The Forgotten Doctor

Most people with a standard understanding of Stanly County history believe the much promoted Dr. Francis Kron was the sole physcian in the early days of Stanly County. A few more have heard of Dr. Richard Anderson, for whom Anderson Grove Church and the Anderson Heights area of Albemarle were named. But they were not the only 19th century physicians to practice in Stanly County at some point.





There were actually two Dr. Richard Andersons, one a nephew to the senior, who practiced in the Big Lick area, and was not a reputable person.

In this post, I wish to cover Dr. Charles Meritz Gurst, who seemed to fade out of Stanly County history, in all but the memories of his few descendants.

Dr. Gurst was born about 1813 or 1814 in Bavaria. I am not sure where he recieved his medical training, but possibly at the University of Ingolstadt, as it was located near by.



He struck out for America in 1840, at the age of 27, from Bremen, on the ship Humphrey and arrived in Baltimore.

He may have answered an ad for a physician in the fledging County of Stanly and City of Albemarle, either in his homeland, or after arriving in Baltimore, as by 1845, he was settling into life in the Carolina piedmont.

In the May Session of the Court of Pleas and Quarters for Stanly County, NC in the year 1845, Charles Maritz Gerst petitioned for naturalization and took an oath of allegiance to the United States of America and State of North Carolina, "renouncing all allegiance to King Louis I of Bavaria in Germany."




It was most likely shortly after he took this oath of citizenship that he met and married a young Anna Burleson. I am not sure whose daughter she was. Perhaps Joseph Burleson, who died in 1843, and who is shown with 3 young daughters in the 1840 census. When his wife dies just a few years later in 1848, only 2 daughters are mentioned as minors. If Anna was their daughter, and already married, she would not have been married.

November Session 1848, Stanly County court of pleas and quarters:

"Isaac Burlelyson, Jr. appointed guardian of John, Susan, Wiley, David D, Martha Jane and Benjamin Burleson, minor heirs of Nancy Burleson, bond of $1000, with Redding Almond, William Burleson and Isaac Burleson, securities."

This was after Joseph Benjamin Burleson was bound to Adam Ritchey and Derrick Burleson was bound to Mathias Moose, first and then Davidson Lowder.

Isaac Jr., the oldest son of Joseph and Nancy Burleson, was born about 1827, making him 21 the year he was able to be appointed guardian of his younger siblings, thus keeping the family together.

William, the firstborn child of Anna Burleson Gurst and her husband Charles, was born in 1847, meaning that Anna was married, thus not in need of a guardian, probably 2 years before this 1848 hearing and also probably before the death of her mother, Nancy.

Name:	Joseph Burleyson [Joseph Burleson]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	West Pee Dee River, Montgomery, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	3
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:	1
Persons Employed in Agriculture:	1
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	9

That fact, coupled with the 1840 census, contributes to my theory that Anna Burleson Gerst was most likely the third daughter of Joseph and Nancy Burleson, along with Martha Jane Burleson Lowder and Susan A. Burleson Carter.

Bavaria

1850

Despite recieving his citizenship and getting married in Stanly County, Dr. Gertz showed up in the 1850 census in Davidson County.

Name:	Charles Ghirst
Age:	37
Birth Year:	abt 1813
Birthplace:	Germany
Home in 1850:	Southern Division, Davidson, North Carolina, USA
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	199
Household Members:	Name Age Charles Ghirst 37 Anne Ghirst 18 Wlliam Ghirst 2 Mary B Ghirst 0

His family was living in the Southern Division, possibly in Jackson Hill or Newsome area. Two young children, William and Mary Bell, had joined the fold.

He continued to purchase land in Stanly County, however.  I have not found any deeds for Charles M. Gurtz in either Davidson or Cabarrus Counties, but I am sure there is much more to discover about him.

His only land grants in Stanly County were this one, for 50 acres in 1852 adjoining the properties of Davidson Lowder and William Hatley, and Solomon Harkey on the Morganton Road, which is now the Concord Road.

1852 Land Grant for Charles M. Gurst in Stanly County

Attached to this was another of only 14 acres.

Then again in 1875, he was granted. "No 16 containing 20 acres adjoining Mathias Sides, Israel Lowder and others Entered 15 Oct 1873" , by I. W. Snuggs, Registrar.

