Mecklenburg County NC

Miss Willie Ramsey Young

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Young, of Charlotte, N.C. Is a graduate of Elizabeth College, Charlotte, and of Smith, Northampton, Mass.; also of the National Training School, New York. She taught at Virginia College, Roanoke, Va., for two years, and was then elected one of the two Field Directors of the South Atlantic States for the Student Body of the Y. W. C. A. While filling this office the National Board of the Y. W. C. A. sent her to France as a war worker for the Red Cross nurses. Upon her arrival at Paris she was sent … Read more

Slave Narrative of Dan Smith

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Dan Smith Location: Winnsboro, South Carolina Place of Birth: Richland County SC Date of Birth: January 11, 1862 Age: 75 Occupation: Construction Dan Smith lives in one room, rent free, of a three-room frame house, the property of his son-in-law, Jim Cason. It is situated on the southeast corner of Garden and Palmer streets in the town of Winnsboro, S.C. He is tall, thin and toothless, with watery eyes and a pained expression of weariness on his face. He is slow and deliberate in movements. He still works, and has just finished a day’s … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Eleanor Wilson

The wives and mothers of Mecklenburg county bore a large share of the trials and dangers of the Revolution. Among these, and as a fair type of many others that might be mentioned, was Eleanor, wife of Robert Wilson, of Steele Creek–a woman of singular energy of mind, and warmly devoted to the American cause. Her husband, with three brothers and other kinsmen, settled in Mecklenburg about 1760, having moved from the colony of Pennsylvania. These brothers were Scotch Presbyterians, and arrayed by early religious education against tyranny in every form. At the Convention in Charlotte on the 20th of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Kerr

Robert Kerr, a soldier of the Revolution, was born in December, 1750, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and came to North Carolina with his parents when only three years old. He first entered the service in 1776, in Captain John McKnitt Alexander’s company, in the expedition, General Rutherford commanding, against the Cherokee Indians, then severely molesting the frontier settlements. In 1778, he was drafted into Captain John Brownfield’s company, Colonel Frances Locke’s regiment, and marched by way of Camden, to the defence of Charleston. After his return, he served under the same officers in the battle of Ramsour’s Mill, in Lincoln … Read more

Edwin Carlton Huey

Sergt., Q. M. C., Inf., Hdqrs. Co., 30th Div. Born in Mecklenburg County, May 1, 1893; son of Mr. and Mrs. F. V. Huey. Husband of Mrs. Ora Estelle Huey. Entered service July 18, 1917, at Wilmington, N.C. Was sent to Camp Sevier. Transferred to Camp Mills, N. Y. Overseas to Liverpool, from there was sent to France. Promoted to rank of Sergt. April, 1918. Fought at Ypres, Lys, Somme offensive. Returned to the USA April 2, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Jackson, April 8, 1919.

Biographical Sketch of Mary Jack

Mary Jack, third daughter of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, married Captain Robert Alexander, of Lincoln county, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to North Carolina about 1760. He commanded a company during the Revolution, in the Cherokee expedition, under General Rutherford; acted for several years as Commissary, and performed other minor, but important trusts for the county. He was one of the early band of patriots who met at Newbern on the 25th of August, 1774, and again attended the Convention at Hillsboro, on the 21st of August, 1775. After the war, he settled on his farm, one mile northwest of Tuckasege … Read more

Henry K. Burtner

Private, 1st class, Inf., Hdqrs. Co., 3rd Div., 30th Reg. Born Dec. 5, 1898; son of D. H. and Florence Burtner, of Mecklenburg County. Entered service Dec. 13, 1917, at Greensboro, N.C. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., Dec. 13, 1917. Transferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., Jan. 2, 1918, then to Camp Merritt, N. J., March 24, 1918. Sailed for France April, 1918. Fought at Chateau Thierry Defensive. Killed at Battle of Chateau Thierry June 26, 1918. Buried at Belleau Woods June 27, 1918. The 1st Greensboro boy killed in action. The Henry K. Burtner Post No. 53, American Legion, is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Alexander

Elijah Alexander, son of William Alexander, blacksmith, was born in Mecklenburg county, N.C., in 1760. In 1819, he moved to Maury county, Tenn., where he died at a good old age. In March, 1780, Colonel Thomas Polk called out detachments from the nearest companies of militia to serve as a guard over the public powder placed in the magazine in Charlotte. He then volunteered for three months under Captain Thomas Alexander. After Cornwallis crossed the Catawba River at Cowan’s Ford, on the 1st of February, 1781, at which place General Davidson was killed, a call was made for more men … Read more

Slave Narrative of Robert Toatley

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Robert Toatley Location: Winnsboro, South Carolina Date of Birth: May 15, 1855 Age: 82 Robert Toatley lives with his daughter, his son, his son’s wife, and their six children, near White Oak, seven miles north of Winnsboro, S.C. Robert owns the four-room frame house and farm containing 235 acres. He has been prosperous up from slavery, until the boll weevil made its appearance on his farm and the depression came on the country at large, in 1929. He has been compelled to mortgage his home but is now coming forward again, having reduced the … Read more

Biography of Natt T. Wagner

Natt T. Wagner manager of the bond department of the First National Bank of St. Louis was born in Asheville, North Carolina, June 12, 1883. His father, J. A. Wagner, is a native of Tennessee, while the latter’s father was a native of Virginia. J. A. Wagner became an architect, devoting his active life to the profession, but is now living retired in Asheville, North Carolina. He has been very prominent in community affairs and during the Civil war served as a captain in the Federal army. He married Emma Brown, who was born in Greene county, Tennessee, and has … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Churchill Jack

Churchill Jack, youngest son of Col. Patrick Jack, is a farmer in Arkansas, and the only one of this family now (1876) living. William H., Patrick C. and Spencer H. Jack, all young and adventurous spirits, emigrated from Alabama to Texas in 1831, and cast their lots with the little American colony which was then just beginning to establish itself. They were all three lawyers by profession, and took an active interest and part in the difficulties with Mexico, which were sure to result in open hostilities and the independence of Texas. Spencer H. Jack died young and without issue.

