Salem Cemetery 1888

 The following deed for a public burying ground in Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky can be found in Livingston County Deed Book 10, page 249. This cemetery is still in use today, making it 134 years old.

“This deed of gift and transfer made and entered into this 16 day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eighty eight, Between Asa Alvis, M.H. Utley and T.W. Lowery, of the county of Livingston and State Of Kentucky of the first part and the citizens of the town of Salem and those living Adjacent to … town of Salem and their heirs of the second part, all of the County and State aforesaid, witnesseth That the said parties of the first part has [sic] this day given unto the said parties of the second part a certain tract or parcel of land  … for the purpose of a public Burying Ground  … containing by survey One acre, be the same more or less. To have and to hold with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging. And the parties of the second part to forever warrant and defend the right and title of said land from them … In testimony hereof we have set our hands and seals this day and date above written. [signed] T.W. Lowery, Sallie Lowery, Acy [sic] Alvis, M.C. Alvis, M.H. Utley, S.M. Utley.

 State of Kentucky, County of Livingston} Sct. I, J.M. Worten, Clerk of the County Court for the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that the foregoing deed to the Citizens of the Town of Salem, was this day produced to me in my office, and ordered to be recorded, the same having been duly acknowledged by T.W. Lowery, Sallie Lowery, Asa Alvis, M.C. Alvis, M.H. Utley and S.M. Utley before J.M. Roney, my Deputy to be their act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned, as appears by an endorsement thereon in said Deputy’s hand writing in these words, to wit: “Ack’d March 19^th 1889. J.M. Worten, Clk. By J.M. Roney, D.C." Recorded 20 March 1889.      

 Published 30 Aug 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

W.B. and Kate Shelby Crichlow

 

William Branker Crichlow

Aug. 14, 1836 – Jan. 7, 1923

~~

His Wife 

Kate Hephzibah

July 29, 1853 – Aug. 25, 1932

Crichlow

Buried Salem Cemetery, Salem, Kentucky.

William B. Crichlow was born to W.B. Crichlow and Adaline Bibb, both of whom were born in Tennessee. [1] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union University in Tennessee in 1857 [2] and became a minister.  The Rev. Crichlow also sold insurance. A  Kentucky newspaper, in 1892, reported under Salem news that “Rev. W.B. Crichlow, our local insurance man, also represents some fine companies, both fire and life.”[3]

W.B. Crichlow and Miss Kate H. Shelby married 13 March 1879 in Livingston County. At that time, the Rev. Crichlow reported his residence as Caseyville [Union County, Kentucky]. [4]  

Catherine “Kate” Shelby was the daughter of R.S. Shelby and E.R. Frayser.  Her father was born in Livingston County and her mother was born in Cadiz, Kentucky[5]

William B. and Kate Crichlow first appear together on a census in 1900. At that time, they were living in Salem. Included in their household were two sons, Shelby Crichlow, age 20, and Dick, age 17. [6]

 A short death notice for W.B. Crichlow appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1923. It stated he died at his home in Salem and was survived by his widow and two sons. It also stated he served as a chaplain in the Confederal Army. [7]

 

---

[1] Kentucky Death Record #5507, William B. Crichlow, occupation minister,  Ancestry.com

[2] U.S., School Catalogs, 1765-1935; William B. Crichlow, residence Nashville, Tennessee, Graduate 1957, Ancestry.com

[3] “Salem,” Crittenden Press, 6 October 1892, p. 3.

[4] W.B. Crichlow and Miss Kate H. Shelby, Livingston County Marriage Bond Book 2, pp 316-317 and Register, p. 24.

[5] Kentucky Death Record #21941, Catherine H. Critchlow [sic]; R.S. Shelby, informant, Ancestry.com

[6] 1900 Livingston County, Kentucky census, Salem, p. 2, E.D. 0055, Ancestry.com

[7] “W.B. Crichlow,” The Courier-Journal, 19 Feb 1923, p. 12, Newspapers.com

Published 22 Dec 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Sam L. and Fannie L. Shelby

Sam L. Shelby

1870 – 1948

  

Fannie L. Shelby

1872 – 1957

Samuel Lafette Shelby was born 9 November 1870 in Kentucky and was the son of Richard Shelby, born Kentucky, and Elvira Frazier, born Illinois. Sam L. Shelby died 19 April 1948 in Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky. [1]  He married Mrs. Fannie Graves at Salem on 12 December 1903. [2]   Sam L. and Fannie Shelby first appear together on the 1910 Livingston County census. Appearing in their household were their two children, Richard S. and Elvira, plus children by Fannie’s first marriage.

