My earliest memories of my life on this particular planet
are living in a slightly expanded pepper-box house just outside of Cadiz. This
was grandma’s house. She occupied one side, split into a living room fitted with a fold-out
couch as her bed, and a small kitchen which also held her big, heavy wardrobe
cabinet. We occupied the other side of the house, two bedrooms, a converted attic,
a living room, a dining room and a kitchen. At the back of the house was a
shared bathroom and laundry room. When my mother started going to college, grandma would take care of us. Being by then a retired school teacher, she
taught us to read before we started school. She sewed a lot as well, making us
clothes until we got to be too old and started being embarrassed wearing homemade
clothing.
She raised chickens for eggs and meat and would butcher
them herself with an axe. Yes I recall the headless poultry flopping around in
the snow.
She also took us fishing, cane poles and earthworms,
catching mostly catfish and carp. She cleaned those as well.
Living that close did cause the occasional friction between
her and my parents. Her only child, my mother, had married my father without her
mother’s blessings. My parents had eloped, married in December of 1949. A few years later when times got
tough, they had little choice but to move in with her. She never remarried, and
rarely, if ever spoke of her late husband. The only family photo I recall that she had on her wall
was of her parents.
Grandma married D.C. Adams (I have been told that my initials, D.C. were inspired by his) in 1931 when she was 34 and he
was 63. My mother was born one year later. Grandma was D.C’s second wife. His
first wife, Mollie, died at the age of 30 in 1904. Mollie bore him two sons Ben
and Jagoe, and one daughter, Mary Lou.
As a point of tangential interest, Mary Lou, my mother’s half-sister,
married one of my father’s adopted brothers, Robert (Uncle Bob) Bentley,
creating an interesting though not incestuous double relationship. Grandma was close to the Adams boys, D.C’s sons from his
previous marriage, they came and went frequently in our lives.
 |
| Hilda (mom), Mattie and D.C. Adams |
Even closer to us were grandma's brothers, O.C., O.B., E.K., and
I.J. Dyer. These men were rarely referred to by anything other than their
initials, for good reason. Even back then Elope King, Omega Brandon, Ithiel J. and Ovit Crawley were pretty heavy names to lift. Even the brothers that died very young,
Cyrus William and Prince Alfred might have preferred initials as well. The brothers all referred to my elderly grandmother as 'Sis', which as a kid, I found amusing.
D.C. died at the age of 79 in 1948 when my mother was a mere
fifteen. According to mom, he had been
old and ill for several years. He is buried alongside his first wife in a
cemetery just a mile or so from where where grandma was interred.
 |
| Rufus King Dyer (1847 - 1924) Martha Penelope Brandon Dyer (1865 - 1920) |
Grandma was an integral part of our immediate family when I was growing up. We lived with her until I was a sophomore in high school. She was not in favor of us moving out, but my parents had eventually crawled out of near poverty and could finally afford a place of their own.
Poor grandma lived out the last ten to fifteen years of her life in nursing homes. The last time I saw her in the early-mid eighties she didn't recognize me, her mind had left her all but completely. The tragedy was that the rest of her body was perfectly healthy and strong, right up until her death in 1995, at the age of ninety eight.
Grandma could be stubborn, to say the least. She had a personal philosophy that every one else was foolish to not agree to. A strong willed woman of her time indeed.
Her birth family, the Dyers had been in Trigg county for a very long time. I've located some archives that eloquently describe her ancestors.
Grandma Adam's great-grandfather, the General.
was about five feet eight inches in height, possessed a fair education,
though considered rather opinionated. He had a polished manner, good
address, good principles, and good social qualities, but did not mix a great deal in society, and consequently was not widely known except in his
official capacity. A prominent characteristic was his personal pride. He
was a commanding figure at the annual and semi-annual militia reviews in
Cadiz, when mounted upon a fine horse and clothed in a splendid uniform,
and surrounded by his [ . . . ] in uniform, mounted upon their prancing
steeds. Those were great days in Cadiz in early times. Those subject to
military duty came from all parts of the county."
(I bolded that part myself, it seemed a bit familiar)
The article continues:
General Dyer, I learn, died many years ago, leaving a highly
respected family. Of them, however, I know but little except two sons,
Alfred B. and John J. Dyer, Jr.