None of these tracts accounted for property he sold during the 1850's and 1860's, land he acquired someway, perhaps before Stanly County became Stanly County.

1857 Book 5 Page 110 Charles M. Gurst to Christopher Melchor (in some, the Dr.'s name is spell Gerst, in others, it's Gurst. I will maintain what seems to be the proper spelling, Gurst, to avoid confusion. ) 10 February 1851 from C. M. Gurst to Christopher Melchor of Cabarrus County for $38, a tract was sold for $38 that was located of the waters of Ramsey's Branch that was adjacint to Hardy Hatley, Alexander Sides and began at Joseph Huneycutt's - or the Meeting House tract- corner, suggesting there was a Meeting House on part of Joseph Huneycutt's land. It also mentions Jack Cassell's tract and an old road and Redding Almonds land. It was for 26 acres and witnesses by Samuel Mann and W. A. Mann. Christopher Melchor was one of the wealthiest residents of the area of the Stanly/Cabarrus line.


1860

Name:	Charles M Gurst
Age:	46
Birth Year:	abt 1814
Gender:	Male
Birth Place:	Germany
Home in 1860:	Stanly, North Carolina
Post Office:	Albemarle
Dwelling Number:	215
Family Number:	215
Occupation:	Physician & Farmer
Real Estate Value:	400
Personal Estate Value:	300
Household Members:	Name Age Charles M Gurst 46 Anna Gurst 28 William Gurst 13 Mary Bell Gurst 11 Jennette Gurst 4 Laura Gurst 9/12

The 1860 census find Charles and Anna now in Stanly County, again, and their family has increased to 4 children. William and Mary Bell have been joined by daughters Jeanette, 4, and Laura, 9 months. Charles is listed as a Physician and Farmer. His holdings are respectable in size, especially for a professional, who usually did not participate in farming for profit. Neighbors are recorded as A F (Arthur Freeman) Atkins, minister and farmer, Allen Carter (soon to be a murderer), Achilles Almond, Needham Whitley, Jonathan Mann, William Almond, Polly Ivey, Tabitha Kirk, William Simpson, Parham Kirk.

In 1867, Book 7 Page 130, Dr. Gurst sells to L. H. Mason, for $400, 138 acres on Little Bear Creek, adjoining Redding Almond, Guilford Hatley, and bordering the Gum Spring on Little Bear Creek. Witness was Frances Murph.

Dr. Gurst was on the move again. The decade between 1860 and 1870 saw alot of change for his family.

Name:	Dr C M Gurst
Gender:	Male
Marriage Date:	21 Sep 1864
Marriage Place:	Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Father:	Manuel Gurst
Spouse:	Lucy Holt Dauter
Spouse Gender:	Female
Spouse Father:	William Coley
Event Type:	Marriage

On September  21 , 1864, Dr. Charles M. Gurst, son of Manuel Gurst married Lucy E. Holt, daughter of William Coley.  It can naturally be assumed that Anna Burleson Gurst had passed away. There may have been a plague that wiped out several members of the family. Then again, it was the era of the Civil War.

Lucy Ella Coley was born about 1833 in Stanly County, NC, the daughter of William Coley and Anna Lowder Coley.  She was the eldest daughter and appeared with her family in the 1850 census as a 17 year old teen.

Name:	Lucy Coley
Age:	17
Birth Year:	abt 1833
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1850:	Ross, Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	766
Household Members:	Name Age William Coley 48 Anne Coley 50 Lucy Coley 17 Milly Coley 15 William W Coley 14 Isham A Coley 12

On Christmas Eve in 1854, Lucy had married Solomon O'Jesse Holt, son of John Holt and Mary Ann Thompson Holt. In the 1860 census, the young family is shown as:

Name:	Lucy E Holt
Age:	20
Birth Year:	abt 1840
Gender:	Female
Home in 1860:	Stanly, North Carolina
Post Office:	Albemarle
Dwelling Number:	276
Family Number:	276
Household Members:	Name Age Solomon Holt 28 Lucy E Holt 20 Nancy E Holt 1 Benjamin Swaringen 20

The couple would have three children together:

John William Holt (1856-1924)
Nancy Ella Holt Coble 1859-1915)
David Isaiah Holt (1862-1928)




Solomon O Holt enlisted for the Civil War on August 8, 1862 in Stanly County, NC by Col. Davis. He was assigned to Company F, Fifth Regiment of the North Carolina Infantry. He died on March 15, 1863, in camp, at Frederickburg, Virginia of disease. He was 31 years old.

