Mecklenburg County NC

Biographical Sketch of Zaccheus Wilson

“Zaccheus Wilson”, was one of three brothers who moved from Pennsylvania and settled in Mecklenburg county about 1760. At the time of the Mecklenburg Convention on the 19th and 20th of May, 1775, he signed that instrument, pledging himself and his extensive family connections to its support and maintenance. He was said to be a man of liberal education, and very popular in the county in which he resided. He was a member of the Convention which met at Halifax on the 12th of November, 1776, to form a State Constitution, associated with Waightstill Avery, John Phifer, Robert Irwin and … Read more

Biography of Colonel Patrick Jack

Colonel Patrick Jack, a brave and meritorious officer under the Colonial Government, and during the Revolutionary war, was the son of Charles Jack, who lived on the Conococheague river, near Chambersburg, Pa., and was probably the brother of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, N.C., whose family history has just been given. Colonel Jack lived an active and adventurous life, and was born about 1730. He was much engaged, when a young man, in assisting to subdue the Indians in Pennsylvania, and commanded a company of Rangers, under Generals Braddock and Washington, in the Indian and French war of 1755. He also … Read more

Biography of James Baxter

Captain James Baxter, of Boise, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Norwich. His parents were Frank and Mary (Gunn) Baxter, who came with their family to the United States when the Captain was very young. They resided near New York City for some years, and then removed to Paterson, New Jersey. The father was a horticulturist by occupation and successfully engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and flowers. Soon after his arrival in America he took steps toward becoming naturalized and was recognized as a valued and influential citizen. He served as county commissioner in New … Read more

Biography of Major Thomas Alexander

Major Thomas Alexander, born in 1753, was one of the earliest and most unwavering patriots of Mecklenburg county. He first entered the service in 1775, as a private, in Captain John Springs’ company, and marched to the head of the Catawba river, to assist in protecting the frontier settlements, then greatly suffering from the murderous and depredating incursions of the Cherokee Indians. In 1775 he also volunteered in Captain Ezekiel Polk’s company, and marched against the Tories assembled at the post of Ninety, in South Carolina. In 1776 he volunteered in Captain William Alexander’s company, under Colonels Adam Alexander and … 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 Cynthia Jack

Cynthia Jack, eldest child and only daughter of Capt. James Jack, married A.S. Cosby, and settled in Mississippi. After his death the widow and family settled in Louisiana, about 1814. Their descendants were: 1. Margaret. 2. Cynthia. 3. James; and 4. Dr. Charles Cosby. Patrick Jack, eldest son of Captain James Jack, was Colonel of the 8th Regiment U.S. Infantry, in the war of 1812, stationed at Savannah. He sustained an elevated position in society, frequently represented Elbert county in the State Senate, and died in 1820. His children were: 1. Patrick. 2. William II.; and 3. James W. Jack. … Read more

Monroe L. Robinson

Private. Enlisted April 15, 1917, 5th Co., C. A. C., Charlotte, N.C. Later transferred to 10th Anti-Aircraft Battery. Sailed for France July 8, 1918. Served in Argonne Forest and St. Mihiel drives. Returned to U. S. January 1, 1919. Discharged January 8, 1919. Home address, Charlotte, N.C.

Biographical Sketch of Margaret Jack

Margaret Jack, fourth daughter of Patrick Jack, married Samuel Wilson, of Mecklenburg. (For his descendants, see “Genealogy of Samuel Wilson, Sr.”)

Thomas Alfred Sweatt

Private, Co. E, 106th Inf.; son of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Sweatt, of Pineville, N.C. Entered service Aug. 5, 1918, at Charlotte, N.C. Trained at Camp Wadsworth, S. C. Sailed for France, Sept. 15, 1918. On the Verdun Front, Oct. 6 to Oct. 20, 1918. Left Brest, France, Feb. 26, 1919. Arrived in USA March 6th. Discharged April 4, 1919, from Camp Lee, Va.

Biographical Sketch of Dan Alexander

“Dan Alexander”, who moved to Hardeman county, Tenn., was born in Mecklenburg county, in March, 1757. He first entered the service in 1778, for three months, in Captain William Alexander’s company, (commonly called “Black Bill Alexander,”) and Colonel Irwin’s regiment. In 1780, he served under Captain Thomas Alexander to assist in guarding the public magazine in Charlotte. In this same year he served in the expedition to Ramsour’s Mill, under General Rutherford, and afterward, against Tories assembled in the forks of the Yadkin river, captured several and conveyed them to Salisbury jail. Soon afterward, he joined the command of Colonel … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Orr

