John Alexander Poythress Life Events

19 June 1874Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina

Birth of John Alexander Poythress

 

John Alexander was the second child of Charles David and Indiana Peru (née Twisdale) Poythress born in Goldsboro, North Carolina. His older brother was James Sneed (or Speed) Poythress, born 17 September, 1871.

 

Source: Date of birth confirmed by his WWI draft registration card.  Location of birth based on information relayed by his son to his niece: “Uncle Cecil told me that he and his dad were on a train passing through Goldsboro and his dad pointed out a log cabin and said that was where I was born.”

 

Notes:

24 June 1874John Alexander is about 1 week old

Charles David Poythress Elected Municipal Commissioner, Manson, North Carolina

 

Source: Warrenton (NC) Gazette 3 July, 1874.

 

17 September 1875Charles David opens a photography studio soon after John Alexander's 1st birthday

Charles David Poythress Opens Photography Studio, Manson, North Carolina

 

Source: Warrenton (NC) Gazette, 17 September, 1875.

16 Oct 1879*"Age 1 in 1880 Federal Census

Birth of Sister, Effie Poythress

Effie Poythress was born in Ridgeway, North Carolina 16 October 1879 and lived in the Henderson, North Carolina area until her death 30 November, 1946 (age 67).

She rests in the Poythress family plot in the Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.

Effie married Robert L. Mustian 14 October 1920 in Henderson, Vance County, North Carolina.

19 June 1880Census taker visited home on John Alexander's 6th birthday

Charles David Poythress Family Living in Nutbush Township, North Carolina (circa 1880)

 

Source:  United States Federal Census 1880; Census Place: Nutbush, Warren, North Carolina; Roll: 985; Page: 91D; Enumeration District: 284.

Notes:

  • Charles David is not listed in the household. India Poythress (age 29) listed as married, keeping house and head of the household.
  • Also shown is Sallie (Sally)(née Dortch) Poythress (age 60) in the household; she is the mother of Charles David and widow of David Poythress, who passed 26 September 1876.
  • Charles David’s whereabouts at the time are not documented.
Circa 1888Family moves to Thomasville, Georgia

Charles David Poythress & Family in Late 1880s

 

Charles David Poythress Family Portrait. Left to right: father Charles David Poythress, Charles Vance Poythress, James Sneed Poythress, John Alexander Poythress, mother Indiana Peru (nee Twisdale) Poythress, Benjamin Edison Poythress (toddler), and in front seated is Effie Poythress.

John Alexander standing behind his mother likely is between 15 and 16 years old in this family portrait.

 

Based on this series of accounts of business ventures between February and late July, 1888 this may have been a pivotal year for Charles David and his young family.  They also reveal business experiences not otherwise documented.

 

Source: Henderson Gold Leaf 26 February, 1888.

 

 

 

Source: New Era (Shelby, North Carolina) 11 April, 1888.

 

 

Source: Henderson Gold Leaf 26 July, 1888.

 

The family moved to Thomasville, Georgia late 1888 or early 1889 where Charles David operated a photography business and billed himself as a sewing machine machinist.  It appears that John Alexander apprenticed with his father as a sewing machine apprentice.  Soon after his father’s death we find him working as a sewing machine machinist traveling around the Southeast.

 

Charles David Poythress Sewing Machine Repair Business Card.

 

 

29 July 1892John Alexander had just turned 18

Charles David Poythress Dies at 43

 

Charles David Poythress
Circa 1880s.

 

 

Source: The Atlanta Constitution 30 July, 1892.

 

 

Source: Henderson Gold Leaf 4 August 1892.

 

Charles David moved to Atlanta to accept a position with the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He had been a manager for Singer Sewing Machine Company in Henderson, North Carolina.  Cause of death was pneumonia.  His remains were later moved from the old family homestead to a gravesite in the family plot in the Elmwood Cemetery of Henderson, North Carolina.

 

13 April & 18 May 1893 Sumter County, AL -- near Poythress relatives

John Alexander Starts Machinist Career At Age 19

 

Note: John Alexander appears to have learned to be a sewing machine machinist from his father.  The newspaper notices and advertisements below document that he started a career traveling to communities around the southern region of the country providing maintenance, repair and parts services for sewing machines. We do not know if he launched his business prior to his father’s death but these advertisements appeared less than one year after his father’s death in Atlanta.  It is perhaps only by coincidence that the earliest notices are from a very small community in West-Central Alabama where Poythress relatives are located.

