a member of this denomination for 60 years, always taking an active part in church affairs. Internment was made in the cemetery at Rock.

Mr. Thompson was the son of Gordon Thompson and Louisa J. Thompson. In 1879 he was married to Virginia Bailey, and to them were born 10 children, seven boys and three girls of whom the following survive:

Mrs. D. C. McComas, Rock; Warnias Thompson, Matoaka; Shurdon Thompson, Matoaka; Mrs. Sherman Shrewsbury, Coal Run (Fayette County); Mrs. Jack Midkiff, Springton; Darius Thompson, Crumpler; Eslie S. Thompson, Rock; Burley Thompson, Matoaka.

His wife preceded him to the grave nine years ago, and after her death he was married to Mrs. Laura Wood on December 22, 1928, who died six years later. After the death of his second wife, he was married to Malinda E. Stanley on July 15, 1935. Therefore, he leaves his wife and eight children, together with a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Virginia Herdon Bailey8 was born on May 28, 1861 in Mercer Co., WV.6 She died on April 12, 1928 at age 66.6 She was buried in the Bailey Cemetary, Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6

Children of James Alexander2 Thompson and Virginia Herdon Bailey were as follows:

There were no children of James Alexander2 Thompson and Laura Wood.

There were no children of James Alexander2 Thompson and Malinda E. Stanley.

4. Louisa Estas2 Thompson (Gordon1) was born on April 19, 1861.5 She married Thomas Boyd Cook, son of Thomas Munsey Cooke and Rebecca Jane Sizemore, on October 25, 1877 in Mercer Co., WV.9 She died on March 29, 1938 at age 76; Acute cardiac decomposition, senility.10

Thomas Boyd Cook was born on May 8, 1859 in Wyoming Co., WV.5 He died on March 26, 1914 in Athens, Mercer Co., WV, at age 54; cause of death was Pneumonia.10 Buried in the cemetery in Athens, Mercer Co., WV. He moved to Mercer County in 1876. He was ordained on November 3, 1896 in Rockcastle Baptist Church, Wyoming Co., WV, as pastor. In 1903 Thomas Boyd Cook was active in the organization of Spruce Grove Baptist Church in Wyoming Co., WV. This church was a charter member of the Rockcastle Association.

The following was written by his grandson, William W. Lyons:

"Thomas Boyd Cook was born May 8, 1859, at Rockview, Wyoming County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was the son of Thomas Munsey Cook and Rebecca Sizemore and died March 1914.

His father and mother were God-fearing people and his mother spent much time in prayer. When she began to worry about the perplexing problems that faced her in the domestic life, she would grab up her little boy (little Boyd then about twelve months old) and hasten down to her favorite prayer place behind a large rock at the lower edge of the lawn. There with her baby in her arms, she would kneel and pour her whole heart out to God, dedicating her child to God to be used in His service.

The Rev. T. B. Cook had a limited education which he received mostly in the Wyoming County schools around 1871. His father moved to Mercer County when he was a teenage boy and settled on Widemouth Creek where he met and married Nancy McCommas. He was twenty-one, when he met and married Louisa Estus Thompson, a daughter of Gordon Thompson, a Civil War Confederate soldier. She was born April 19, 1861.

At the age of twenty-five he felt keenly the call to the ministry. Before he was twenty-five there was an epidemic of smallpox in Mercer and the edge of Wyoming Counties which took its toll of human lives before it ended. There were so many deaths that it was hard to get people buried and it was impossible to get anyone to wait on the sick. The entire Cook family, the father, mother and three children were down at the same time. No one would come into the home to help the sick on account of the fear of taking the disease. The neighbors would prepare the food and place it where the family could get it. They also prepared wood for the fire. Old Dr. Carr, the grandfather of Daniel Carr, was the only available doctor for this epidemic, who would venture into the homes and treat the sick.

After the epidemic, Thomas Boyd Cook obeyed his call to the ministry. The mantle of some departed soul-minister had fallen on his shoulders and he began preaching like a whirlwind. In early ministry he let his beard grow long as was the custom in those days, but in later years he was smooth shaven with a mustache. During his lifetime he baptized, married and preached the funerals of hundreds of people.

In 1898 - 1902, he served as Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff under the late James "Jim" White who died about the middle of his term of office, at which time the Rev. Cook was appointed to fill the unexpired term by the Mercer County Court. At that time there was only one Deputy Sheriff in the County and he did the collections of taxes and served as a Peace officer.

After his term of Sheriff was over, he settled down to farming and preaching. He owned a farm at Pinoak near Matoaka where he lived all of his life. He also owned quite a boundry of surface land over the Springston mines where he did most of his farming. The Springston Coal Company in mining out the coal and water broke the surface in many places; consequently he was instituting suit against them for damages and at which time the Pocahontas Land Company came to their rescue and paid Reverend Cook $10,000. for his farm.

In 1907, he moved to the town of Athens for the purpose of educating his children. He bought a home in Athens at the North end of State Street and a farm of 103 acres where the Brunks now live. Here he settled down again to farming and preaching. The great burden of his life was the saving of his children. Out of his large family he only saw three of them baptized. Thomas Boyd Cook is buried in the Athens Cemetery with his wife and five children near him.

Thomas Boyd Cook and Louisa Thompson were married on October 27, 1877. They were the parents of Forest P., Wayne M., Jay, Ted B., Dale, Gester, Mrs. Effie Oaks, Mrs. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Emerson Walker, Mrs. John Lyons, and Lake W."11

The following is a prayer he wrote:

"Our moments together in this life is not to be compared to Eternity, may God's Blessings follow us and prepare us for the duty Enjoined on Father and Mother to raise their children in the nuture and admonition of the Lord; May this Blessed book be our guide; his will ours to do and when Life is over and the Master calls us home to Glory, May we together with the offspring which God has given us; all get home to be with the Lord God and the Blessed is my prayer for Jesus' sake."


