Friday, March 15, 2024

Matilda C. Ogle

Matilda C. Ogle, daughter of Perry Ogle and Martha Lucinda McMahan, was born on March 4, 1892 in Tennessee, most likely Sevier County. There were 12 children in this family; I can document 10—Richard Ogle, Matilda C. Ogle, Mary Ethel Ogle, Harrison Gilbert Ogle, John Walter Ogle, Cam Andrew Ogle, Otis Ogle, Frank Daniel Ogle, Elizabeth Mae Ogle, and Winston “Lawson” Ogle. She went by Tilda and is my 1st cousin 3x removed. Our nearest common relatives are my 3rd great-grandparents, William Cleason Ogle and Rosanna Chasteen Watson.


Tilda on left, daughter Veryl behind her, Issac on the right, and Bruce in the front.

On June 4, 1900, Tilda and her family resided in Civil District 13 of Sevier County, Tennessee. Her parents had been married for 14 years, and her mother was recorded as having given birth to seven children, five of whom were still alive. Tilda’s father worked as a farmer, while her brother Richard worked as a farm laborer. Richard, the oldest at 12 years old, was the only child in the household who had attended school; he could read but not write. The five-year age gap between Richard and Tilda, who was 7 years old, likely explains the loss of two siblings.

On September 2, 1909, the State of Tennessee legally bound Print Valentine and H. L. Valentine for a sum of $1250, ensuring that there were no legal impediments to the marriage of Tilda and Arthur Printes “Print” Valentine. Tilda and Print were married by Joe Williams, a Sevier County Justice of the Peace, on September 4, 1909.


Ogle-Valentine marriage bond and license

Tilda and Print were blessed with six children—Valaria Valentine (born in 1911), Ronald Valentine (born in 1913), Veryl Anna Valentine (born in 1915), Ola “Gladys” Valentine (born in 1918), Isaac “Ashley” Valentine (born in 1923), and Bruce L. Valentine (born in 1930).

On April 18, 1910, Tilda and Print, recorded as Arthur P. Valentine, lived on a rented farm in Civil District 13 of Sevier County. They were recorded on the top of page 4 for that census; their parents were at the top of page 1. It was the 1910 census that I learned Tilda’s mother had 12 children, 11 of them alive at the time. This census record shows that Tilda and Print were both 17-years-old, newlyweds, and childless at this stage of their marriage. Arthur worked as a farmer on a general farm. Both could read and write, but only Tilda had attended school. 

It appears Tilda’s brother Lawson was just a toddler when he died on April 3, 1912. I say “appears” because I have not found a death record to confirm his parents, but the age is correct. I did find a birth record for Winston L. Ogle, born April 4, 1909, whose parents were Perry and Lucinda Ogle. The birth date is the same as the Lawson Ogle buried at Shady Grove Cemetery in the Richardson Cove community of Sevier County. This cemetery would have been in the vicinity where they lived. He was one day shy of his third birthday. 


Winston L. Ogle birth record

Tilda and Print, a farmer, had three children when he registered for the World War II draft in Sevier County on June 5, 1918. Tilda gave birth to their fourth child, Gladys, in July. Print claimed an exemption from the draft based on inflammatory rheumatism. At the time, they lived at 10 R.F.D. in Sevierville.

On January 13, 1920, Tilda, Print, and their four children—Valaria, Ronald, Veryl, and Gladys—continued to live in Civil District 13 of Sevier County. Print, worked as a farmer on a general farm. Both Tilda and Print were able to read and write. Valaria, Ronald, and Veryl were attending school, but not Gladys who was just an infant. Tilda and her family lived on a farm in the community of Richardson’s Cove in Sevier County in August 1923 when son Isaac was born. According to Isaac’s December 2023 obituary, his father Print “was one of three preachers in the county at the time” and Tilda, his “mother was a 5th generation Ogle of the original Ogle family that is considered to be the first settlers of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.”

On April 14, 1930, the Valentine family lived on Evan’s Chappel Road, Route 10, in Civil District 13 of Sevier County. Print was recorded as Arthur P. Valentine. There were still four children living in the home; the two oldest, Valaria and Ronald, had moved out of the home. Print continued to work as a farmer on a general farm. The census enumerator noted that Tilda was 18 and Arthur was 16 when they married, different than the 1910 census which showed them both as age 17. Veryl, Gladys (enumerated as Ola), and Isaac were attending school. Bruce, the youngest, was 10 months old. Print’s 75-year-old widowed father, William R. Valentine, was also living in the home. He worked as a laborer on a farm. William was able to read and write. Neither Print or his father were veterans.

