Front Porch Friday: West Virginia edition

In my Front Porch Friday series, I have been focusing on my Watkins side of the family because I have so many pictures of people having fun on that porch.  However, there is a special porch in West Virginia that the Bailes family made  memories on too.  I only have one picture but it tells a story all its own.

Russell Bailes, left, on porch swing with a friend

My great-aunt says this photograph would have been taken on a Sunday because her daddy, Russell Bailes, is wearing a white shirt and tie.  She says he didn’t attend church, though he gave money to have the church built, but always wore his white shirt and a tie on Sundays.  The photo is Russell, left, and neighbor Arthur Robinson, who she said never talked much.  My grandmother, Chessie Leo Bailes is standing in the doorway.

Rachel Louisa Bragg

Rachel Louisa Bragg

Rachel Louisa Bragg was born 12 October 1875 in Harrison, West Virginia to Morgan and Sarah G (Frame) Bragg, the eighth of nine children and the youngest daughter.  She went by the name Louisa pronounced with a long “i” according to her granddaughter, my great-aunt.

On 3 November 1892, Louisa married John Solomon Bailes.

Marriage License of JS Bailes and Rachel Louisa Bragg

In 1895, Louisa and John had their first child, a daughter, Vivien.  Three years later, Mamie was born.  Next came their three boys, Russell (my great-grandfather), Clarence, and Baird.  Then they had four more girls, Beatrice, Addie, Kittie, and finally, in 1914, Locie.  Some of their children have great stories I can’t wait to share.

Russel Bailes, Rachel, and unknown child

Louisa passed away 7 December 1939 at Charleston General Hospital and was buried in a Chapman Cemetery.

Census Sunday: John Solomon Bailes, Census Enumerator and More

John Solomon Bailes

This is the only photograph I am aware of of my great-great-grandfather, John Solomon Bailes.  The more I have researched him the more interesting he became.  He is a man of many accomplishments and a jack of all trades.

John S Bailes was born 13 October 1868 in Enon, Clay County, West Virginia to John N and Sarah Frances (Morris) Bailes, the second of nine children.

On 25 November 1890, at the age of 22, John S Bailes was appointed Postmaster of Harrison, West Virginia.  He held this position for almost fifty years, until 31 January 1940.  I like to think the photograph of him on the horse is him delivering mail but there is no proof of this.

John S Bailes, Harrison Postmaster, 1890-1940

On 3 November 1892, John married Rachel Louisa Bragg.  They had three sons and six daughters between 1895 and 1914, the oldest son and third child being my great-grandfather Russell Bailes.

On the 1900 census, John, wife Rachel, two daughters, and Russell are living in Buffalo, West Virginia.  John owns his home and farm free and clear and is listed as a general merchant.  Russell’s oldest daughter has shared stories of her grandfather owning a general store which he turned into a home later.  As I searched up this 1900 census page, I happened to notice the census enumerator’s names, something I did not do on a regular basis.  Imagine my surprise to see John S Bailes was the enumerator of that district!

1900 Buffalo, WV–John S Bailes, enumerator

In 1910, John S is still living in Buffalo and all but his last two daughters were born.  He is again listed as a merchant in a general store, working on “OA” which stands for “own account,” meaning owning your own business.  Having never paid too much attention to census enumerators before, I was now checking every census I came across for a family name.  This time, John’s brother Homer enumerated the census.

In 1918, John was serving as a registrar for the local draft board.  Here you can see his son Russell’s draft card signed by both Russell as registrant and John as registrar.  The form appears to be completed by John.  The handwriting appears consistent with the 1900 census.

Russell Bailes draft card signed by his father Registrar John S Bailes

By the 1920 and 1930 census, John’s occupation is listed as farmer but we know he was also postmaster.  In December of 1939, John’s wife Rachel passed away.  A month later, at the age of 71, John retired from his postmaster position.  You may be surprised in a future post to find out who took over.

John Solomon Bailes passed away 30 July 1952 at Charleston Hospital, Charleston, West Virginia.  It appears he had a stroke.   The death certificate below gives details of his birthdate, parents’ names, and other details.  His will, naming his daughter Beatrice executrix of his estate, as well as naming each of his children, providing married names for his daughters, is below as well.  Cick on any image to see it enlarged.

Researching John Solomon’s life and sharing findings with my Dad has been very interesting.  Every document I found was another exciting discovery as I pieced together his life and I expect I may find more.