OBITUARY - March, 1914, The Bluefield Daily Telegraph:

"REV. T. BOYD COOK VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA

End Came at His Home at Athens Last Night After an Illness of Only Six Days

Rev. T. Boyd Cook, aged fifty-six years and father of eleven children, died at his home at Athens last night, after an illness of six days of pneumonia. Mr. Cook's illness had scarcely been heard of outside of Athens and his death will be the source of general surprise and regret to his friends throughout the county. Rev. Mr. Cook was a man who had affiliated himself with public affairs of the county and had formed a wide and popular acquaintance. He was ordained into the ministry of the Missionary Baptist denomination about twenty-five years ago and his church work throughout this course of time has extended pretty generally all over the county. At the time of his death he held under his charge the church work at Dunns, Little Bluestone and Daniel, this county. Aside from his church work he took a deep interest in the county's affairs, once having served as deputy sheriff of the county and performing other duties in a public way.

Rev. Mr. Cook was the father of five daughters and six sons - Mrs. Effie Fulton of Colorado; Mrs. Bertha Campbell , of Kentucky; Mrs. Barty Wyatt of Pineville; Mrs. Emerson Walker, of Lashmeet, this county, and a single daughter at home, Miss Winnie; Forest Cook of Pin Oak, this county; and Edgar Cook of Athens, both married, and Jay, Wayne, Theodore and Dale Cook, of Athens. His widow, who was a Miss Thompson, of Lashmeet, also survives him, as do two brothers and two sisters, Senator William H.H. Cook, of Wyoming county; Ollie Cook, of Giatto; Mrs. A. Bailey, of Dott, and Mrs. Hartless, of Godfrey.

The funeral services will be held at Athens at noon Saturday, internment following at that place. The deceased was member of both the Odd Fellows and Masons, but whether these fraternities will conduct the burial rites was not known at the midnight hour, at which time the news of Mr. Cook's death was received by the Telegraph."

FROM A COPY OF A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - date and paper unknown (probably after 1938):

"The late Rev. Thomas Boyd Cook, who died in Athens in 1914 was one of the well known and interesting characters of Mercer county a half century ago. He was a brother to the late Rev. W.H. Cook, Pineville, and came to Mercer county in 1876 where he married the late Louise Thompson and became a Baptist preacher and one of the latest circuit riders.

Cook built a home on the headwaters of Rich Creek, near the Pinoak post office. Part of the building is still standing; although it has been remodeled and is at present occupied by one of his eldest daughters, and husband Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Walker.

During Cook's ministry he became a deputy sheriff for a four year period from 1896 to 1900 under County Sheriff James White. While he was in office and while conducting a meeting in Spanishburg, he arrested a man charged with disturbing public worship, handcuffed him - then brought him to the front of the church and resumed the services.

In 1908, Cook bought property in Athens and moved his family there for the purpose of educating the younger children at Concord College. The move was ill-fated in one respect. One son, Jay "Red" Cook attended school there and became a popular baseball and football player. During a football game; his neck was broken.

The offspring of the Cook family, part of whom are still living, are: Forest P. Cook, Wayne M. Cook, Jay Cook, Ted B. Cook, Dale Cook, Geter Gook, Mrs. Effie Oakes, Mrs. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Emerson Walker and Mrs. John Lyons, and Lake Wyatt.

Cook numbered among his closest friends J. Sam Bennett of Princeton and the late H.W. Straley of Princeton and Dr. Sam Holroyd of Athens."

Children of Louisa Estas2 Thompson and Thomas Boyd Cook were as follows:

Generation Three

5. Virginia Estilline3 Bailey (Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on March 3, 1868 in Matoaka, Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Jameson Bailey, son of Floyd Richard Bailey and Zilpha Sulfrany Mooney, on February 7, 1883.6 She died on March 30, 1945 at age 77.6

Jameson Bailey6 was born on November 3, 1865 in Pinoak, Mercer Co., WV.6 He died on February 15, 1950 in Matoaka, Mercer Co., WV, at age 84.6

Children of Virginia Estilline3 Bailey and Jameson Bailey were as follows:

6. Gordon "Thomp" Thompson3 Bailey (Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on January 17, 1872 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Elizabeth Francis "Bettie" Bailey on December 22, 1892.6 He died on September 9, 1949 in Matoaka, Mercer Co., WV, at age 77.6

Elizabeth Francis "Bettie" Bailey6 was born on July 30, 1877 in Mercr Co., WV.6 She died on April 30, 1969 at age 91.6

Children of Gordon "Thomp" Thompson3 Bailey and Elizabeth Francis "Bettie" Bailey both born in Mercer Co., WV, were as follows:

7. Oliver Montaville3 Bailey (Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on May 22, 1879.6 He married Bessie Blanche Wright on May 29, 1902.6 He died on December 27, 1962 at age 83.6

Bessie Blanche Wright6 was born in 1886.6

Children of Oliver Montaville3 Bailey and Bessie Blanche Wright were as follows:

8. Shannon Paris3 Bailey (Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on April 13, 1881 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Edna Clemintine Bailey on June 29, 1901.6 He was ill with diabetes and had a stroke.6 He was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, WV.6

Edna Clemintine Bailey6 was born on May 25, 1887 in Mercr Co., WV.6 She died on January 16, 1968 in Mercer Co., WV, at age 80; Reaction to Flu shot.6 She was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, WV.6

Children of Shannon Paris3 Bailey and Edna Clemintine Bailey were as follows:

9. Lutheria Lavada3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 was born on October 7, 1881.8,6 She married Dennis Camden McComas on April 9, 1899.6 She died on December 30, 1939 at age 58. She was buried in the Rufus McComas Cemetary, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6

Dennis Camden McComas6 was born on September 28, 1880 in Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6 He died on May 19, 1956 in Mercer Co., WV, at age 75; He was ill with Cancer.6 He was a farmer and a Deacon at the Rich Creek Primative Baptist Church in Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6

Children of Lutheria Lavada3 Thompson and Dennis Camden McComas were as follows:

10. Sherdon Ericson3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 was born on March 23, 1885 in Mercer Co., WV.8,6 He married Minnie Lilly.6

Children of Sherdon Ericson3 Thompson and Minnie Lilly were as follows:

11. Arioto Anges3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 was born on August 15, 1887 in Mercer Co., WV.8,6 She married Sherman Shrewsbury.6

Children of Arioto Anges3 Thompson and Sherman Shrewsbury were as follows:

12. C. Hettie Sylvania3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 was born on November 27, 1887 in Mercer Co., WV.8,6 She married Thomas Jackson Midkiff, son of James Madison Midkiff and Sarah Elizabeth Kinzer, on January 19, 1907 in Mercer Co., WV.6 She died on December 22, 1956 in Springton, Mercer Co., WV, at age 69.6 She was buried in the Mt. Olive Cemetary, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6

Thomas Jackson Midkiff6 was born on October 12, 1881 in Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6 He was ill with Cancer.6 He was buried in the Mt. Olive Cemetary, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6 He was a coal miner and farmer.6

Children of C. Hettie Sylvania3 Thompson and Thomas Jackson Midkiff were as follows:

13. Warnus Wilberton3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 was born on March 3, 1894 in Mercer Co., WV.8,6 He married Minnie Tiller.6

Children of Warnus Wilberton3 Thompson and Minnie Tiller were as follows:

14. Eslie Sale3 Thompson (James2, Gordon1)8 married Gladys Pearl Bowling.8

Children of Eslie Sale3 Thompson and Gladys Pearl Bowling were as follows:

15. Thomas Boyd3 Cook Jr. (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on July 4, 1900. He married Ruby Bailey, daughter of George M. David Bailey and Mary Jane O'Dell.  He was also known as Ted.

Children of Thomas Boyd3 Cook Jr. and Ruby Bailey were as follows:

16. Forrest P.3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on August 24, 1889. He married Bertha M Shrewsbury, daughter of Henry Shrewsbury and Emma Basham.6

There were no children of Forrest P.3 Cook and Bertha M Shrewsbury.

Children of Forrest P.3 Cook and an unknown spouse were as follows:17. Leora Effie3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on September 12, 1878. She married (--?--) Fulton. She married Marion Oakes. She died in 1935.

There were no children of Leora Effie3 Cook and (--?--) Fulton.

Children of Leora Effie3 Cook and Marion Oakes are as follows:18. Lake Erie3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1)3 was born on September 13, 1885. She married Barton "Uncle Barty" Wyatt, son of Rev. John Wyatt and Mary Jane Tilley, in April, 1905.12 She died in 1918; during the Influenza epidemic of 1918.13,14 She was buried in Athens Cemetery, Athens, Mercer Co., WV.

Barton "Uncle Barty" Wyatt13 was born on June 8, 1880 in Rockview, Wyoming Co., WV. He married Minnie L. Walker on April 4, 1919.12 He married Virginia Cooper.12 He died on May 13, 1973 at age 92.14 He was buried in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, Mercer Co., WV.14 Reference: Birth - Louella Wyatt Bailey Family Bible.12 He was a Candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Representative from West Virginia 5th District in 1934.12 The Mercer County Court appointed a Historical Commission to serve as a nucleus of Association to be formed later in 1960. "Barton Wyatt, affectionately called "Uncle Barty" by all who knew him, was born June 8, 1880, at Rock View, Wyoming County, West Virginia. He was one of the sons of the Reverend John Wyatt and Mary Jane Tilley.

In 1960, the Mercer County Court appointed a Historical Commission to serve as a nucleus of an Association to be formed later. Barty served on the commission until its disbandment. He contributed regularly, genealogical articles on various pioneer families of the region to the Princeton Times and other area newspapers until 1970.

He lived several years in Athens, where he graduated from Concord College (then Normal School) with the Class of 1912. He was a member of Concord Lodge 48, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; a member of the Athens Baptist Church; and former President of Mercer County Realtors Association. He taught in the public schools of Mercer, Raleigh and Wyoming counties.

In August 1905 Barton Wyatt married Lake Erie Cook, the third daughter of the Reverend Thomas Boyd Cook and Louisa Estus Thompson, a well known pioneer family of Pinoak in Mercer County. Thomas Boyd Cook was the son of Thomas Munsey Cook.

Barty and Lake had the following children: Claren Harley Wyatt, a professional soldier who was Port Captain at the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana during World War II and who earlier served with the 24th Infantry, US Army in China (1930's); a daughter, Glenna, who married Oscar Weeks, a chemist with I.E. Dupont at Charleston; and daughter Jeanous Wyatt Kirk. Aunt Lake Erie died during the Influenza epidemic of 1918 and is buried at Athens Cemetery with her parents and other members of the Cook family.

Barty's second marriage was to Virginia Cooper, who preceded him in death in 1970. Barty died while residing at his home at 1315 Princeton Ave., Princeton, WV, where he was a member of Princeton Chapter Old Guard. He left a brother Johnny Wyatt and a sister Mrs. Brady Wyatt Epling, both of Matoaka, WV, at that time. Uncle Barty lived to be ninety-three years old. He died May 13, 1973, and is buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton."14

Children of Lake Erie3 Cook and Barton "Uncle Barty" Wyatt were as follows:

19. Brada E.3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on August 30, 1887. She married Emerson Walker, son of James Buchanan "Jeems" Walker and Rebecca C. Lambert. She died on April 1, 1955 in Pinoak, Mercer Co., WV, at age 67.6

Emerson Walker was born on April 1, 1883.6 He died in May, 1968 in Pinoak, Mercer Co., WV, at age 85.6

Children of Brada E.3 Cook and Emerson Walker were as follows:

20. Wayne McKinley3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on June 20, 1896.

Children of Wayne McKinley3 Cook and an unknown spouse were:

21. Winnie Hobart3 Cook (Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on June 20, 1896 in Mercer Co., WV. She married John Arley Lyons, son of William Josiah Lyons and Amanda Louemma Tabor, on August 1, 1917 in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV.9 She died on April 1, 1979 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC, at age 82.

John Arley Lyons was born on October 16, 1894 in Camp Creek, Mercer Co., WV; In 1955, he had his birth record corrected at the Court House from 10-15-1894 to 10-16-1894. He died on November 1, 1963 in MacArthur, Raleigh Co., WV, at age 69; cause of death was Coronary Occlusion, Arteriosclerotic heart disease.15 He was Head Bookkeeper and Office Manager for the E.C. Mentor Coal Company.

Children of Winnie Hobart3 Cook and John Arley Lyons were as follows:

Generation Four

22. Tollis Bartholomew4 Bailey (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on April 8, 1884.6 He married Josie F. Smith on October 7, 1903.6 He married Lettie A. Tiller, daughter of Charles I. Tiller and Elizabeth Belcher, on October 13, 1909.6 He died on November 29, 1953 at age 69.6  He lived in 1920 in Matoaka, Mercer Co., WV.6

There were no children of Tollis Bartholomew4 Bailey and Josie F. Smith.