Lucy was left one of many Civil War widows. She was fortunate in the fact that in September of 1864, just a little over a year later, she became the bride of the good Doctor.


1870

Name:	C M Garst
Age in 1870:	54
Birth Year:	abt 1816
Birthplace:	Prussia
Dwelling Number:	160
Home in 1870:	Tyson, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Occupation:	Physician
Male Citizen over 21:	Y
Inferred Spouse:	Judith Garst
Inferred Children:	Mary A Garst
Household Members:	Name Age C M Garst 54 Judith Garst 37 Mary A Garst 1

The 1870 census is confusing in a number of ways. First it shows Dr. C. M. Gurst (misspelled Garst), living in the Tyson Community of Stanly County with a young wife "Judith" and an infant daughter "Mary A.".

Name:	Jno W Holt
Age in 1870:	14
Birth Year:	abt 1856
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Dwelling Number:	160
Home in 1870:	Tyson, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Occupation:	At Home
Cannot Read:	Y
Cannot Write:	Y
Household Members:	Name Age Jno W Holt 14 Nancy Holt 14 David Holt 9

Ancestry chops this into 2 households, but a look at the actual document shows the 3 children of Lucy Coley and Solomon Holt also living in household number 160, living with C M Gurst, not beside of him, but living right beside of Lucy Coley's parents, W. M. and Nancy (Anna) Coley.

Judith has to be Lucy, and the census taker was in error. Her year of birth was correct, but that was not the only thing that was incorrect. Either the infant girl was a twin and they did not count the male, but Dr. Gurst and Lucy had a son, Manual A. Gurst, named for his grandfather apparently, born the same year as this Mary A. Perhaps the census taker also had gotten this wrong and Mary A. was actually Manual A. Gurst.

But what of the older Gurst children?


Occupation:Physician & FarmerReal Estate Value:400Personal Estate Value:300Household Members:

Name	Age
Charles M Gurst	46
Anna Gurst	28
William Gurst	13
Mary Bell Gurst	11
Jennette Gurst	4
Laura Gurst	9/12

Remember, according to the 1850 and 1860 census, Charles and his first wife Anna had 4 children:

William (1847), Mary Bell (1849), Jenette (1856) and Laura (1859).

I can only find William and Mary Bell in the 1850 and 1860 censuses. I find no more records for them at this point. Of course, William was old enough to have participated in the Civil War, and could have lost his life there. But I've not found a record of him. Mary Bell Gurst was old enough to have married by the 1870 census, but I've not found record of that either.

Name:	Jennette Gerst
Age in 1870:	12
Birth Year:	abt 1858
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Dwelling Number:	19
Home in 1870:	Furr, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Occupation:	At Home
Cannot Read:	Y
Cannot Write:	Y
Household Members:	Name Age Jennette Gerst 12

What I did find was that in 1870, Jeanette Gurst, noted as being 12, which was incorrect, she should have been about 14, was living with a young married couple, John and Serena Hatley Dry, in Furr Township of Stanly County.

Name:	Frances Garst
Age in 1870:	14
Birth Year:	abt 1856
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1870:	Big Lick, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Cannot Read:	Y
Cannot Write:	Y
Household Members:	Name Age Frances Garst 14

Her sister, Francis Gurst, is shown as being 14 and born in 1856, and living with 30 year old William Brooks and his mother Maryin the Big Lick community of Stanly County?  Frances is not listed in the 1860 census, but her year of birth ranges in records from 1856 to 1862. I believe she was either skipped in the 1860 census, and the infant Laura passed away young, or either Francis and Laura were one and the same.

 At any rate, Charles Gurst had only 2 daughters in 1870 that could be located in 1870, leaving one to imagine that his other children had passed away. Why were these young  girls pawned off to neighbors when they had a living father who was a professional and land owner? Was Lucy Coley Holt Gurst an evil stepmother who made him run his young teenaged daughters out of the house to make room for her and her children? Still hoping to find something in court records to add meaning to this story.