 

It is unclear why the 13 April, 1893 notice identifies him as “the competent sewing machine repairer, of Sumterville”.  Possibly he may have been staying with Poythress family, although there is are no accounts or confirming records.  His mother, Indiana Peru, returned with her children back to Henderson after Charles David’s untimely death.

 

Source: The Sumter County Sun (Livingston, Alabama) 13 April, 1893.

 

Source: The Sumter County Sun (Livingston, Alabama) 18 May, 1893.

 

Note:  The family of James Speed Poythress (son of David Poythress and Mary Dortch) was living in Sumterville, Alabama at the time.  James Speed was John Alexander’s uncle.  Nearby in Livingston were other Poythress relatives.

4 May 1898 & 4 August 1899North Carolina communities near his hometown

Traveling Sewing Machine Repair in North Carolina

 

Source: Chatham Citizen (Pittsboro, North Carolina)  4 May, 1898.

 

Source: The Franklin Times (Louisburg, North Carolina) 4 August 1899.

 

9 June 1900Working as a machinist, just shy of his 26th birthday

John Alexander Poythress Living in Florence, South Carolina

 

The 1900 Federal Census shows John Alexander Poythress as a boarder in the Florence, South Carolina home of Lucy B. Eason (widow) and Effie L. Eason (daughter) on 9 June, 1900 when the household was visited by the census taker.

 

Notes:

  • We do not know how long he may have been a boarder in this home.
  • His occupation is listed as Machinist R.R.
  • John Alexander’s sewing machine machinist territory may have included much of the Southeastern United States.

 

Source: United States Federal Census 1900; Census Place: Florence, Florence, South Carolina; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1241528.

8 May 1901Married Effie L. Eason

Marriage of John Alexander Poythress to Effie L. Eason

 

Source: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Effie, age 19, is the daughter of Willis Eason (deceased) and Lucy B. Eason. John Alexander is just shy of age 27.

15 November & 4 December 1901Region West of Durham

Traveling Sewing Machine Repair Soon After Marriage

 

Source: The Reidsville Review (Reidsville, North Carolina) 15 November, 1901.

 

Source: The Greensboro Patriot (Greensboro, North Carolina) 4 December, 1901.

2 May 1904Born in Durham, North Carolina

Birth of John Alexander, Jr.

 

John Alexander, Jr. was born in Durham, North Carolina and lived to be 76 years of age.

2 May 1904 – 27 October 1980

His gravesite is in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery, Saraland, Alabama.

 

Note:  John and Effie lost an infant child in 1903.

 

17 June 1906Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina

Birth of Charles B., Jr.

 

Charles B. was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and lived to be 6 years of age.

17 June 1906 – 1912

His gravesite is in the Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina adjacent to a large stone Poythress monument and the gravesites of seven Poythress family members.

 

 

 

 

6 August 1906Starting the family

Vacationing with Family in Morehead City, North Carolina

 

Left to Right: Charles, Jr. (infant, died in 1912), John Alexander, Sr., John Alexander, Jr. (born in 1904) and Effie Eason Poythress.

23 February 1908Born in Henderson, North Carolina

Birth of Ruby Lucille Poythress

 

Ruby Lucille was born in Henderson, North Carolina and died at approximately 6 weeks of age.

23 February 1908 –  April 1908

Her gravesite is in the Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.

 

Map of Poythress grave locations in the Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.

13 April & 14 May 1908Reviews of his moving picture shows

Career Shift to Showman for Moving Pictures

 

Source: The Robesonian (Lumberton, North Carolina) 13 April, 1908.

 

Source: Henderson Gold Leaf 14 May 1908.

15 July 1909Born in Durham, North Carolina

Birth of Willis Eason Poythress

 

Willis Eason was born in Durham, North Carolina and lived to be 49 (and 10 months) years of age.