Lettie A. Tiller6 was born on May 31, 1883.6

Children of Tollis Bartholomew4 Bailey and Lettie A. Tiller were:

23. London Golden "Lundy"4 Bailey Sr. (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on February 22, 1886 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Mary May Meadows on August 23, 1905 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Charlotte M. McDill.6

Children of London Golden "Lundy"4 Bailey Sr. and Mary May Meadows were as follows:

Children of London Golden "Lundy"4 Bailey Sr. and Charlotte M. McDill were as follows:24. Clayton Estil4 Bailey (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on April 3, 1896 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Verdie Hylton.6 He married Nellie L. Hubbard.6 He died on April 16, 1962 at age 66.6

Verdie Hylton6 also went by the name of Bertie Hilton.6

Children of Clayton Estil4 Bailey and Verdie Hylton were as follows:

Children of Clayton Estil4 Bailey and Nellie L. Hubbard were as follows:25. Thurmond Kelsey4 Bailey (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on September 10, 1900.6 He married Mary Elizabeth Dowdy.6 He died on April 10, 1969 at age 68.6 He was buried in Trinity Section, Memorial Gardens, Princeton, Mercer Co., WV.6

Mary Elizabeth Dowdy6 was born in 1904.6 She lived in 1920 in Hiawatha, WV.6

Children of Thurmond Kelsey4 Bailey and Mary Elizabeth Dowdy were as follows:

26. Levi Thompson4 Bailey (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on November 3, 1903 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Marsha Gladys Hatcher.6 He died on March 22, 1956 at age 52.6

Children of Levi Thompson4 Bailey and Marsha Gladys Hatcher were as follows:

27. Essie Roscoe4 Bailey (Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on June 3, 1905 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Sadie Lee White on October 3, 1923.6 Killed in a mining accident.

Children of Essie Roscoe4 Bailey and Sadie Lee White were as follows:

28. Nova4 Bailey (Gordon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on August 11, 1910 in Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Claude Hickle.6 She married Herbert Leon Ratcliff on November 12, 1949.6 She married Rubert Cooper.6

Claude Hickle6 died before 1949.6

Children of Nova4 Bailey and Claude Hickle were:

Herbert Leon Ratcliff6 died on October 22, 1965; He was ill with Cancer.6

Children of Nova4 Bailey and Herbert Leon Ratcliff were:

There were no children of Nova4 Bailey and Rubert Cooper.

29. Dorothy Gray4 Bailey (Oliver3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on November 26, 1912 in Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Austin Angle Sr.6 She was ill with Cancer.

Children of Dorothy Gray4 Bailey and Austin Angle Sr. were:

30. Haskel Gordon4 Bailey (Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on July 29, 1903 in Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Erma Lucille Bailey on September 18, 1923.6 He died on December 11, 1982 at age 79.6 He was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, WV.6

Erma Lucille Bailey6 was born on May 6, 1908.6 She died on September 10, 1958 at age 50.6 She was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, WV.6

Children of Haskel Gordon4 Bailey and Erma Lucille Bailey were:

31. Brookie4 Bailey (Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on November 21, 1906 in Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Curtis James Vest on August 15, 1924 in Bristol, TN.6 She was ill with Cancer.6

Children of Brookie4 Bailey and Curtis James Vest were as follows:

32. Everette Keyser4 Bailey Sr. (Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on February 26, 1909 in Rock, Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Ruth Glendy Mastin.6 He was ill with Cancer.6

Children of Everette Keyser4 Bailey Sr. and Ruth Glendy Mastin were as follows:

33. Mayna Evelyn4 McComas (Lutheria3Thompson, James2, Gordon1)6 was born on March 27, 1900 in Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Guy W Walker in 1918.6 She married Phillip Aden Walker, son of John Wise Council Walker and Nancy Elizabeth Bailey, on September 30, 1928.6 She was ill with Cancer.6 She was buried in Crotty Cemetary, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., WV.6  She was described as Red hair, Blue eyes.6

Children of Mayna Evelyn4 McComas and Guy W Walker were as follows:

Phillip Aden Walker6 died on July 8, 1956.6

Children of Mayna Evelyn4 McComas and Phillip Aden Walker were as follows:

34. John Quincy4 Midkiff (C.3Thompson, James2, Gordon1)6 was born on January 10, 1926 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Glenda Bailey on October 12, 1949 in Tazewell Co., VA.6 He died on January 31, 1995 in Mercer Co., WV, at age 69.6

Glenda Bailey6 was born on February 21, 1925 in Mercer Co., WV.6

Children of John Quincy4 Midkiff and Glenda Bailey were:

35. Loretta Virginia4 Thompson (Eslie3, James2, Gordon1)8 married Walter Morgan Adams.8

Walter Morgan Adams8 also went by the name of Skinny.8

Children of Loretta Virginia4 Thompson and Walter Morgan Adams were as follows:

36. Catherine4 Cook (Thomas3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Arbe Phibbs.

Children of Catherine4 Cook and Arbe Phibbs were as follows:

37. Ruth4 Cook (Thomas3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Charles Johnson. She died in 1960.

Children of Ruth4 Cook and Charles Johnson were:

38. Joe4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Mary (--?--).

Children of Joe4 Cook and Mary (--?--) were as follows:

 

39. Tommy4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1).

Children of Tommy4 Cook and an unknown spouse were as follows:

40. Ilene4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married "Dub" Brown.

Children of Ilene4 Cook and "Dub" Brown are:

41. Imogene4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married (--?--) Shumate.

Children of Imogene4 Cook and (--?--) Shumate were as follows:

42. Illa4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Lacy Brooks.

Children of Illa4 Cook and Lacy Brooks are:

43. Kenneth4 Cook (Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Avon (--?--).

Children of Kenneth4 Cook and Avon (--?--) were:

44. Strong4 Oakes (Leora3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1).

Children of Strong4 Oakes and an unknown spouse were as follows:

45. Ada R.4 Walker (Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on May 10, 1906 in Pinoak, Mercer Co., WV.6 She married Wiley E. Shrewsbury. She married (--?--) Lovell.

