“From These Roots We Came”

This was written by Herman Alexander Owens. He was my father’s (Elmer Melvin Ross, Ahn 2) first cousin. My grandmother Esther Lou Owens (Ahn 5) and Herman’s father, Andrew Owens, were siblings. Herman’s father being the oldest and my grandmother being the youngest. Their father, Thomas James H. Owens (Ahn 10) was my greatgrandfather. A copy of the original typed paper was personally given to me, Elmer Lamar Ross, by Herman’s wife, Annie Belle Cranford. I have placed in parenthesis the Ahnentafel numbers of those in my direct lineage. The account below is a copy I re-typed from the original.
[Herman Owens was born on 1 Sep 1900, Married on 12 Sep 1918, and died 3 Feb 1989.He wrote this around 1972]

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“It is by request that I am writing from memory what I heard in my youth, and afterward, the story of the Owens Family, beginning with my great-grand-father, Luke Owens (Ahn 20). I shall write the best I can from memory, and it will be fairly accurate, although only a brief sketch of the history, which might be used in preparing the “Family Tree:. Please read below:

On January 6, 1824 my great-grand-father, Luke Owens, was born in South Carolina. The exact place I do not know. I have no record. The date of his birth was taken from the monument at the head of his grave. He died in 1909 [18 Nov 1909], if my memory serves me right. I remember him very well. Regret that I do not have the names of his parents. There must have been other members of the family, but I have record of only Luke, and his brother Jack [Andrew Jackson “Jack” Owens].

The parents of Luke and Jack moved to what is now known as Gadsden, Alabama, and the two sons came with them. The settled on a farm a few miles west of the present site of the Republic Steel mills, across Big Wills Creek. Luke and Jack were single, perhaps only teenagers at that time. The place was known later as the “McCartney Place”.

For some reason Luke became interested in the community on what is now known as South 11th Street, near the present site of the Jessie Dean Smith School. He decided to clear some land near Big Wills Creek, and cultivated it. The story is interesting. He had a small mule, and little feed for the mule. He would plow the mule a few rounds, then hoe while his mule ate weeds and cane tops. The land is known to some of us as the “Black Land”, and it was very fertile, and yield was good. From that time he worked hard, clearing and cultivating land in that area. From that time he spent his entire life in that community.

Soon after settling in that community, he met Miss Catherine Brothers (Ahn 21), a member of one of the well known early settlers of Gadsden. They were married later. One interesting note is worth mentioning. The minister that performed the marriage was somewhat nervous, and emotional. The minister took this marriage seriously, and broke down in tears. My great-grand-father would tell the story, and laugh in later years.

The house they spent most of their married lives in was what was then called a “Double Log” house. Although it was all under one roof, it was divided, and a hall was between the rooms. I remember going with my parents, as they visited them. Some of you who read this story will remember the old house, which was the home occupied by the oldest daughter, Sallie (Sis) Owens most of her life. She was never married. She was known to us as “Aunt Sis”.

Luke Owens and wife were hard workers, and honest. They took care of what they earned, above the cost of living. They were parents of several children. Their names were: Thomas Owens, my grand father, Andrew Jackson (A.J., known to us as “Uncle Shug”); Franklin (or Frank); the daughters, Sallie (Sis); Mary, married to Jef. Burton; Jay, married to Will Rogers; Frances (Aunt Fannie), married to Sanford Ashley; Nannie, married to Pres. Phillips. One daughter died in her youth. We understand that she was the first one to be buried in the “Owens Cemetery”, and her father, Luke Owens gave the land for a place to bury the dead.

During the war between the states Luke Owens was employed to keep a “livery stabel” for Mr. Woodliff (perhaps the father of Gus, Jef, and Guy Woodliff, or may be their grandfather). Horses were kept there for hire, and we suppose that there were may of them. Luke Owens spent his life doing hard work, and believed in honesty, above all things.