Fannie Louise Campbell was born 23 November 1872 Kentucky and died 24 May 1957 in a rest home in Paducah, Kentucky. On her death certificate, her parents are listed as Tom Campbell and Virginia Ann Grover. The informant was Sam Shelby.[3] She  married (1) George E. Graves of Dycusburg, Crittenden County, Kentucky 5 June 1895 in Greene County, Missouri.[4] They had two children, Virginia and Marie, before George’s death 1 September 1900.[5]

Sam L. and Fannie L. Shelby are both buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky.

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[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #8434 (1948), Samuel Lafette Shelby, Informant: S.R. Shelby, Ancestry.com, accessed 21 June 2020.

[2] Kentucky County Marriage Records 1783-1965, S.L. Shelby and Mrs. Fannie Graves, Ancestry.com, accessed 21 June 2020.

[3] Kentucky Death Certificate #57-12784, Fannie Louise Shelby, Ancestry.com, accessed 21 June 2020.

[4] Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, George E. Graves and Fannie L. Campbell, Ancestry.com, accessed 21 June 2020.

[5] “In Memoriam,” Crittenden Press, Thurs., 13 September 1900, p. 4, obituary of George E. Graves.

Published 10 September 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

From Kentucky to Evansville

KIMSEY

James M.

1912 - 1964

LaVerne L.

[blank]

James M. Kimsey is buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky.  His tombstone was photographed 14 May 2019.

Many Western Kentucky residents, looking for steady jobs, were drawn to Evansville, Indiana  to work in industrial plants in the production of items needed for World War II. One of those moving to Evansville was the James M. Kimsey family.

James M. Kimsey and his wife, Louise L., were living on West Gum Street in  Marion, Crittenden County  in 1930, not long after they were married.[1]  By the time James M. Kimsey registered for the World War II draft on 16 October 1940, he and his wife were living on Harlan Avenue in Evansville, Indiana and he was employed by Ideal Pure Milk Company.  His physical description was as follows:  5 feet 4 inches tall, weight 124 pounds, gray eyes, brown hair and light complexion. [2]

In 1950, Kimsey was recorded as a factory worker at American Dairy. [3] According to his death certificate, he was the son of Charles Kimsey and Henrie Brown.[4]  He had worked for American Dairy 15 years and was a member of Central Methodist Church. Survivors included his wife, LaVerne, a son and a sister.[5]

LaVerne Louise was born in Sikeston, Missouri 16 October 1913 and was reared in Crittenden County, Kentucky. She married James M. Kimsey in June 1929. During the years of World War II, she worked at the Evansville Ship Yard, Chrysler and Servel in the production of LST vessels, ammunition and aviation components. She also managed several businesses in Kentucky and Evansville. Several  years after the death of James M. Kimsey, LaVerne was married to B.C. Jernigan from 1973 until his death in 1998.[6]

According to her death certificate, LaVerne Louise was the daughter of Flavie Chambliss and Lovie Grimes. She died 18 August 2005 in Evansville. Her death certificate and obituary are under the name of Kimsey.  Although her name is engraved on the tombstone of James M. Kimsey,  she is buried at Park Lawn Mausoleum in Evansville. [7]

---

[1] 1930 Crittenden County, Kentucky census, Marion, p. 4B, E.D. 0001, 315 W. Gum Street, James M. Kimsey, age 17 (married at age 17), laborer in spar mines, born Kentucky, parents born Kentucky;  Louise L. Kimsey, age 16, (married at age 15), no occupation, born Missouri, parents born Kentucky, Ancestry.com.

[2] U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1946-1947, James Mart Kimsey.

[3] U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Evansville 1950, p. 403, Ancestry.com.

[4] Indiana Death Certificate #64-003353, James M. Kimsey, Ancestry.com.

[5] Obituary of James M. Kimsey, Evansville Courier, Wed., 22 Jan 1964.

[6] Obituary of LaVerne Louise Kimsey, Evansville Courier, 20 Aug 2005, p. B4.