(*John is my grandmother's grandfather)
Continuing:
Alfred B. Dyer I knew best and well. He was a very clever and
polished young gentleman, beloved by all and had a promising future
before him, as his after life proved. I learn that he was a very useful man
in his day. He began life as a school master, was elected sheriff several
terms, making an excellent official, and besides other honorable positions
which he filled, he long held the office of County Judge, and died while
serving in that capacity, only a few years ago, leaving a family who are
among the best and most highly esteemed citizens of Cadiz and Trigg
county.
John J. Dyer, Jr., I also learn became a useful and deservedly
popular man, having served his county as sheriff two terms. He too, I
learn, died a few years since, leaving a good and unblemished reputation.
Another Article:
http://www.westernkyhistory.
RUFUS K DYER (*My grandmother's father)(Cadiz Record July 1924)
Rufus K. Dyer Found Dead At His Home
Lived In Wallonia Precinct And Had Been Dead Several Days When Found
One of Trigg County's Most Splendid Citizens And Member of Prominent Family
Mr. Rufus K. Dyer, one of Trigg county's splendid old citizens, was found dead at his home in Wallonia precinct, near Bethesda Methodist church, eight miles north of Cadiz Tuesday between twelve and one o'clock.
Just when he died is a matter of speculation but the condition of the body showed he had been dead several days and he was alone at the home when the end came.
Mr. Dyer resided at the home where he had lived for a number of years and the daughter and two sons resided with him, although the sons had been away at school during the winter and spring. The sons came home some weeks ago, and they had been with the father until perhaps last Thursday, when the daughter, Miss Mattie, and O. B. Dyer left for Livingston county, where they are teaching in the schools of the county.
We are not advised if the deceased had been seen by any of the neighbors since that time until found dead in the house Tuesday.
The body was found by Jesse Lester and Ovid P'Pool, neighbors, and when found was lying across a chair in the kitchen.
Mr. Dyer was dressed just in his night clothes, and the bed in his room showed clearly that it had been occupied.
Mr. Dyer suffered occasional attack of cramps or acute indigestion and it may be that an attack in the night might have caused his death.
From the appearance of the room, it is thought that he got up from bed and went out through the dining room, which adjoined his room, and into the kitchen, where he was found. Whether he fell across the chair or had kneeled down by it when suffering from one of these attacks is matter of speculation.
Two neighbors were first attracted to the scene by seeing the mules on the farm in the corn. They remembered that Mr. Dyer had not been seen for several days and went over to get the mules out of the corn and upon investigation the man was found dead.
The eldest son, Ithiel J. Dyer, who owns and resides on the R. V. Parrent place two miles north of Cadiz, was at once notified, and the son came on to Cadiz to notify other members of the family and to arrange for the burial.
Burial took place yesterday at the family grave yard on the place where the deceased had long lived.
Mr. Dyerr was born in February 1846, and was a son of John Dyer, one of Trigg county's most prominent citizens and a Sheriff of the county. Judge Alfred B. Dyer, long deceased, was an uncle. When reaching young manhood, he engaged in teaching in the county schools for a number of years. Later he was for a number of years a merchant of Wallonia, but most of his life had been spent as a farmer.
In 1832 he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Brandon, and the wife died in 1920. the following are the names of the surviving children: Ithiel J. Dyer, Miss Mattie B. Dyer, O. B. Dyer and O. C. Dyer, of Trigg county, and Elope K. Dyer, of Akron Ohio.
Mrs. Eliza Blane of Cadiz is an only living sister, but there are two half sisters in Graves county - Mrs. Scott Halbrook and Mrs. Brack Sullivan.
It can be said with truth that Trigg county never had a better man for a citizen than Rufus Dyer. With an individuality as all men have, he was a men of unusual intelligence, read a great deal and kept in touch with the developments of the times.
In the dealings he was scrupulously honest, believed in and practiced the Golden Rule, and wanted to do right with everybody. Before his children and the world he set an example that all could follow and believed in the idea that each day should be lived as though it was the last.
Mr. Dyer was a very quiet man and of few words, but when engaged in conversation was both instructive and interesting and those who knew him best appreciated him most.
He joined the Methodist church many years ago and lived in the faith of the denomination.