15 July 1909 – 28 May, 1959

His gravesite is in the H. Warren Smith Cemetery, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

Circa 1910

Household in 1910 Federal Census

 

John Alexander Poythress Household, 1910 Federal Census

 

John Alexander Poythress Household in Thirteenth Census of the United States

Age in 1910: 35

Birth Date: 1875

Birthplace:  North Carolina

Home in 1910: Durham Ward 2, Durham, North Carolina, USA

Street: Holloway Street

House Number: 429

Race: White

Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Head

Marital Status: Married

Spouse’s Name: Effie L Poythress

Father’s Birthplace: North Carolina

Mother’s Birthplace: North Carolina

Native Tongue: English

Occupation: Showman

Industry: Moving Picture

Employer, Employee or Other: Own Account

Home Owned or Rented: Rent

Farm or House: House

Able to read: Yes

Able to Write: Yes

Out of Work: N

Household Members: 5

Members of Household

Name Age Relationship

Effie L Poythress 28 Wife
John A Poythress 5 Son

Charles B Poythress 3 Son
Willis E Poythress 0 Son

 

Note:

  • The entry for Effie L. indicates 5 children born, 3 living when the Census was done, 21 April, 1910.
  • The 1909 Durham, North Carolina, City Directory lists his home address as 425 Holloway.  Occupation as Moving Pictures.

 

Source: Federal Census 1910; Census Place: Durham Ward 2, Durham, North Carolina; Roll: T624_1108; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375121.

 

Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

5 Jan 1911Show includes vaudeville features

Exhibiting Moving Pictures in Hometown of Henderson, NC

 

Source: Henderson Gold Leaf 5 January, 1911.

Circa 1911New home address in Durham

Moves to New Address in Durham, North Carolina

 

John Alexander Poythress

713 W. Chapel Hill

Durham, North Carolina

Note:  Occupation listed as Moving Picture Operator

Source:  Durham, North Carolina, City Directory, 1911.

24 June 1912Born in Durham, North Carolina

Birth of Cecil Adam Poythress

Cecil Adam was born in Durham, North Carolina and lived to be 86 years of age.

24 June 1912 – 20 November 1998

His gravesite is in the Hillside Cemetery, Ormond Beach, Florida.

 

Circa 1915John Alexander in his early 40s

John Alexander Family Portrait

 

John Alexander Poythress, Sr. family portrait taken about 1915.  Left to right in the background: Effie Eason Poythress, Willis Eason Poythress, John Alexander Poythress, Jr. Foreground is Cecil Adams Poythress and John Alexander Poythress, Sr.

19 May 1915John Alexander is the manager

Fire Destroys Henderson Opera House

 

Source: Oxford Public Ledger 22 May, 1915.

 

Note:  This may place John Alexander living in Henderson in the Spring of 1915, however other accounts make it certain that the manager/owner of this property was James S. Poythress, John Alexander’s brother.  There is reason to suspect this news account may have misidentified the manager.

Circa 1917Same home as in 1911

Occupation Returns to Machinist by 1917

 

John A. Poythress

719 W. Chapel Hill

Durham, North Carolina

Note:

  • Occupation listed as Machinist. It appears that his career as a traveling moving picture showman ended no later than 1917.
  • The house number may be 713, as in the 1911 City Directory, although this can’t be confirmed.

Source: Durham, North Carolina, City Directory, 1917.

 

12 September 1918Civilian working at Norfolk Naval Base during WWI

Working in Norfolk, Virginia

 

Source: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

Also: Listed in the Norfolk, Virginia, City Directory, 1918  at the same address shown on the draft registration card.
Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Note:

  • The city directory does not list his wife or children as living at the address given. The draft card, however, lists the Norfolk address as his permanent address and his wife, Effie, as his nearest relative and living at the Norfolk address.
27 September 1919First documented home owned by family

Family Purchases Home and Property in Washington, D.C.

 

Source: Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) 27 September, 1919.

 

Poythress home circa 1920 at 7417 Blair Road, Takoma Park district, Washington, D.C.

The home no longer exists.  It was in what is now the Takoma Park Historic District on the NPS Register of Historic Places.

 

11 January 1920Established home in Washington, D.C.

Household in 1920 Federal Census

 

John Alexander Poythress Household, 1920 Federal Census

 

John Alexander Poythress Household in Fourteenth Census of the United States.

