Henry Clay Button is my paternal great grandfather. According to census records, he was born between 1858 and 1862 in Georgia. It took a bit of deduction to find him. In the 1870 census of Bibb County, Georgia, it is not far-fetched to believe that Henry Clay was called by his middle name, Clay, in the household of his possible father, Henry Button. In this record he is 12 years old, making his birth year about 1858.
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| Year: 1870; Census Place: Subdivision 8, Bibb, Georgia; Roll: M593_136; Page: 731B; Family History Library Film: 545635 |
1880
Ten years later, he is again listed as Clay Button and 18 years of age which would make his birth year about 1862. Although he is not ten years older than his 12 years in 1870 and he is not with his family, he is still in Bibb County, Georgia. He is a boarder and field hand in the household of Simon Andrews who is a farm laborer. Also in the household are Anna Andrews (wife), their five children, Willis Andrews (brother), and another boarder, George Sharp, age 18.
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| Year: 1880; Census Place: District 514, Bibb, Georgia; Roll: 134; Page: 46C; Enumeration District: 008 |
1883
The next thing I knew about him was through a marriage record that I had found when researching his wife, my great grandmother Mary Lane. They were married on 28 Dec 1883 in Bibb County, Georgia. No ages are on the record but it is proof of their marriage.
Doggone that 1890 census!
1900
For quite awhile I was unable to find Henry Clay Button and family in the 1900 census. Then I decided to try the F.A.N. club -- Family, Associates, Neighbors. I concentrated on the neighbors with unusual names in the 1910 census of Macon, Georgia and worked backward to see if they were in the 1900 census. Henry Cornelius. Joe Life. Nothing. But I hit pay dirt when I just used the last name Cornelius in Georgia, USA on FamilySearch.org. It wasn't the Cornelius family from the 1910 census but the family above them is listed as Henry Battle (head), Mary (wife) and Florence, Ida B., and Annie N (daughters). YES!!! The family relationships, ages, street (Flanders) were all in sync with the 1910 census -- just the last name was wrong. In this record he is 40 years old, making his birth year about 1860.
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| Year: 1900; Census Place: East Macon, Bibb, Georgia; Page: 3; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm: 1240180 |
I was able to locate Henry Button in Macon, Georgia in 1904 living at 534 Flanders (East Macon). He is married and his occupation is listed as fireman. (Macon, Georgia, City Directory, 1904: Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995)
1905, 1906, 1907, 1908
During each of the years above, he is married and living at 532 Flanders (East Macon). In 1905 his occupation is listed as laborer at the Acme Brewing Company; in 1906 - fireman; in 1907 and 1908 - laborer. (Macon, Georgia, City Directory: Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995)
The Acme Brewing Company had one of the best equipped plants in the south. The company was housed in a brick building that was four stories high, located among a system of railroad tracks. As one of the most successful businesses in the south, it.employed hundreds of people. Digital Library of Georgia: Georgia Historic Newspapers: The Macon telegraph. (Macon, Ga.) 188?-1905, July 22, 1894, Image 3
In a company this large, I would image that there were various positions which is why my great grandfather was a laborer or fireman in different years.
1910
His family had grown by two daughters (Bessie and Verna E.) in the 1910 census, still living at 532 Flanders. An addition to the household is a niece, Fanny Gross.
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| Year: 1910; Census Place: Macon Ward 1, Bibb, Georgia; Roll: T624_173; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 28; Image: 614. |
1912, 1914, 1917
In each of the years above, he is married and continued to live at 532 Flanders (East Macon). His occupation is listed as laborer in 1912 and fireman in both 1914 and 1917. (Macon, Georgia, City Directory: Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995)
The table of contents of the Macon City directories indicate that white and colored residents are grouped separately in 1904 through 1908 and 1912; churches and secret societies are also grouped in that way. The 1914 and 1917 Macon City directories listed all residents together but Colored residents were indicated by an asterisk (*). Churches and secret societies were still separated and grouped by white and colored.
1918
Not listed in the 1918 Macon, Georgia City Directory.
Death
Henry Clay Button probably died between 1917 and 1920. In the 1920 census, his wife Mary is listed as a widow, still living at 532 Flanders with son-in-law William Burkett as head of household and husband of her daughter, Florence and their 1 1/2 year old son Joseph. Still in the household are the two youngest Button daughters: Bessie, 16 and Lizzie, 10.
Death Certificate
The state of Georgia did not begin statewide registration of births and deaths until 1919. Death records from 1919 to 1930 are indexed and available online through the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault (Death Certificates collection). The site also includes a small collection from the years 1914-1918. The entire collection may be searched by County of Death and/or Year of Death.
This timeline helped me (1) fill in "holes" in my great grandfather's story; (2) look at what I had more critically; (3) realize the year span for my great grandfather's death. Maybe I can find what I need online and maybe not. At any rate, the search continues . . .
Copyright © 2020 by Sandra Williams Bush, Ancestor Callings: Georgia and Mississippi Roots. All Rights Reserved.
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