Ralph W. Hood

Was called into limited service in the medical department at Rock Hill, S. C., Sept. 4, 1918, and sent to Camp Greenleaf, Ga. On Sept. 24, 1918, he was dispatched with a body of men to duty at USA General Hospital No. 16, New Haven, Conn. Private Hood served three months at duty in the medical department and because of physical disability was placed in the hospital for three months for observation and treatment. On April 1, 1919, he was returned to duty and immediately attached to the Quartermaster Corps, and two months later he was promoted to Sergt. and … Read more

Biography of John McKnitt Alexander

“John McKnitt Alexander”, of Scotch-Irish ancestors, was born in Pennsylvania, near the Maryland line, in 1733. He served as an apprentice to the trade of tailor, and when his apprenticeship expired, at the age of twenty-one, he emigrated to North Carolina, joining his kinsmen and countrymen in seeking an abode in the beautiful champaign between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers–the land of the deer and the buffalo; of “wild pea-vines” and cane-brakes, and of peaceful prosperity. In 1759 he married Jane Bain, of the same race, from Pennsylvania, and settled in Hopewell congregation. Prospered in his business, he soon became … Read more

Link Williams

Private, Co. C, 167th Inf., 42nd Div. Son of Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Williams, of Pineville, N.C., Mecklenburg County. Entered service April 15, 1918, at Charlotte, N.C. Trained at Camp Jackson. Transferred to Camp Sevier. Sailed for France July 6, 1918. Received gunshot wound on the Verdun Front Sept. 12, 1918. Returned to the USA Nov. 29, 1918. Mustered out at Camp Wadsworth Jan. 17, 1919.

Lawrence M. Fetner

Capt., Med. Corps, 318th Inf., 80th Div.; son of L. J. and Mary Fetner, of Mecklenburg County. Entered service June 14, 1917, at Charlotte, N.C. Sent to M. O. T. C. at Ft. Oglethorpe. Transferred to Camp Lee, Va., then to Hoboken. Sailed for France March 16, 1918. Commissioned 1st Lt. May, 1917. Promoted to Captain Oct. 21, 1918. In battles at Avoloy Woods, Artois Sector, 2nd Marne, St. Mihiel, Argonne Forest. Received two machine gun wounds at Argonne Forest Oct. 19, 1918. Sent to Base Hospitals No. 62 and 27, Angers. Holds Division Citation for remaining with Regiment after … Read more

Robert B. Hood

Sergt., Co. B, 105th Engineers, 30th Div.; son of W. T. and Mrs. Rosemond B. Hood; of Mecklenburg County. Entered service April 24, 1917, at Charlotte, N.C. Sent to Camp Sevier, S. C., then to Camp Mills. Sailed for France May 26, 1918. Was in all engagements with the 105th Engineers. Promoted to Corpl. July 11, 1917. Returned to USA April 13, 1919. Mustered out April 18th at Camp Jackson, S. C.

Samuel A. Alexander

2nd Lt., Remount Veterinary Corps, 6th Cavalry. Entered service at Matthews, N. C., June 7, 1917. Son of A. D. and Mary W. (Bess) Alexander, of Mecklenburg County. Sent to Ft. Royal, Va., Remount Depot. Sailed for France March 23, 1918. Returned to USA July 5, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Dix, July 8, 1919. Commissioned May 21, 1917.

Hollie Clyde Giles

Entered service Y. M. C. A., Jan. 1, 1918. Sailed overseas Aug. 15, 1918. Arrived in France Sept. 2, 1918. Assigned to Motor Transport Duty, visiting various battle fronts and canteens in the interest of the soldiers. Some of the fronts he served at were Soissons, Rheims, Chateau Thierry, Toul Sector and others; the last duty performed was to drive a Packard Twin-Six, which belonged to Lt. Col. Goodrich, from Genoa, Italy to Paris, by the way of Monte Carlo and Nice, crossing the Alps Mountains; driving time thirty-one hours; one thousand seven hundred and fifteen kilometers. Landed in New … Read more

Biography of Waightstìll Avery

“Waightstìll Avery” was an eminent lawyer, born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, in 1747, and graduated at Princeton College in 1766. There were eight brothers of this family, and all true patriots; some of them were massacred at Fort Griswold, and some perished at Wyoming Valley. Some of the descendants still reside at Groton, Conn., and others at Oswego, and Seneca Lake, N.Y. He studied law on the eastern shore of Maryland, with Littleton Dennis. In 1769, he emigrated to North Carolina, obtained license to practice in 1770, and settled in Charlotte. By his assiduity and ability, he soon … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam Alexander

“Adam Alexander” was chiefly known by his military services. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of a battalion of minute men, with Thomas Polk as Colonel, and Charles M’Lean as Major, by the Provincial Council held at Johnston Court-house, on the 18th of December, 1775; and Colonel of Mecklenburg county, with John Phifer as Lieutenant Colonel, and John Davidson and George A. Alexander as Majors, by the Provincial Congress, held at Halifax on the 4th of April, 1776. He was a brave and energetic officer; and his name will be found in nearly every expedition which marched from Mecklenburg county to … Read more