Shoemaker Connections to Lawrence Co., Alabama
The following information was collected with much assistance and probably some inaccuracy. I do not have first-hand evidence of some of these names and dates. Therefore, the information should be taken as a place to begin in researching these people rather than as evidence of all the data. Contributed by Judy Livings
John Yancey Shoemaker
He was born July 21, 1813 in Maury Co., Tennessee and died July 30, 1884 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.He married Rebeccah/Rebecca Burrow February 16, 1836 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama. She was born August 3, 1819 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama and died May 15, 1886 in either Lawrence or Lauderdale Co., Alabama. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery in Moulton.
They had ten children:
(1) Martha born October 10, 1837 in Rogersville, Lauderdale Co., Alabama
James William born August 27, 1840 and died August 17, 1841 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
(2) Mary Jane born September 13, 1844 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
(3) John Melvin born June 29, 1846 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
Alonzo Bowland born September 21, 1849 and died August 3, 1850 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
(4) Elizabeth Pickens born May 9, 1851 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
William Allason/Alison born July 31, 1853 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama and died November 10, 1887 in Walker Co., Alabama
(5) Matilda Alabama born October 17, 1855 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama
(6) Percy Washington born August 3, 1859 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama
(7) Nellie May born October 13, 1861 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
About John Yancey Shoemaker:
He was a farmer.
In the 1860 census, he was mistakenly listed as J. Z. Shoemaker.There were two mulatto's living with them in this year.Their names were Aaron and John Gowin.
His birth date was listed in the Shoemaker Family Bible.
He was listed in Old Land Records of Limestone Co., Alabama as owning 40 acres as of March 23, 1848.
From the North Alabama Valley Leaves, Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 11, Issue No. 4, June 1988
"November 22, 1911
The Shoemakers
"Among the honest, industrious class of people who came to Moulton about the time the Baptist Female Institute was founded, to educate their children was John Yancey Shoemaker and his wife.
"John Yancey was born in Maury county, Tenn., July 21, 1813 and was married to Miss Rebecca Burrow on Feb. 16, 1836.He died July 30, 1884.Mrs. Rebecca Shoemaker was born in Lauderdale Co, Ala. Near Rogersville, on Aug. 3, 1819.She died on May 15, 1886.
"This old couple were know far and wide for their industry and devotion to duty.Mr. Shoemaker was always busy. He was ready and willing to do his part in everything that helped humanity.I never look at those beautiful old oak trees, where the Baptist Church is in Moulton, but what I think of him and the others who planted them.
"1. Their oldest child was Martha - born in the neighborhood of Rogersville, Oct. 10, 1837; married to Alva Creamer, Dec. 10, 1863; to them were born eight children, three of whom are dead. Mr. And Mrs. Creamer moved to Lawrence Co. Ala. Just after the Civil War. Mr. Cramer died June 4, 1871. On Dec. 21, 1873, she married Mr. Emmitt Smith of near Hillsboro, Ala. To them were born two girls who died in infancy. A few years later Mrs. Creamer-Smith moved back to Lauderdale Co. where she is spending the evening of life with her only living married daughter.
"2. James William Shoemaker was born August 27, 1840 and died Aug. 16, 1841.
"3.Mary J. Shoemaker was born Sept. 13, 1844; married to Harvey J. Townsend, Feb. 1866; to them were born three children - one boy and two girls.Mrs. Townsend died March 26,1 882.
"4. John Melvine Shoemaker was born June 29, 1846. He saw service in the Civil War. He was married to Esper Blalock, of near Mt. Hope Oct. 22, 1872. To them were born eight children - two girls and six boys. Four of the boys and one of the girls are still living.
"5. Elonzo B. Shoemaker was born Sept. 21, 1849 and died Aug. 3, 1850.
"6. Elizabeth P. Shoemaker was born May 9, 1851; married to J. R. Vaughan, Dec. 10, 1868. To them were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Mary, the oldest, married Ed Holland and died May 14, 1909, leaving three children. Mary was our pupil for several years, and was a good girl. She was devoted to her books, kind to her school mates, and loved her teachers. We hope the children she lwft behind will always be as faithful to every trust as was Mary their dear Mother.
"All of Bettie's (Elizabeth P.) children are married and living near her. Two of the boys were with us in a school with their sister Mary. We are always glad to meet them. They always have a kind greeting for us.
"Bettie's husband, J. r. Vaughan, has been our almost life long friend. He has worked hard and now he and his dear wife can look out from their own home and erhaps see the home of their children, and hear the voices of their grandchildren, which sends such a thrill of joy and happiness to their hearts.
"7. William Allison (Allie) Shoemaker, was born July 31, 1853, and died November 10, 1887.
"8. Mittie A. Shoemaker was born Oct. 17, 1853; married to Robert Tipton Wear, Dec. 21, 1886. She had devoted her life to the services of her husband's children and helped him to raise them. She now lives in her nice home near Mt. Hope, Ala. With as good a man as ever blessed Lawrence County.
"9. Percy Washington Shoemaker was born Aug. 3, 1859, on his mother's fortieth birthday, was married to Miss Fannie hart, of Commanche, Texas, on Dec. 22, 1887. To them was born one son, Hart. Hart was one of the finest looking babies I ever saw. He was the same age as my son, and Dr. B. S. West's oldest son, and I thought then, and still think, it would be hard to find their like again. Hart now lives near Commanche with his mother. I have not the date of Percy's death, but he died north of Moulton, and sleeps with loved ones in the Shoemaker Cemetery within a few yards of their old home.
