Poppy Day — per the American Legion’s website, “On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.”
On 25 March 1978, the Wilson Daily Times published this photo with a long caption about the groundbreaking ceremony for a new headquarters on New Bern Street for Henry Ellis Post 17 of the American Legion.
The veterans depicted are (front row):
James C. Bess, post commander — Rev. Bess (1915-2002) was a World War II veteran.
George C. Alexander, post adjutant — George Caswell Alexander (1911-1986) was a World War II veteran.
E.L. Joyner, finance officer — Eddie Lee Joyner (1895-1989) was a World War I veteran.
Bennie Sanders, “a World War I veteran who is one of the oldest members of the local post” — Bennie Saunders (1894-1980).
On the back row:
Milton Lucas, member — Milton Lucas was a World War II veteran.
Nelson Farmer, service officer — Nelson Thomas Farmer Jr. (1925-2005) was a World War II veteran.
S.J. Satchell, membership chairman — Spencer J. Satchell Jr. (1910-1986) was a World War II veteran.
Ernest Bridges, member — Ernest Bridgers (1921-2000) was a World War II veteran.
Raleigh Williams, member — Raleigh Ferguson Williams (1909-1992) was a World War II veteran.
In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on S.H. Crocker Farm Road, tenant farmer, John Whitehead, 37; wife Nellie, 36; children E.K., 16, William H., 13, Anna V.O., 7, Anna Nula, 5, and J.B., 4; and great-uncle[?] Josh Whitehead.
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, express laborer [no first name] Whitehead, 49; wife Ella, 45; and children Anna V., 17, Nora, 16, John, 14, and William, 24. All were born in Georgia except Ella [Nellie], who was born in North Carolina.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Nellie Whitehead, 56; son J.B., 24, truck driver for a contractor; daughter Anna Hagans, 27, tobacco company stemmer; son-in-law Henry Hagans, 32, town garbage remover; and daughter Elnora Whitehead, 26.
John Baptist Whitehead registered for the World War II draft in Wilson in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 25 December 1915 in Chester, Georgia; lived at Route 4, Box 39, Wilson; worked for Imperial Tobacco, Barnes Street; and his contact was his mother, Nellie Whitehead.
Acclaimed African-American tenor Emanuel Mansfield and Native American pianist Robert Evans appeared in concert at Reid Street Community Center in November 1946. Henry Ellis Post Number 17 of the American Legion sponsored the event. Tickets were available at Wade’s Shoe Shop, 533 East Nash Street, Wade M. Moore, proprietor.
In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Mollie Williams, 28, cook, and children Orlanda, 9, Nathaniel, 8, and Rosetta, 2.
In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Mollie Williams, 37, private cook, and children Nathaniel, 18, odd jobs laborer; Roseta, 12, laborer; and Allander, 19, odd jobs laborer.
Aulander Williams registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in August 1891 in Wilson County; lived on Route 6, Wilson; was single; and farmed for Sallie Graves near Stantonsburg.
Orlander Williams, 26, of Stantonsburg, son of Alex Joyner and Mollie Williams, married Lula Evans, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Mingo and Martha Evans, on 5 August 1917 in Wilson County. Alexander Leake applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister H.H. Sanders performed the ceremony in the presence of Ernest May, Jesse Darden and Walter Haskins.
In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Aulander Williams, 28, cropper; wife Lula, 25; and son Aulander jr., 1.
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Orlanda Williams, 34; wife Lula, 35; children Orlanda, 12, Nick, 8, Sarah, 7, Nora, 5, and Lula M., 2; and nephew Elmer, 14.
Lula Williams died 29 July 1947 at her home at 1016 Wainwright Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 January 1898 in Edgecombe County to Mingo Edwards and Martha Mercer; was married to Olanda Williams; and was a factory worker. She was buried in Rountree cemetery.
Olander Williams died 26 April 1949 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 August 1890 in Edgecombe County to Elex Johnson and Mollie Williams; lived at 520 Hadley Street; and was a laborer. Daisy Williams was informant.
Angus McNeil — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 615 1/2 Viola, barber Angus McNeil, 27, and wife Maggie, 22. In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1202 Wainwright, barber Angus McNeil, 40; wife Maggie, 25; and daughter Agnes E., 6.
Corp. C.H. Toler — Claude H. Toler. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: butler Claude Toler, 24, and wife Mildred, 20.
Moses Parker — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 123 Pender Street, Georgia Akin, 45, widow, livery stable manager; brother Alexander Crockett, 47, stable salesman; and roomers John Norfleet, 30, and Mose Parker, 32, both laborers.
