York Family
Photo Album
Graves of Alvin and Gracie York at Wolf River Cemetery
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These excerpts from the History of Fentress County, Tennessee, published by the Fentress County Historical Society in 1987, were transcribed by Michael Allen in 2000. See notes at the end.
Samuel and Freela York
by Jewelene Rains Hinds
John Samuel “Sam” York, the fourth son of William York (5/15/1863-11/17/1911) and Mary Elizabeth Brooks York (8/8/1866-5/21/1943), was born March 29, 1891 at Pall Mall, TN. His ten brothers and sisters were: Henry Singleton; Joseph Marion; Alvin Cullum; Albert; Hattie M. Wright; George Alexander; James Preston; Lillie Mae Stewart; Robert Daniel and Lucy Erma Rains. All but Robert and Lucy are deceased.
Sam married Freela Ann Wright, born June 7, 1893, daughter of William Wright and Elizabeth Upchurch Wright. His brothers and sisters were: Emery; Walter “Tint”; Lola Hatfield; Laura Goodman, Hatfield; and Frona Swafford.
Sam and Freela were married January 4, 1914 and had seven children: Osby, Elva, Eve, Willie, John Loval, Printis and Elsie.
Osby was born October 20, 1914 and died January 30, 1915.
Elva, born November 28, 1915, married Dillard Clouse on November 28, 1935 and has two girls and two boys: Shirley, Butch, Carl and Linda.
Eva, born July 15, 1918, married Ampy Huff (2/15/1919) on May 6, 1939 and has two sons: Jerry Dale, born {redacted on this site}, married Nell Whited ({redacted on this site}) on August 24, 1963 and has three children; Anthony ({redacted on this site}), Roderick ({redacted on this site}), and Latitia ({redacted on this site}). Their second son, Jimmy Lee, born {redacted on this site}, married Betty Russell ({redacted on this site}), on January 26, 1968 and has two sons: Christopher Lee ({redacted on this site}) and Samuel Thomas ({redacted on this site}).
Willie, born November 5, 1920, died October 20, 1925.
John Loval (4/6/1924-4/9/1986) married Ivory Eulene Perry (7/22/1928-10/21/1978) on May 11, 1946 in Rossville, Ga. They made their home in Pall Mall, TN. Their first child, Clinton Tommie was born in Albany, Ky., the nearest hospital, on {redacted on this site}. John and Ivory moved to Dayton, Ohio for the availability of work. Their daughter Darlene was born in Dayton on {redacted on this site}. They did well in Dayton. John worked as a mechanic for B & K Service Station. Ivory worked for a local market (Liberal Market) as a cashier. Although they did well in Ohio, they missed Tennessee. They returned to Pall Mall in September 1962, after the death of John Samuel in August. Their third child, Robin Michelle, was born on {redacted on this site} in Jamestown, TN. Tommie York married Mildred Louise Beaty ({redacted on this site}) on July 5, 1969 in Jamestown, Tennessee. They have two children: Johnny Richard, born {redacted on this site} in Jamestown; Lori Ann, born {redacted on this site} in Crossville, TN: Darlene married Oary Malcoln Holt ({redacted on this site}) on July 14, 1969 in Crossville. They have two children: Stacey Michael, born {redacted on this site} in Crossville and Angela Michelle, born {redacted on this site} in Germany, while Oary was in the Army; Robin Michelle married Allen Renee Deyo ({redacted on this site}) on June 16, 1984 in Jamestown. They have no children at present.
Printis York, born August 31, 1927, married Imogene Davis and has no children.
Elsie, born November 27, 1930, married Clarence Castle and lives in Dayton, Ohio. They were married September 4, 1948 and have four children: Sondra Sue ({redacted on this site}) married Landel G. Ogden on June 19, 1965 and has two daughters; Angela Ann ({redacted on this site}) and Melissa Kaye ({redacted on this site}): Sharyl Rae Castle ({redacted on this site}) married Thomas Hochwalt on February 14, 1976 and has no children: Sheila Ann Castle ({redacted on this site}) married David E. Taylor on May 5, 1979 and has three children; Darcy Lynn ({redacted on this site}), Shannon Michael ({redacted on this site}) and Bryce Laine ({redacted on this site}): Richard Gene Castle ({redacted on this site}) married Kimberly Walker on July 3, 1976 and has two children; Levi Shawn ({redacted on this site}) and Cody Michael ({redacted on this site}).