[7] Indiana Death Certificate #027338, Louise Kimsey, born 16 Oct 1913; died 18 Aug 2005 Good Samaritan Home, Evansville, Indiana, Ancestry.com.

Published 22 Aug 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Kittie LaRue Davis and Family

Kittie L.

Larue

Wife of

A.G. Davis

May 15, 1874

Feb. 18, 1902

Asleep in Jesus

Erected by Mother

Babe

Lee

Son of

A.C. & K.L.

Davis

Feb. 17

1902

July 24

1902

[side of Kittie's tombstone]

Kittie L. Larue Davis and her son, Lee Davis, are buried in Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. The tombstones were photographed 28 December 2017.

Kittie Lee Larue was born in Livingston County  in 1874 to Marion and Eliza E.  Kidd[1] and married A.G. Davis 3 March 1901. The next year their only child, a son, was born and one day after his birth, Kittie passed away. The baby son died  five months later.

Copy of original Marriage Certificate 

A.G. Davis and Kitty L. LaRue

According to her obituary, Kittie Lee Davis died at her mother's home (Mrs. Browning) in Salem, Kentucky. [2] She professed religion in 1894 and joined the Methodist Church South in 1898. She left a mother, husband, three sisters and one brother to mourn her loss.

Buried next to Kittie is her mother, Eliza Browning. The 1900 census shows Elizabeth [sic] Browning, widow, with her son, Fred G. LaRue, and daughter, Kittie L. LaRue, in the household.[3]  

Eliza LaRue

Browning

1840 - 1921

Mother

---

[1] Kittie L. Larue Davis died before death records were officially kept in Kentucky. The death certificate of her brother, Dr. F.G. LaRue (#12164), who died in 1939, identifies his parents as Marion LaRue and Eliza Kidd.

[2] "Obituary," Crittenden Press, Thurs., 20 Mar 1902, p. 16.

[3] 1900 Livingston County, Kentucky census Dyers Hill Mag. Dist. 4, p. 20, E.D. 0056, Ancestry.com.

Published 6 June 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Montgomery and Martha E. Grassham

M. Grassham

1843  -  1924

Martha Elizabeth

His Wife

1845  -  1924

Buried Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 13 October 2018.

According to his death certificate,[1]  Montgomery Grassham was born 19 March 1843 in Tennessee and died 8 July 1924 in Salem, Kentucky. A blacksmith by trade, he was the son of Nehemiah Grassham and Mary Clarke, both of who were born in Tennessee.

Martha Elizabeth Grassham was born 2 May 1845 in Kentucky and died 20 September 1924 in Salem, Kentucky. She was the daughter of William A. Mahan, born North Carolina, and Sarah Patton, born Kentucky. [2]

Montgomery Grassham and Miss Martha Elizabeth Mahan married 17 January 1865 at Wm. Mahan's residence. [3]

---

[1] Kentucky Death Record #1813, Montgomery Grassham, Ancestry.com.

[2] Kentucky Death Record #21209, Martha Elizabeth Grassham, Ancestry.com.

[3] Joyce McCandless Woodyard. Livingston County, Kentucky Marriage Records Including Marriages of Freedmen, Vol. II (Aug 1839 - Dec 1871), (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1994) 149.

Published 22 Jan 2019, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

William A. Hayden 1826 - 1906

William A.

Hayden

Oct. 19,

1826

Oct. 15, 

1906

  

Another side of the tombstone has symbols for his membership in the Masons and I.O.O.F. On the reverse is information on Sarah A., wife of W.A. Hayden, born Aug. 16, 1834. No death date is given.  The tombstone is in Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky and was photographed 13 October 2018.

William A. Hayden married America Finch 1 December 1846 Christian County, Kentucky. [1]  Several sons were born to this couple: Robert M., born 5 July 1848, died 11 March 1890 and buried Salem Cemetery; [2] Dr. J.V. Hayden, born 21 May 1850, died 14 May 1930 and buried Salem Cemetery; [3] William O. Hayden, born 30 January 1850 Missouri, died 14 October 1927 and buried Salem Cemetery.[4]

William and America Hayden and their family were living in Pope County, Illinois in 1850.[5]  By 1860, the Hayden family had moved to Crittenden County, Kentucky.[6]

William A. Hayden's second marriage was to Sarah Ann Threlkeld on 30 November 1858 in Pope County, Illinois.[7] According to her death certificate,[8] Sarah Ann,  daughter of Thomas Threlkeld and Liddie Owen, was born in Crittenden County.  Sarah Ann outlived her husband by 17 years.

