Mary Ann McBrayer Klaiber: Whispers from the Grave; Klaiber Cemetery, Boyd County, Kentucky

 

Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber 2023

Mary Ann McBrayer was the sixth child born to James R. and Anna Sanders McBrayer on 24 May 1834 on Williams Creek.  When she was ten her father got his deed for property on Four Mile in what is now Boyd County, Kentucky.  He purchased 200 acres from William Carter and like many of Carter’s land transactions, the deed was not clarified until 1852.[i]  This property is at the end of Four Mile Road today where Rush Off Road, known as Lowman property, is today.   I blogged about McBrayer Cemetery on Four Mile in 2020.

According to an article in 1919 she joined the M. E. Church South when she was 18 in Cannonsburg, Kentucky under the ministry of Rev. Thornton.[ii]. She married 1 November 1855, Carter County, Kentucky[iii], to German born John Andrew Klaiber, at the age of 21.  James R. McBrayer along with John Andrew posted bond for their marriage.  The actual marriage book spells John’s last name as Claiver living at Cannonsburg (then Greenup County) age 24 born Hirlemburg Germany (sic).  Mary Ann McBrayer was residing on Four Mile in Carter County born on Williams Creek in Greenup County.

Granddaughter Martha Klaiber Cox had a German bible in her possession for many years, said to have come over with Klaiber, but it did not contain any family information. Martha said that even in their elder years some in the area were suspicious of his German accent.  When the United States declared war against Germany in April 1917, the Klaiber’s were in their 80’s, yet there were still whispers of animosity even though John Andrew Klaiber had become an American citizen in July 1859. As I write these blog bios, I heard from another descendent, Pamela Wolf, who says that her family oral history told of James R. McBrayer not wanting Mary Ann to marry the German.

But marry she did, having ten children.  They are said to have buried German gold under a fence post and it was never recovered[iv]. She lived through the Civil War and in the twilight of her years World War I. The family lived first in Catlettsburg, then Catletts Creek, and eventually settled on Long Branch.  Besides their own children, John Andrew also had several apprentices involved in his boot making over the years. In 1870 her mother-in-law came over from Germany to live with them.  It was a full household.  And yet as the McBrayer’s spread westward she managed to keep in touch.  A letter from Maggie Culver to Mary Ann dated 1 June 1910 is still in my possession.[v]

Mary Ann McBrayer Klaiber died 1 April 1919 at her home here on Long Branch.  Ironically the article about the elder Klaiber’s came out in the West Virginia Methodist News just eight days later submitted by Mrs. J. C. McGlothlin. The last paragraph reads “May their remaining time here on earth be the happiest, brightest and best of their long lives is the wish of.”

Mary Ann was a member of Eastern Stars. She could join as a wife of a Master Mason.  The Masonic order is open to all religious beliefs.

 

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[i] KY, Carter, Debk B p 339

[ii] West Virginia Methodist News, April 1919

[iii] KY Carter M bk B p 29

[iv] Which fencepost or which property is never mentioned in either John Henry Klaiber or Martha Klaiber Cox family tales.

[v] Maggie Culver was the granddaughter of Susan Board Corbitt McBrayer who married  James Riley McBrayer, brother of Mary Ann.

Treasures From Our Father's Past

compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber
October 2010

I recently read that the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center in Ashland, Kentucky is developing a wonderful display with World War II memorabilia and will be host to a traveling exhibit as well.

During and after the war soldiers families received advertisements to submit their picture and information for publication in a book. The books were published across the country. Today we tag these type of books as "vanity books." You paid to submit your information and got a copy of the book.

But the World War II books and many other of these historical submitted publications are truly jewels for family and genealogists today.

The Boyd County Public Library received a worn and tattered copy of Patriots of Kentucky WW2 as a donation the other day. You can tell the book has been used over and over again.

I found no publisher listed nor date of publication. But the dedication says "To those who have died for their country - 2nd WW." It does not appear to be the same series as the WWII Young American Patriots 1941-45 series. But the publication is similar.

Another quirk of the publication is the use of 2 vs II throughout the publication. And unlike the Young American Patriots Series the photographs are not alphabetical. The book is organized by town and then by soldier. The book states "Look for your hometown and refer to the page indicated where you will find your picture and historical sketch..."