"10. The next child was Nellie May Shoemaker, who was born Oct. 13, 1861; married to henry Burt Orr on her twentieth birthday, Oct. 13, 1881. She lives at Little Rock, Ark., which she and her husband think is one of the best places anywhere. Mrs. Orr visited Iuka, Miss. A few years ago, and we never enjoyed a visit more from anybody. She has two noble sons, of whom the parents are justly proud. They lost their darling daughter. Their oldest son, Emmitt Orr, is married and has two children. He was born Oct. 18, 1882, at the old Shoemaker place, near Moulton. Edward M. Orr was born at Coal Hill, Ark. In Mar 1886. He is a railroad man and on account of his efficiency, has been rapidly promoted and now holds a very responsible position with the Rock Island System."
The following came from a history of families who lived in the Lawrence Co., Alabama area:
John Yancey Shoemaker (b. 21 July 1819 d. 30 July 1884) and Rebecca Burrows (b. 3 August 1819 d. 15 May 1886) came to Moulton around 1858 from Lauderdale County, Alabama, about the time the Baptist Female Institute was founded, to educate their children. They had ten children: Martha, James, William, Mary Jain, John Melvin, Alonzo Bourland, Elizabeth Pickens, William Allison, Matilda Alabama, Percy Washington, and Nellie Mae.
The boys went to a school located near where the hospital is now located in Moulton and the girls went to a subscription school for girls. Rebecca was the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Burrow of Lauderdale County, Alabama.
When John Yancey came to Moulton, he bought 400 acres of land which included what is now the Shoemaker Cemetery. According to Lillie Vaughan Byars the Shoemaker Cemetery was begun when a cousin of John Yancey came to visit and got sick. Knowing he wouldn't get well, he asked to be buried under a tree on the Shoemaker property. This area became the Shoemaker family cemetery.
John Yancey and Rebecca Shoemaker's daughter, Elizabeth Pickens (Betty) (b. 9 May 1851 d. 4 July 1918) married James Ripley (Rip) Vaughan (b. 7 March 1846 d. 10 February 1930) on December 1868. They had nine children: Claud Buford, Thomas Yancey, Mary Clifford, James Walten, Emit Lowe, Luther Todd, Frank Bentley, John Herman and Lillie Mae.
James Ripley Vaughan was the son of Thomas Honlay Vaughan (b. 12 March 1818 d. 7 Dec 1868) and Ester Daniels (b. 1 March 1823 d. 16 September 1855) from Virginia.It is believed that Thomas is buried at Bald Knob Cemetery, Lawrence County, Alabama. Thomas H. Ester [I believe this should read Thomas H. and Ester] and three children are listed on the Lawrence County 1850 census. They had six children, Thomas William and Permelia died as infants. James Ripley, Amanda married James Herbert, Mary Elizabeth and John Andrew married Sally Fahey. Thomas H. married Mary Newton in 1858 and they had Flora, William, Claybourne, Bentley, Thomas Newsom and a daughter. At Thomas H.'s death she took her children and moved to Texas or Arkansas.
Rip Vaughan was an overseer on a United States government boat on the Mississippi river that kept the river clear of foreigh articles to insure safe passage of other boats and barges. He and his wife, Betty, raised their family in Kimo community about two and one-half miles north east of Moulton in a home that still stands.
Claud married Agnes Garmon, both died in 1949. Thomas Y. married Mary Lizzie Martin and he died in 1930. Mary Clifford married Edward Pippen Holland. She died in 1909 leaving three small children, Eva, Sarah and Ed. (Sarah married David Kyle Goodlett and at this writing is 97 years old (1997). James Walten and Emit Lowe died as infants. Luther never married and died in 1937. Frank married Peal Bayne and John Herman (died in 1951) married Carrie Landers, a granddaughter of Luther P. Landers, for whom the community of Landersville was named. Lillie Mae married Robert M. Byars.
Lillie Mae Vaughan attended school in Moulton and remembered that when she started school the boys and girls were separated. By the time she finished school, however, it was co-ed. In 1905 at a community bar-b-que she met Robert M. Byars. He asked her if she would go for a ride with him and she replied, "I'll have to go and ask Mama." Thus, with permission granted, they were off for a ride to Hillsboro. They were married at the home of the bride on 1 May 1907. On the way to the wedding after a rain, the buggy in which Robert was riding overturned in a mud puddle. With help of friends and relatives, he, his wedding suit and buggy were made presentable in time for the wedding at 7 p.m. They lived in the Moulton Hotel, located at the present site of the town's small park next to the Methodist Church, until September, while the house they had bought was made ready. The house is still standing across from the present Methodist Church on Market Street. Robert died in 1966 and Lillie in 1989, having lived in only two houses her entire life.
The following came from the Moulton Advertiser, August 7, 1884:
In the death of Mr. J. Y. Shoemaker the county has sustained a great loss. His soul was undisturbed, and at four o'clock P. M., on the 30th day of July 1884, the angels lifted his spirit up into the realms of glory. Seventy one years of toil, a pure name, a devoted wife, four daughters and three sons are left behind.
The following came from the Moulton Advertiser, August 14, 1884:
Brother John Yancy Shoemaker was born in Maury county, Tennessee, on the 21st of July, 1813. He removed to Lauderdale county, Alabama, where he was married, on the 16th of February, 1836 to Miss Rebecca Burrow, who survives to mourn her sad bereavement. For the purpose of educating his children, he removed to the vicinity of Moulton, Alabama, in the year 1858. He departed this life at his residence near Moulton, on Wednesday the 30th of July, 1884.
