Billy Ray Powell 1928-1969

Wesley Powell's Father
Billy Ray Powell 1928-1969

His WWII registration card

Tilden Cornett 1879-1952

My Great-Grandfather
Tilden Cornett was born 19 Nov 1879
Death was 5 Nov 1952

One of his daughters was Ruby Mae Couch, my Grandmother. Her son James Couch is my father. 

From the information on his WWII Draft Registration card, he worked for The Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 1942.

A brief history of the Railroad can be found at 
http://www.lnrr.org/History.aspx

There is also a video from the 1950's of one of the train yards at 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO6ak5MgFRg

A good video from 1947 to 1990's is 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HcvTvHntrM

A law suit between the rail road and a supplier also lists him as an employee 
http://kdl.kyvl.org/catalog/xt73bk16mf8w_417_42

From the January 1945 Louisville & Nashville Employes' Magazine when he retired. 

He was 65 at retirement, in the Eastern Kentucky division. Started in 1925 and retired 11/30/1944.  His job description was Mec Dpt Lab. 

"Devil Jim" James C. Cornett Sr. 1841–1918

 James C. Cornett (Devil Jim) 

1841-1918

He married Louisa "Eliza" Cornett on August 20, 1860, in Perry, Kentucky.

They had 12 children.

Tilton Cornett was my Great Grandfather. 

He fought in the Civil War- 

He first joined the 10th KY Cav CSA. He was captured while home to visit his new born son Anderson Cornett.   

He then fought with the Three Forks Btn. of the Union Army. He deserted and returned home to join the 13th Ky. Cav. (CSA) Co. A.   The 13th was organized by Jim's second cousin Ben E. Caudill. 

Coolie Cornett 1914-1944 World War II

Coolie Cornett 1914-1944 

Son of Luther Cornett 1884–1959, son of James C "Devil Jim" Cornett Sr.. 
Luther was the brother of my great grandfather of Tilton Cornett.

Was a Corporal in the Army 

US Army Corps of Engineers

He was killed in The Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
4th Infantry Division
U.S. Army 

Information about the Battle of Hurtgen Forest

His remains where kept at a temporary cemetery, 
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium until 1948. 

His remains where returned to Kentucky to be interned in the Mill Springs National Cemetery.  

Jennie Carr 1858–1938

Jennie Carr

1858–1938

She was born in Fredona Alabama

She was married to John Marshall Pittman 1853-1919

Their daughter was Mildred E. Pittman 1896-1958

Mildred was married to Walter E. Smothers 1890-1900

Their son was Connie F. Smothers

When Jennie was 63, both her father and her husband where deceased and she went on an adventure. She got a passport and left the country from New York on March 30, 1920.  

 

She set sail on the ship the RMS Saxonia.

Jennie was heading to England to attend the World’s National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)Conference. 

The WCTU has a long and interesting history.  They fought long and hard for women’s rights and the right for women to vote.

She then was off sightseeing in Belgium, Switzerland and France. 

From Cherbourg France, she took the RMS Adriatic back to New York. She then made her way home to Prescott Arkansas.

What a wonderful and exciting adventure that would have been! Thank you, Jennie, for setting a wonderful example for your great granddaughters.  

 

More information about her involvement in the WCTU. 

In 1928 She was president of the Arkansas WCTU

In 1932 she was editor of the White Ribboner  

Her Mother's Obit