BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GATES Mr. B. F. Gates, who was struck by a passenger train here Tuesday morning, died last night of his injuries. Owing to his advanced age it ws impossible for him to rally from the shock. Mr. Gates was born near Dukedom, in February, 1838, and was 83 years of age last February. He lived near the scene of his birth until 1885, when he moved to a farm four miles north of Fulton, where he has lived since. He was converted in early manhood and untied with the Christain church. He was loved by a wide circle of friends and relatives, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by hs aged wife, and four children, Ed Gates, Mrs. Ella Brady, Mrs. Lucy Wright and Mrs. Tommy Foy. A brother, A.J. Gates, of Mayfield and a half sister, Mrs. McCall of Dukedom, who survive him. The funeral will be held tomorrow at the home, with interment following at Old Bethel Church in Graves County.
SUSAN SMITH GLASGOW 14 March 1919 – Dresden Enterprise Mrs. Susan, widow of the late Daniel Glasgow, died Tuesday morning at the home of her brother, Coleman Smith, east of Dresden, after an illness covering a period of two years. She was about 60 years of age and was a sister of Mrs. J. J. Taylor. The remains were laid to rest Wednesday at West Union, services conducted by Rev. Webb Jackson. Submitted by Sharon Humes
RUTH LEE GROOMS February 19, 1915 Ruth Lee Grooms On February 11, the angel of death visited the home of Mr and Mrs Tom Grooms and called from them one of their twin girls, little Ruth Lee at the age of two years. Her illness only lasted a few days, and though a baby, there was never a more patient sufferer, taking all her treatment without a murmur, seemingly realizing her serious illness. All was done for her that loving hands could do, but God in his wisdom saw fit to take littleRuth into his living arms. She was a lovable child, with a bright, happy disposition and she, with her twin sister, Rebecca brought much joy and sunshine into the home, and were loved by all who knew them. We extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved ones, and will say to the broken-hearted mother and father. Look on the other side of the river, and see by the eye of faith your darling baby among the angels watching and waiting for you. “May God’s comforting words help you to say, “Thy will, not mine, be done.” One Who Loved Her. Submitted by Martha Smith
Mrs. J. A. HARRIS 1948 HARRIS. Mrs. J. A. HARRIS died suddenly of a heart attack at her home 312 Oxford St., Martin, Saturday, September 18. Mrs. HARRIS, who was born in Weakley County, 20th District, was 75 years old. She is survived by her husband, J. A. HARRIS, two daughters, Mrs. Hallie CRUTCHFIELD, Martin, and Mrs. Sudie COOPER, Dresden; three sons, Herbert and Loie HARRIS, Dresden, and Johnnie HARRIS, Martin. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Emma BURTON, Palmersville, and Mrs. George SHERON, Dukedom, two brothers, Will J. WALKER, Evansville, Ind., and Rip WALKEr, Dresden; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. For about 35 years, Mrs. HARRIS was a member of Concord Primitive Baptist Church. Funeral services were held at New Hope Church Monday at 2 p.m., the Rev. Edward HARPER officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery, Winstead-Murphy in charge. Mrs. HARRIS’ nephews served as pallbearers. Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff
JAMES A. HARRIS Friday, July 6, 1951 Dresden Enterprise J. A. (Jim) HARRIS Called to Reward J. A. (Jim) HARRIS, age 87, past away at the home of his granddaughter at 312 Oxford St. in Martin June 26. He moved to Martin from Lathem about six years ago, where he was a very prominent citizen. Services were held Thursday, June 28 at 2 o’clock at the New Hope Church. Burial was in the church cemetery, with Doug Murphy funeral Home in charge. He leaves three sons, Johnnie and Loie, both of Martin; Herbert HARRIS of Westerville, Ohio; two daughters, Mrs. Hallie CRUTCHFIELD, Martin; Mrs. Walter COOPER, Dresden; one sister, Mrs. Martha Ann WHITT, Creedmore, N.C. The grandsons served as pallbearers. He also leaves nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff
MARY ELIZABETH “Mollie” ORRELL HARRISON March 24, 1954 Mrs. Mary (Molly) Orrell HARRISON, 78, died at her home in Greenfield Sunday morning at 6 o’clock following a long illness. For many years she had been blind. She was a patient sufferer. Mrs. Harrison was twice married, first to William (Will) STROUD, who preceded her in death in 1906, and last to General HARRISON who preceded her in 1939.During early life she united with the Christian Church. During 1915 she united with the Primitive Baptist Church and was a devoted member until death. She dearly loved her church.She is survived by four sons; Paul Stroud, Jackson; Philip STROUD, Chicago;Clifford HARRISON, Greenfield; and Cletus HARRISON, Lansing, Michigan; two daughters, Mrs. Ollie HARRISON and Mrs. Lockie JENKINS, both of Greenfield. She is also survived by six step-sons; Willie HARRISON, Lansing, Michigan; Andrew, Jerden, and Homer HARRISON, Greenfield; and Jesse and Frank HARRISON, Chicago; two step-daughters, Mrs. Joe JAMES, Greenfield; Mrs. Audie COLLIER, Chicago; three brothers, Tommy ORRELL, Martin; Willie ORRELL, Detroit; and Earett ORRELL, Dresden; two sisters, Mrs. Bertie ESTES, Lake City, Fla., and Mrs. Florence MORRIS, Dresden; also six step-brothers and sisters. Funeral services were conducted at the Primitive Baptist Church Monday afternoon at two o’clock by Elders Harvey SMITH, James THETFORD and Cayce PENTECOST, with burial at the Bradbury cemetery near Dresden.Williams-Perry Company was in charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers were grandsons; James STROUD, Gerald HARRISON, James HARRISON, Thomas HARRISON, Doyle HARRISON, and Dennis HARRISON. Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff
MARY CATHERINE BRADBURY ORRELL HATHCOAT 25 February, 1927. Mrs. Tom HATHCOAT died Saturday at the family residence one mile north of Sharon, after a painful illness of many weeks, the result of a paralytic stroke. She was 72 years of age and is survived by her husband, ten children, and four step-children. The remains were laid to rest Sunday at the BRADBURY family cemetery, east of Dresden, with services by Rev. J.L. THOMAS. Mrs. HATHCOAT was a sister of Mr. George BRADBURY and was born and reared east of Dresden. Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff
BILLY DEAN HERRON May 19, 1922 Greenfield Greetings Column Death of Precious Child On May 9, 1922, little Billy Dean Herron died. He was the bright little son of Mr and Mrs C. B. Herron. They did not get to keep him too long. He died at the age of two years, six months, and fourteen days. At the time of his death he was residing with his parents at the home of his mothers father, Mr. Z. W. Grooms. He was buried May 10 at Highland cemetery. The death of a child, who can reconcile? The passing of an aged person seems the natural consequence of years – the fitting termination of a faithful life. The mystery of the going of a child we must rest in Him who doeth all things well. Let us trust that wise and good providence to the end, believing that not one of these little ones shall slip from His care. To Mr. and Mrs. Herron, the fond grandparents and all the bereaved ones, the sympathy of all their friends is extended. Submitted by Martha Smith
BENJAMIN D. IRVINE Death of B.D. IRVINE Removes One of The County’s Best Known MenDresden Enterprise February 1916 Honored Citizen Passed Away In the death of Benjamin D. Irvine , Dresden and Weakley county loses one of the oldest and best-known men. Mr. Irvine died Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock at his home in Dresden following a brief illness. On Monday of last week Mr. Irvine was down town, but quite feeble, as he had been most of the winter. Going home, he took his bed , but his condition did not become critical until Saturday, and many of his friends in town did not even know of his illness. He sank rapidly.Mr. Irvine was the son of Sam Irvine, for many years circuit court clerk of this county. His mother was a Miss Jones, his parents coming here from Virginia and settling on Thompson Creek, nine miles east of Dresden. where the deceased was born and reared. And where he received an education in the common schools of the community. When about twenty years of age, Mr. Irvine came to Dresden to reside, being deputy to his father, and it was evidently in this station that he learned the methods of careful business transactions that afterwards characterized his life, he being considered one of the best business men of the country. In early life he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Moran, sister of the late John W. Moran. To this union thirteen children were born, eight, with their sainted mother, surviving him, as follows: Thomas E. Irvine, California; Sidney Irvine, Bowie, Texas; Robert Lee Irvine and James A. Irvine and Moran Irvine and Mrs. Sophia Irvine Ferguson, Dresden: Forrest Dabney Irvine, Ft. Worth, Texas; and William Preston Irvine, Georgia. In early life Mr. Irvine engaged in the mercantile business in Dresden, remaining in public life until the early ‘90’s, when he retired. During his long and successful business career he was associated with such well-known men as Tom Baker, now cashier of a leading bank at Paducah; John R. Moore, John W. Moran, C. W. Cottrell and others of equal prominence. All these relations terminated most pleasantly and most agreeably, there being no word of criticism, no spark of ill feeling?nothing but the most cordial, friendly relations between