About Rebeccah Burrow:
She was listed as 33 years old in the 1850 census, which would mean she was born in 1816 or 1817.
Her birth date was listed in the Shoemaker Family Bible.
Her last name might have been Burrows.
The following came from the Moulton Advertiser, May 20, 1886:
It is our sad duty this week to announce the death of Mrs. Rebecca Shoemaker, who died at her home near Moulton on Saturday evening the 15th of May 1886 - aged 66 years, 9 months and 12 days. Mrs. Shoemaker was left a widow about two years ago, and now she leaves behind seven children - four daughters and three sons - to mourn their loss.
The following came from the Moulton Advertiser, May 27, 1886:
Mrs. Rebecca Burrow Shoemaker. In the neighborhood of Rogersville, Lauderdale County, Alabama, Rebecca Burrow was born on the third day of August, 1819. On the 16th of February, 1836, she was married to our lately deceased brother, John Y. Shoemaker. Sister Shoemaker was the mother of ten children, three of who have proceeded her to "the spirit land".
She was born October 10, 1837 in Rogersville, Lauderdale Co., Alabama. Her date of death is unknown. She married Alva Creamer on December 10, 1853 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama. He was born about 1826 in Georgia and died June 4, 1871 in Alabama.
They had eight children:
Rebecca born about 1856
William L. born September 6, 1854 in Alabama and died August 16, 1856 in Alabama.
John R. born about 1858 in Alabama
Alva Jr. born about 1859
There were four more children for whom I have no names.
(2) Mary Jane Shoemaker
She was born September 13, 1844 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama and died March 26, 1882 in Hillsboro, Lawrence Co., Alabama. She is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married Harvey John Townsend on February 15, 1866 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He was born in 1844 in Al Alabama and died in 1911 probably in Tye, Texas. He is buried in the Drummond Cemetery in Tye, Texas.
They had three children:
(8) Hattie E. Townsend, born about 1867
(9) Benjamin Forrest Townsend, born April 29, 1875 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(10) Lucy E. Townsend, born December 4, 1877
About Harvey John Townsend:
On July 28, 1885, he sold some property in Lawrence Co., Alabama that he had inherited from his father, James K. Townsend, to his half-brothers, William M. and J. G. Townsend.
From The Moulton Advertiser, March 28, 1873
"H. J. Townsand, who now lives in Lynnville, Tenn., has, we are glad to learn, determined to return to North Ala., and again go into the mercantile business at New Hillsboro, in this county."
From The Moulton Advertiser, April 12, 1911
"Harvey Townsend
"Many of our readers will regret to learn that Harvey Townsend, born and raised in Lawrence county, recently died in Texas. He made a gallant Confederate soldier and after the war was married to Miss Mollie Shoemaker by whom he became the happy father of several children. At her death he went west, married again and we learn accumulated a great fortune, which was left to his wife and children. We presume Prof. Lynch will reach him later in his Character Sketches and we forbear further mention."
An article about Auburn in the "History of Ellis County Texas" by The Ellis County History Workshop showed Harvey J. Townsend to have been Postmaster of Auburn from July 13, 1890 to November 27, 1903. There was also a Henry J. Townsend who was postmaster from January 14, 1885 to September 20, 1886. I believe this to be a misprint and the person was actually Harvey.
From "Texas Ellis County Genealogical Records, Vol. XVII, Notaries Public Waxahachie, 1896" we find an article that was published in Waxahachie's "Mirror" on April 30, 1896. It is titled "Notaries Public, Waxahachie, 1896". It shows that H. J. Townsend was a Notary Public.
From the "Christian Herald, Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama", Vol. 1, No. 31, 23 February 1866, Page 3, Col. 2
“Married on the evening of the 15th inst., at the residence of the Bride's father, near Moulton, by the Rev. Josephus Shackelford, Mr. Harvey J. Townsend to Miss Mary Shoemaker, all of Lawrence County.”
(3) John Melvin Shoemaker
He was born June 29, 1846 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama and died February 6, 1919 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He married Esper Ann Blalock on October 22, 1872 in Mt. Hope, Lawrence Co., Alabama. She was born May 1854 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died in Decatur, Morgan Co., Alabama.
They had eight children:
Unnamed baby born and died August 25, 1873 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
James Ira born July 16, 1874 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and married Calla Rea
(11) Thomas Vera born February 8, 1876 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Ira (?) Shoemaker born September 13, 1877 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died September 18, 1877 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(12) Elba Bert born December 30, 1881 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama
(13) Yancey Allison born September 17, 1883 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Unnamed baby born October 14, 1892 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died October 16, 1892 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(14) Emma Rebecca born July 19, 1893 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
About John Melvin Shoemaker:
His birth date was listed in the Shoemaker Family Bible.
From The Moulton Advertiser, Wednesday, November 22, 1911: "Character Sketches"
THE SHOEMAKERS -- John Melvin Shoemaker was born June 29, 1846. He saw service in the Civil War. He was married to Esper Blalock, near Mt. Hope, October 22, 1872. To them were born 8 children - two girls and 6 boys. Four of these boys and one of the girls are still living.
From The Moulton Advertiser, Thursday, October 20, 1892:
We extend to Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Shoemaker our deepest sympathy in the death of their infant daughter, which occurred at their home near Moulton on Sunday night last.
From The Moulton Advertiser, January 22, 1891:
Melvin Shoemaker has moved to the old homestead near town. We learned that he is industriously engaged in preparing for a big crop.