I spent some time just reading the list of cities and towns in the front of the book. Many of our soldiers were from rural Kentucky and I did find a few entries for Kentucky's unique rural burgs. Most entries, of course were for Louisville, Lexington and a large group from Ashland.

Since this blog is based in the postal service area of Rush, Kentucky I of course looked to see how many entries were from this area. I found two entries. Many more served from this area of Boyd County but these two were submitted:

Charlie C. Coburn Pvt 20, Entered US Army Inf. European Theater. Attended Boyd Co. School. Member of the Methodist Church. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coburn. Rush, KY.

J. H. Lambert, Pvt. 22 US Army. Mediterranean. Attended Canburg High School and Baptist Church. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey Lambert.

Canburg is the Boyd County High School that was then held at Cannonsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky.

Three more entries caught my eye from northeastern Kentucky. Having raised three sons my heart went out to the mother who waited back home for word from three of hers. Under Flatwoods, Kentucky I found the entries of Charles Kenneth Clarke age 20 in the US Army and a POW in Germany. Lemuel Morton Clarke age 35 in the US Engineers and Leonard G. Clarke age 21 in the US Army. All three gentlemen the sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Clarke.

William R. Clarke and wife Stella are listed in the 1930 Federal Census in Russell, Greenup County, Kentucky. Kenneth and Leonard are 5 and 6 years old and Lemuel Morton is listed as Morton age 20. The Clarke family was large with a total 0f ten children that year. It was no surprise to see that William R. Clarke supported his large family by working at the steel mill.

My generation grew up surrounded by silent hero's. They did not talk much about their service until the past few years. Now they are leaving us. This wonderful book was not about vanity but pride in being an American.

This treasure can be viewed in the Minnie Crawford Winder Genealogy Room at the Boyd County Public Library.

Boyd County, Kentucky Poor House 1870

In 2004 Boyd County, Kentucky Monographs I was published and includes an article "Boyd County Poor Folks." This two part article contains the history of the Boyd County Poor House from its inception in early 1870.

Like all historical research new documents have recently surfaced concerning the Poor House. From time to time I will share findings. The following includes some of the first people that were to be residents of the home, which was located on Poor House Road, now Long Branch Road, Boyd County, Kentucky.

I have preserved the spelling of this two page court document but took the liberty of adding periods for easier reading.

"In compliance with this order I have collected the fawling persons and conveyed them to the por hous & placed them in charge of John Higins who was in possession of said home. I collected on the 14 day of Sept 1870 taken Emgine Harlis James Harlis & Clery Harlis in posesian & upon the 15 day taken Sarah Walker and Mary Thomson in charge and delivered them all to the por hous on the same day. I demanded on the 6 day of Sept 1870 Elizabeth Blankinship to go to por hous. She refused to go and famly wold not let her go. I did on the 14 day of Sept 1870 demand Robert Reed. He refused to go and James Smith refused to let him go. Said if the county would not pay him he wold keep him any how. I demanded Bevin Trail Sept 16 1870 & A. Tomson said he was to keep him till next cort of clames so I left him there. & upon 22 day Sept 1870 I imployed Thomas Colinsworth to convey Margret & Elizabeth Colinsworth to por hous which he don and upon the 23 day I demanded Sally Sammons & children to go to por hous. They refused to go. Said she knew nothing about it. She is able to seport her self & children and will do it. So I let her alone. this is all I know of that is on the county that is liable to go to por hous this Sept 26 1870. J. C. Eastham, sheriff of Boyd County, KY. I also demanded Ned Noris Sept 15. He refused to go. J. C. Eastham."

John Higgins was the first appointed superintendent. The court compensated him and he was paid a salary of $1.00 a day. Emmaline Harlis with children James & Clara were residing with Larkin Warner and family when the census was taken in October, 1870. So while the above states that the sheriff delivered them to the poor house, the Harlis family did not remain long.

Ned Norris, 82 years old, a black gentleman born in Virginia [along with Evaline age 77, black; Susan; Polly and Charles L. Mulatto's] was living in Cannonsburg, Boyd County in October, 1870. This appears to be Ned [cited page 30 Boyd County, Kentucky Monographs I ] an emancipated slave of Thomas H. Poage that made application for support to the Boyd County Court in late June 1864 stating that he was a pauper. In 1865 Free Persons of Color were listed on the tax list. Ned Norris along with 3 other Norris surnames appear as being free.