James Orr was born in Pennsylvania in 1750. He early espoused the cause of freedom, and first entered the service in a company of riflemen, commanded by Captain Robert Mebane; marched to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), and thence to Wilmington, to the assistance of Generals Ashe and Moore. In 1776, he volunteered under Captain Thomas Polk, in Colonel Charles’ corps of cavalry, General Rutherford commanding, and marched against a body of Tories assembled at Cross Creek, but they were dispersed before the expedition reached that place. Again, in 1776, he volunteered under Captain Mebane, and marched from Charlotte to the … Read more

Biography of Henry Hunter

Henry Hunter was born in the county of Derry, Ireland, on the 11th of August, 1751. About the time he became of age, he married Martha Sloan, and, after remaining a little upwards of one year longer in Ireland, he emigrated to America, and landed at Charleston, S.C., after a long and boisterous voyage of thirteen weeks. After reaching the shores of the New World, to which his fond anticipations of superior civil and religious privileges had anxiously turned, on surveying his situation, grim poverty stared him in the face; for, his stock of cash on hand was just “one … Read more

Cicero Alexander

Sergt. 1st Class, Base Hospital, Unit C. A. C., Ft. Caswell, N.C. Enlisted July 25, 1917, Charlotte, N.C. Attached to Base Hospital Unit C. A. C., Ft. Caswell. N.C. Served as “Topper” July 25, 1917, to April 8, 1919, Ft. Caswell. Permanent address, Charlotte, N.C.

Claude L. Albea

Son of Mrs. S. E. Albea, of Charlotte, N. C. Entered service Sept. 19, 1917, at Charlotte, N. C. Stationed at Camp Jackson, S. C., to Oct., 1917. Transferred to Co. D, 120th Inf., at Camp Sevier, S. C. Sailed for France May 12, 1918. Two months active service in Belgium on Ypres Front. Was wounded by high explosive shell Sept. 29, 1918, at the taking of the Hindenburg Line, near St. Quentin, France. Returned to USA as a casual Dec. 16, 1918. Discharged from Hospital March 27, 1919.

Biography of President James K. Polk

James Knox Polk, son of Samuel Polk, and grandson of Ezekiel Polk, was born on the 2nd of November, 1793 about eleven miles south of Charlotte, on the Camden road, on a plantation which, at his father’s removal to Tennessee in 1806, became the property of Nathan Orr, and finally that of the late James Hennigan, Esq. The house in which James K. Polk was born, stood about two hundred yards south of the present crossing place of Little Sugar Creek, and about one hundred yards to the right of the public road in passing from Charlotte. The lingering signs … Read more

Louis E. Johnston

Corpl. Machine Gun Co., 120th Inf.; son of J. A. Johnston, of Davidson, N.C. Enlisted in N.C. N. G. at Charlotte, N.C., June 23, 1916. Served on the Mexican border with the guard. In the 30th Div., was with Co. M, 120th Inf., and before reaching France, transferred to Machine Gun Co., 120th Inf., serving with it until date of discharge, April 17, 1919. Saw service in the “Canal Sector,” Belgium, Ypres, Lys offensives, Somme offensive. Called to Washington, D. C., to receive the British Military Medal from the Prince of Wales, American Distinguished Service Cross from Gen’l. Pershing and … Read more

Biography of General George Graham

General George Graham was born in Pennsylvania in 1758, and came with his widowed mother and four others to North Carolina, when about six years old. He was chiefly educated at “Queen’s Museum,” in Charlotte, and was distinguished for his assiduity, manly behaviour and kindliness of disposition. He was early devoted to the cause of liberty, and was ever its untiring defender. There was no duty too perilous, no service too dangerous, that he was not ready to undertake for the welfare and independence of his country. In 1775, when it was reported in Charlotte that two Tory lawyers, Dunn … Read more

William E. Wishart

Capt. Med. Corps; son of the late J. J. and Fannie Wishart, of Mecklenburg County, and husband of Margaret M. Griffin Wishart. Entered service Sept. 12, 1917, at Charlotte, N.C. Sent to M. O. T. C. at Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. Transferred to Camp Travis, Base Hospital duty; from there to Hoboken and sailed for France Sept. 1, 1918. Commissioned 1st Lt., Aug. 15, 1917. Promoted to Captain April, 1919. Present at engagements at Verdun, Meuse-Argonne, St. Mihiel. Did duty at Bazailles, Sur-Meuse Base Hospital No. 81, in charge of Respitory and Urological cases. Received French Government Citation for attention to … Read more

Troy Lewellen

Private, Med. Corps; of Guilford County; born April 12, 1888; son of Mack and Mrs. Mary E. Lewellen. Entered service Aug. 29, 1918, at High Point, N.C. Sent to Camp Greene, N.C. Died of influenza at Camp Greene, N.C., Oct. 15, 1918. Buried at Springfield, N.C.

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