From The Moulton Advertiser, April 11, 1891:
The Association of Confederate Veterans of Lawrence County met in the Court House in Moulton on Thursday, April 2nd 1891 and was opened with prayer by J. M. Roberts.
The following veterans then came forward and joined the Association:
J. M. Shoemaker; Co. A, 4th Reg., Ala. C.
In the 1900 census, his occupation was listed as "Grocery man".
Interesting bits for the Moulton Advertiser newspaper
Jan. 22, 1891 - Melvin Shoemaker has moved to old home place near town.
April 9, 1891 - J. M. Shoemaker listed in roster of Company A, 4th Regiment, Alabama C, CSA.
Jan. 7, 1891 - J. M. Shoemaker listed Jersey stock for sale in advertisements section.
July 12, 1894 - Confederate Veterans of Lawrence County formed an organization. J. M. Shoemaker elected as Quartermaster.
Feb. 23, 1905 - Bill Williams has purchased Shoemaker Place.
March 28, 1901 - Meeting of General Roddy's Escort, J. M. Shoemaker listed.
Nov. 17, 1904 - J. M. Shoemaker sold his town residence to J. M. Sandlin for consideration of $800
.
(4) Elizabeth Pickens Shoemaker
She was born May 9, 1851 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama and died July 5, 1918 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married John Ripley Vaughan on December 10, 1868 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama. He was born March 7, 1846 in Alabama and died February 16, 1930 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. They are both buried in Shoemaker Cemetery in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had nine children:
(15) Mary Clifford Vaughn born March 6, 1974 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Claud Buford Vaughn born October 22, 1869 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Thomas Yancey Vaughn born January 31, 1872 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
James Walton Vaughn born November 16, 1876 and died October 3, 1877 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Emit Lowe Vaughn born July 27, 1878 and died May 13, 1879 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Luther Todd Vaughnborn March 30, 1881 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died December 18, 1937 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. One source says he never married and another says he married Lizzie McCulloh.
(16) Frank Bentley Vaughn born September 14, 1882 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(17) John Herman Vaughn born June 22, 1885 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(18) Lillie Mae Vaughn born September 4, 1888 in Kimo, Lawrence Co., Alabama
(5) Matilda Alabama Shoemaker
She was born October 17, 1855 in Alabama and died in 1945 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married Robert Tipton Wear December 21, 1886 in Alabama. He was born September 12, 1846 in Lawrence Co., Alabama.
(6) Percy Washington Shoemaker
He was born August 3, 1859 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama and died March 25, 1897 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He married Frances Ada Hart on December 22, 1887 in Comanche, Texas. She was born in Comanche, Texas.
They had one child:
Hart Shoemaker was born about 1889 and died 1973 in Abilene, Taylor Co., Texas. I have a little more information on his family but I have not included it as it is not part of the history of Lawrence Co.
About Percy Washington Shoemaker:
His birthdate was listed in the Shoemaker Family Bible.
The following comes from a history of the families who lived in Lawrence Co., Alabama:
Percy Washington Shoemaker was a native of Moulton, born 8/3/1859 to John Yancy and Rebecca Burrows Shoemaker. With the exception of a few years, he lived in the area all his life. He died while living in the original family home with his wife "Fannie" Hart Shoemaker and their small son Hart Shoemaker.
He met Frances Ada Hart of Iuka, Mississippi while they both were teaching school. They married 12/22/1887 in Comanche, Texas where her family was living and returned to Moulton to make their home. Later they lived briefly in Texas and in Arkansas but returned to Moulton because of his poor health where he died 3/9/1897 and was buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery.
Seeking a better education for their family, John Yancy and Rebecca Burrows Shoemaker had moved from the Rogersville area of Lauderdale County to Moulton around 1858. John Yancy was born 7/21/1813 in Maury County, Tennessee. His father's name is unknown, but his mother was Catherine Shoemaker, who as a widow married Benjamin French in 1828. Rebecca Burrows, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Rebecca Burrows was born 8/3/1819 in Lauderdale County. Rebecca and John Yancy were married 2/16/1836.
The Shoemaker home in Moulton was near the present Moulton Memory Gardens, established adjacent to the Shoemaker Cemetery, a part of the original family land where many other family members, including John Yancy and Rebecca are buried. Much of the home was torn down by 1953, and little may remain today. Of John Yancy and Rebecca, Prof. C. G. Lynch writes,
"This old couple were known far and wide for their inductry and devotion to duty. Mr. Shoemaker was always busy. He was ready and willing to do his part in everything that helped humanity. I never look at those beautiful oak trees where the Baptist Church is in Moulton, but I think of him and others who planted them. These two grand old persons died loved, honored, and respected by all who knew them." The Moulton Advertiser 11/22/1911.
The couple had ten children. First, Martha born 10/10/1837 married Alva Cramer 12/11/1853 near Rogersville, and they had eight children. Following Alva's death in 1871, Martha married Emit Smith of Hillsboro, their two children dying in infancy. Second, James William born 8/27/1840 died in 1841. Third, Mary Jain born 9/13/1843 married Harvey J. Townsend, there following three children. Fourth, John Melvin born 6/29/1846 married Esper A. Blalock of Lawrence County, the couple having eight children. The fifth and sixth Shoemaker children were Alonzo Bowland 9/21/1849 - 8/31/1850 and Elizabeth Pickens, born 5/9/1851. She had nine children with James Ripley (Rip) Vaughan, whom she married on 12/20/1868. Both are buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton. Seventh child was William Allison "Allie" born 10/17/1853, followed by Matilda Alabama "Mittie" born 10/17/1855, who married Robert Tipton Wear in Lawrence County on 12/21/1886 and was buried in 1945 in Old Town Creek Cemetery, Lawrence County. Percy Washington was the ninth Shoemaker child. Last came Nellie May born 10/13/1861, who married Henry Burt Orr. They had three children.