Children of Ada R.4 Walker and Wiley E. Shrewsbury were as follows:

There were no children of Ada R.4 Walker and (--?--) Lovell.

46. Gladys4 Walker (Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born in 1901.14 She married Zeather D. Vaughn, son of Dennis Vaughn and Sarah Carico. She died in 1985.

"Gladys Walker (1901 - 1985), the daughter of the late Emarson and Brada Cook Walker, married Zeather Daniel Vaughan, son of Dennis and Sarah Carrico Vaughan of Crystal. They lived all of their lives in Mercer County except for seventeen years during which they owned and operated Vaughan's Shell Station in Pineville, West Virginia. They were both members of Rich Creek Primitive Baptist Church and served the Princeton Community Hospital as volunteers. "14

Children of Gladys4 Walker and Zeather D. Vaughn were as follows:

47. Wilber4 Walker (Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Grace (--?--).

Children of Wilber4 Walker and Grace (--?--) were:

48. John Arley4 Lyons Jr. (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on June 10, 1918 in Fireco, WV. He married Joyce (--?--). He married Ruby Adams. He married Clyde Qualls. He married (--?--) (--?--). He married Carol (--?--).

Children of John Arley4 Lyons Jr. and Joyce (--?--) are as follows:

There were no children of John Arley4 Lyons Jr. and Ruby Adams.
There were no children of John Arley4 Lyons Jr. and Clyde Qualls.
There were no children of John Arley4 Lyons Jr. and Carol (--?--).

49. William Warren4 Lyons Sr. (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on November 7, 1920 in Sullivan, WV. He married Lillian Estelle Wade. He married Donna (--?--). He died on October 8, 2001 in Centerville, Houston Co., GA, at age 80.

His obituary appeared in the Telegraph, Macaon, GA on October 10, 2001:

William W. "Bill" Lyons, Sr. -CENTERVILLE - William W. "Bill" Lyons, Sr., 80, died Monday, October 8 at his residence. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2P.M. in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Macon Memorial Park with full military honors. Mr. Lyons was born in Sullivan, WV to the late John Arley and Winnie H. Lyons, but has lived in Centerville for the past 10 years. He was a retired MSgt with the United States Airforce and the State Labor Department after 20 years. Mr. Lyons was of the Catholic faith. Survivors include his wife, Donna Lyons of Centerville; three children, Twila C. Nyland of Manassas, VA, William W. Lyons, Jr. of Warner Robins, and Mark Arley Lyons of Macon; brothers and sisters, John A. Lyons, Jr. of Broken Arrow, OK, Emma L. Lyons of Beckley, WV., Joseph F. Lyons of Eugene, OR, James C. Lyons of Wirtz, VA, Patricia L. Parker of Hollywood, FL and Louis J. Lyons of Macarthur, WV; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Lillian Estelle Wade was born on July 26, 1923. She died on January 13, 1976 at age 52.

Children of William Warren4 Lyons Sr. and Lillian Estelle Wade were as follows:


There were no children of William Warren4 Lyons Sr. and Donna (--?--).

50. Joseph Frederick4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on January 5, 1922 in Sullivan, WV. He married Helen (--?--).

Children of Joseph Frederick4 Lyons and Helen (--?--) are:

51. James Calvin4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on December 2, 1924 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Marjorie Doreen Box on September 21, 1946 in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.

"Jim was born in Beckley, West Virginia, on December 2, 1924. He was the fifth child out of nine born to Winnie Hobart Cook Lyons and John Arley Lyons. He spent his early years growing up in coal camps in southern West Virginia, particularly Hot Coal, Wyco, and Tams. His family finally moved to MacArthur (outside Beckley), where he lived until joining the Army in 1943.

Upon returning to Beckley after World War II, Jim married Marjorie Doreen Box, whom he had met in school at Woodrow Wilson High School. He and Doreen were married on September 21, 1946, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beckley.

Jim attended school at Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, as well as Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He and Doreen moved from Georgia to Lexington, Virginia, where Jim attended and graduated from Washington & Lee University with a law degree in 1951.

After graduation, Jim and Doreen moved to Pineville, West Virginia, where Jim began his law practice. During Jim's career in law, he served in many capacities in the judicial system. He was an assistant prosecuting attorney, mental health commissioner, and divorce commissioner at the local level. He also served on the Worker's Compensation Appeal Board of West Virginia, and was a justice for the state's Court of Claims before his retirement in 1990.

Doreen, a registered nurse, worked in Pineville for a general practitioner and obstetrician, as well as at an area hospital before becoming a County Health Nurse. She retired in 1990 after twenty-seven years with the Wyoming County Health Department.

While living in Pineville, Jim and Doreen were actively involved in many civic, professional, and social organizations. They were also active members of the First United Methodist Church.

Jim and Doreen have three daughters: Marjorie Pamela Lyons Cook, who is married to Newman Earl Cook, works as a curriculum specialist for a school district. Earl is a superintendent of a mine. Pam and Earl have two sons, Jeffrey Earl and James Lyon Garrett.

Suzanne Dawn Lyons Cook is married to Arlis Dewayne Cook, formerly of Pineville. They now live in Wyoming, on a private ranch. They are the parents of one daughter, Amanda Dawn. Arlis manages a ranch, and Suzanne works as the bookkeeper for a lumber company.

Rebecca Elaine Lyons Durham lives in West Virginia, and has one daughter, Rebecca Caitlyn.

Upon retiring in 1990, Jim and Doreen moved to rural Virginia. Jim spends much of his time reading about the history of the region, gardening, cutting brush, mowing grass, and generally puttering around in his workshop. Doreen tries to find time to read, quilt, cross-stitch, paint, and weave baskets when Jim doesn't have her "helping" him putter around. They are both active members of their Church, and they enjoy spending time with their friends and family."


Marjorie Doreen Box was born in 1925.

Children of James Calvin4 Lyons and Marjorie Doreen Box are as follows:

52. Patricia4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on November 29, 1926 in Hot Coal, Raleigh Co., WV. She married Raymond Harold Smith, son of Samuel D. Smith and Polly Trail, on November 7, 1942. She married Richard Daniel Sr., son of Noah Daniel and Evam Allman, on September 28, 1946 in Pomeroy, OH. She married John Parker, son of William Parker, on July 16, 1984 in Nillsville, VA.