On April 23, 1940, Tilda and her family lived on Richardson Cove Road in Sevier County. Print, a farmer, was enumerated as Print A. Valentine. Their inferred residence in 1935 was Pigeon Forge, also in Sevier County and was the same home they lived in when this census was taken. A 23-year-old male named J. D. Proffit lived in the home as a lodger; he too was a farmer. Both Print and J. D. had worked 50 hours during the week of March 24–30, 1940. When Tilda’s son Isaac registered for the World War II draft on June 30, 1942, he listed his father as the person who would always know his address. At the time, Print’s address was Route 9 in Sevierville, Tennessee. Tilda’s son Ashley served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Tilda’s father Perry passed away on January 13, 1943, in Whitfield, Georgia, at the age of 77. He was buried at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia.

On April 21, 1950, Tilda, Print, enumerated as Arthur P. Valentine, and their son Bruce lived in District 13 of Sevier County. Tilda worked as a grocery store clerk, Print as a farmer, and Bruce, age 20, a farm helper. Tilda’s mother Martha passed away on May 20, 1957, in Georgia at the age of 88. She was buried with her husband Perry at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton.

Tilda’s son, Bruce, married Shirley Fay Markem on June 15, 1963, at Knob Creek Baptist Church in Seymour, Tennessee. This was the very same church where Tilda herself was a member. During that period, Tilda and Print resided in Maryville, Blount County, Tennessee.

Print, a retired farmer and respected Baptist minister, passed away at the age of 79 on Christmas Day, 1973. His commitment to the Baptist church spanned an impressive 55 years, no doubt leaving behind a legacy of faith and service. Tilda, his devoted wife, shared 64 years of marriage with Print. Tragically, less than two months after Print’s passing, Tilda also passed away at the age of 81 on February 17, 1974, in the home of her daughter Valaria in Maryville. Both Tilda and Print’s funerals were officiated by Revs. Fred Self, Ben Webb, and Andy Ball at Atchley’s Chapel in Sevierville. Print’s funeral took place on December 29, followed by Tilda’s on February 19. Together, Tilda and Print were survived by their six children, who in turn blessed them with 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Tilda was also survived by her brothers Harrison, Otis, John, and Cam, and her sisters Ethel and Elizabeth. Tilda and Print were both buried at Providence Baptist Cemetery in Blount County, Tennessee. 


Tombstone photo by S. Sill, Find A Grave member 46979876

References

  • Arthur Printes Valentine, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
  • Cam Andrew Ogle, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1898–1929.
  • Deaths, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, February 18, 1974. 
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168733781/mary-ethel-dixon: accessed 15 January 2024), memorial page for Mary Ethel Ogle Dixon (12 Aug 1894–28 Aug 1980), Find a Grave Memorial ID 168733781, citing Good Hope Baptist Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Melinda Painter (contributor 47917313).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7826341/lawson-ogle: accessed 21 January 2024), memorial page for Lawson Ogle (4 Apr 1909–3 Apr 1912), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7826341, citing Shady Grove Cemetery, Richardson Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Virgil and Deanna Hancock-Cooley (contributor 36950484).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6341248/tilda-valentine: accessed 21 January 2024), memorial page for Tilda Ogle Valentine (4 Mar 1892–17 Feb 1974), Find a Grave Memorial ID 6341248, citing Providence Baptist Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Virgil and Deanna Hancock-Cooley (contributor 36950484).
  • Isaac Ashley Valentine Obituary, Atchley Funeral Home, December 2023; https://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Isaac-Ashley-Valentine?obId=30230724. 
  • Isaac Ashley Valentine, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
  • John Walter Ogle, Frank Daniel Ogle, Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869–1909.
  • June date set by couple, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, May 26, 1963.
  • Obituary, Mrs. Tilda Ogle Valentine, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, February 18, 1974.
  • Obituary, Rev. A. P. Valentine, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, December 27, 1973.
  • Personal memories of Tommy D. Shields, December 2000.
  • U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 13, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1900–1950. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