Some descendants of the Shoemaker family still reside in and around Lawrence County, Alabama, and some remain in Arkansas and Texas. My father, Hart Shoemaker, son of Percy, died in Abilene, Texas, in 1973. Bayne J. Vaughan, grandson of Elizabeth Pickens Shoemaker Vaughan, resides in Decatur, Alabama and has provided me much Shoemaker family information. Submitted by: Freelin Shoemaker McGlothing, 206 Flamingo Circle, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
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The following is an obituary was published in the Moulton Advertiser on March 11, 1897:
Mr. P. W. Shoemaker, died near this place on Wednesday, March 3, 1897. Percy was a native of this place, and was 37 years and 7 months old at the time of his death. Some ten years ago he was married to Miss Fannie Hart of Texas, and settled down on the old homestead near Moulton. In 1890 they removed to Texas. Elder Robert T. Wear, brother in law of the deceased, conducted the funeral exercises. We learn that in a few weeks Mrs. Shoemaker and son will return to her people in Texas.
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The following obituary was published in the Moulton Advertiser on March 25, 1897:
It is with saddened hearts that we record the death of our beloved Brother, Percy W. Shoemaker, who was born near Moulton, Lawrence county, Ala., August 3rd, 1859. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Y. Shoemaker. He was married to Miss Fannie Hart, of Comanche, Texas, December 22nd, 1887. Coming back to his native State he remained three years. Feeling that it would be to his interest, he went west and settled near Comanche, Texas, December, 1890. There he remained until January 1896, when failing health bade him seek a change. He then came to Arkadelphia, Ark., hoping to be restored to former health, he returned in July to his old home and native clime, still cherishing a hope that the change would do him good. But taking LaGrippe in December, he never recovered from its effects, but gradually declined, until March 3rd, 1897, when he fell asleep in Jesus. He leaves a devoted wife and one bright little boy of eight summers, together with an older brother and four sisters to mourn their loss.
(7) Nellie Mae Shoemaker
She was born October 13, 1861. She married Henry Burt Orr on October 13, 1881 in Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had three children:
Emmitt Orr was born October 18, 1882 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He married and had two children.
Edward M. Orr was born March 1886 in Coal Hill, Arkansas
There was one girl child who died before 1911.
(8) Hattie E. Townsend
She was born in 1867 and died in 1918. She married Tandy W. Irvin on December 9, 1889 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. I can find no further mention of her.
(9) Benjamin Forrest Townsend
He was born April 29, 1875 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died November 30, 1961 in Torrance, Los Angeles Co., California. He married Josie Irene Swain (daughter of Joseph Rogers and Victoria Lucinda [Powell] Swain) on May 5, 1896 in Auburn, Ellis Co., Texas. She was born October 15, 1877 in Auburn, Ellis Co., Texas and died January 27, 1944 in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California.
They lived in Auburn, Texas, Abilene, Texas, Duncan, Oklahoma and several places in California. They had two children while living in Auburn, Texas and six children while living in Abilene, Texas. All except one of these children moved to California.
He died following surgery for a broken hip in Harbor General Hospital. He is buried in Roosevelt Memorial Park in space 5-2298, row 10. The number at the curb is 2289.
He was a member of Stewart Methodist Church in Grandview, Texas where his name has been placed on the honor roll by Ava Davis, Leonora Ingle and Clyde and Bertie Swain.
I originally had that he was born in Decatur, Alabama. Lawrence Co. is right next to Morgan Co., which is where Decatur is located. It is possible that Decatur used to be in Lawrence Co.
The following ad appeared in the Abilene City Directory: "Townsend B F & Co., (B F Townsend ----) groceries 133 Chestnut. Phones 99." That address no longer exists. A parking lot has been installed next to it and several trees on the location of the store.
Their residence in Abilene was listed as: "Townsend Benjamin Forrest, (B F Townsend & Co) r ws Elm bt S 8th, Dallam [residence, west side of Elm between 8th and Dallam]. S W phone 428." We checked for the home and found there was no Dallam street. It must have been changed to 9th. When examining Elm between 8th and 9th, we found several houses on the west side that are of the proper vintage to have been their home.
From The Abilene Daily Reporter, May 15, 1907 [about my father's birth]:
"Odd Fellow Notes
"On account of a little Noble Grand appearing at his home on Monday night and demanding bed and board, B. F. Townsend, N. G. , had to remain at home to entertain the new comer, and no doubt that before the cock crew for day this morning our worthy Noble Grand, dreamed that he was on his second trip to Jericho."
I have generations of information on the descendants of Benjamin Forrest Townsend; however, I have not included it because they are not part of Lawrence Co. history. I may be contacted for more information by anyone who is interested in this family.
(10) Lucy E. Townsend
She was born December 4, 1877 probably in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died June 11, 1903 probably in Ellis Co., Texas. She is buried in the Drummond Cemetery in Tye, Texas. She married W. E. Beasley on June 29, 1899 probably in Texas. They had two children, Clyde and Fern.
(11) Thomas Vera Shoemaker
He was born February 8, 1876 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died in 1939 in West Point, Georgia. He was a minister. He married Alberta Gillis who was born July 30, 1876 in Carthage, Arkansas and died March 11, 1975 in Milledgeville, Georgia.