Samuel York died August 30, 1962 and Freela followed two years later on October 5, 1964. They are buried in Wolf River Cemetery, Pall Mall, Tennessee as are all their deceased children.
Information provided by Eva Huff, Elsie Castle and Clinton Tommie York on their families.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/york-freela.htm
Uriah and Eliza Jane Livingston York
by Lorene Rains Cargile
Uriah York was born about 1825. It has not been documented as to who was his father. Some say John, some Thomas. Could it be John Thomas? The Fentress Colmtv census has no John, but has a Thomas. Cowan in Sgt. York and His People says the Yorks came to Fentress County from North Carolina and that Uriah is the son of John from Buncombe County, N.C. The Yorks settled first on Indian Creek, where they farmed, There Uriah started one of the first schools in Fentress County. He used two books – “the Blue-backed Speller” and the Bible. His brothers and sisters are unknown by the author.
He married Eliza Jane Livingston about 1850. She is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Livingston. Her father was born January 31, 1802 in Ky. and her mother was born about 1800 in N.C. Eliza Jane was born about 1830 in Fentress County, Tennessee. Her brothers and sister are: Thomas Elliott, Celia, Jesse, John, Malissa and Peyton.
Uriah and Eliza Jane had five children: Celia, John W., William, George and Bates. Celia, born May 24, 1858, married Francis Marion (Head) Hatfield; John W. born about 1860, died August, 1924; William, born May 15, 1863 at Pall Mall, Tennessee, married Mary Elizabeth Brooks on December 25, 1881, he died November 17, 1911; George, born about 1865, married Harriet Jennings, he died December 20, 1898; Bates born October 6, 1868 in Ky., married first Emma Crabtree, second, Nora Carter, then Eva Green, he died July 14, 1922.
Uriah was a veteran of the Mexican War where he took part in the storming of the heights of Chaputtepec and the capture of Mexico City. He was a soldier on the Union side during the Civil War. While he was home sick he heard that the Southern Bushwhackers were coming to the house of his father-inlaw in Jamestown where he was staying. He arose from his sick bed and fled in a sleet and rain storm to “Rock Castle”. He died there from the exposure and is buried somewhere in the “Cove” in an unmarked grave.
Eliza Jane raised her family alone. She is buried in the Livingston Cemetery at Jamestown, Tennessee. Lucy York Rains can remember going with her mother, Marv Brooks York to decorate her grave, but it is unmarked, therefore, lost forever to her many relatives.
William, the third child of Uriah and Eliza Jane Livingston York, was the father of eleven children including my mother, Lucy York Rains, and Sgt. Alvin C. York of World War I fame.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/york-uriah_.htm
William and Mary Brooks York
by Lorene Cargile
William York was born at Jamestown, Fentress County, Tennessee on May 15, 1863. He was the son of Uriah York and Eliza Jane Livingston. His father, a school teacher, was born about 1825 in North Carolina and his mother was born about 1830 in Tennessee. William’s brothers and sisters are: Celia, born May 24, 1858 married Frances Marion Hatfield; John W. born 1860 and died August, 1924; George born about 1865 married Harriet Jennings; and Bates born October 6, 1868 married first Emma Crabtree, second Nora Carter, then Eva Green. Bates died July 11, 1922.
William married Mary Elizabeth Brooks, who was born August 8, 1866. She was the daughter of William and Nancy Pile Brooks. Her father was a Union soldier from Michigan and his brith date is unknown by the author. Her mother was born December 14, 1835 at Pall Mall, Tennessee, a daughter of Elijah and Rebecca Earp Pile. Mary had only one brother, William, born March 30, 1868.
William and Mary were married on December 25, 1881. They had eleven children: Henry Singleton, Joseph Marion, Alvin Cullum, John Samuel, Albert, Hattie M., George Alexander, James Preston, Lillie Mae, Robert Daniel, and Lucy Erma.