himself and his business partners. The reason of this was his fair , honorable , open methods, his fairness toward his associated and his generous disposition. There was nothing little about the man. He was broad and liberal in all matters. While in those days he was making money, paying not as much attention to the future welfare of his soul as in his latter days, yet he was a liberal contributor to religious matters, evidenced by his generous donation when the present Methodist church was erected, and his donation of both the lots on which stand the Presbyterian and Baptist churches here. All his characteristics were positive, none negative. The ties of friendship were enduring and strong with him. Possessing a high sense of honor, his word was his bond; and it has been said of him by one who is in a position to know, that he never knew Mr. Irvine, in all the latter’s various and many business transactions to take an undue advantage in a business deal. He was absolutely without guile. He was an unassuming man. Perhaps his strongest characteristic was his generosity and indulgence toward his family. He possessed an analytic mind, weighing carefully any and all matters he had in hand. During the latter years of his life a great change had come over him spiritually. He spent many long hours searching the scriptures, which, as was said at his funeral, resulted in his conversion and recognition of “Christ as his hope.” This inscription(“Christ is my Hope”) was engraved upon his tomb at his direction before his demise, and he left every assurance that he fully believed in and trusted in the saving grace of his Master.
No more gentlemanly, affectionate, modest man ever lived in Dresden than Uncle Ben Irvine, who is now gone to his final home. Peace to his ashes!Funeral services were conducted at his late home Monday afternoon by Rev. G.T Mayo, A.E. Scott and D. C. Johnson, and a worthy tribute paid him by his life-long friend, Mr,. Geo. S. Boyd. The remains were held over to Tuesday morning, pending the arrival of tow sons from Texas, and laid to rest at 10 o’clock Tuesday, at the Dresden Cemetery. Submitted by Mary Irvine Kennedy
BENJAMIN D. IRVINE #2. Dresden Enterprise February 1916 In Memoriam Mr. Editor, My eyes overflow with tears as I read from a card just received from my son, “Uncle Ben Irvine will be buried today.” He was one of my first friends in Dresden and one of the truest , most steadfast. Should I be blessed in returning how I shall miss his familiar figure and his hearty greeting, always asking about the absent members of my household, calling each by name. His affection for my dear father is one thing which can never be forgotten. Once a week would he come, bearing a bag of confection ” for the Squire and to have a chat.” these visits were tho-roughly enjoyed and did much to cheer the loneliness of old age and to embalm ” Uncle Ben” in the memory of all the home circle. I am not writing poetry now (words missing) mere sentiment, but the prosy side of life has often the real poetry and sentiment which the whole world akin. When I first came to Dresden, I was told” there are no real poor people in this town.” This was both gratifying and amazing, for the many places where our tent had been pitched we realized the truth of the scriptural statement, “The poor ye have always with you.” Uncle Ben adhered strictly to the Bible rule, “Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth.” We soon found that Dresden was no exception to the presence of those needing help and that help was never refused by Uncle Ben, but was given always with the strict injunction, “my name is not to be mentioned in this matter.” I was strictly Masonic as to the benefactor and the beneficiaries during their earthly sojourn, but, now, I feel that the seal of silence can be broken. As I said, during all the years of our sojourn in Dresden he was a steadfast friend, never waited an hour to settle a school bill, nor for the account to be sent him. Not only did he give to the poor but he gave to missions. I remember meeting him once on the little bridge not far from his home and he asked me, “Doesn’t Brother Mooney need some missionary money?” I replied”I’ve never seen a Methodist preached who didn’t.” I thought he was joking , but he looked very grave as he handed me some money, saying, “Give him this, but don’t mention my name.”
As I sit in bed in my sick room all these things come to mind and I see again all the children of the household, all of whom I loved and love?Sophia, “Bobby Lee”, Moran, Jack, and the irrepressible, bright, good-hearted Will. I wish I could see them all again , but not around their father’s grave. To each and to all my sincere sympathy and the assurance that they have an abiding place in my affections. Mrs. Sue F. Mooney, Nashville, Tennessee Submitted by Mary Irvine Kennedy