William A. Hayden's obituary[9]  gives quite a lot of information about his life. He was born in Trigg County, Kentucky and later moved to Salem. He had been a member of the Christian church for over 30 years and, at the time of his death was an Elder in the church. Prior to this he belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church.  He was survived by two sons, Dr. John Hayden and Mr. Octavus Hayden. The funeral service was in the Christian church and was conducted by the Rev. J.S. Rowe.  His remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery by the Masons.

---

[1] Kentucky County Marriages 1783-1965, Christian County 1846, Ancestry.com.

[2] Find A Grave Memorial #50594251, R.M. Hayden, Salem Cemetery, Salem, Kentucky.

[3] Kentucky Death Certificate #12182 (1930), J.V. Hayden died Jefferson County, Kentucky, Ancestry.com.

[4] Kentucky Death Certificate #23562 (1927), William O. Hayden died Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky, Ancestry.com.

[5] 1850 Pope County, Illinois, Roll M432_125, p. 268B, dwelling 290, family 290, Ancestry.com.

[6] 1860 Crittenden County, Kentucky West Half of the county, Roll M653_363, p. 313, Ancestry.com.

[7]  Judy Foreman Lee and Carolyn Cromeens Foss. Pope County, Illinois Marriage Books A-E 1813-1877, Vol. 1, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1990), 63.

[8] Kentucky Death Certificate #18955 (1923), Sarah Ann Hayden, born 18 August 1834; died 17 June 1923, Ancestry.com.

[9] "One of Salem's Oldest Citizens Passes Away at His Home in Salem Monday Evening," Crittenden Record-Press (Marion, Kentucky), Fri., 19 October 1906, p. 1.

Published 18 Dec 2018, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on: Oakley Croft

Oakley Croft

Jan. 6, 1928

Aug. 28, 1966

Buried Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 9 May 2018. Note the Masonic emblem at the top of the tombstone.

Oakley's full name was Enoch Jerry Oakley Croft. He was the son of Herman R. Croft and Nettie C. Vaughn and was a lifelong resident of Salem. He worked with his father in the Salem Feed Mill.

A graduate of Salem High School, he was only 38 years old at the time of his death.

He was my mother's younger brother.

Published 24 July 2018, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on: Henry Thorning

Henry Thorning

1885 - 1958

Buried Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 18 April 2018.

According to his death certificate, [1] Henry Thorning was born 2 January 1885 in Kentucky and died 11 April 1957 Livingston County. He was a carpenter by trade and never married. His parents were John Thorning and Sharlet Mahan. Mrs. Nannie Loyd was listed as informant.

Henry Thorning was enumerated on the 1900 Livingston County census[2] in the household headed by his mother, Charlotte Thorning. Also listed in the household were his sisters, Nannie, Minnie and Sarah. Minnie Thorning later became the third wife of my great-great grandfather, Chester C. Bebout.

In 1942, Henry Thorning registered for World War II draft. [3] He was listed as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, had brown eyes and gray hair and weighed 150 pounds. He was 57 years old and the person who would always know his address was Nannie Loyd, his sister.

---

[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #57-12720, Henry Thorning, Ancestry.com.

[2] 1900 Livingston County, Kentucky census, Salem, E.D. 55, p . 1,  dwelling 6, family 6, Ancestry.com.

[3] U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Henry Thorning, Ancestry.com.

Published 19 June 2018, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph W. and Maude LaRue Wright

Father

Joseph W.

Wright

June 7, 1869

Apr. 4, 1947

Mother

Maude LaRue

Wright

Jan. 23, 1872

Dec. 27, 1919

This stone commemorates only the body in which we lived here on earth. We have gone to live with Jesus. Jesus wants you to come. We want you to come. Won't you?

According to his death certificate,[1] Joseph W. Wright was born June 7, 1870 in Kentucky and was a funeral director.  His parents were Joseph Wright, born Kentucky, and Martha Tate, born Virginia. His obituary[2] stated he was a prominent Livingston County businessman, a resident of Hampton, and died at his home." He had been in ill health for several years, having retired from general merchandising business a few years ago. Funeral services were at the Hampton Methodist church Saturday. Burial in Salem Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Ladd Robinson, and a grandson, Joseph Franklin Robinson."