Age: 45
Birth Year: abt 1875
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Washington, District of Columbia
Street: Blair Road (per property purchase record, family history)
House Number: 7417
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Effie Poythress
Father’s Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother’s Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Secretary Treasurer
Industry: Niagara Oil Burner Co.
Employment Field: Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged: Mortgaged
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Members of Household
Name Age
Thomas H Walker 66
Louise D Walker 48
John A Poythress 45
Effie Poythress 38
John A Poythress Jr 15
Willis Poythress 10
Cecil Poythress 7

Note:

  • Thomas and Louise Walker are listed as boarders.  Thomas is an accountant with the Dept. of Justice.
  • Louise immigrated from France; naturalized in 1880.

 

Source:  Federal Census Year: 1920; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T625_213; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 334.

 

Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

5 April 1920

Glimpse into family life in the spring of 1920 in Washington, D.C.

 

Note:  Below is an excerpt from a personal letter from John Alexander to his wife, Effie, asking about his sons and describing ways they could be of help.

Written April 5, 1920

Hotel La Fayetteville,

Fayetteville, NC

 

“What are the boys doing. I certainly hope they won’t worry you to death this week. Tell Jack and Willis to see how much they can help you with this week. The yard ought to get a real good cleaning. The ashes that was put on the back of the garden to be moved to rr – Chicken yard thoroughly cleaned. Tell Jack if he has sprayed it four or five times with oil a good white washing aout to help it.”

 

29 June 1920Willis was 12 years old

Son Willis Wins Swimming Contest

 

Source: The Washington Times (Washington, District of Columbia) 29 June, 1920.

30 January 1921Significant damage to home and contents

Fire in Home’s Attic

 

Source: Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) 30 January, 1921.

28 March 1921Cecil at White House Easter Egg Roll

Son Cecil Enjoys Easter Egg Roll on White House Lawn

 

Note:  Due to World War I austerities 1921 was the first White House Egg Roll since 1916.  It was estimated that more than 50,000 children attended.

 

Cecil Poythress, age 8, White House Easter Egg Roll, circa 1920.

Circa 1921Launched New Business Career

Launched Insecticide and Disinfectant Business in Washington, D.C.

 

John Alexander Poythress on right in front of his Ideal Manufacturing Company truck.  The company manufactured “ITS” Insecticide and Disinfectant.  The truck is parked in front of his home on Blair Road in Washington, D.C.  The young man on the left may be his son, John Alexander, Jr.  

 

Source: Evening Star 31 July, 1921. Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

 

6 May 1922

Lawsuit Filed Against John Alexander

 

Source: The Washington Post (Washington, District of Columbia) 6 May, 1922.

23 April 1923Family may have moved to Jacksonville, Florida soon afterwards

Family Loses Home in Settlement of Law Suit

 

Source: Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) 23 April, 1923.

12 September 1924John Alexander's mother

John Alexander’s Mother India(na) Peru Poythress Dies

 

India (or Indiana) Peru (née Twisdale) Poythress was the daughter of James H. and Tabitha Twisdale, born in North Carolina on 3 April 1852.

 

She married Charles David Poythress on December 8, 1870 at the home of her father James H. Twisdale in Warren County North Carolina.

 

North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ,” database with images, FamilySearch.

Their five children are: James Sneed (Speed) (1871-1918), John Alexander (1874-1934), Charles Vance (1876-1906), Effie (1881-1946) and Benjamin Edison (1887-1971).

 

Her gravesite is located in the Poythress family plot in the Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.

Circa 1924Transitioning to photography and printing

Family Living in Jacksonville, Florida

 

Poythress John (Effie) clk H & W B Drew Co h1131 E Church

Source: Jacksonville, Florida City Directory, 1924

 

Note: The H. & W. B. Drew Company was a historic Jacksonville, Florida, printing company.  The company produced photographic post cards, stationary, playing cards and commercial brochures.

 

The University of North Florida holds a special collection of materials related to the company history and the Drew family.

 

 

H & WB Drew Company 2, Jacksonville, Fl.
Drew brought his family to Jacksonville in 1848 to establish a newspaper, “The Florida Republican.” The newspaper’s plant was destroyed in 1854, and one year later, Drew opened the Columbus Drew Stationery Printing Company.
In 1893, the company was incorporated as “H. & W. B. Drew Company, Inc.” Several years later, the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 destroyed the company’s plant. A new two story building was soon erected at 45-47 West Bay Street. Horace Drew continued as Company President until his death in 1926. The business remained primarily in family ownership for most of the twentieth century. It provided engraved stationery and office supplies to professionals throughout the country. In 1997, Wells Legal Supply, Inc. acquired H& WB Drew Company to form The Wells & Drew Companies.