Death Certificate

John’s Will pg

John’s Will pgs 2-3

John’s Will, pgs 4-5

 

My 16: Great-Great Grandparents

Today I begin sharing the lives of my great-great grandparents:

• John Merido Watkins and Margaret Roxanna Radford of North Carolina
• David Mooney Taylor and Sarah Elizabeth Grant of North Carolina
• Doctor Franklin Sebastian and Elizabeth Dowell of North Carolina
• Henry L Bemis and Ida Mae Osgood of Ohio
• John Solomon Bailes and Rachel Louisa Bragg of West Virginia
• George William Comer and Nicatie Gibson of West Virginia
• Henry Preston Hudnall and Martha Ellen Williams of West Virginia
• Jerome Clinton Eskins and Eliza J Slack of West Virginia

My great-great-grandparents were born between 1837 and 1878.  The last one passed away in 1954.  Four lived into their eighties, two into their seventies.  Four of the eight women passed away in their thirties.  In fact, all but one of these men outlived their wives.  They were farmers, miners, teamsters, merchants, a postmaster, and a soldier.

These are my grandparents’ grandparents, most of whom were not known to my grandparents because they passed away before they were born.  In some ways it is harder to write about them because most were unable to pass their stories along.  Some have been more difficult to find, research, and write about, their stories feeling somehow incomplete.  I continue researching them in hopes of knowing and sharing more of their lives.  I feel grateful to be able to share photographs of five out of eight sets but continue the search for more.

Many people begin researching their genealogy to see if they are related to someone famous or because they have heard they are.  Many are expecting great things from their ancestors, but let’s face it:  most people today live simple lives like you and I, working each day to provide for their families.  The same can be said for most of our ancestors.  Sometimes small surprises come our way.

I will revisit my great-grandparents and their families often, sometimes sharing information on their siblings that you may find interesting.  I will also keep sharing those old photos we all love.  Let me begin by sharing the story of John Merido Watkins.

Children Are a Blessing, Part II

Bailes Family, Oct 1951
Last time on the farm before it’s sold
Doris, Carl, Janice, Matilda, Kathleen, oldest sister, Chelsie (Bud), and Chessie (Sis)

Russell and Matilda (Comer) Bailes were blessed with eight children during their marriage.

Matilda with oldest daughter

Their first child, a daughter, was born about 1923.  She married in 1941 and had 2 daughters.  She is the only child who has spent her entire life in West Virginia.  She has also been so helpful in providing many of the pictures for the Bailes family.

Oldest sister, Kathlene (front middle),
2 Comer cousins

On 22 November 1924, Russell and Matilda added twins, Kathlene and Kenneth, to the family.  Kenneth died about a year later.  Kathlene, or Katy as everyone knew her, married James Taylor in 1942 in Clay, West Virginia.  They later moved to Ohio.  They had one son and four daughters.  Aunt Katy passed away 19 January 2010 in Elyria, Ohio.  She is buried at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Carl Bailes

Carl was born 26 October 1926.  He served in the United States Army, stationed in the Philipines.  He married Geraldine and had four daughters and three sons.  He moved to Ohio as well.  Carl passed away 6 June 2001 and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park in Akron, Ohio.

Doris Ann Bailes

Doris Ann was born 17 January 1929. She married Leonard Shenk and they had four daughters.  They moved to Elyria, Ohio as well.  She passed away 15 March 1994 in Columbus, Ohio and was buried at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Janice Helen Bailes

Janice Helen Bailes was born 18 September 1930.  She married Arthur Williams in 1950.  They had two sons and moved to Medina, Ohio. She helped me while my grandma was ill and was one of the original people I interviewed as a child when I first started working on my genealogy project.  She and Uncle Arthur were the greatest dancers and taught me to dance the jitterbug in Uncle Carl’s garage at summer family picnics.

Bud, Janice, and Sis

My grandmother, Chessie Leo (Sis) Bailes, and her twin Chelsie Lloyd (Bud) Bailes were the last additions to the family on 29 December 1932.  Bud married but did not have children.  He moved to Summit County as well.  He passed away 13 November 1995.

Dad Russell Bailes, James Taylor,
and Bud pushing someone in

Back: Friend & Bud
Front: Janice & Sis

The family seemed to have the best of fun when they were young.  On the back of the picture at the water, someone has written “Mouth of Groves Creek where it flows into Elk River. A Bailes Sunday afternoon outing-Dad always wore his white shirt and tie on Sunday.”

The busyness of life, distance, and the early loss of my Grandma have been an enemy.  May the pictures tell the stories I don’t completely know.