Joseph W. Wright appears on the 1870 Union County, Kentucky census in the household of Joseph and Martha Wright.[3]

Maude LaRue Wright was born in Kentucky and was the daughter of Marion LaRue and Lyda Kidd, both of whom were born in Kentucky. [4]

---

[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #13932 (Delayed), Joseph W. Wright, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 Dec 2017.

[2] Livingston Leader, 10 Apr 1947.

[3] 1870 Census, Union County, Kentucky, Roll: M593_501, p. 321A, Post Office Morganfield, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 Dec 2017.

[4] Kentucky Death Certificate #33204, Maude L. Wright, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 Dec 2017.

Published 6 Mar 2018, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - W.O. and Laura E. Hayden

W.O. Hayden

Jan. 30, 1853 - Oct. 14, 1927

Laura E. His Wife

Dec. 25, 1862 - Mar. 3, 1946

Buried Salem Cemetery, LIvingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 19 July 2010.

The 1900 Livingston County census shows the Hayden family living in Salem. Listed are William and Laura E. Hayden, who had been married 17 years.  Laura had given birth to five children and four were living in 1900. Their children are given as Mary D., John L., Charlie L (daughter) and William F.

Kentucky death certificate #11722 (1946) gives Laura E.'s birthplace as North Carolina and her parents as Richard Sherrill and Tressie Bager[?], who were also born in North Carolina.

Kentucky death certificate #23562 (1927) for W.O. Hayden states  he was born in Missouri and his parents were William A. Hayden and America Finch.

Published 14 March 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Am I My Own Cousin?

Most of us have convoluted relationships among our families. They cause us to scratch our heads, make charts of the relationships and wonder how this all came about. Here is an example of such a relationship in my own family.

Andy Cooper and his wife, Minnie I. Cooper, are buried in Salem Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Andy was the son of John W. Cooper and Ellen Joiner, who married in 1865 Pope County, Illinois. He was also the grandson of Joseph Cooper and Nicey Pennington, my 3rd great grandparents on the Cooper side of my lineage. Joseph and Nicey Cooper had other children, including a daughter Sarah Elizabeth, who married Jeremiah "Jerry" Croft 1870 Pope County.

Now, let's jump to the Croft family. Sarah Elizabeth Cooper and Jeremiah "Jerry" Croft were my 2nd great grandparents on the Croft side. Jerry and Sarah are buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery . Did I mention that Minnie Cooper's maiden name was Croft and she was a daughter of Jeremiah "Jerry" Croft and Sarah E. Cooper? She was.

Keep in mind that while Andy Cooper and Minnie Croft are part of my family, I am not their direct descendant. Are you confused yet? I am!

Tombstone Tuesday - Robert and Adaline Boyd

Robert Boyd

Nov. 20, 1848

Sept. 4, 1928

Adaline R. Boyd

Oct. 2, 1852

Jan.1, 1930

Buried Salem Cemetery, Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 19 January 2011.

Robert Boyd's death certificate shows that he was a merchant and was born in Livingston County. He died in a hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. The names of his parents are not listed.  Adaline R. Davis, daughter of Moses Davis and Mary G. Threlkeld, married Robert Boyd in Livingston County 28 August 1872.

Robert and Ada [Adaline] Boyd were living in Salem on the 1900 Livingston County census. Enumerated in their household were their children Blanton, Helen, Susan and Addie and Mary G. Foster, Adaline's mother.



Copyright on text and photographs

by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG

Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Tombstone Tuesday - Herman and Nettie Croft

Croft
Herman R.
1896 - 1970

Nettie C.
1897 - 1958

Buried Salem Cemetery, Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed January 2010.

Herman Reeves Croft, son of James Newton Croft and Josephine Adaline Bebout, was born 12 September 1896 in Crittenden County, Kentucky. Nettie Clementine Vaughn was born 28 April 1897 and died 13 February 1958. She was the youngest daughter of David Vaughn and Margaret C. Riley. Herman Croft and Nettie Vaughn married 31 July 1915 Crittenden County. They were my grandparents.