About Alberta Gillis:
She died in Central State Hospital, Milledgevile, Georgia.
Obituary -
Mrs. Alberta Gillis Shoemaker, 98, of route 2, West Point, Ga. died this morning. She was of the Baptist faith. The funeral arrangements were handled by Schnedl-Jones Funeral home in West Point, Ga.
Mrs. Shoemaker was born July 30, 1876, in Carthage, Ark., daughter of the late Louise Nead and Mollie Overton Gillis.
(12) Elba Bert Shoemaker
He was born December 30, 1881 in Moulton, Lawrence Co, Alabama and died September 8, 1962 in West Point, Georgia. He was a grocery salesman. He is buried in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, West Point, Georgia. He married Alice Lerline Butler on October 21, 1903 in Morgan Co., Alabama. They divorced somewhere around the 1930’s or earlier. She died in Birmingham, Alabama.
They had three children:
Bessie born between 1904 and 1920. She married Dan R. Hudson who was born September 8, 1904 and died July 1973 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Ruth born February 14, 1907
Virginia born February 19, 1905 and died December 2, 1909
He married second Fannie Kate Hardy on June 21, 1936 in Troup Co., Georgia. She was born October 21, 1916 in Harris City, Harris Co., Georgia and died February 19, 1966 in Langdale, Chambers Co., Georgia.
They had two children:
(19) James Elba born July 20, 1937 in West Point, Georgia
Marshal Hardy born September 30, 1938 in West Point, Georgia
I have more information on the descendants of these children, but I have not included it as it is not part of the history of Lawrence Co.
About Elba Bert Shoemaker:
He died in Valley Hospital in West Point, Georgia.
In the 1900 census, he was listed as "Elmer", born in Dec. 1881, single, and a Grocery salesman.
August 24, 1899 in the Moulton Advertiser newspaper - Teachers that passed the exam in Lawrence County listed was E. B. Shoemaker.
He is buried in the Bethal Methodist Cemetery across from the store on Shoemaker and Webb road, Gray Hill, Troup Co. It is now known as Bethal United Methodist Church, West Point, GA, junction of Shoemaker Road and Webb Road where Webb Road changes to Bartley Road.
She died in Lanier Hospital, Langdale, Chambers Co., Alabama.
Notes made by Sherri Foster:
Her oldest son graduated from the same school as she did except it was in 1954 (?).
She ran the store for a lot of years.
She loved people and they loved her.
She would have loved to have seen all of her great-grandchildren. James Shoemaker has 6 and Marshal has 4 natural and one from Eric's first marriage.
She was E. B. Shoemaker's second wife and she married him at an early age by today's standard. She was between 17 and 19 years old.
(13) Yancey Allison Shoemaker
He was born September 17, 1883 in Alabama and died November 18, 1954 in Alabama. He was a farm laborer. He married Christie Annie in Leighton, Alabama. She was born May 27, 1883 in Alabama and died July 10, 1946 in Alabama.
They had four children:
(21) Mamie Mildred born November 23, 1905
(22) James Melvin born August 13, 1909 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(23) Annie Gladys born July 25, 1913
(24) Allison Woodrow born May 8, 1919 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama
(14) Emma Rebecca Shoemaker
She was born July 19, 1893 in Alabama and married Eugene Spear Sr.
They had three children:
Eugene Spear Jr. who married Jess Unknown
Dorsey Spear who married Marion Unknown and had one child, Sandra Spear
Virginia Spear born July 9, 1920 and died July 1987 in Birmingham, Alabama. She married Bob Murdock and they had two children: Bobby and Judy Murdock.
(15) Mary Clifford Vaughan
She was born March 6, 1874 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died May 14, 1909 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married Edward Pippin Holland on December 24, 1891 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. He was born May 14, 1868 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died December 28, 1939 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had ten children:
Simpson Holland born 1892 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died October 20, 1985 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. He is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama
Unnamed Baby born 1893 and died 1893
Lucille Holland born September 14, 1894 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died June 18, 1895 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama
(25) Eva Holland born March 5, 1896 Lawrence Co., Alabama
Unnamed Baby born 1897 and died 1897
James Holland born 1898 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died 1898 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Unnamed Baby born 1899 and died 1899
(26) Sarah Elizabeth Holland born June 10, 1900 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
(27) Edward Graham Holland born October 19, 1902 in Lawrence Co., Alabama
Unnamed Baby born 1904 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died 1904
There was an undesignated number of full term babies buried in Shoemaker Cemetery in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. There were also some babies who weren’t full term buried in the garden.
(16) Frank Bentley Vaughan
He was born September 24, 1882 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died June 3, 1968 in Athens, Limestone Co., Alabama. He married Pearl Jenny Bayne April 2, 1911 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She was born January 1, 1880 and died November 7, 1938. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had one child:
Edward Sewell Vaughan born October 14, 1818 and died June 26, 1920.
(17) John Herman Vaughan
He was born June 22, 1885 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died August 31, 1951 in Decatur, Morgan Co., Alabama. He married Carrie Lee Landers on November 1, 1911 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She was born September 15, 1889 and died April 3, 1966. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
(18) Lillie Mae Vaughan
She was born September 4, 1888 in Kimo, Lawrence Co., Alabama and died May 7, 1989 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married Robert Marshall Byars Sr. on May 1, 1907 in Kimo, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He was born October 4, 1871 and died November 17, 1965. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had three children:
Mary Clifford Byars born October 12, 1912 and died April 8, 1913
Edward Corell Byars born October 31, 1920 and died September 7, 1922
Robert Marshall Byars Jr. born June 23, 1908 and died October 7, 1995. He married Emily Johnson who was born August 13, 1913 and died February 13, 1981.
