Talbot County Georgia Bios William Andrew Blythe File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by grmiles1@bellsouth.net Carla Miles Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/talbot.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm William Andrew Blythe William Andrew Blythe was born on 12/27/1878 in Marion County, Ga. He was the son of William Robert and Emma Blythe. Nothing is known of his childhood years except that his mother passed away sometime between 1880 and 1889. His father remarried when William was eleven years old William married Eunice Inez McLendon, a resident of Box Springs, Ga., and they had one child, Benjamin Beeland Blythe born about 1905. Will, as he was known, was well respected and very active in the civic affairs of the community. While living in Box Springs, Ga. in the early 1900s, he was co-owner of a mercantile firm with his father-in-law, Frank McLendon. The name of the firm was McLendon and Blythe. In 1906, he ran for sheriff of Talbot County. Here is the announcement of his run for Sheriff in the February 15, 1906 issue of The Talbotton New Era: “Mr. Will Blythe who has announced for Sheriff, is one of the best known citizens of Talbot County, residing in Box Springs district. For a long time he was a member of the well known mercantile firm of McLendon and Blythe and he is a man who has a large circle of friends.” Announcements for Sheriff of Talbot County “I am a candidate for the office of Sheriff of Talbot county, to fill the unexpired term of the late B.A. Richards, subject to the primary of March 3rd. I will also be a candidate for the full term and will appreciate the help and support of all citizens of the county.” Respectfully, W.A. Blythe There were seven other gentlemen running for this office. Unfortunately, Will Blythe didn’t win. When Will and his family moved to Junction City, he took an active part in the community. They lived on Broad Street in Junction City and Will worked as a Bookkeeper at the Junction City Manufacturing Company (the coffin factory). Will’s first wife, Eunice died sometime in 1912. Will married Mary Neal Barnes on April 16, 1916. There were no children born to this marriage. During this time, Will was promoted to Secretary-Treasurer. Around 1926, Will started the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Junction City and worked there for 17 years, until his death at the age of 64. Will was a member of the Junction City Baptist Church where he was a deacon and taught Sunday School. On several occasions he was chosen to be a representative for the church at the State Convention in Atlanta. Will was a member of the School Board and in 1928, was the Mayor of Junction City. He died on June 28, 1943 at his home. His obituary is below: The Talbotton New Era Thursday, June 1, 1943 Mr. William A. Blythe died at his home in Junction City Monday night following a long illness. Mr. Blythe was 64 years of age and was one of the most prominent men in the county. He was cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Junction City. For a number of years Mr. Blythe was a member of the Talbot County Board of Education and a trustee of the Junction City School. He was a member of the Baptist church and was a leader in the religious and educational activities of his community and county. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the Junction City Baptist Church with the pastor, Rev. Richard officiating. Mr. Blythe is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Barnes Blythe, and one son, Beeland Blythe, of the U.S. Army. A host of friends throughout this section mourn the passing of this beloved and useful citizen. 1900 Georgia Soundex Vol. 64, E.D. 55, Sheet 16, Line 16 688 Wilkerson District, Talbot County, GA Willie A. Blythe, DOB Dec 1878, 21 years old Enumerated with Franklin P. McLendon Relationship to: Boarder (Frank McLendon was Will's future Father-in-law, as he married Eunice Inez McLendon) 1910 Talbot County, GA Census Census taken on April 15, 1910 Broad Street, Junction City, Ga #20 William A. Blythe, Head, WM, 31 years, Married 5 years,Bookkeeper-Coffin Factory, Born Ga, Parents born Ga Eunice, wife, WF, 26 years, married 5 years, Born Ga, Parents born Ga Benjamin B., son, WM, 4 years, Born Ga 1920 Talbot County, GA Census Census taken on January 2, 1920 #4 William A. Blythe, Head, WM, 41 years old, born in GA, parents born in GA, Married,Owns Home, Occupation: Bookkeeper-Coffin Factory Mary N., wife, WF, 27 years old, married, born in GA, parents born in GA Benjamin R.,son, WM, 14 years old, single, born in GA, parents born in GA William B. Blythe, father, WM, 65 years old, widower, born in GA, parents born in GA The Talbotton New Era Thursday, March 23, 1916 Barnes-Blythe Mrs. William Hampton Barnes announces the engagement of her daughter, Mary Neal, to Mr. William Andrew Blythe, of Junction City. The marriage to be solemnized at her home April 16th, two thirty p.m. No cards. The Talbotton New Era Thursday, April 20, 1916 Barnes-Blythe Near Junction City was solemnized one of the most beautiful weddings ever occuring in Talbot county when Miss Mary Barnes and Mr. William Andrew Blythe were united Sunday, April 16th, in the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Wade Hampton Barnes. The house was wreathed in Southern smilax. Flowers, music and joy gave magical charm. Easter lilies, ferns and sprays of snowy blossoms added a bridal beauty. Throughout the house, white and green made an effective color scheme. Mrs. M.A. McCoy, of Talbotton, sang to assemble the guests, "A Perfect Day" and "At Dawning" with Mrs. E. H. McGehee accompanist. The ribbon bearers were: Sarah Williamson, niece of bride, of Atlanta, wearing pink accordion pleated chiffon, with bows of violine. Lucile Moore, of Junction City, niece of the bride, who wore white embroidered chiffon with blue ribbons. The flower girls were: Frances Williamson, of Atlanta, niece of the bride, in pink chiffon; Edith Moore, in white, with bows of blue. They carried long handled gold baskets filled with lilies. Little Claudia Keller was ring bearer and was very dainty in a white hand made gown of lingerie, embroidered in blue. She carried a satin pillow with ring. To the strains of the wedding march, the bridal party entered, Mr. Blythe with Mr. Keller. The bride was preceded by her matron of honor, Mrs. Clarence Brown Edwards, a twin sister. She was given in marriage by her brother, Mr. Charles Warren Moore, Rev. W.Y. Allen pronouncing the sacred words. The couple plighted their vows neath a wedding bell of white carnations and asparagus ferns. Candles in tall sconces cast a soft radiance. The bride was very handsome in a going away gown of blue cloth, with becoming hat. She carried white carnations and valley lilies. She is greatly loved for her many charms. Mr. Blythe is the esteemed secretary and treasurer of the Junction City Manufacturing Company. They left immediately after the ceremony for a wedding journey, amid showers of good wishes. Their gifts were varied and costly. A bungalow furnished throughout was the groom's gift to the bride. The firm with which Mr. Blythe is connected will give them an Eastern trip later. The out of town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. E. Williamson, Atlanta; Mr. and Mrs. Ben T. Brooks, Master Jordan Brooks; Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Barnes, Birmingham; Mr. Clifford McLendon, Columbus; Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Bardwell, Mr. E.L. Bardwell, Jr.; Dr. and Mrs. W.P. Leonard, Mrs. E.H. McGehee, Mrs. M.A. McCoy, of Talbotton. ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============