Leonard Bradford McGrew

Notes:

Wynema McGrew notes that Leonard was not easy to get along with, and had been asked by neighbors to move. He was rumored to have killed men, outside of combat, during the Civil War. Bruce Aultman, an attorney living in the Victory community in Lamar County suggested that Leonard was a Jayhawk (Union sympathizer) during the Civil War. He did serve in the Confederate Army, however, enlisting in Capt. H R McLaurin's Company (Co F, 27th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry) on 26 Aug 1861, the same day R. L. McGrew enlisted. He was discharged in Rome, Georgia on 11 Apr 1863 due to wounds to his hip and knee while at Shelbyville, Tennessee. He later served in Company E, 3rd Battalion, Mississippi Reserve Calvary from which he was paroled on May 16, 1865. He was a freemason and baptist for most of his life, but converted to Catholicism late in life, due to his many transgressions and the influence of his eldest daughter, Susanna, who had converted when she married, and Leonard was buried in the Catholic portion of the Williamsburg Cemetery. The cemetery name, per Find A Grave, was the Saint James Catholic Cemetery in Bassfield, Mississippi.

His FindAGrave memorial page, crated by Fred Rose, has a photo of him in uniform and with a bayonet.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38991981



(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Mississippi, Covington County, SD No 1
Enumerated 11 Jun 1880
Page 9 SD 2 ED 123
73-73
Magrou, Leonard W M 38 Planter Miss ---- Miss
Magrou, Jane W F 31 Wf Keeping home Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Susanna W F 12 Dtr At Home Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Elizabeth W F 10 Dtr At Home Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Luella W F 8 Dtr Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Wood W M 7 Son Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Mary W F 5 Dtr Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Laura W F 3 Dtr Miss Miss Miss
Magrou, Fannie W F 1 Dtr Miss Miss Miss

1900 Census
Mississippi, Covington County, Williamsburg
Enumerated 14 Jun 1900
SD 6 ED 11 Sheet 12B
199-199
McGrew, Len Head W M Mar 1840 60 M 34 Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McGrew, Jane Wf W F Dec 1849 50 M 34 14/13 Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Fannie Dtr W F May 1879 21 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Lenard B Son W M Mar 1881 19 S Miss Miss Miss Farm laborer
McGrew, Lucy Dtr W F Apr 1883 17 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Allice Dtr W F Mar 1885 15 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Molly Dtr W F Mar 1887 13 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Thomas K Son W M Jun 1891 8 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Dimie Dtr W F Aug 1896 3 S Miss Miss Miss

Leonard married Leitha "Lether" Jane Hathorn on 25 Nov 1866 in Covington County, Mississippi. Leitha was born on 22 Dec 1849 in Mississippi; died on 23 Apr 1914 in Covington County, Mississippi; was buried in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susanna married Martin Faler about 1887. Martin was born on 12 Feb 1855 in Mississippi; died on 14 Jan 1903; was buried in Williamsburg Cemetery, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She married a Strahan and had a daughter Alma.

Family/Spouse: William S. Strahan. William was born on 1 Aug 1866 in Mississippi; died on 29 Aug 1937; was buried in Williamsburg Cemetery, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Walter Allen Strahan. Walter was born on 14 Dec 1869 in Covington County, Mississippi; died on 30 Jun 1943; was buried in Highland Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When he registered for the draft during the first World War, he was farming for S. B. Hathorn in Franklin Parish, Louisiana, and his nearest relative was his wife, Mrs. Anna Jane McGrew of Seminary, Mississippi. He was described as short and slender, with brown eyes and dark hair, and missing his right eye.

At the time of the 1930 Federal census, he was listed as a boarder, age 57 and widowed, in the home of E. L. and Ida COUTLER in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. His occupation was shown as "farmer."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Mississippi, Covington County, Twp 7, Beat 1
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD 6 ED 2 Sheet 6B
106-107
McGrew, W H Head M W 37 M 18 Miss Miss Miss Farm Operator
McGrew, Anna Wf F W 41 M 18 Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Willie Dtr F W 17 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Bennie Son M W 14 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Ida Dtr F W 14 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Leo Dtr F W 11 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Linnie Dtr F W 10 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Wheeler Son m W 7 S Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, Myrtle Dtr F W 2 S Miss Miss Miss

Wood married Annie Jane Lott in 1891. Annie (daughter of William Alexander Lott and Martha Edmondson) was born on 4 Nov 1869 in Covington County, Mississippi; died on 3 May 1948 in Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi; was buried in Seminary Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wood married Birdie Aldina Maudlin before 1932. Birdie was born on 6 Jul 1911 in Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi; died on 18 May 1986 in Collins, Covington County, Mississippi; was buried in Station Creek Cemetery, Collins, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Reeves. James was born on 10 Apr 1874; died on 7 May 1915; was buried in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Wyneman McGrew, Laura had a tumultous life, and was married at least twice. She had several children, and some of them died young. One daughter, Neva (later called Keary) Carr, was raised by her ex-husband, Charlie Carr and her younger sister, Fannie. Laura spent the last 30 years of her life at the Mississippi State Hospital, and died of Dementia Praecox.

Fannie married Joel Charlie Carr on 10 Nov 1900 in Lincoln County, Mississippi. Joel was born in Jun 1873 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Per "The Southern McGrews Grew", Leonard was shot by Levi Smith, who suspected that Leonard and his wife were having an affair. He shot him at church one Sunday. After his death, his wife Ester moved back to Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi. Five of their sons joined the Seabees and roamed all over the country.