More about Lillie Mae and Robert Marshall Byars Vaughan:
The following is from a history of families that lived in the Lawrence Co., Alabama area:
Lillie Mae Vaughan attended school in Moulton and remembered that when she started school the boys and girls were separated. By the time she finished school, however, it was co-ed. In 1905 at a community bar-b-que she met Robert M. Byars. He asked her if she would go for a ride with him and she replied, "I'll have to go and ask Mama." Thus, with permission granted, they were off for a ride to Hillsboro. They were married at the home of the bride on 1 May 1907. On the way to the wedding after a rain, the buggy in which Robert was riding overturned in a mud puddle. With help of friends and relatives, he, his wedding suit and buggy were made presentable in time for the wedding at 7 p.m. They lived in the Moulton Hotel, located at the present site of the town's small park next to the Methodist Church, until September, while the house they had bought was made ready. The house is still standing across from the present Methodist Church on Market Street. Robert died in 1966 and Lillie in 1989, having lived in only two houses her entire life.
(19) James Elba Shoemaker
I believe he is still living so I won’t give any dates for him. He married Jeneva Knight and they had three children: Sherri Dee, Russell Elba Palmer, and Patricia Kay. Their family history is not part of the history of Lawrence Co., Alabama.
(20) Marshall Hardy Shoemaker
He was born September 30, 1938 in West Point, Georgia and died November 26, 2001 in Valley, Alabama. He married Diane Gloria Dale and they had three children: Kevin Dale, Marshal Kyle, and Kelli Michele. Their family history is not part of the history of Lawrence Co.
(21) Mamie Mildred Shoemaker
She was born November 23, 1905 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died November 1997 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married McKinnley Patterson.
(22) James Melvin Shoemaker
He was born August 13, 1909 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died January 10, 2003 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He married Alena Irene Montgomery who is still living so I won’t give any dates or places pertaining to her. They had one child, Faye Lynn. Since she, her husband, children, and grandchildren are still living, I will give no further information about them.
About James Melvin Shoemaker:
The following is from "The Decatur Daily", January 11,2003:
James M. Shoemaker
MOULTON - Funeral for James M. Shoemaker, 93, of Moulton will be Sunday at
2 p.m. at Elliott Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy VanLandingham, the Rev.
Earnest Smotherman and the Rev. Jackie Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Shoemaker Cemetery at Moulton Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at the funeral home. Mr. Shoemaker died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at his home. He was born Aug. 13, 1909, in Lawrence County to Yancy Allison Shoemaker and Annie Gray Shoemaker. He was retired as a cabinetmaker and was a member of Old Chalybeate United Methodist Church. Mr. Shoemaker was the brother of the late Woodrow Shoemaker, Mildred Patterson and Gladys Godsey.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Irene Montgomery Shoemaker; one
daughter, Faye Gonzales of Moulton; two granddaughters; and five
great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Corey Parnell, Clint Parnell, Tad Parnell, Drew Whitlow, Michael Wadkins and Mark Montgomery.
About James and Irene Shoemaker:
The following is from a newspaper article published in "The Decatur Daily" on August 2, 2001:
Together through the years
Shoemakers near 68th anniversary
James Shoemaker dangled from a cable in a 55-foot deep hole with only a small bucket between him and the floor of French Broad River, east of Knoxville.
A carpenter, he was working for the Tennessee Valley Authority on the construction of Douglas Dam.
He had squeezed down the 36-inch-wide core hole, the deepest one TVA had drilled, to build a small pump platform above the bedrock to draw out seeping water. "We were checking to see how deep we'd have to go to support the foundation of the dam."
He finished the work and as he was being reeled to the surface, the blasting horn sounded.
"I was only about halfway up, but the boys locked the pulley and ran for cover," he said. "I didn't blame them, but I felt a little uneasy. I didn't have anywhere to run. All I could do was just hang there."
The blast was far enough away that Shoemaker didn't even feel the vibrations.
"About 15 minutes later, the boys hauled me on up," he said. "I was safe enough, as far as that goes."
But he was pinned in the hole long enough to consider the irony of having just left a predicament in his native Lawrence County to land in another tight spot. "The March session of the grand jury was coming up, and I knew I was going to get a summons to serve," he said. "I didn't like jury duty."
So he escaped by hopping in his new 1941 Chevrolet, which he bought for $800 from Doc Richardson on the square in Moulton, drove to Knoxville and took an exam for TVA. He had no trouble getting hired, just as he had done at numerous other companies before settling down in his own business as a cabinetmaker.
Always after work
As he had correctly surmised, no one wasted his energy chasing after him to serve as a juror, but he continued to track work.
"You didn't know if you've got a job more than tomorrow or not, and sometimes you didn't have one tomorrow," he said. "I got laid off from a lot of places when the work ran out, but I was never fired from a job."
Shoemaker turns 92 on Aug. 13, and his wife, the former Irene Montgomery, also a Lawrence countian, celebrates '88 years on Sept. 1. On Sept 16, they are to mark 68 years of marriage.
Both eacaped Tuesday afternoon's sweltering heat to the comfort of their great room in the house Shoemaker built for them on Alabama 33. They spoke of their time together.
"I had no more sense than to follow after him," she laughed.
