This blog post is another in a series connecting the dots in my tree to the souls buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
William “Henry” Arthur, son of George Hugh Arthur and Mary Caroline Johnson, was born on August 29, 1879 in Georgia. He was the 3rd child of 10—Mattie Ellen Arthur, Anna Belle Arthur, William Henry Arthur, Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” Arthur, Julia Agnes Arthur, John Gordon Arthur, Maggie Love Arthur, Mary Frances Arthur, Mamie Arthur, and Georgia Lucile Arthur.
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Photo from Rebecca Brightwell |
Henry's connection to me is the father-in-law of niece of husband of 2nd great-aunt. We have no common relative. You can see how distant the connection is below, but there is a connection. Carroll H. Lankford is my grandfather.
On June 5, 1880, Henry lived with his family in the 138th district of Greene County, Georgia. His father worked as a farmer while his mother kept house. At eight months of age, Henry was enumerated as “Infant” Arthur. The other child in the home was his four-year-old sister, Anna Belle Arthur. Henry’s maternal grandmother, Ellen C. (Hogg) Johnson, lived in the home. His maternal great grandfather (Ellen’s father), Hugh Hogg, lived next door with Henry’s aunt Margaret Hogg. Henry’s uncle James T. Arthur lived next door to the Hogg family.
Henry’s sister Mary, born November 2, 1893, died in infancy. In late April 1895, his sister Mamie died, and his mother fell sick. The Oglethorpe Echo published the following news:
April 26, 1895—We were sorry to hear of the death of the child of G. H. Arthur last Tuesday morning and also of the extreme illness of Mrs. Arthur. We extend our sympathy to the family in their sad affliction and hope for Mrs. Arthur’s speedy recovery.
May 3, 1895—We take this method in behalf of the people along the river to extend our sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Arthur and brothers and sisters in the death of sweet little Mamie. Yes, indeed she was a sweet and lovely child. Father, mother, brothers, and sister, you have this consolation. She’s not dead but only crossed the river. Gone to her eternal home amid the skies to be with the angels there and walk forevermore the golden streets in paradise.
On June 7, 1900, the Arthur family lived in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Henry and his father were farmers. Siblings Julia, John, and Maggie all attended school. The census enumerator noted that Henry’s mother had 10 children, 8 of which were living. Henry’s widowed grandmother Caroline Johnson still lived with the family.
Henry married Mattie Belle Moore, daughter of George William Moore and Margaret E. Hogg, in Polk County, Georgia in a ceremony performed by a minister named G. B. Bowman on December 31, 1902.
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Marriage certificate from Polk County, Georgia |
Henry and Mattie had eight children together—Mary Arthur, George Hugh Arthur, Emily E. Arthur, Sue Belle Arthur, Nellie Arthur, Frances Arthur, William Arthur, and Roy Mell Arthur.
From the Oglethorpe Echo, I learned that Henry had hogs on his farm. The newspaper published the following in the Bairdstown news section on October 9, 1903:
—Mr. Henry Arthur, near here, lost three nice hogs last Tuesday night.
On April 15, 1910, the Arthur family lived on a rented farm located on Lexington Road in Bairdstown. Henry worked as a farmer on a general farm. His wife Mattie was enumerated as having had five children, all of which were living. His brother John, enumerated as Johnnie, also lived in the home.
Henry’s mother, Mary, died suddenly on October 20, 1915. The Oglethorpe Echo reported her death on October 22:
Announcement of the sudden death of Mrs. George Arthur, of Maxeys, Wednesday was indeed sad news to her many friends over the county. She was in apparently her usual health up until a few hours before her end came when she was taken with something like acute indigestion. She was a woman beloved by all who knew her, a true Christian, a true wife and a fond mother. She is survived by her husband and eight children. Her remains were laid to rest at Bairds church, of which she was a member, yesterday.
Henry registered for the World War I draft in Oglethorpe County on September 12, 1918. At the time, he lived in the Stephens community. He listed his wife (Mrs. W. H. Arthur) as the nearest relative. Henry worked as a farmer for John W. Moody. He was of medium height and build, had gray eyes, and dark hair.
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Henry's World War I registration card |
On January 2, 1920, the Arthur family lived in the town of Maxeys in the Falling Creek district of Oglethorpe County. All eight children were living in the home, ranging in age from 16 to 5. Henry worked as a farmer on a general farm. His son Hugh worked as a farm laborer on a home farm. Everyone except Frances (8), William (7) and Roy (5) were able to read and write.
Henry’s wife Mattie died suddenly in Maxeys on December 30, 1922, one day before their 20th wedding anniversary. She was buried on New Year’s Eve at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown. Henry’s father, George, died suddenly on September 20, 1924 in Maxeys. The Oglethorpe Echo reported the news of his death on September 26, 1924:
Our little town (Maxeys) was again brought to sadness last Saturday morning at 8 o’clock by the sudden death of Mr. George H. Arthur. He had been in declining health for some weeks but he was about his daily duties Saturday morning, expressing himself as feeling better. He went up town, did some buying for the boarding house and ongoing home and delivering the purchase and coming into the back porch was seized, falling to the floor and in a minute was dead. His death ends a long and useful life. He was in his seventy third year; was raised and lived in this community all his life and had the utmost respect of everybody who knew him. For sixteen years he had been running a boarding house here. His wife preceded him to the grave three years ago. His body was tenderly put away at the Bairdstown cemetery Sunday afternoon after services by Rev Carswell. His children who yet remain are Mrs. N. J. Burgess, Henry and John, Misses Mattie, Annie, Bessie and Lucille.
George was buried beside his wife at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown.
Henry died in Oglethorpe County on December 2, 1925. The Oglethorpe Echo published the following on December 11:
A very sad occasion was the burial here (Bairdstown) last Thursday of Mr. Henry Arthur. He died at St. Mary’s hospital after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He leaves a large family of children to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Henry was buried beside his wife Mattie at Bairdstown Cemetery on December 3.
Right to left: Hugh Arthur, Raleigh George, Emily Arthur, E.C.?, W.A. (believed to be William Arthur – Emily and Hugh’s brother), Sue Bell Arthur?, B.J.?, and Frank Bramblett. E.C. may be one of the Cabiness girls from around Maxeys.
References
- Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, April 26, 1895, May 3, 1895, and October 9, 1903.
- Death of George H. Arthur, The Oglethorpe Echo, September 26, 1924.
- Death of Mrs. George Arthur, The Oglethorpe Echo, October 22, 1915.
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24210892/george-william-moore: accessed 05 May 2023), memorial page for George William Moore (28 Jul 1851–29 May 1927), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24210892, citing Lime Branch Cemetery, Polk County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Áine Ní Donnghaile (contributor 47214861).
- Mattie Bell Arthur, Standard Certificate of Death no. 33357, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Denise Murphy.
- U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1900, 1910.
- U.S. Federal Census, District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
- U.S. Federal Census, Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1920.
- W. H. Arthur and Mattie Belle Moore, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
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