Raymond Harold Smith was born on April 28, 1927. He died on November 15, 1963 at age 36.

Children of Patricia4 Lyons and Raymond Harold Smith are as follows:


Richard Daniel Sr. was born on August 16, 1919 in Eccles, Raleigh Co., WV.

Children of Patricia4 Lyons and Richard Daniel Sr. were as follows:


John Parker was born on February 5, 1916 in Lake Pleasant, NY.

There were no children of Patricia4 Lyons and John Parker.

53. George Robert4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on June 26, 1928 in Hot Coal, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Janet Nila Hylton, daughter of Ernest Clarence Hylton and Nila Marie Angle, on April 29, 1955 in MacArthur, Raleigh Co., WV. He died on November 20, 1994 in Sebring, Highlands Co, FL, at age 66.

"He was the 6th child born to John Arley and Winnie H. Cook Lyons. His father was a bookkeeper for the coal company and they lived in a house furnished by the coal company. It was a fine brick home. The family moved to MacArthur when George was a young boy.

All of the boys went to the war (World War II) and it was a very trying time for the mother and father to endure as they had to watch each of them leave. George joined the US Air Force on October 16, 1945 and served until October 5, 1948. He had not graduated from high school when he went in the service but he was given his diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley when he returned.

He joined the US Army on December 2, 1949 and was serving in Korea when the Korean war broke out. He served in the army until December 1, 1952. He returned and was in the West Virginia Air National Guard from October 28, 1953 until June 1, 1954. He had been attending college and working at different jobs during this period.

On June 2, 1954, he went to work for the West Virginia Air National Guard in Charleston as an airplane mechanic. He also, at that time, continued to attend Morris Harvey College in Charleston. In September 1954 he met Janet Hylton at the skating rink in MacArthur, WV and they were married on April 29, 1955. He continued to work at the airport in Charleston until September of 1955 when he resigned and George and Janet moved to Macon, GA where George attended Mercer University taking pre-law. However, in January of 1956 Janet found she was pregnant and at that time women didn't work very long when they were pregnant. George quit school and they returned to Beckley where George worked at different jobs until September 8, 1956.

In September, 1956 George went to work for the West Virginia Air National Guard. Daniel Wayne was born on October 9, 1956. George worked as an airplane mechanic for several years and then he became a supervisor of the line crew.

On October 17, 1961 James Todd was born. In March 1963 George and Janet bought their house which is where they have resided since. On February 10, 1966 Ronald Duane Lyons was born.

George continued to work at the Air National Guard as a training supervisor until December of 1983 when he retired from full time work, but he had been appointed the Chief Enlisted Advisor for the state of West Virginia. He was to serve as an advisor from the enlisted men to the Adjutant General of the state. This was to be a part time duty and he was sworn in on January 3, 1984. On February 22, 1984 George had a serious heart attack and on March 22, 1984 he had quadruple bypass surgery. He did very well after the surgery but was unable to pass the physical that the Air Force required so he was forced to resign his position.

George loved his family and he was always involved in the activities of the boys. He also loved to work on the house and the cars and was always starting new projects. In 1980 he built a 2 car garage in the back yard and after his heart attack he made a family room out of the garage that he had added to the house in 1965. It became the favorite room in the house.

Janet had worked as a telephone operator before she married George but she resigned so she could go to Georgia with George in 1955. She stayed home and kept the boys until 1967 when she returned to the telephone company to work again. She worked as an operator for several years when she transferred to the plant department and became a repair clerk. She worked at this job until the company began to go to computers and the job title was changed to maintenance administrator. This really meant that the phone lines were all tested for trouble by computer. She continued to work for the phone company until she retired in April of 1992.

In 1990 they bought a lot in Florida in hopes of having a winter home there. In February of 1991 they spent their first night in their new home. They continued to go as often as possible and stay as long as they could. Since Janet was not retired yet, their time was limited for the first couple of years. Then on October 18th of 1994 they rode the auto train to Florida and planned to stay until December 1st, when they would go back home to spend Christmas with their family. On November 20, 1994 they went to early church and came back home and George went to the flea market to get grapefruit and then he came back home and said he was going to wash the car. He went out to do that and in a few minutes he came in and he sat down at the table and he said he didn't feel real well. In a couple of minutes his head dropped forward and his hands dropped to his side and he said "Oh Janet" and he was gone. He had lived a very good and active life and if he could have chosen, Janet feels sure that would have been the way he would have chosen to go. He is buried in West Virginia.

Janet continues to live in the home they purchased in 1963. She does some volunteer work for her church. She enjoys her friends and the family which consists of the three sons and daughters in law and the seven grandchildren. They all live close and visit frequently."


Janet Nila Hylton was born on November 5, 1935 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.

Children of George Robert4 Lyons and Janet Nila Hylton are as follows:

54. Mary Elizabeth4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on August 19, 1929 in Hot Coal, Raleigh Co., WV.18 She married Harry Overton Lockman Jr., son of Harry Overton Lockman Sr. and Florence Taylor, on May 8, 1948 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV.19 She married Richard Stanley Wallace Jr., son of Richard Stanley Wallace Sr. and Bernice Irene Kaufman, on October 16, 1953 in Columbus, Franklin Co., OH. She died on September 7, 1999 in Marion, Marion Co., OH, at age 70; as a result of a bipolar stroke.20

Her obituary;

Beckley, WV Register Herald and Columbus Dispatch Obituary on September 10, 1999

Mary E. Wallace

MARION, Ohio - Mary Elizabeth Lyons Wallace, 70, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999, in a Marion hospital.

Born Aug. 19, 1929, at Hot Coal, she was the daughter of the late John and Winnie Cook Lyons.  Mrs. Wallace was a homemaker.  She was preceded in death by a brother, George Lyons.

Survivors include her husband, Richard S. Wallace Jr.; a son, Richard S. Wallace III and his wife, Judy; a daughter, Susan E. Richmond; brothers and sisters, John, Fred, Bill, Louis, Jim Lyons, Patricia Parker and Emma Lyons; a sister-in-law, Janet Lyons; and many other relatives and friends.