The next decade was a busy one in the land records for Dr. Gurst, and only goes to confuse things.

In 1875, He recieved a grant of land in Stanly County.  Book 10 Page 489 states:

"State of NC Grant to C M Gurst

     For a sum of 12 1/2 cents for every acre hereby granted to Charles M Gurst a tract of land containing 16 acres lying and being in the County of Stanly on the waters of Bear Creek."

Neighbors mentioned were Isaac Lowder, William Sides and Elizabeth Kiser.

Signed by C H Brogdon, Governor, W. H. Howerton, Secretary of State and registered on May 18, 1876 by I. W. Snuggs, Registrar.

By 1877, things may have gone sour between Dr. Gurst and his wife Lucy. He was looking for someone to take care of him in his old age. I am hoping I am able to find more information on these events in County Court records, but for now, this 1877 deed is a bit telling.

Book 12 Page 47  From C M Gurst to  James C. Smith for $250 93 acres on the Morganton (now Concord) road. It mentions bordering Hatley's line by a mill, "In witness whereof said party of the first part....This tract of land is to maintain said Charles M Gurst with comfortable living during his lifetime."

In other words, Dr. Gurst was contracting with James C. Smith to provide care for him as he aged. Was there no one else to do so?

The next year, in 1878, Charles Gurst sold a lot on Bear Creek to Isaac Lowder for $189, on the Morganton Road bordering that of Mathias Mason. It was registered on May 10th, 1882 in Book 13 Page 224.

The last deed for Charles M Gurst was on September 13, 1880, Book 13 Page 225, between himself and D. A. G. Hatley. Interestingly enough it listed this "Indenture between Graham Hatley of Stanly County and  C M Gurst of Cabarrus County." Dr. Gurst had now moved to Cabarrus County. He sold a tract on  Little Bear Creek bordering the Morganton Road to Mr. Hatley for $285 and a second tract of 93 acres as well. Dr. Gurtz was getting rid of all of his property in Stanly County.


1880

There is no record of him buying any land in Cabarrus County, but he is enumerated there in the 1880 census.

Name:	Charles Gurst
Age:	67
Birth Date:	Abt 1813
Birthplace:	Germany
Home in 1880:	Dutch Buffalo, Cabarrus, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number:	1
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Self (Head)
Marital Status:	Married
Father's Birthplace:	Germany
Mother's Birthplace:	Germany
Occupation:	M. D. Doctor
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age Charles Gurst 67

He is shown, living alone in the Dutch Buffalo Creek area of Cabarrus County, which is the Mount Pleasant area. Neighbors were Kluttz, Mortons and Huneycutts.

But where was his wife Lucy?

Name:	Lucy Holt
Age:	49
Birth Date:	Abt 1831
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1880:	Tysons, Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number:	20
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Self (Head)
Marital Status:	Widowed
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Sick:	Dis Rheumatism
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age Lucy Holt 49 A E. Holt 21 David T. B. Holt 18 Manuel A. Holt 10

Lucy has changed her name back to Holt and lists her marital status as "Widowed", suggesting she was divorced, which was a shameful event at the time, as Charles was obviously alive. She was living next to her 77 year old father, William Coley in the Tyson Community of Stanly County and his second wife, Parthenia. A. E. Holt was her daughter Ann "Nancy" Ella Holt, son David T. B. Holt and Manuel A Holt was actually Manuel A. Gurst, born during her marriage to Dr. Gurst and named for his father.

Name:	John W. Holt
Age:	24
Birth Date:	Abt 1856
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1880:	Tysons, Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number:	20
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Self (Head)
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Lousia Holt
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Occupation:	Farmer
Sick:	Well
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age John W. Holt 24 Lousia Holt 24

Her son John William Holt and his bride, Lousia Furr Holt are actually living with her in the same household, but again, they were incorrectly separted. It appears they were living on their grandfather's property.


Dr. Charles M Gurst was alive until at least 1882. After that, he fades into the eons of time. I have not discovered his final place of rest, but it was likely in Cabarrus County.