Henry Singleton was born October 7, 1882. He married Martha Pile and they had two children, Frona and Grace. Maytha died May 25, 1921. Then Henry married Carlie E. Dishman. Henry and Carlie had: Bernice, Edith, Hobert, and Roy. Henry died January 7, 1968.
Joseph Marion (Joe) was born March 1, 1885. He was married to Alta Pile on January 15, 1905 and they had four children: Bonnie, Luther, Earl and Richard (Dickie). Joe died April 6, 1959.
Alvin Cullum was born December 13, 1887. He married Gracie Loretta Williams on June 7, 1919. They had ten children: infant, Alvin C., Jr., George Edward Burton, Samuel Houston, Woodrow Wilson, Andrew Jackson, Betsy Ross, Mary Alice, Thomas Jefferson, and another infant. Alvin died on September 2, 1964.
John Samuel was born March 29, 1891. He married Freela Ann Wright on January 4, 1914. They had six children: Willie, Osborn, Elva, Eve, Loval, Print and Elsie. Sam died August 30, 1962.
Albert was born April 8, 1893. He married Minnie Ellen Crouch on October 31, 1916. They had nine children: Bill, Viola, Flossie, Noble, Jay, Mary Rohana, Jessie Raymond, Alberta and Donald. Albert died October 2, 1957, when a tractor overturned on him.
Hattie M. was born January 9, 1895. She married Emery Wright November 2, 1913. They had six children: Effie, Grace, Oplis, Avo, Annie and Edna. Hattie died on June 10, 1929.
George Alexander was born August 9, 1898. He was married to Avo Pate December 1920. They had no children. George died February 11, 1980.
James Preston was born October 18, 1900. He was married to Edna Riley on June 5, 1921. They had one daughter, Lelia. After her death, he married Zona Matthews. Jim and Zona had three children: Hazel, Eddie Ruth and Jim, Jr. Jim was killed in a train accident on September 25, 1943.
Lillie Mae was born June 21, 1903. She married Stephen Travis Stewart and they had one daughter, Phyllis. Lillie died October 12, 1967.
Robert Daniel was born February 20, 1906. He married Annie Lee Williams on April 22, 1925. They had nine children: Thelma Lee, Willie, Eugene, Edarene, Chestaline, Cledis, James Howard, Roger and Gale.
Lucy Erma was born March 1, 1910. She married James Gordon Rains on August 10, 1925 at Jamestown, Tennessee. They had twelve children: Marine, Christine, Jack, Arlene, Jewelene, Colene, Lorene, William, Jerry, Ferry, infant, and Danny Bluye.
William was a farmer and blacksmith. He loved to hunt and was known to drop whatever he was doing and follow his hounds when he heard them cross the trail of a fox or some other animal. William was known throughout the valley for his fairness and honesty. He was an excellent shot but was often, because of his impartiality, called upon to “judge” the shooting matches held on the hill, behind the York home. William was kicked by a mule he was shoeing in his blacksmith shop and died on November 17, 1911 after developing pneumonia.
Mary was a hard working Christian woman who tried to raise her children to be honest God-fearing people. She worked hard to raise her children after their father’s death. Mary was blind in the later part of her life and the only thing I remember about her is that she would feel of us grandchildren when we visited her to see if we had grown any. She died May 21, 1943 and is buried in the Wolf River Cemetery along beside her husband. All of Mary and William’s deceased children are buried in the Wolf River Cemetery except Hattie Wright, who is buried about a mile around the road in the Upchurch Cemetery.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/york-william.htm
William Landon York (1871-1940)
by Clyde Marvin York
William Landon York was born on Indian Creek in Fentress County in 1871. He was the son of William Mitchell (1841) and Sarah Bailey York. Landon grew up on Indian Creek in Fentress County, and farmed with his father. His father, Mitchell, is credited by Leonard Franklin, a neighbor, with being among the more progressive old time farmers. According to Mr. Franklin, Mitchell brought the first horse drawn mowing machine into his community. The gears on it were put together so crudely that the horses pulling it had to trot before it would cut hay.