William and Decia Lumpkin sell 12 slaves to Francis H. Cone

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Lumpkins to Cone

Georgia, Greene County. To all persons to whom these presents shall come greeting, know ye that we William F. Lumpkin and Decia Lumpkin, both of the said County and State for and in consideration of the sum of Five dollars to us in hand paid by Francis H. Cone of the same County and State as well as for the both the purpose and in consideration of more effectively securing unto the said Francis H. Cone a certain promissory note dated the Twenty-fifth day of this present month of December for the sum of two thousand and two hundred and four dollars and ten cents have given granted bargained sold and conveyed unto the said Francis H. Cone the following negro slaves, Yellow Peter about thirty years of age, Black Peter about thirty-two years of age, Daniel about twenty-two years of age, John about nineteen years of age, Henry about sixteen years of age, Mitchell about fourteen years of age, Hannah about twenty-five years of age, Silvia about twelve years of age, Rhoda about twenty-six years of age, and her child about five years of age, Caroline about twenty-five years of age, her child Maria about ten years of age, Jerry about sixteen years of age, to have and to hold the above granted bargained and conveyed slaves unto him the said Francis H. Cone and his heirs forever as witness our hands and seals this 30th Dec. 1840.

 

Provided nevertheless and this deed of mortgage is upon the express condition that if the said William F. Lumpkin and Decia Lumpkin or either of them shall will and truly pay off and discharge said promissory note then this deed to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Signed sealed and delivered of in presence of Interlined before assigned C J. Bank.
William F. Lumpkin
Decia Lumpkin

 

Georgia, Greene County. Personally came before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid Charles J. Bank and on oath saith that he saw William F. Lumpkin and Decia Lumpkin sign seal and deliver the foregoing deed of mortgage for the purposes therein stated and that he subscribed his name in the presence of said William F. and said Decia Lumpkin.

C. J. Bank

Sworn to before me this 30th day of December 1840
John A. Baugh, J. P. 

Recorded 30th day of Dec. 1840
Vincent Sawford Clk.

 

Reference

Greene County, Georgia Deeds, Book NN, 1839-1842, image 81; www.familysearch.org. 

Friday, March 8, 2024

Unraveling the 30-year career of an addressograph machine serviceman

The photos I am sharing today belong to Ralph Murphy’s slide collection, which my husband received from his Aunt Jean in 2007. This extensive collection comprises 15 boxes of slides, totaling thousands, all captured by Uncle Ralph. These images span the years from 1947 to 1984. Among them are scenic shots from their travels across the United States, glimpses of family members, and candid moments with friends and co-workers. I digitized most of these slides several years ago, and they continue to bring me joy. 

In 2018, I shared a sketch that explored Ralph’s role as a projectionist at Warner’s Skyline Drive-In Theater in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Today I will delve into another aspect of Ralph’s career: his 30-year tenure with Addressograph Multigraph Corporation (AMC), where he specialized in repairing addressograph machines. 

Within Ralph’s photo archive, I discovered a collection of intriguing images. Some depict an office setting, while others seemed to be taken in a factory, surrounded by an array of machines. Additionally, there are photos from two holiday parties, all featuring the same group of people. Given the frequent family references to Ralph’s occupation as an addressograph machine serviceman, I could not help but wonder if these images were somehow linked to his work. With that thought in mind, I conducted a quick online search of addressograph machines and discovered images of a machine like the one captured in the photo below. This discovery confirmed my suspicion and inspired the creation of this sketch.

Now I wanted to learn more about the addressograph machine and AMC in general. I also wanted to know more about Ralph’s role and where he performed those duties. Did he work from a corporate office or factory, and if so, from where, in what city? Or did he work remotely like many people do today, traveling between various locations? 

According to Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI chatbot powered by Bing, the Addressograph International Corporation was established in Chicago, Illinois in 1893 to manufacture an envelope-addressing service. The American Multigraph Company was founded in 1902 to produce a machine that could duplicate letters. In 1932, the Addressograph International Corporation and the American Multigraph Company merged, forming AMC. This merger resulted in the production of highly efficient addressograph and duplicating machines. AMC’s growth was significant, and by 1967, had 27 subsidiaries. In the late 1960s and 1970s, AMC’s growth slowed due to challenges in keeping up with fast-paced technology. In 1978, the corporate headquarters moved from Ohio to California; they changed its name to AM International in 1979. By 1980, sales declined, leading to the company filing for bankruptcy in 1982. Its impact on addressing technology was significant; “The Addressograph was a marvel of its time, designed to streamline the laborious process of addressing envelopes, cards, statements, and payroll forms. … The Addressograph revolutionized office efficiency, making it possible to address thousands of envelopes per hour. It paved the way for direct mail marketing (yes, even “junk mail”).” To learn more about the origins of the Addressograph Company, visit the Made in Chicago Museum website.