Update: Since writing this post, I have been contacted by a Burleon family researcher, who has extentsive knowledge of the Burleson family of Stanly County, and had more, and surprising information for me concerning Dr. C. M. Gurst. 

The first was that his research agreed with my conclusion that Anna Burleson Gurst had to have been the daughter of Joseph Burleson and Jane Rogers Burleson.  Dr. Gurst was the administrator of  an 1850 estate sale of this gentleman, further suggesting that he was indeed a son-in-law. 

The Stanly County writer and newspaperman, Fred Morgan, known for his "Ghosts of the Uwharries" series, was a descendant of Jenette Gurst Morgan. But the biggerst surprise was that Dr. Gurst had an obituary. I hadn't found it, because his name was misspelled "Guss", but it was him. 

The obituary revealed that he surprising died of suicide, not natural causes, and that he had practiced in Charleston for 15 years prior to arriving in Stanly County. His split from wife Lucy seemed to be more than he could take. I did have the year of his death correct, 1882, as that was the last I had seen of his name. Thanks Mr. Burleson and RIP Dr. Gurst. 




The Wilmington Morning Star
(Wilmington, North Carolina)23 Apr 1882, Sun  • Page 4



Lucy Ella Coley Holt Gurst died about 1885. Her estate was settled that year. On the first page of her estate file, it names 4 heirs, or her 4 children as such:

"J W Harward being duly sworn doth say that Lucy Holt, late of said county is dead without leaving any will or testament, and that J M Harward is entitled to letters of administration on the estate of the said Lucy Holt. 

Further that the value of said estate so far as can be acertained at the date of this application is about One hundred and fifty dollars and that J. W. Holt, D. I Holt, N. E. Coble and A. E. Holt are entitled as heirs and distributees thereof. "

Dated November 2, 1885

J. W. Holt was oldest son, John William Holt. D. I Holt was David Isaiah Holt. N. E. Coble was Nancy Ella Holt who had married John Alva Coble, but who was A. E. Holt? Was this the mysterious 4th child born in 1869, Mary A. or Manuel A.? If so, this person was still living in 1885, but not to be found afterwards.

John W. Holt, born March 25, 1856, married Louisa Lina Furr on February 26, 1880. They had 7 children and he relocated to the community of Buford on the Union County, NC and Lancaster County, SC line. He would vacilate between there and Old Store in Chesterfield County, SC where he died on June 2, 1924. He was buried, however, in Tradesville, Lancaster County, SC.

Nancy Ella Holt, the only child to show up in the 1860 census, married John Alva Coble on June 19, 1885. They had 8 children, 7 who lived to adulthood. After raising their family in Stanly County, they relocated to Ansonville in Anson County by 1910, where she died on September 5, 1915 at the age of 56.

David Isaiah Holt was born on February 22, 1862. He married several times, spawning a large family. He remained in Stanly County and passed away on April 9, 1928. He was buried at Silver Springs Baptist Church.

The fate of the fourth child of Lucy is unknown.

As far as the two suviving daughters of Dr. Chales M. Gurst, they did live to marry and produce heirs.










Francis Gurst was married on April 28, 1880 to James Alexander Robinson White, son of Samuel H. White and Martha E. Biggers White in Cabarrus County. She was said to be 18 years old, which would give her a birth year of 1862, so perhaps Laura died and Francis was born later, but it would mean that she was only 8 in the 1870 census, not 14. Her father is given as "Dr. Chas Gurst" and no mother listed.

Name:	July F. White
Age:	18
Birth Date:	Abt 1862
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1880:	Bethel Church, Cabarrus, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number:	217
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Wife
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	James R. White
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Married During Census Year:	Y
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age James R. White 25 July F. White 18

The only census that James and Francis appear in together is the 1880. This one also shows Francis as 18, born in 1862. It also shows her as "July F. White", which is how I've seen the name Julie spelled in olden days, short for Julia. So perhaps her actual name was Julia Frances Gurst.

James is listed as a mechanic and living next to two other mechanics, so it could be safe to assume they worked together. According to family trees, James and Frances had 5 children: Ella, Margarite, Belle, Dora and Buren. There is no sign of the family in the 1900 or 1910 census.