Truly a good man has gone to his eternal reward in the passing of Rufus Dyer to the life beyond the grave.
One of my favorite ancestor stories, was this one. I 'd hear about it when I was a kid and thought it quite intriguing:
"John (Dyer) served as sheriff from 1859 to 1862, during the Civil War. He also served
as County Assessor. John Dyer was loyal to the Confederacy. he supposedly
collected the County taxes as sheriff and gave it to the Confederate
Government. After the War the Federal Government demanded that he repay this
amount. It ruined him financially."
Oops, a possibly treasonous tax collector.
Not as interesting or exciting as a train robber or corrupt industrialist, but hey, a black sheep is a black sheep. The Dyers were by all accounts readers and academics, tax reallocation is that ilks' version of hard crime.
Other Sources:
http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.sellers/6592/mb.ashx
Poor grandma lived out the last ten to fifteen years of her life in nursing homes. The last time I saw her in the early-mid eighties she didn't recognize me, her mind had left her all but completely. The tragedy was that the rest of her body was perfectly healthy and strong, right up until her death in 1995, at the age of ninety eight.
Grandma could be stubborn, to say the least. She had a personal philosophy that every one else was foolish to not agree to. A strong willed woman of her time indeed.
Her birth family, the Dyers had been in Trigg county for a very long time. I've located some archives that eloquently describe her ancestors.
Grandma Adam's great-grandfather, the General.
http://www.westernkyhistory.
"It is now my pleasure to speak of General John J. Dyer, who in
early times, was long a conspicuous citizen of Trigg county. He held a
commission from the Governor of Kentucky as a brigadier general. From
my earliest recollection, till I left Kentucky, he was commander of the
Trigg county militia, and maintained well the dignity of his position. I
think he was a native of South Carolina, and probably settled upon a farm
seven or eight miles below Cadiz, on Little River, soon after the
organization of Trigg county. He was a man of prepossessing appearance, of slight build,
weighed about one hundred and fifty pounds, of a nervous temperament,"It is now my pleasure to speak of General John J. Dyer, who in
early times, was long a conspicuous citizen of Trigg county. He held a
commission from the Governor of Kentucky as a brigadier general. From
my earliest recollection, till I left Kentucky, he was commander of the
Trigg county militia, and maintained well the dignity of his position. I
think he was a native of South Carolina, and probably settled upon a farm
seven or eight miles below Cadiz, on Little River, soon after the
organization of Trigg county. He was a man of prepossessing appearance, of slight build,
was about five feet eight inches in height, possessed a fair education,
though considered rather opinionated. He had a polished manner, good
address, good principles, and good social qualities, but did not mix a great deal in society, and consequently was not widely known except in his
official capacity. A prominent characteristic was his personal pride. He
was a commanding figure at the annual and semi-annual militia reviews in
Cadiz, when mounted upon a fine horse and clothed in a splendid uniform,
and surrounded by his [ . . . ] in uniform, mounted upon their prancing
steeds. Those were great days in Cadiz in early times. Those subject to
military duty came from all parts of the county."
(I bolded that part myself, it seemed a bit familiar)
The article continues:
General Dyer, I learn, died many years ago, leaving a highly
respected family. Of them, however, I know but little except two sons,
Alfred B. and John J. Dyer, Jr.
(*John is my grandmother's grandfather)
Continuing:
Alfred B. Dyer I knew best and well. He was a very clever and
polished young gentleman, beloved by all and had a promising future
before him, as his after life proved. I learn that he was a very useful man
in his day. He began life as a school master, was elected sheriff several
terms, making an excellent official, and besides other honorable positions
which he filled, he long held the office of County Judge, and died while
serving in that capacity, only a few years ago, leaving a family who are
among the best and most highly esteemed citizens of Cadiz and Trigg
county.
John J. Dyer, Jr., I also learn became a useful and deservedly
popular man, having served his county as sheriff two terms. He too, I
learn, died a few years since, leaving a good and unblemished reputation.
Another Article:
http://www.westernkyhistory.