Services will be 4 p.m. Sunday at Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, Worthington Chapel, 515 High St., Worthington, Ohio. Burial will follow at a later date.  Friends may call one hour before services Sunday at the funeral home.  Arrangements by Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, Worthington.21

Harry Overton Lockman Jr. was born on March 10, 1910 in Handley, Kanawha Co., WV. He married Ela Blackwell circa 1934; This was a "shotgun" wedding. He and Ela Blackwell were divorced. He died on May 5, 1951 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV, at age 41; cause of death was a basal fracture of the skull & 1st & 2nd cervical vertebrae.15 He was buried; in London Memorial Park near Montgomery, WV. After graduation from Virginia Politechnical Institute, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp. - probably in Cincinnati, OH. Later he worked in Cincinnati, OH for the Edna Brass Steel Manufacturing Company as an accountant. He was described as 6' 4", black hair and blue eyes. Harry was a very brilliant man whose hobby was model rail roading. He created a miniature town on plywood, making mountains, tunnels, water towers, train station with stores and houses, small tracks with switching stations, traffic crossing. He was shy to some extent but he would enjoy talking about his trains, also his college days at VPI in Blacksburg, VA. He was graduated from Virginia Politechnical Institute in 1933.

Children of Mary Elizabeth4 Lyons and Harry Overton Lockman Jr. are:


Richard Stanley Wallace Jr. was born on February 15, 1919 in Columbus, Franklin Co., OH.

Children of Mary Elizabeth4 Lyons and Richard Stanley Wallace Jr. are:

55. Louis Johnson4 Lyons (Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 24, 1933 in Hot Coal, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Amy Danello. He died on October 17, 2001 at age 67. He was buried on October 23, 2001 in Oakwood Cemetery, Princeton, Mercer Co., WV; Buried next to his great-grandfather, George O. Tabor.

His Obituary was published in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, October 22, 2001:

Louis J. Lyons

VAN METER, Iowa - Louis J. Lyons, 67, of Van Meter, formerly of Macarthur, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001 at his home.

Born Oct. 24, 1933 at Hot Coal, he was the son of the late John A. Lyons Sr. and Winnie Cook Lyons. He was a veteran of the Korean War and was a retired funeral director. He attended Saint Frances DeSales Catholic Church in Beckley. He was a former Alderman in the town of Grain Valley, Mo., and was a life member of the V.F.W. and the D.A.V.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Elizabeth Wallace; and two brothers, George R. Lyons and William W. Lyons.

He is survived by one daughter, Susan Lynn Doyel and husband, Chris of Grain Valley; three brothers, John A. Lyons Jr. and wife, Joyce of Independence, Kan., Joseph F. Lyons and wife, Helen of Eugene, Ore., and James C. Lyons and wife, Doreen of Wirtz, Va., formerly of Pineville; two sisters, Emma Louise Lyons of Beckley, and Patricia Parker and husband, John of Hollywood, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Janet Lyons; and five grandchildren, Jessica, Brittney, Caitlen, Shelby, and Dakota.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of Bailey-Kirk Funeral home in Princeton with the Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Interment will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery, Princeton where military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 175 of Bradshaw, V.F.W. Post 1144 of Ieager and the Mercer County Veterans Council.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. today.

The following is Louis' autobiography:

Louis was the nineth and youngest son born to John A. and Winnie Cook Lyons at Hot Coal, Raleigh County, West Virginia. He attended schools in Raleigh County and Beckley. On Oct 24, 1950, his seventeenth birthday, he enlisted in the US Army. He arrived at the 24th Infantry Division north of Seoul Korea, at the age of 17 years and 4 months old. He was one of the youngest American soldiers in Korea at that time. During his last few months of duty in Korea he was assigned to the 17th Field Artillery, known as the Persuaders because of their 8" Howitzers that wrecked havoc on the North Koreans and Chinese. After 10 years of service he was discharged in 1960.

Louis was a country music diskjockey for eight years in Charleston, WV. He, then, spent the next twenty-five years in the funeral business in Florida, before leaving to become a representative of a national manufacturer of embalming fluid.

On May 11, 1963 he married Amelia Danello. They had one daughter Susan. He had five grandchildren. During the 1990's, he lived in Grain Valley, Jackson County, Missouri, where he was a City Alderman. Louis' hobby was politics. He researched the life of President Harry Truman, from President Truman's birth in Lamar, Missouri to his death in 1972 in Independence, MO and the Jackson Democratic Club with Tom Pendergast that propelled the man from Missouri to the highest office in this land.

Louis was a 100% disabled veteran of the Korean War, and a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW. Late in life, he lived in Princeton, WV, moving there to care for his sister, Emma, who is in a nursing home from a stroke that left her paralyzed on one side and damaged her brain.

Louis had moved to Iowa just weeks before his death.

Children of Louis Johnson4 Lyons and Amy Danello are:

Generation Five

56. London Golden5 Bailey Jr. (London4, Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on March 12, 1930.6 He married Barbara Ann Showalter on September 11, 1948 in Morristown, NJ.6

Children of London Golden5 Bailey Jr. and Barbara Ann Showalter were as follows:

57. Rev. Austin Alvin5 Angle Jr. (Dorothy4Bailey, Oliver3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on December 16, 1931 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Sally Ann Coffman.6  He was a Minister at the United Methodist Church in Pineville, Wyoming Co., WV.6

Children of Rev. Austin Alvin5 Angle Jr. and Sally Ann Coffman were as follows:

58. James Paris5 Vest (Brookie4Bailey, Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on December 13, 1933.6 He married Peggy Woolwine.6

Children of James Paris5 Vest and Peggy Woolwine were as follows:

59. Frederick Shannon5 Bailey Sr. (Everette4, Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on April 23, 1937 in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Patricia Ann Sowers.6

Children of Frederick Shannon5 Bailey Sr. and Patricia Ann Sowers were as follows:

60. Everette Keyser5 Bailey Jr. (Everette4, Shannon3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on July 10, 1947 in Mercer Co., WV.6 He married Carol Jane Butler, daughter of Clark R. Butler and Ailene Louise Bailey, on June 22, 1969.6

Carol Jane Butler6 was born on April 14, 1947.6

Children of Everette Keyser5 Bailey Jr. and Carol Jane Butler were as follows:

61. Belinda Sue5 Adams (Loretta4Thompson, Eslie3, James2, Gordon1)8 married Tommy Lane Ratliff.8

Children of Belinda Sue5 Adams and Tommy Lane Ratliff were as follows:

62. Teresa5 Cook (Joe4, Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Charles McLendon.

Children of Teresa5 Cook and Charles McLendon are:

63. Evelyn5 Cook (Tommy4, Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Ernest Francis Jr.

Ernest Francis Jr.

