World War II

Where did they go?: Michigan World War II draft registrations, no. 3.
  • Southen Jones

In the 1940 census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan: on East Canfield, renting for $50/month, Southern Jones, 33, born in North Carolina, general work-W.P.A. project. He reported that he had been living in the same place in 1935.

Southen Jones registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 26 December 1906 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 1971 East Canfield, Detroit; his contact was friend Walter Dale; and he worked for W.P.A. He was described as Negro, 5’7″, 140 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, dark brown skin, and a scar above his left eye.

  • Alphonza Jackson

Alphonza Jackson registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 9 June 1906 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 996 Ferry Avenue, Detroit; his contact was common-law wife Pearl Jackson; and he was unemployed. He was described as Negro, 5’9″, 184 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and dark skin.

  • Walter Dortch Hines

Walter Dortch Hines registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 17 July 1909 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 7068 Michigan, Detroit; his contact was mother Sara Elizabeth Hines, 617 East Green, Wilson; and he was a self-employed medical doctor. He was described as Negro, 5’10”, 154 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, dark skin, and a scar on “dorsal aspect of left hand.”

  • Sead Abdulla (formerly Lonnie Bailey)

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer John D. Bailey, 42; wife Jeneva, 33; and children Rhoda, 15, Pearlie, 12, Mary L., 9, Lonnie, 8, Ora, 6, John T., 5, William H., 4, Melton P., 2, and Richard E., 1.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, farm laborer Gilbert Vick, 29; wife Pearlie, 22; daughter Carrie Belle, 5; and brother-in-law Lonnie Bailey, 17.

Lonnie Bailey registered for the World War II draft in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 26 January 1902 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 1023 Illinois, Detroit; his contact was friend Geneva Bailey, 516 Church Street, Wilson; and he worked for Linwood Coal Company, Detroit. He was described as Negro, 5’9″, 165 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, dark brown skin, and a scar on his left wrist. Via Probate Court, Bailey formally changed his name to Sead Abdulla on 1 June 1944. [His apparent conversion to Islam is the first I have seen for a Wilson County native, and it is reasonable to assume that he was a member of the Nation of Islam, founded in Detroit.]

Sead Abdullah died in February 1968 in Detroit.

  • Clifton Ray Hines

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Walter Hines, 50, wife Sarah, 48, and children Elizabeth, 21, Walter, 20, Carl W., 16, and Clifton R., 7.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 East Green, Walter S. Hines, 60; wife Sarah E., 58; son Carl W., 24, teacher; son’s wife Ruth, 23, teacher; and son Ray W. [sic], 17.

Clifton Ray Hines registered for the World War II draft in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 24 December 1922 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 7068 Michigan, Detroit [his brother Walter D. Hines’ home, see above]; his contact was mother Sarah Hines, 617 East Green Street, Wilson; and he worked for “Wayne Co. Rd. Comm. Traffic Census.” He was described as Negro, 5’7″, 140 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, dark skin, and a scar on his left cheek.

Clifton Ray Hines died 11 September 1993 in Mayfield Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 

Where did they go?: Michigan World War II draft registrations, no. 2.
  • Nelson Perry

In the 1930 census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan: in an apartment at 432 Leland rented for $47.50/month, Pullman porter Nelson Perry, 30; wife Gertrude, 29; son Nelson Jr., 10; and mother-in-law Mildred Richardson, 55, widow, all born in North Carolina.

On 25 July 1937 in Detroit, Nelson Perry Jr., 20, born in North Carolina to Nelson Perry and Gertrude Richardson, married Mildred Brakefield, 18, white, born in Georgia. Ernest Winn was a witness to the ceremony.

Nelson Perry Jr. registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his card, he was born 7 June 1919 in Wilson, N.C.; he lived at 4614 John R Road, Detroit; his contact was mother Gertrude Perry, 5610-23rd Street, Detroit; and he worked for Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company. He was described as Negro, 6’3″, 185 pounds, with black eyes, black hair, and dark brown skin.

Mildred Perry filed for a divorce from Nelson Perry Jr. on 11 February 1944, which was granted 15 June 1944.

On 13 October 1945 in Bowling Green, Ohio, Nelson Perry Jr., 26, born in Wilson, N.C. to Nelson Perry and Gertrude Richardson, divorced and a resident of Detroit, married Hazel Blackman, 28, born in Mobile, Alabama, resident of Detroit.

  • Absalom Moore

Absalom Moore registered for the World War II draft in 1942. Per his card, he was born 11 February 1903 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 234 Alfred, Detroit; his contact was Herman Brown; and he worked for Chrysler Corporation, Dodge Main. He was described as Negro, 5’8″, 240 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, black skin, and a “scar — left cheek — face.”

  • John Edward Mayo

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: widow Martha Barnes, 68, “local doctor;” son Wiley, 29, tenant farmer; daughter-in-law Annie, 19; and grandchildren Lula, 3, and an unnamed one-month-old; public school teacher John A. Mayo, 48, son-in-law; daughter Hattie L., 39; and grandchildren John E., 8, and Joseph C. Mayo, 5, and Adeline Ellis, 13.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Winstead Road, John A. Mayo, 56, farmer; wife Hattie L., 48; and sons John E., 18, and Joseph C., 14.