Jack Owens, Luke’s brother, settled on Sand Mountain, some 25 to 30 miles from Gadsden, and we would suppose that he married there. We know little about his family, although we met some of them in later years. There are some members (great-grand-children, and relatives) living on Sand Mountain, and in that area, until now.

Turning back for a moment, let me say that Jack Owens, brother of Luke, married and settled on Sand Mountain, about 30 miles from Gadsden. We know not much about his family, although we have met some of them. Some of the younger generations are probably living in the area where the family first settled, or nearby. I feel sure that this is true.

The memories I have of my great-grand-father are precious. He was a member of Mount Zion Methodist Church on South Eleventh Street. This is the Church were his children and grandchildren attended, and most of them were members. The writer attended at Mt. Zion from a small child, and was a member there from 1916 to 1921. It is a sacred place, even to this day. I remember quite well the time when my great-grand-father would walk to church, and take his place in the “Amen Corner” for the preacher’s sermon. (It was to the minister’ right). It was almost a mile from ”Uncle Luke’s home to Church, but he would walk to church when he was in his eighties, perhaps 82 or 83. [ He was just two months short of 86 when he died]. He used a cane to steady him as he walked.

The life’s history of all the family is interesting, and memories of them lies on in my mind. They, like their father, Luke, were hard workers, and noted for honesty.

Thomas Owens (Ahn 10), my grandfather, was born in 1848, and died in 1881. My father, Andrew, was only fourteen years old when his father died. I have heard of his devotions to God by my father. He was a hard working man, and died at the age of 33. He, like his father, loved the Church, and was a devoted Christian. The story of his faith in God is interesting. When he purchased eighty acres of land, he had payments to make until he paid it out. His failing health made him realize that he could not live long, so he prayed that he might live until the place was paid for. He made the last payment in the fall, and died in the spring afterward. His last words to his children was good advice. He asked them to live right, and trust in the Lord, then in a few moments his last breath was gone. My father would tell us this story with a sad heart, as long as he lived. He, age 14, and his mother and the other children worked hard in those days.

My grandfather was married to Jane Smith (Ahn 11) [About 1866] when he was only eighteen years old. She was twenty-five. She told of their wedding night, which was pitiful indeed. He was timid, and excitement would usually cause what we might call “nervous indigestion”. And so on that night he had an attack. It was serious, and it seemed that he would not live through it. His new wife was up with him most of the night. Their early life tested their faith, but he came through all right. In his few years of life he was a hard worker, but he was conservative, and saved what he made.

They had born to them several children. The sons were: Louis Andrew Jackson (L.A.J.), born September 21, 1867; Thomas (Uncle Tom to us); James, (Uncle Jim to us); and Johnny, who died when he was only five years old. I’ve heard my father tell of Johnny’s sickness. He sat on his father’s knee, and knelt at his father’s feet, and prayed. This is a touching story, I think. The daughters were: Viola, who was married to Zimri Smith; Charlesy, who was married to Green Barker; and Esther (Ahn 5), who was married to James (Jim) Ross (Ahn 4). One daughter, Sallie (I think was her name) died when she was a small child. Tom and Jim never married, and died at an early age.

My grandmother died in 1904. I can remember her last visit with us, and I have heard much about her quiet, devoted life. One of her favorite hymns was, “I’m going Home to Die No More”.

Andrew Owens, our father, usually signed his name as “L.A.J. Owens”, and he was noted for his honesty. Words would fail me to tell of his hard work, even when he was not able physically. He was married first to Docia Pitts at the age of 23 years of age. She was a few years younger. She was undoubtedly a good woman, and my father spoke of her as such. To them was born one son on June 1, 1892. His name was Sanford Joshua. He was only a baby when his mother died. (He died January 27, 1960).

It was on January 8, 1894 that my father and mother were married. The Reverend William Harris, a Methodist minister performed the ceremony in the home of Mr. And Mrs. N.A.Harrel, parents of our mother. The wedding took place at the “Hersberg Place”, about 4 miles northeast of Gadsden, Ala. The story is interesting. (See writing, “In Memory of Our Mother”).