Among the artifacts passed down to my husband by his Aunt Jean was Ralph’s AMC employee identification card, which indicated his hiring date of December 1, 1952. During that period, Ralph resided in Nutter Fort, but he would later relocate to Bridgeport—both towns lying within a five-mile radius of Clarksburg. Although the above history of AMC does not mention an office in West Virginia, was there one somewhere in the Clarksburg area?

After conducting thorough research using online resources including city directories, it became clear that AMC did not have an office in the area. However, I did see individuals who were employed by AMC listed in the city directories. Simultaneously, I reached out to dedicated volunteers from the Clarksburg History Museum. Despite their efforts in checking local resources and consulting with long-time Clarksburg residents, they were unable to find any relevant information. Nevertheless, they were able to confirm other details.

The Clarksburg city directories did provide clear evidence that Ralph worked at AMC and serviced addressograph machines, but I had to review multiple directories before the company was listed. Ralph appeared in the 1946 and 1948 directories, employed as a carbon worker, but the identity of his employer was not listed. With no clue what a carbon worker did, I again turned to Microsoft Copilot where I learned a carbon worker “would have been responsible for a crucial step in the process of creating address labels and other printed materials.” A carbon worker typed or embossed recipient names and addresses onto addressograph cards rather than paper. The cards would then be processed through the addressograph machine for mass mailings. Another possibility would be that Ralph worked for Union Carbide in Anmoore, West Virginia (near Nutter Fort) where he would have been responsible for tasks related to carbon production and processing. This would involve operating machinery, monitoring processes, and handling raw materials (such as coal or petroleum coke) to create carbon-based products. But we have no way at this time of knowing which is correct. [Thanks, Marilyn, for suggesting Union Carbide as a possibility.]

In 1950, Ralph worked as a projectionist, which we know is Skyline Drive-In. The 1951 directory was not available, but in 1952, he worked as a “belm opr.” Again, with no clue what that meant, I found an answer using Microsoft Copilot. A BELM OPR worked behind the scenes to ensure the addressograph machine ran smoothly. “Their attention to detail, speed, and accuracy contributed to efficient office operations.” As skilled workers, their role was crucial “in operating the Addressograph machines.” This means Ralph would have been responsible for “loading metal cards (with recipient information) into the machine, ensuring proper alignment, and activating the stamping process,” making “necessary adjustments or perform minor maintenance tasks” if the “machine encountered issues (such as misalignment, ink smudging, or card jams), and replacing the “ink ribbon (similar to a printer cartridge)” when it ran low. He would have also “ensured that the embossed metal cards contained correct recipient names and addresses” and “monitored the stamping process to ensure legibility and consistency across envelopes and other materials.” All this would have been done while the machine addressed “thousands of envelopes per hour.” Finally, Ralph would have been responsible for maintaining the embossed metal card catalog which was “alphabetically sorted and stored in filing trays,” ensuring he could efficiently retrieve “a specific recipient’s information” when needed by the machine. 

My brother-in-law Pat has fond but somewhat hazy memories of accompanying Ralph to work on several occasions when visiting with him and Jean. Pat recalls large machines with a prominent cylindrical component through which envelopes were fed for printing. He remembers seeing metal or tin plates equipped with a keyboard. During one visit, they witnessed the process of punching out data cards. In the photo below, a large machine prominently displays the word “GOSS” on its side (perhaps like what Pat remembers). The Goss Printing Press Company (GOSS) specialized in manufacturing printing presses. These presses were responsible for producing a wide range of materials, including newspapers, magazines, and books. Ralph must have taken this photo where he worked or visited to repair the machines.

 

Pat also remembers that Ralph’s garage held stacks of boxes, each containing hundreds of blank metal plates. The boxes were white, adorned with a green AM logo stamped on them. Another memory involved visiting four different gas stations over multiple days. Ralph’s task was to replace metal plates that contained the business information of each respective company. These plates were used in a credit card imprinter, also known as a “click-clack” machine for generating receipts. You might recall this device: it involved placing a credit card inside and then pressing the handle downward to create an impression on a receipt. These receipts typically consisted of three layers of paper, with carbon paper interleaved between them. The gas station retained one copy, another went to the credit card company for reimbursement, and the customer received their own copy. I recently wrote a sketch about Augie’s Pure Oil Service Station in Nutter Fort. As Pat recalled the gas stations, I wondered if one might have been Augie’s. As far as Pat can recall, their activities remained localized to Clarksburg and Bridgeport.

While both a carbon worker and a BELM OPR were suitable positions for employees at AMC, the dates associated with the employee ID card did not align, prompting more research on my part. In the 1954–1956 Clarksburg city directories, Ralph’s occupation was consistently listed as a ‘serviceman,’ aligning with what my husband knew. 

