This Week in the Family History: May 24–30

Feature: Elmer Dennis Hopkins

102 Years Ago: Elmer Dennis Hopkins enlisted in the U.S. Army less than four years after he was discharged from a three-year enlistment prior to World War I. He was inducted in Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County Kentucky. He was stationed in France from 6 August 1918 to 28 May 1919 and earned the rank of Corporal serving in the 315th Infantry. Elmer was discharged on 12 June 1919 at Camp Zachary Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky.¹Copy of Elmer D. Hopkins’ U.S. Army Discharge Papers, privately held by Linda McCauley, Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. Elmer’s wife, Emma Hopkins, passed the copies to their daughter Edna Chesnut from whom the current owner received them.

May 24

111 Years Ago: Carlos Eikner White was born on 24 May 1909 in Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi. He was the son of Virgil Slocum White and Hattie Eugenia Lanier. (*1st Cousin, once removed)

124 Years Ago: Orie Columbus Hopkins was born on 24 May 1896 in Wallins Creek, Harlan County, Kentucky. He was the son of James Arton Hopkins and Lucinda Howard. (*Great-uncle, Hopkins)

May 26

40 Years Ago: Elmer Dennis Hopkins died on 26 May 1980 in Harlan, Harlan County, Kentucky. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Elmer was the son of James Arton Hopkins and Lucinda Howard (*Maternal Grandfather)

May 28

95 Years Ago: Icy Vernon McCauley married Jason Gordon Lucas on 28 May 1925 in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of John William McCauley and Verda Waller Hankins. (*Aunt, McCauley)

111 Years Ago: Lily Vashti McCauley was born on 28 May 1909 in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of John William McCauley and Verda Waller Hankins. (*Aunt, McCauley)

May 29

26 Years Ago: Margaret Unetta Lanier Shea died on 29 May 1994. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Margaret was the daughter of James Dewey Lanier and Afrie Admiral Strickland. (*Half 1st Cousin, McCauley)

100 Years Ago: John William Kreuger was born on 29 May 1920 in Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He was the son of August Krueger and Susan Taylor. (*Half 1st Cousin, once removed)

142 Years Ago: Hattie Eugenia Laner was born on 29 May 1878 in Chambers County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Joseph Smith Lanier and Nancy Jane Bennett. (*Great-aunt, McCauley)

158 Years Ago: Jeferson F. Lanier died on 29 May 1862. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. He was the son of William Washington Lanier and Charlotte T. Jackson. (2nd Great-uncle, McCauley)

May 30

121 Years Ago: James Dewey Lanier was born on 30 May 1899 in Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi. He was the son of Thomas Jefferson Lanier and Leila Smith. (*Half Uncle, McCauley)

 

*Each person’s relationship to me and the surname of the grandparent through which the relationship falls are in parentheses at the end of each item. Please email me for additional information. Additional sources available upon request.