RUFUS K DYER (*My grandmother's father)(Cadiz Record July 1924)
Rufus K. Dyer Found Dead At His Home
Lived In Wallonia Precinct And Had Been Dead Several Days When Found
One of Trigg County's Most Splendid Citizens And Member of Prominent Family
Mr. Rufus K. Dyer, one of Trigg county's splendid old citizens, was found dead at his home in Wallonia precinct, near Bethesda Methodist church, eight miles north of Cadiz Tuesday between twelve and one o'clock.
Just when he died is a matter of speculation but the condition of the body showed he had been dead several days and he was alone at the home when the end came.
Mr. Dyer resided at the home where he had lived for a number of years and the daughter and two sons resided with him, although the sons had been away at school during the winter and spring. The sons came home some weeks ago, and they had been with the father until perhaps last Thursday, when the daughter, Miss Mattie, and O. B. Dyer left for Livingston county, where they are teaching in the schools of the county.
We are not advised if the deceased had been seen by any of the neighbors since that time until found dead in the house Tuesday.
The body was found by Jesse Lester and Ovid P'Pool, neighbors, and when found was lying across a chair in the kitchen.
Mr. Dyer was dressed just in his night clothes, and the bed in his room showed clearly that it had been occupied.
Mr. Dyer suffered occasional attack of cramps or acute indigestion and it may be that an attack in the night might have caused his death.
From the appearance of the room, it is thought that he got up from bed and went out through the dining room, which adjoined his room, and into the kitchen, where he was found. Whether he fell across the chair or had kneeled down by it when suffering from one of these attacks is matter of speculation.
Two neighbors were first attracted to the scene by seeing the mules on the farm in the corn. They remembered that Mr. Dyer had not been seen for several days and went over to get the mules out of the corn and upon investigation the man was found dead.
The eldest son, Ithiel J. Dyer, who owns and resides on the R. V. Parrent place two miles north of Cadiz, was at once notified, and the son came on to Cadiz to notify other members of the family and to arrange for the burial.
Burial took place yesterday at the family grave yard on the place where the deceased had long lived.
Mr. Dyerr was born in February 1846, and was a son of John Dyer, one of Trigg county's most prominent citizens and a Sheriff of the county. Judge Alfred B. Dyer, long deceased, was an uncle. When reaching young manhood, he engaged in teaching in the county schools for a number of years. Later he was for a number of years a merchant of Wallonia, but most of his life had been spent as a farmer.
In 1832 he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Brandon, and the wife died in 1920. the following are the names of the surviving children: Ithiel J. Dyer, Miss Mattie B. Dyer, O. B. Dyer and O. C. Dyer, of Trigg county, and Elope K. Dyer, of Akron Ohio.
Mrs. Eliza Blane of Cadiz is an only living sister, but there are two half sisters in Graves county - Mrs. Scott Halbrook and Mrs. Brack Sullivan.
It can be said with truth that Trigg county never had a better man for a citizen than Rufus Dyer. With an individuality as all men have, he was a men of unusual intelligence, read a great deal and kept in touch with the developments of the times.
In the dealings he was scrupulously honest, believed in and practiced the Golden Rule, and wanted to do right with everybody. Before his children and the world he set an example that all could follow and believed in the idea that each day should be lived as though it was the last.
Mr. Dyer was a very quiet man and of few words, but when engaged in conversation was both instructive and interesting and those who knew him best appreciated him most.
He joined the Methodist church many years ago and lived in the faith of the denomination.
Truly a good man has gone to his eternal reward in the passing of Rufus Dyer to the life beyond the grave.
One of my favorite ancestor stories, was this one. I 'd hear about it when I was a kid and thought it quite intriguing:
"John (Dyer) served as sheriff from 1859 to 1862, during the Civil War. He also served
as County Assessor. John Dyer was loyal to the Confederacy. he supposedly
collected the County taxes as sheriff and gave it to the Confederate
Government. After the War the Federal Government demanded that he repay this
amount. It ruined him financially."
Oops, a possibly treasonous tax collector.
Not as interesting or exciting as a train robber or corrupt industrialist, but hey, a black sheep is a black sheep. The Dyers were by all accounts readers and academics, tax reallocation is that ilks' version of hard crime.
Other Sources:
http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.sellers/6592/mb.ashx
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48636467
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2343030&GRid=62040798&
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=kyseeker&id=I02975
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2343030&GRid=62040798&
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=kyseeker&id=I02975
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