A look back at dads
Sunday is Father’s Day. It is a time to reflect on the positive influence of fathers on their sons, daughters and succeeding generations.
July 4, 1899 – Miss Annie Wheeler, daughter of General and Congressman Joe Wheeler, has just returned to Washington, after a visit with New York friends. If her father is assigned to duty in the Philippines, Miss Wheeler will accompany him as a volunteer nurse.
Dec. 27, 1899 – Dr. J. S. Houston died yesterday of injuries sustained when he fell from a horse. He was a fine physician, a good citizen and faithful friend. He leaves an aged father and mother, a broken-hearted wife, and two bright little boys to mourn his death. (The two sons were Louis and John, pharmacists who operated a drug store in Hartselle for many years. His great grandson, Dr. Tom Dodson, is a distinguished physician and professor.)
July 25, 1907 – Billie Vest has a large family. He is the father of 11 children, eight of whom are still living. He is grandfather to 70 children and is great grandfather to 96 children. Uncle Billie Vest, as he is familiarly called, was 85 years old the 30th day of May, having been born during Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
Aug. 2, 1909 – Morgan County Attorney Melvin Hutson has returned from a trip to Kentucky where he succeeded after many years in locating the grave of his grandfather, Col. James C. Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Sept. 4, 1913 – John Burleson is building a new home for his large family. (He was the father of the Hartselle mayor by this name.)
May 27, 1916 – E. A. Oden is Hartselle’s new L & N station agent, succeeding his late father, A. A. Oden. The father taught his son all he will need to know to perform very well in his job.
Feb. 6, 1922 – One of the most interesting characters to be found in all of North Alabama now is Cecil Hartselle. Hartselle, a boy of 23, is totally blind but goes about his daily work as freely and independently as any other young man. Mr. Hartselle is the proud grandson of the founder of the city of Hartselle.
March 12, 1928 – Dorothy Walker, a charming high school girl, is setting copy like a veteran. Her father and teacher, C. R. Walker, is now publishing the local Hartselle newspaper.
Oct. 2, 1939 – Charles G. Hardwick was sworn in as Morgan County tax collector today. His father, the late George C. Hardwick, served in the office 34 years ago. He taught his son much about county finances that Charles will now be able to put to good use.
April 30, 1942 – Mrs. Pattillo and Nancy are currently with their husband and father, Maj. Carl Pattillo, at Fort Dix, N.J.
Aug. 19, 1943 – Mrs. Horace Roberts and children, Eleanor and Howard, have returned from a visit with their husband and father who is stationed at Camp Claiborne, La.
June 24, 1954 – Mr. and Mrs. Howard McClanahan and children of Tuscumbia were the Father’s Day guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. McClanahan.
Aug. 28, 1963 – Helen (Mrs. Bill) Sterbutzel and daughters have now returned to their husband and father in Pennsylvania following a visit with parents and grandparents here.
July 27, 1972 – Sim F. Orr died. He was a former city clerk with many years’ service. He also was a partner with his father-in-law, Roman Puckett, in the historic Puckett & Orr Drug Store, which for many years was located in the brick building at the corner of Main and Railroad streets.
May 29, 1976 – E. R. Roberts was honored as a Gold Star Father during the annual American Legion Poppy Day observance. His son, Cpl. Hal E. Roberts, gave his life for his country during World War II.