Little is known of Landon’s early life. His father, Mitchell, and mother, Sarah, reared a large family. Their children were: Theodocia married John Linder; Franklin died young; Mary Susan died young; Bell married John Cooper; Thomas married Minnie Garrett; James (Jim) died in Fentress County; John moved to Texas in early life; Loretta married Walter Garrett; Clementine married Joe Booher; Landon married 1st. Susan Robbins, 2nd. Frances Smith.
About 1897 Landon married Susan (Susie) Robbins, daughter of Bud Robbins of the Robbinstown Community. Three children were born to this union – daughters Pearl and Bertha and a son who died in infancy. Pearl, the older daughter, married Ambers R. Smith, son of Porter Smith, who lived on Obey River near Gunter’s store and post office in Pickett County. Bertha married Albert Norrod, son of Tom Norrod of the Hanging Limb Community in Overton County, Tennessee. Landon’s first wife, Susie, died at or near childbirth when the son, who died in infancy, was born. Susie had brothers: Andy, Mack, Eddie and Fayette who lived part of their lives in the Fentress area and part in the industrial centers in the North.
Landon was employed by the Davidson, Hicks and Greene Lumber Company of Nashville, Tennessee. This firm, reported to be English, owned and ran a timber cutting and saw milling operation at Cooktown just across the Fentress County line in Overton County.
In 1908 Landon married Mary Frances (Fannie) Smith. She was the daughter of William Granville (Legs) Smith and Genetta Catherine Smith. William (Bill) 12-17-1849 to 12-7-1920 was the son of John (Legs) Smith (1830) and Mary E. Beaty 11-15-1827. This Mary was a sister to Lucy Catherine Beaty Reagan. Genetta Smith 1855-1884 was the daughter of David Smith 1818-1860’s and Fannie Cobb ca 1822 – after 1870. She, Fannie Cobb, was part Cherokee Indian. William Granville and wife moved from Fentress County to the McDonald’s Chapel Community in Overton County.
The first child, Clyde, was born to Landon and Fannie at Cooktown on December 25, 1909. Soon thereafter they moved to a farm in the Wirmingham Community near where Landon’s father, Mitchell, had earlier moved from Fentress.
Landon and Fannie owned and rented farm lands in the Wirmingham (Overton County), Oak Grove and Boom (Pickett County) communities and reared six children – namely: Clyde Marvin married Florence Mullins of Alpine, Tennessee. Clara graduate of Berea College; married R.G. Hickey of White County, Tennessee; a Presbyterian minister. Clifford a.U.T. graduate and county agent in Wayne County; married Hester Brewer of Waynesboro, Tennessee. Glance attended University of Tennessee; farmed in Maury and Warren Counties married Jennette Bradford; Glance deceased. Melburn attended Tenn. Tech University; married Katherine Campbell; farmed at Columbia and Spring Hill; now retired at Spring Hill, Tenn. Wilma married Paul Parsons; farmed in Maury and Giles counties; now retired at Pulaski, Tennessee.
Landon promoted and assisted in the construction of the first paved road between Livingston and Byrdstown, Tennessee. There was only a dirt road between these two county seat towns until 1923-1924. Landon and his children contributed their labor in construction of the Midway Christian Church on Highway 42 near Boom.
At retirement age, Landon and Fannie moved to Columbia, Tennessee where their two youngest sons, Glance and Milburn, had gone to seek improved farming opportunities. My parents lived there until 1940 when father, Landon died; and until 1964 when mother, Fannie died. Both are buried at the Winningham Cemetery in Overton County, Tennessee.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/york-landon.htm
Transcriber’s note: Most, but not all, [transcribed] excerpts relate to Beaty families. Don’t forget the first rule of genealogy — everything should be backed by primary documentation — This book was written by the Fentress Co. Historical Society. It’s mainly a collection of personal histories told from memory and family tradition with little documentation, and should be taken as such.
TNGenWeb Coordinator’s note: Curtis Media Corp. gave permission to post this material originally, and it was uploaded in a free account at Rootsweb. We do not intend copyright infringement on anyone. However, Rootsweb has experienced viability issues in the past. We want to make sure the information is retained and available for Fentress County researchers.