McFerrin Family Photos

Shared by Mark Shepard

 


Click on thumbnail to see larger size photo 


Here is a "bird's eye view" of downtown Tangier taken from the McFerrin's house. About 1910.

My great-grandfather Albert McFerrin (1858–1925) was a section foreman for the C&EI Railroad.


 

 


June 25, 1905, Kingman, Indiana

Little Bible class of Tangier Bible School taught by Oscar S. Harvey.

My grandmother, Letha McFerrin (1896–1970), is middle row, second from right.


My great aunt Jessie McFerrin's (1890-1980) ninth birthday party, 1899. Tangier, Indiana.

Jess is second from right, bottom row.


A tintype of my great-grandfather Albert McFerrin (1858–1925).

He was born and buried in Parke County, Indiana.


A tintype of my great-great-grandfather James McFerrin (1825–1902).

Born in Kentucky and died in Montezuma, Parke County, Indiana.


My great uncle Sam McFerrin (1901–1917) was born a “blue baby.” His obituary said:

 “From infancy Sam had been afflicted making the family love him all the more…. He bore his affliction patiently, and by his wit and cheerfulness won a host of friends who did not forget the Divine command Bear you one anothers Burdens.... Day by day, in many, many ways friends have been ready to give a ray of sunshine to cheer him and help him forget his afflictions.”

The back of this postcard, sent to his sister Jessie McFerrin in Terre Haute, says:

“Dear sis, I am not felling any better. We are about thro cleaning house. Sallie is helping us. *## no better Sam McFerrin” 

He died in Tangier when he was 15.

Photo with puppies is 1916.

 

Photo standing is 1917.


Note on the back of this photo says:

“McFerrin home place. All kids born here except Leona.”

Leona, the oldest, was born in 1883.

The youngest was Cathaline (1905–1907). All were born in Tangier.


My grandmother, Letha McFerrin (1896–1970)

Tangier, Indiana  - 1916


My great grandparents Melvina (Blacketer) McFerrin (1865–1914) and Albert McFerrin (1858–1925).

They had eight children in 22 years, 5 survived to adulthood.

Three of their children died young from diseases and conditions that would be easily prevented, cured or fixed today.

 


My great aunt Jessie McFerrin's husband Bob Pickard (1889–1951) was an electrician for the C&EI Railroad.

He was also born in Tangier.


My great aunts' daughter Mellie Grimes (1904-1971) at her grandmother’s grave in Tangier, about 1918.

My great aunt was Leona McFerrin (1883-1955).

 


My grandmother Letha Mae McFerrin (1896-1970) and my great aunt Jessie McFerrin (1890-1980), in Tangier, about 1912.

 


My great aunt Jessie McFerrin (1890-1980) standing behind her older sister Leona McFerrin (1883-1955).

Leona married Ned Wasson Grimes on July 24, 1901. Ned was a farmer. He died on March 24, 1911 at the age of 29.

She then married William D. Cates on November 24, 1915, in Vigo County, Indiana. Bill managed a Beer Tavern where Leona was a cook.

She died on December 9, 1955, at the age of 71. They were both born in Tangier.

 


My grandmother’s sister Cathaline McFerrin (1905–1907)

and her brother Sam M. McFerrin (1901–1917). Both died young.


My great uncle Charles Edgar McFerrin (1885-1959) on July 4, 1908 with his baseball team at the C.& E.I. railroad station in Sullivan, Illinois.

Charles is second from the right in his bowler hat.


My great uncle Charles Edgar McFerrin (1885-1959) was born in Tangier and moved to Sullivan, Illinois.

He started out working at the C&EI railroad station as a Wells Fargo driver.

By 1910 he was a Telegraph Operator. Charles is on the left with his Wells Fargo delivery wagon, September 1908.


The caption on the back of this photo says: “age 1 yr following whooping cough.” Photo by Connelly, Cayuga. 1897.

My grandmother Letha Mae McFerrin (1896-1970) was one of the lucky ones. Many died from childhood diseases that are easily cured today.

 Letha was born on August 18, 1896, in Liberty, Indiana.

She attended school in Tangier and in 1920 graduated from the Lake View Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Danville, Illinois.

She married Arthur Edward North on August 7, 1922, in Terre Haute. They had one child (Helen Joanne) during their marriage.

She retired in 1962 as a registered nurse with the Vermillion County Tuberculosis Hospital. She died on March 24, 1970, at the age of 73.