Children of Evelyn5 Cook and Ernest Francis Jr. were as follows:

64. Garnett5 Cook (Kenneth4, Forrest3, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married (--?--) Goldston.

Children of Garnett5 Cook and (--?--) Goldston were as follows:

65. Margaret Faye5 Vaughn (Gladys4Walker, Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1)14 married James Estel Blankenship.  She is a graduate of Matoaka High School and Little French Beauty Academy, Bluefield, West Virginia. She is a retired beautician, having operated Margaret's Beauty Shop in her home. She is a member of Appalachian Artist Association and enjoys painting.

Children of Margaret Faye5 Vaughn and James Estel Blankenship were as follows:

66. Ralph5 Vaughn (Gladys4Walker, Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Marjorie Barnett.  He is a graduate of Matoaka High School and West Virginia Institute of Technology.

Children of Ralph5 Vaughn and Marjorie Barnett were as follows:

67. Bernice Kay5 Vaughn (Gladys4Walker, Brada3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Max Willard.  Both Max and Kay are graduates of Concord College and operated Willard's Accounting Service.

Children of Bernice Kay5 Vaughn and Max Willard were as follows:

68. William Warren5 Lyons Jr. (William4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on August 13, 1946. He married Wanna Suzanne Pope on June 23, 1973.  He also went by the name of Buddy. 

Children of William Warren5 Lyons Jr. and Wanna Suzanne Pope are as follows:

69. Marjorie Pamela5 Lyons (James4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 23, 1947 in Warner Robins, GA. She married Newman Earl Cook, son of Byron Edsel Cook and Iris Lou Church.

Newman Earl Cook was born in 1947. He also goes by the name of Earl.

Children of Marjorie Pamela5 Lyons and Newman Earl Cook are as follows:

70. Susanne Dawn5 Lyons (James4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on December 27, 1951 in Pineville, Wyoming Co., WV. She married Arlis D. Cook, son of Arlis Cook and Ethel Stanley.

Children of Susanne Dawn5 Lyons and Arlis D. Cook are:

71. Rebecca Elaine5 Lyons (James4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 28, 1954 in Pineville, Wyoming Co., WV. She married A. S. Durham.

Children of Rebecca Elaine5 Lyons and A. S. Durham are:

72. Ann Louise5 Smith (Patricia4Lyons, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on January 1, 1944 in Wyco, Wyoming Co., WV. She married John Danley. She and John Danley were divorced.

Children of Ann Louise5 Smith and John Danley were as follows:

73. Romona Sue5 Smith (Patricia4Lyons, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on August 11, 1945 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. She married Ken Griggs.

Children of Romona Sue5 Smith and Ken Griggs are:

74. Cheryl5 Daniel (Patricia4Lyons, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 1, 1948 in Huntington, Cabel Co., WV. She married Richard E. McDorman Sr., son of Harry McDorman and Betty Burton, on June 22, 1968 in Scholfield Barrack, HI. She died on February 6, 1973 in Morgantown, Monongalia Co., WV, at age 24.

Richard E. McDorman Sr. was born on January 7, 1947 in Coal City, Raleigh Co., WV.

Children of Cheryl5 Daniel and Richard E. McDorman Sr. are:

75. Karen M.5 Daniel (Patricia4Lyons, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 2, 1950 in Welch, McDowell Co., WV. She married Michael J. Larrick on June 13, 1968 in Pearisburg, VA. She and Michael J. Larrick were divorced.

Children of Karen M.5 Daniel and Michael J. Larrick are:

76. Daniel Wayne5 Lyons (George4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 9, 1956 in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV. He married Nancy Lee Acree, daughter of John Henry Acree and Mary Lithicum, on March 17, 1980 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., WV. He married Lynda Lee McMullen on June 19, 1995 in Winchester, VA.

Nancy Lee Acree was born on September 8, 1956 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., WV.

Children of Daniel Wayne5 Lyons and Nancy Lee Acree all born in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., WV, are as follows:

Lynda Lee McMullen was born on January 28, 1950 in Winchester, Frederick Co., VA.

There were no children of Daniel Wayne5 Lyons and Lynda Lee McMullen.

77. James Todd5 Lyons (George4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on October 17, 1961 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., WV. He married Donna Marie Cameron, daughter of Richard Cameron and Sharon Bibee, on May 17, 1986 in Wheeling, Ohio Co., WV.

Donna Marie Cameron was born on January 20, 1963 in Wheeling, Ohio Co., WV.

Children of James Todd5 Lyons and Donna Marie Cameron are as follows:

78. Ronald Duanne5 Lyons (George4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) was born on February 10, 1966 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., WV. He married Beth Ann Warcholak, daughter of Paul Warcholak and Barbara Wade, on August 4, 1990 in Fairmont, Marion Co., WV.

Beth Ann Warcholak was born on September 2, 1968 in Buffalo, NY.

Children of Ronald Duanne5 Lyons and Beth Ann Warcholak were as follows:

79. Susan5 Lyons (Louis4, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married (--?--) Billings.

Children of Susan5 Lyons and (--?--) Billings are as follows:

Generation Six

80. Theresa Ellen6 Bailey (London5, London4, Virginia3, Mary2Thompson, Gordon1)6 was born on September 11, 1951.6 She married John Henry Wurdman IV on September 29, 1973.6

Children of Theresa Ellen6 Bailey and John Henry Wurdman IV were as follows:

81. Tammy Alane6 Ratliff (Belinda5Adams, Loretta4Thompson, Eslie3, James2, Gordon1)8 married Steven Randal Daws.8

Steven Randal Daws8 was born after 1930.8

Children of Tammy Alane6 Ratliff and Steven Randal Daws were as follows:

82. Vanessa L.6 Danley (Ann5Smith, Patricia4Lyons, Winnie3Cook, Louisa2Thompson, Gordon1) married Paul VanGilder.

Children of Vanessa L.6 Danley and Paul VanGilder are as follows:

 
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