The Ku Klux Klan in Williamson County, Part Two

In 1915, the Ku Klux Klan, “a movement dedicated to organized intolerance,” was revived near Atlanta, Georgia, after a dormancy of forty-five years. The Klan appeared to be a small and harmless order, predicated on southern sentimentalism and mild patriotism, until 1920-21, when its organization and national officers were changed. From then on, its spread was rapid. Continue reading

Clarida, James H. 1876-1950, Mayor & Spanish American War Vet

Clarida JH

James Henderson Clarida, grandfather of Bill Butler and  Mayor Robert Butler, was born March 30, 1876 at Crab Orchard, the son of William J. Clarida and Irena Culbreth. He grew up on a farm and attended school at Pleasant Grove.

In the 1880 census, James H. was 4 years old and sharing space with a sister, Ida J. Clarida, age 6, in the home of his parents on their farm in Crab Orchard Precinct of Williamson County. Continue reading

Holland, Brice 1844-1922, Union Sailor and Confederate Soldier

Brice Holland

Brice Holland

It isn’t often you run across an individual who actually fought in the Civil War on both sides, but this appears to be one of them. Although there some disparities in dates and locations, that exist between his obituary and actual records, this man lead an interesting life.

Brice Holland was born on January 29, 1842, in Monongalia County, Palestine, W. Virginia, the son of Jacob Holland and Emily J. Tarleton, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His mother passed away in 1857. Continue reading