My father was a farmer, and his income was limited. They both practiced economy from the beginning of their married life. They did not have the conveniences and comfort in those days, such as the generations had afterward. None of us have the least conception of their hardships. I remember quite well what my mother told me about their first cook stove, which they had bought. They came home from town late in the afternoon, and they were hungry. They had done without dinner. As soon as my father placed the stove, and connected the pipe, they fired up the little stove, and cooked the evening meal. A cold rain came about that time, and soon they went to bed. Before going to sleep my mother heard the voice of her younger brother, who was driving a yoke of oxen. He was hauling timber from the woods hot far way, and he lost his way in the dark, rainy night. He was wet and cold. My father took charge of the oxen, and fed them. My mother cooked super again for her brother. It was late when they went to bed, but my uncle saw the clear sky, and moon shining. He called my mother, and said he must soon get on the road. She prepared breakfast, and they ate. But it was still dark, so they all lay down again. Then, about daylight they got up, and my mother cooked a second breakfast, and they ate again. Later in life my mother would tell of how she cooked four meals on the new stove during the time since they cooked the first meal the afternoon before. She laughed, when she told us the story.

The “one horse farmer” had very little income in those days, and making a living was not easy. And to make the way harder, my mother soon developed malaria, and chills. She was once very sick with “malaria fever”, and a while later she had “typhoid fever”, and barely lived through it. Besides the sickness in the family, the doctor’s bills increased their burdens. In addition to Sanford, her step-son, there were thirteen children born. Millie E. Owens was born October 25, 1894, Velma H. Was born January 1, 1896. She died on October 3, 1896. Ethel O. Owens was born November 9, 1897; Thomas N. Owens was born December 18, 1898; Herman A. Owens was born September 1, 1900; Willard C. Owens was born April 18, 1902; Willie E. Owens was born August 14, 1903; Guy F. Owens was born March 15, 1905; Joel L. Owens was November 14, 1906; Mary E. Owens was born January 17, 1909; Marion Andrew Owens was born May 6, 1911; John H. Owens was born July 8, 1913; S. Paul Owens was born April 24, 1916. All of these children lived to be grown except Velma, who died at nine months of age. Twelve of the children married, and have families. Some have died since. Sanford J. Owens died on January 29, 1960; Millie O., who was married to Tom McMeekin, died on December 2,1960; and Thomas N. (Tommy) died on January 13, 1972. (More about their marriages later. Ethel A. Bullard died on November 2, 1973 [note penciled in later].

We, the sons and daughters, were blessed by growing up in a Christian Home. True, we lived in a poor home, but we had plenty of food and clothes, and best of all we were taught to fear God, and live right. Our father was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church of South Eleventh Street, Gadsden, Ala. Our mother was a member of Old Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, until she united with the Advent Christian Church in 1934. Our father did not talk much in public, but he taught us to live right. It is interesting to note that our mother lived a devoted Christian life through the years. After our father died on November 23, 1942 she spent much time in reading the Bible. She read it through once, and started through again, but her eyesight failed, and she could not. She enjoyed her part in the church services. She conducted her first prayer service when she was near eighty years of age. And she took her first trip in the air, not far from that time. She flew to Jacksonville, Fla. To visit us, and returned to Gadsden by plane. She enjoyed life.

It is interest to note that our mother preferred to live in her own home, after she was widowed. And she wanted to live there until death. She was 91 years, 3 months, and 18 days old when she died. May I say right here that our father loved home all of his life, and he died in the house he built in 1903. (He died in 1942). He loved this children, and did all he could for us. I lived in Virginia in 1942, but I came to Gadsden, and was with him until the last breath was gone. His last words to me when I told him that I had come were, “I thought it was too far”. Memories of our father and mother are precious. I have often said that if I accomplish any goo in this life, my parents are due much of the credit. They taught us to live right, and to be honest, fair, and square in this life. I thank God for their good influence in the home where I grew up.”

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© 2008 by E. Lamar Ross and Infopreneur Publishers, LLC.