~ Special to The Chattanooga Times ~
~ Special to The Chattanooga Times ~
ATHENS, Tenn., Aug. 17 -- Descendants of Christopher Columbus Wattenbarger and wife, Jane Buttram Wattenbarger, met at the old home place in the Pine Grove Community, 12 miles north of Athens, Sunday for the annual reunion.
The reunion was held in the grove of old trees that surround the spring, adjoining the lawn of the Wattenbarger home.
The original dwelling, constructed of hand-dressed pine, with a roof of pine shingles, has been kept in perfect condition through these threescore years since it was constructed. The property is now owned by Uel Wattenbarger, a grandson of the original owner.
Only one of the children of the late Christopher Columbus Wattenbarger and wife is living, Mrs. Sara Dodson of Athens. The other children, well-known McMinn County residents, were William and Jane Wattenbarger, members of McMinn County court several ago; Moses A., Jack and John Wattenbarger.
The Wattenbarger clan is of German descent. When the forefathers came to this country they settled in Pennsylvania, later moving to Virginia then down to upper East Tennessee and finally to McMinn County where the majority of the descendants now reside.
C. W. (Cris) Wattenbarger was in charge of the program Sunday and he was re-elected chairman for next year. Others elected were Mrs. Howard Wattenbarger, vice-chairman; Mrs. Mary Sue Hudson, secretary and treasurer; program committee, LaFayette, Nina and Frazier Wattenbarger. Another committee on arrangements included John M., Uel and Howard Wattenbarger.
Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Allen Wattenbarger, Pauline and Grace Wattenbarger, Decatur; Mrs. Luther O. Wilson, James and Nelda Wilson, Bridgeport, Conn.; Pearl, Floyd and Alvin Hutsell, Cleveland; Thelma and Frazier Wattenbarger, Erie, Meigs County; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wattenbarger, Corbin, Ky.
Mr. and Mrs. Uel Wattenbarger, Pearl Wattenbarger, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Wattenbarger, Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Shultz, Donnie Ray and Billie Wattenbarger, Effie Mae Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. U. V. Kyker, John L. Kyker, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Wattenbarger, McMinn County.
Mr. and Mrs. Fate Wattenbarger, Lenoir City; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Hudson, Chattanooga; Mr. and Mrs. John Wattenbarger, Nina and Marie Wattenbarger, Monroe County; Mr. and Mrs. Willie Cranfield, Monroe County; Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Wattenbarger, Hardin, Ogle and Hazel Wattenbarger; Miss Anna Mae Humphrie, Mrs. Rebecca Miller, T. W. Brock, Frank and Roy Miller, Alex and Edison Wattenbarger, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wattenbarger, Mosey Brock, Edna Hicks, Emma Carpenter, all of McMinn County.
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