Men of the Family, Oct 1951-sale of the farm
L to R: oldest daughter’s husband, Uncle Thurman Salisbury (Matilda’s brother in law), Carl, Janice’s Arthur, and Bud, Brenda in front

Bailes family: Matilda Bailes, Janice, Doris, oldest daughter, Katy, Bud, Sis sitting

West Virginia Coal Miner

Russell Bailes, about 12 years old

Russell Bailes, my great-grandfather, was born 31 March 1900 in Harrison, Clay County, West Virginia, the third child and first son to John Solomon Bailes, a merchant in a general store, and Rachel Louisa Bragg.  Before him came Vivien and Mamie; after, Clarence, Baird, Beatrice, Addie, Kittie, and Locie.

On the 1920 census, at age 19, Russell is still living at home with his parents and siblings.  He is working as a laborer on the Railroad Grade.  On the 16 March 1921, he married Matilda Comer.  By the 1930 census, they have four children, their oldest daughter (age 7), Kathleen (5), Carl (3), and Doris (1).  Russell is working as a miner in a coal mine in 1930 and living in Widen.  Two boarders, also miners, live with them as well.  It appears Russell rented a house in Widen for $8 per month.  The 1930 census asks if there was a radio in the home and Russell’s family did indeed own a radio.

Coal was found in Widen in 1911 and the Elk Coal and Lumber Company extended

it’s operation there.  My research shows there were no elected officials, no law enforcement. The town was owned by the coal company and it became the largest non-union mine in the U.S.  Much of the coal mining union wars were battled out in Widen in 1952, just four years after Russell’s death.

If you would ever like to tour a coal mine and coal mining town, check out Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley, West Virginia.  Visiting places like this can be a fun way to introduce children to family history.  I have added it to my own list of places to take our kids someday.

Russell Bailes’ family home

By the 1940 census, the rest of the children have been added to the family, Janice, Chessie, and Chelsie.  Russell owns his own home valued at $1000.  His oldest daughter states they had a 77 acre farm and orchard on which they grew apples, peaches, pears, and blueberries.  She recalls one year her father sold 100 bushels of pears in Widen.  They also had horses, cows, pigs, and chickens whose eggs they sold.  Russell is still listed as a coal miner.  His daughter states he was a foreman.  This seems plausible as his income is $1716 for the year, the ninth largest in his census district with most coal miners in the area making between $250-700 per year.  Russell also gave land and money for the building of a church.  My understanding is that the church is no longer standing.  However, his oldest daughter owns a lamp from the church.

Russell passed away 27 May 1948, at the age of 48, from Black Lung, a common ailment of coal miners during this period which is caused by prolonged inhaling of coal dust.

Russell Bailes

Grandma

Chessie Leo Bailes

My father’s mother, Chessie Leo Bailes or “Sis” as her family called her, was born 29 December 1932 in Clay County, West Virginia to Russell Bailes, a coal miner, and Matilda Comer.  She was their sixth or seventh child.  I am not sure which number because she was a twin to Chelsie Lloyd “Bud” Bailes, and I have never heard who was born first.  As children, she and Bud were inseparable.  My dad says he never saw a picture of them not together in their younger days until recently.

Sis and Bud

Grandma hated her name.  My grandfather called her Leo-her middle name-everyone else called her “Sis.”  Even nieces and nephews called her Aunt Sis.  I once saw her checkbook in the car with the name Chessie Leo Hudnall and asked her who that was.  She refused to tell me.  I had to ask my mom and dad.

I have been told that Grandma’s family was pretty well off when she was growing up, that her father was a foreman in the coal mine.  Grandma’s oldest sister has told my dad they lived on a 77 acre farm, growing all kinds of food in addition to their father’s work.

Chessie Leo Bailes
& Robert Lee Hudnall

Grandma married Robert Lee Hudnall on 24 December 1953.  They had three sons,my dad being the oldest, and their youngest child, a daughter.

Dad always talked about Grandma working as a waitress in a traincar diner.  I recently sent my dad a link to to look at old pictures of Charleston.  As he scrolled down, through the phone I heard, “Unbelievable.  Unbelievable!”  “What dad?”  Amazingly, he was looking at pictures of the diner Grandma worked in.  To read all about Twin Diner and see pictures, check out MyWVHome.

My dad recalls living in Orchard Manor housing project before the family moved to Ohio about 1967 in search of better employment for my grandpa.  For more information and pictures of Orchard Manor and what life was like there or in Charleston at the time, click the link above and see MyWVHome.

Grandma collected owls and was very crafty.  She made many ceramic items, including a Christmas tree with lights which my children love to set up every year.  She also made chocolate candy at the holidays and delicious homemade bread.  Grandma loved to teach Sunday School and passed on her faith to her family.  She loved her children and grandkids and we had many great times together.  I only saw her angry once in my life when four cousins, including myself, all tried to jump in the bathtub together and probably made the bathroom a mess!

Grandma passed away 14 December 1985.

Robert & Leo Hudnall, August 1985