Image Source:  University of North Florida Special Collections and University Archives, George Lansing Taylor Collection Main Gallery.

 

Undated -- likely between 1925 and 1934John and Effie

John Alexander and Effie circa 1925 – 1934

 

John Alexander and Effie Eason Poythress possibly in Jacksonville, Florida.

5 April 1930Had launched insecticide business by this date

Household in 1930 Federal Census

 

John Alexander Poythress Household, 1930 Federal Census

John Alexander Poythress Household in Fifteenth Census of the United States.

Birth Year: abt 1875
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 55
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, USA
Street Address: College Street
Ward of City: 9 Pt of
House Number: 563
Dwelling Number: 61
Family Number: 102
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Home Value: 65
Radio Set: No
Lives on Farm: No
Age at First Marriage: 26
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Virginia
Mother’s Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Manufacturer
Industry: Insecticides
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Employment: Yes
US Veteran: No
Members of Household
Name Age Relationship
Effie L Poythress 46 Wife
John A Poythress 26 Son
Willis E Poythress 20 Son
Cecil A Poythress 17 Son
Emma J Poythress19 Daughter-in-law

 

Source: United States Federal Census 1930; Census Place: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0026; FHL microfilm: 2340048.

 

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

18 October 1931In Miami with sons to launch new business venture

A Glimpse into Family Life in Florida

 

Note:  Below is an excerpt from a personal letter from John Alexander to his wife, Effie, describing life with his sons, Jack (John Alexander, Jr.) and Cecil, during their business trip to Miami.

 

Oct. 18, 1931
Miami  Fla
Sunday AM

 

1870 N. W. 36th St

 

This has been a lively week here. An election will be held here Tuesday, October 20 deciding whether Dade county can have a horse and dog racing or not. Tremendous mass meetings being held every night. We have attended three nights. Wonderful programs consisting of good speaking, music by fine bands and Vaudeville acts in between. (all free).

Jack does most of the cooking. And he is OK. Had splendid cakes for breakfast today….Cabbage and beans soup with meat yesterday. So we are not living on fried foods. I am living mostly on grapefruit, bean soup and oysters. Cecil usually does the dish washing.

Cecil has just gone to Sunday school with some new made friends. Suit freshly cleaned and pressed, hair cut and shoe shine- I am afraid Jack will have to wash dishes.

Finally rented two splendid store buildings (new) at above address Thursday. We have had electric fixtures and plumbing fixtures put in or owner did for us. Just finished here last night. Will have water and electricity Monday . Meantime buying lumber for shelves counters…
C is a real carpenter. He is building us four 2 foot tables.
Both of our stores are 75 feet long. For the present we will use one for manufacturing the other for office and living quarters.
If the race track bill goes through this will be a busy place for at least a year. Building two new tracks at the cost of $5,000,000 Five million. I am very much encouraged at present outlook.
Note:  Also he writes he will be returning home to Jacksonville to check on another business he has there.
7 February 1934Accidental drowning possibly related to heart attack

John Alexander Dies in Jacksonville, Florida at 59

 

John Alexander Poythress Florida Death Certificate.

 

John Alexander died 7 February 1934 and was buried in Jacksonville, Florida in the Oaklawn cemetery.

 

Source: Florida Deaths, 1877-1939, database, FamilySearch. 

John Alexander Poythress grave marker.

Effie L. Poythress

Effie L. (née Eason) Poythress After 1934

 

Effie was 52 years of age at the time of John Alexander’s death on 7 February, 1934.  She continued to live in Florida and Alabama with or near her sons and their families for more than 22 years after John Alexander’s passing.  Her grandchildren called her Nana and remember her warmly as a wonderful cook, very social and fond of entertaining friends and family.

 

She passed away in Jacksonville on 19 July, 1956 at the age of 74.  Her gravesite is adjacent to John Alexander in the Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.

 

Effie L. Poythress grave marker.