On the 1910 census, Leonard and Ester were living in Covington County, with four sons, Carrol (b. ca 1903), Bradford (b. ca 1906), Lawrence (b. ca 1908), and Latson (age nine months).The same family group can be found in Covington in 1920, however Latson was instead listed as Curtis. Two daughters were in the home, Iva J. (born ca 1912) and Mamie (age five months). In 1930, the widowed Ester was in Ellisville, Mississippi, with only Curtis and Mamie still living at home.

Family/Spouse: Ester Jane Anderson. Ester was born on 26 Mar 1880 in Mississippi; died on 22 Dec 1968; was buried in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: George J. Thames. George was born on 25 Nov 1883 in Mississippi; died on 30 Sep 1936; was buried in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Otho Rubin Aultman. Otho was born on 4 Apr 1887 in Covington County, Mississippi; died on 20 Oct 1967; was buried in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Joseph Albert Aultman, Sr.. Joseph was born on 11 Jul 1883 in Covington County, Mississippi; died on 31 Jul 1941; was buried in Oakdale United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sanford, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wynema McGrew wrote "When S. D. completed his secondary education, he stayed home, took care of his mother until her death in 1914, and farmed until he joined the army during World War I. After his discharge he married Mamie Davis, his first wife, and resumed farming, knowing he did not want it to be his life's work. Soon thereafter, he took advantage of the educational opportunities offered to veterans of World War I, entering Mississippi A&M (now MSU)....upon graduation he taught and/or was superintendent of several schools in south Mississippi until his retirement. He and Mamie had no children....(later) he earned his master's degree at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa."

His FindAGrave memorial page, created by Fred Rose, shows a photo of his Military Marker, indicating he served as a Private in the US Army during World War I.

Thomas married Mamie E. Davis on 12 Mar 1919 in Covington County, Mississippi. Mamie was born on 20 Sep 1896 in Mississippi; died on 17 Oct 1961 in Covington County, Mississippi; was buried in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Mafalda Lott Aultman in Dec 1972. Mafalda was born on 27 Apr 1906 in Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Demmie married Charles "Charley" Christopher Deen on 20 Apr 1914 in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi. Charles was born on 25 Dec 1895 in Covington County, Mississippi; died on 18 Jan 1950 in Mississippi; was buried in Deen Cemetery, Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When he registered for the World War I draft, he was a resident of Seminary, Mississipi and was farming 3 miles west of that place. He was single, of medium heighth and slender, with gray eyes and dark hair.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Mississippi, Covington County, Beat One Seminary
Enumerated 10 Jan 1920
SD 6 ED 2 Sheet 5B
82-89
McGrew, Benjamin Franklin Head M W 25 M Miss Miss Miss Farmer
McGrew, C. Irene Wf F W 16 M Miss Miss Miss
McGrew, B ennie Son M W 11/12 S Miss Miss Miss

Benjamin married C. Irene Aultman on 1 Jul 1918 in Covington County, Mississippi. C. was born on 6 Sep 1903 in Mississippi; died on 25 Oct 1994. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Trained as a nurse at Southern Mississippi Charity Hospital in Laurel, Mississippi. She primarily worked for the U.S. Public Service Bureau of Indian Affairs. She is buried at Mr. Horeb cemetery near Collins, Mississippi.

Notes:

Fred married later in life because he lived at home with his divorced mother and sisters who had children but no husbands. He helped take care of everyone. Wheeler and his family always lived within walking distance of his mother. He and his wife farmed and raised chickens. Even on that meager income, they put money aside to ensure a college education for their daughters. Wheeler had Alzheimer's disease, and was in a nursing home for the last six years of his life. His wife Pauline visited him faithfully every day.

Fred married Stella Pauline Watts on 3 Jan 1932 in Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi. Stella was born on 22 Feb 1910 in Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi; died on 12 Mar 1998 in Covington County, Mississippi; was buried on 15 Mar 1998 in Mount Horeb Cemetery, Seminary, Covington County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

FindAGrave shows that he served in the US Army, Korea.

Notes:

Wynema McGrew noted that he married three times, having a son, Terry Allen McGrew, with first wife, Joyce Bucklew. He worked for the railroad.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, April 29, 2013 at the Mount Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery for L. B. McGrew, 78, of Collins who passed away on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Magee General Hospital in Magee.

Reverend Tony Bagley will officiate at the services with interment to follow at the Mount Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery. Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Collins is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Mr. McGrew, a Covington County native, was a retired Bridge forman for Illinois Central Railroad. He attended Liberty Baptist Church in Collins. Mr. McGrew enjoyed many outdoor activities; especially fishing. He and a long time friend, Jay Harper, spent many days fishing at Lake Mike Conner and enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wood McGrew and Birdie Mauldin McGrew; his wife, Vondell McGrew; and a brother, Ramsey McGrew.

Survivors include his son Terry McGrew and his wife, Joyce of Magee; one sister, Ada Jane Smith of Collins; three grandchildren, Kristy Campfield, Christopher McGrew, and Benjamin McGrew; two great grandchildren, Kristen Bryant and Chasidy Campfield; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com

www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com

Notes:

He has a military marker, embossed with a cross, and "Bennie McGrew, Mississippi, M Sgt US Air Force Ret, World War II Korea, Dec 15 1919 Aug 28 1973." He also shares a double headstone with Myra McGrew (1920-1988).

Social Security Death Index has the same name, same date of birth, shows his last residence as Seminary, Mississippi, BUT has his date of death as December 1963?

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]