Ella Josphine White was born on March 13, 1881. She appears to be the oldest daughter.






On May 22, 1901, Ella married James William Glenn, son of John Campbell Glenn and Mary Elizabeth Lee Glenn.

23 May 1901

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

From the papers and from the marriage certificate, it appears that James and Frances were living in Mecklenburg County by the marriage of their eldest  daughter. She reported both parents alive in 1901, although they can not be found in the 1900 census. It could be illegible handwriting or they were just missed altogether.

Name:	James W Glenn
Age in 1910:	30
Birth Year:	abt 1880
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1910:	Monroe Ward 2, Union, North Carolina
Street:	Crowell Street
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Head
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Ella M Glenn
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Native Tongue:	English
Occupation:	Conductor
Industry:	Rail Road
Employer, Employee or Other:	Wage Earner
Home Owned or Rented:	Rent
Farm or House:	House
Able to Read:	Yes
Able to Write:	Yes
Years Married:	9
Out of Work:	N
Number of weeks out of work:	0
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age James W Glenn 30 Ella M Glenn 28 Mary F Glenn 7 Jane B Glenn 4 John W Glenn 2

By 1910, the couple had moved from Charlotte to Salisbury to Monroe. James Glenn was a Railroad Conductor. They had 3 children: Mary Frances, Janie Bell and John William. Ella was expecting twins.



The Charlotte News
(Charlotte, North Carolina)05 Jan 1917, Fri  • Page 14




In the next decade, the family would suffer many tragedies. The twin boys that Ella was carrying were born prematurely and both passed away shortly after birth. If that was not bad enough, oldest daugther Mary Frances, named for her two grandmothers, died of endocarditis at the age of 13 on January 5, 1917. She passed away in Concord and was buried in Charlotte.



The Charlotte Observer
(Charlotte, North Carolina)06 Jan 1917, Sat  • Page 7


Two more children were born before that a happened, however, James Herman Glenn and Sarah Elizabeth Glenn.

Name:	Jim Glenn [Jim Gleen]
Age:	42
Birth Year:	abt 1878
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1920:	Monroe, Union, North Carolina
Street:	Cleark Street
House Number:	300
Residence Date:	1920
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Head
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Ella Glenn
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Able to Speak English:	Yes
Occupation:	Conductor
Industry:	Railroad
Employment Field:	Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented:	Own
Home Free or Mortgaged:	Mortgaged
Able to Read:	Yes
Able to Write:	Yes
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age Jim Glenn 42 Ella Glenn 36 Jamie Glenn 14 John Glenn 12 James Glenn 8 Sarah Glenn 6

The family still lived on the same street in Monroe and Jim was still a conductor with the railroad.
As they grew, the Glenn children were popular in Monroe society and were reported on in both Union and Mecklenburg County Social pages. Little Sarah was the ring bearer at her paternal Aunt Laura's wedding.


The Monroe Journal
(Monroe, North Carolina)24 Jan 1920, Sat  • Page 5


Janie Bell Glenn was noted for throwing many parties. She was very popular and reported as being a notable beauty.



The Monroe Journal
(Monroe, North Carolina)06 Jul 1923, Fri  • Page 8






The Monroe Journal
(Monroe, North Carolina)02 Jan 1920, Fri  • Page 5


With the everyday life of the Glenn family and of James A. R. and Frances Gurst White's children so well reported in the papers, it seems very odd to me that their own deaths where not mentioned. Nor are their resting places known. What is know for sure is that they were alive in 1901 when Ella Josephine married Jim Glenn, but deceased by the time daughter Margaret married.

Name:	James W Glenn
Birth Year:	abt 1878
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Marital Status:	Married
Relation to Head of House:	Head
Home in 1930:	Monroe, Union, North Carolina, USA
Map of Home:	View Map
Street address:	Charles Street
Ward of City:	5
House Number:	300
Dwelling Number:	110
Family Number:	116
Home Owned or Rented:	Owned
Home Value:	5000
Radio Set:	Yes
Lives on Farm:	No
Age at First Marriage:	24
Attended School:	No
Able to Read and Write:	Yes
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Able to Speak English:	Yes
Occupation:	Conductor
Industry:	Seaboard R. R.
Class of Worker:	Wage or salary worker
Employment:	Yes
Household Members:	Name Age James W Glenn 52 Ellen J Glenn 47 John W Glenn 21 James H Glenn 18 Sarah E Glenn 17

The 1930 census was the last for James W Glenn. He passed away on December 9, 1932 from his own hand. He was 56. Unknown are what demons were behind this desparate act.