They made a lot of stops on the winding road back home. Shoemaker built barracks at Fort McClellan near Anniston and potrooms at Reynolds Metals reduction plant in Sheffield, where they poured aluminum for airplanes for America and its allies during World War II. He also erected hangars at Courtland Air Base and buildings at a powder plant in Childersburg.
Mrs. Shoemaker recalls that their only, Faye Shoemaker Gonzales, who was born Feb. 28, 1939, turned 3 the day Shoemaker was laid off at Childersburg.
He also worked for his father-in-law, R. P. Montgomery, in home construction throughout the area and built wooden silos to hold the wheat at Alabama Four Mill in Decatur. He also helped build Chemstrand, now Solutia Inc., and BellSouth in Decatur.
"All but that tower," he said. "I had nothing to do with that tower."
Shoemaker actually earned his first paycheck at 14 and got his first experience working with wood at a sawmill north of Moulton.
"Daddy was sick that year and Mother made the crops," he said. "When we got through with that, we didn't have anything to live on.
"I went to the sawmill and they put me to work pulling slabs off railroad cross ties as they came off a roller."
He remembers some of the slabs being so large that he couldn't handle them.
... with me, and one came off so big that I couldn't hold it, and it fell on his foot," Shoemaker said.
"I was so sorry, but there wasn't anything I could do about it, but try to help him."
Built own shop in 1958
In 1956, he bought a cabinet shop in Courtland and went into business for himself, building and installing kitchen cabinets.
"Building cabinets just came to me," he said. "When I started, I used only a handsaw and a plane, using butt joints rather than miter joints."
He gradually shifted to power tools and "later on, I used a good lot of them."
Shoemaker built his own shop near his home in 1958. One of his granddaughters, Cherrie Gonzales Whitlow, who lives nearby, as do her parents, Richard and Faye Gonzales, worked with him part-time as a Diversified Occupation student at Lawrence County High School.
The Shoemakers' other granddaughter Cindy Millien, lives in Donaldsonville, La. They also have five great-grandchildren, "four boys and a girl."
He operated the shop until 1990, when failing health forced him to close.
However, one wonders how Shoemaker accomplished so much, considering a problem he has battled most of his life.
His back is bowed from years of toil in combination with an arthritic condition.
His fingers, which once deftly nailed cabinets into place and ap... and racked with pain.
But Shoemaker continues to exhibit great stamina.
He attributes it to a natural grit he acquired from the time he was "a great big boy called Buster" and a determination to succeed for his family.
In 1946, a Birmingham physician told him he had arthritis of the spine.
He also told him, "Keep going and you'll live a fairly normal life. I won't tell you that it won't be without pain. But give up, and you'll be an invalid."
Shoemaker chose life, although the pain has been a constant companion.
For almost 50 years, he has relied on numerous painkillers.
Two weeks ago, he slipped on his back steps, taking a tumble and a hard lick on the head. But his wife brushed him off and helped him inside.
"He doesn't give up easily," she said.
Mrs. Shoemaker has been beside her husband all the way. When he needed help in the cabinet shop, she did the sanding on cabinet panels.
She also found time - for 50 years - to teach Sunday school at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. When she stepped aside, on Sept. 29, 1991, the church honored her with a plaque.
"The Lord has been good to us, and we've lived a clean life," Mrs. Shoemaker said. "I believe that's the secret to our long lives and our long marriage."
He summed it up in one word. "Love".
(23) Annie Gladys Shoemaker
She was born July 25, 1913 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died July 23, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama or possibly Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married Albert Godsey who was born February 14, 1911 and died February 13, 1967.
They had three children:
Albert Linden Godsey born March 1933 and died February 2, 1992. He married Johnnie Faye Easley. They had three children: Kathy, Kitsey Nan, and Michael.
James Kenneth Godsey born November 23, 1934 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died March 20, 1991 in Texas. He married Freida Dorothy and they had four children: Debra, Honey, June and Renee.
Annie Francis Godsey who married William Donald Smith. They had three children: William Alan, Gregory Charles, and Keith Lynn. I believe they and their families are still living in Alabama.
(24) Allison Woodrow Shoemaker
He was born May 8, 1919 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama and died February 9, 1997 in West Point, Georgia. He married Julia Grey and they had three children: Harold, Anne Vilula, and Allison Woodrow.
(25) Eva Holland
She was born March 5, 1896 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died February 18, 1953 in Louisville, Kentucky. She married James Robert Rogers on June 7, 1916 in Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had five children:
Myrtle Clifford Rogers
Edward Lester Rogers
Dorothy Lee Rogers
Thomas James Rogers
Charles Robert Rogers
(26) Sarah Elizabeth Holland
She was born June 10, 1900 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died January 20, 1998 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She married David Kyle Goodlett on February 3, 1920 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama. He was born March 4, 1894 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died July 18, 1975 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. They are both buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
They had four children:
Eloise Goodlett born June 11, 1923 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died June 20, 1924 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. She is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery, Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama.
Norma Noreen Goodlett who married Auverne George. They are both still living.
Kyle Holland Goodlett who married Betty Jo Carlin. They and their children are still living.
David Vaughan Goodlett who married Peggy Jean Robinson. They and their children are still living.
(27) Edward Graham Holland
He was born October 19, 1902 in Lawrence Co., Alabama and died October 11, 1987 in Lawrence Co., Alabama. He is buried in the Shoemaker Cemetery. He married Ruby Mae Puckett on December 23, 1926 in Pulaski, Tennessee. They had four children: Richard Graham, Bobbie Jean, Gwin Edward, and Tommy Earl.