Ralph and Jean labeled many slides in their collection. Among the slides dated for the year 1956, several were specifically labeled as the “Addressograph Christmas Party 1956.”

 

One photo provided a vital clue regarding the location of the party—a menu from the Chatterbox Sandwich Shop. This small restaurant, located on West Pike Street in the Adamston community of Clarksburg, was described as a restaurant and confectionery that served a variety of legal beverages. After their shift ended, it is quite possible that employees of the Adamston Flat Glass company stopped by for a beer before heading home. However, over time, it has become better known as a hot dog stand with a bar, close to the roadside. In the photo below, you can spot two of the attendees holding the Chatterbox menu.


You can also spot a jukebox in the background—a relic that was all the rage in 1956. Close your eyes, and you can almost hear the soulful tunes of Elvis Presley, the melodies of The Platters, the timeless voice of Doris Day, the smooth crooning of Dean Martin, and the jazzy orchestrations by Nelson Riddle. Picture Carl Perkins’ rockabilly guitar riffs, the rollicking piano of Fats Domino, and the electrifying energy of Gene Vincent. All nostalgic music that transports you to a time of unforgettable music. The employees in the below photos may have been enjoying those very tunes that evening.








Ralph is standing in the center of this photo

The next year, 1957, Ralph was recorded as an ‘engraver’ in the city directory. In 1960, he was once again recorded as a ‘serviceman,’ but this time, the directory included his employer as “Addressograph Multigraph Corporation.”

On December 16, 1960, the office once again celebrated the holiday season, this time at the office. We know the specific date because Ralph or Jean labeled the slides “12/16/60 AM office party” on the slide box label.

In this first photo, you may recognize the woman sitting on the desk as one featured in several of the 1956 party photos. Also, if you look closely, you will spot a clue regarding the company name. I zoomed in on the white sheet of paper on the left side of the wall and could see three words that appear to be “Addressograph Multigraph Corporation.”

I know this is very blurry, but do you see the same?

The next series of photos were taken at the 1960 Christmas party. I would venture to say most of the employees lived within the vicinity of Clarksburg, Bridgeport, and Nutter Fort.

 
 

 

 




Ralph and two unknown women

 

Ralph took several other photos at this office or factory. Some may have been taken during the Christmas party while others were likely taken another time.











 
 

In 1977, Ralph received “Technical Representative of the Month” awards in January and April. You can see an “AM” logo on both awards. Although not green, was this the same AM logo my brother-in-law remembered? Was AM connected to AMC?


   

Ralph celebrated his 25th year of employment on December 1, 1977. To mark this significant milestone, he was presented with an engraved wristwatch. Unfortunately, neither the watch nor the accompanying box revealed the company responsible for this gift.


On November 23, 1982, Ralph received a letter of commendation and a pewter coffee set from Addressograph Farrington Inc. (AFI) celebrating his “thirty years good service.” The company letterhead indicated AFI was in Randolph, Massachusetts. 

 

Near the bottom of the page, you see the letter was addressed to Mr. Ralph Murphy of AFI. The specified address is 500 North Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA. To our knowledge, Ralph never resided in Pennsylvania, although records indicate that AFI was situated at that address at some point in time.


 

AFI was established by Sterling Elliot in the late 1800s. It created its own addressing machine, first sold in 1900. Elliott relocated the factory to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1911. Ownership changed hands, leading AFI through various rebrandings and relocations. Eventually, it became part of DataCard in 1986, closing its doors in 1987. Although both have links to the addressograph machine, I have found no direct association between AFI and AMC or to the Clarksburg area.

The last piece of the puzzle is a business card for JDM Service Company, an artifact of Ralph’s. JDM Service Company was an Addressograph-Bruning Service owned by Jean with Ralph as a consultant. This service would have been responsible for the same tasks mentioned above in working with an addressograph machine. They operated JDM out of their home, although the dates are unknown to us.

As Henry Louis Gates says on Finding Your Roots, the paper trail ended with the business card. While I have no record showing a connection linking AMC, AM or AFI, there must be one somewhere, otherwise, how could Ralph celebrate a 30-year career? Also, as I followed the trail of clues, specific events and dates came into focus. However, the mystery of Ralph’s workplace remains unsolved. It is unclear whether he was assigned to a specific city, worked from an office or factory, or split his time between various locations, so this is unfinished business. 

I hope you enjoyed this group of photos from Ralph’s archives. To see others from his collection, click here.

References