Ella far outlived her husband but apparently did not remarry. She died on February 25, 1970, at the age of 86. She was buried in Suncrest Cemetery in Monroe with her husband James, whom she outlived by 38 years.




The children who lived to adulthood were:


Janie Bell Glenn Liles (December 8, 1905 Monroe, NC - December 5, 1996 Monroe, NC)
She married Marcus Bruce Liles, Sr.

John William Glenn (August 3, 1907- Monroe, NC - April 14, 1980 Charlotte, NC)
Married Rachel Godfrey.

James Herman Glenn (August 25, 1910 Monroe, NC - April 25, 1994 Asheville, NC)
Married Mary Elizabeth Murray.

Sarah Elizabeth Glenn (April 5, 1914 Monroe, NC - March 6, 1993 Duvall, Florida)
Married Marvin Harris Dunn.

Margaret Elizabeth T. White Gage

Margaret, born in 1892, was the younger of the two traceable White sisters. Again, family trees carry a Belle and a Dora, neither of whom I've been able to find record of. There were several Belle and Dora Whites, but no info to nail them to this family, or either they appeared to definately be members of others.

Name:	Margaret White
Age:	23
Birth Year:	abt 1897
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1920:	Charlette Ward 1, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
Street:	North Tryon Street
Residence Date:	1920
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Lodger
Marital Status:	Single
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Able to Speak English:	Yes
Occupation:	Nurse
Industry:	Private Family
Employment Field:	Wage or Salary
Able to Read:	Yes
Able to Write:	Yes
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age Alexander G Trotter 32 Elizabeth Trotter 26 Margaret White 23 Wilma Estridge 26

Margaret also does not show up in the 1900 or 1910 census records. She first shows up in the 1920, but the papers were logging her career years before that. The census only reported her as a nurse, boarding with the Trotter family.




In 1915, her graduation from nursing school was reported. By the lack of mention, it can be assumed her parents were deceased by then.

18 Apr 1917

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

In 1917, she had gotten sick. This was the era of WWI and Margaret was soon to play a roll. 

7 Aug 1918

Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

The next year, by the order of General J. S. Shwitzer, she, and a number of other young nurses of "Hospital Unit O" from Charlotte, NC, were ordered to active duty.

There were other reports of her military service and her honors in nursing. She did quite a bit of traveling during this time as well, always returning to her hometown of Charlotte. 

In 1921, she was living on S. Tyron Street. Her sucessful nursing career would soon serve her another good turn. 

Lucius Gaston Gage was born in 1891 in Chester County, South Carolina.  

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George Williams Gage
Associate Justice of South Carolina
In office 1914 – February 13, 1921
Preceded by	Charles Albert Woods
Succeeded by	John Hardin Marion
Personal details
Born	February 4, 1856
Died	February 13, 1921 (aged 65) Chester, South Carolina
Spouse(s)	Janie Hemphill Gaston
Alma mater	Wofford College (A.B.), Vanderbilt University, Tennessee Institution (L.L.B.)

George Williams Gage was an associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He was elected on January 15, 1914,^[1] to fill the position vacated by Judge Charles Albert Woods upon his becoming a federal judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Gage served in the South Carolina Statehouse until he was elected a trial court judge in 1898.^[2] He served as a trial judge for the Sixth Circuit until being elevated to the South Carolina Supreme Court.^[3] Judge Gage wrote one of the earliest decisions recognizing the "exclusionary rule" in Town of Blacksburg v. Beam, 104 S.C. 145, 88 S.E. 441 (1916). In that opinion he said, "It is better that the guilty shall escape, rather than another offense be committed in the proof of guilt."

Gage was born on February 4, 1856, and he died on February 13, 1921. He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Chester, South Carolina.

Next Post: Margaret and Lucius, and the remaining descendants of Dr. C. M. Gurst.