John Edward Mayo registered for the World War II draft in 1942. He was described as a Negro, 6′, 170 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and dark skin.

Hattie Lee Mayo died 15 December 1958 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 19 December 1869 in Wilson County to Redmond Barnes and Martha Wilkins; was married to John A. Mayo, deceased; and was a retired school teacher and housewife. Joseph Carlton Mayo was informant.

  • Horace McCullers

In the 1910 census of Cleveland township, Johnston County: farm laborer John McCullers, 26; wife Mahaley, 23; and children Gladdis, 4, Horrice, 3, Narcissis, 1, and Kittie, 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Cleveland township, Johnston County: John McCullers, 36; wife Mahaley, 33; and children Gladys, 14, Horrace, 12, Narcissus, 10, Kittie, 9, and Rosa, 5.

On 19 May 1928, Horace McCullers, 21, married Goldie Jones, 17, in Johnston County, N.C.

In the 1930 census of Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania: lodgers in the household of Samuel Dolman, Horace McCulleres, 23, Goldie, 18, and Narassia McCulleres, 21.

Horace McCullers registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his card, he was born 16 March 1907 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 5620 Cashmere, Detroit; his contact was wife Goldi McCullers; and her worked for Consolidated Construction Company. He was described as Negro, 6′, 180 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, dark brown skin, and “scars left side of forehead & over bridge of nose.”

On 18 July 1942 in Lucas County, Ohio, Horace McCullers, 37, of Detroit, born in North Carolina to Johnnie McCullers and Mahaley Farmer, married Mattie Lang, 30, of Detroit.

  • James Walter Lindsey

James Walter Lindsey registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his card, he was born 25 March 1913 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 9048 Cardonia, Detroit; his contact was brother Roy John Lindsey; and he worked for Murray Corporation. He was described as Negro, 5’7″, 165 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and dark brown skin.

U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Military funeral for Cpl. Lonnie E. Farmer.

Wilson Daily Times, 21 April 1949.

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In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Farmer, 42; wife Mattie, 36; and children William A., 12, Luther, 9, Joshia W., 6, Warneda, 4, Lonnie D., 2, and Baby, 6 months.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Farmer, 51; wife Mattie, 46; and children William A., 21, Josh W., 17, Waneta, 14, Lonnie D., 12, Robert, 10, Albert H., 6, and J.C., 3.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Jack Farmer, 57; wife Mattie, 55; and children Authur, 28, Jack Jr., 23, Robert, 20, Harry, 16, and J.C., 13; daughter Juanita Barnes, 22, and her children Mattie Lee, 3, and Marjorie, 1.

Lonnie Edward Farmer registered for the World War iI draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 26 August 1919 in Wilson; his contact was his mother Mattie Farmer; and he worked for J.T. Dew, Wilson.

—–

Just three years before Cpl. Farmer’s death in the Phillipines, the Farmer family’s youngest son, J.C., also a World War II veteran, was murdered by law enforcement officers near Sims.

Where did they go?: Michigan World War II draft registrations, no. 1.
  • Rader Cone

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Willis Cone, 62; wife Sarah, 49; and children Willie M., 23, Lillie, 17, Jamerson, 13, Romane(?), 11, Aven, 9, Armencia, 5, and Rada, 1.

In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: on County Line Road, farmer Willis C. Cone, 75; wife Sarah A., 61; and children Avon, 17, Amincy, 13, and Rader, 11.

Rader Cone registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 23 September 1899; lived at R.F.D #4, Wilson; farmed for Willis Cone; and his nearest relative was Sarah Cone. 

On 21 September 1925, Rader Corne, 25, married Victoria Hall, 21, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister John A. Mebane performed the ceremony in the presence of James W. Coleman, Sylvia Best and J.H. Moore.

Rader Cone registered for the World War II draft in Detroit in 1942. Per his card, he was born 20 September 1898 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 929 Montcalm Street, Detroit; his contact was Fannie May Turner; and he worked at Cadillac Ginger Ale Company, Detroit. He was described as Negro,  6’1″, 204 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and dark brown skin.

On 9 September 1943, Rader Cohen, 43, son of Willis Cohen and Sarah Glover, married Fannie Mae Turner Smith, 43, in Lucas County, Ohio.

Rader Cohen died 1 February 1989 in Detroit.

  • Jesse Winn

In the 1920 census of Brogden township, Wayne County: Alice Wynn, 56; daughters Myrtle, 21, and Alice, 18; and grandchildren Ernest, 3, Jesse, 2, and Mildred, 11 months. 

In the 1930 census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan: at 6321 Stanford, auto factory laborer Ernest Winn, 35; wife Almena, 37; children Ernest Jr., 14, Jesse, 13, and Mildred, 11; and lodgers Leslie, 28, auto factory laborer, and Ada Hinckle, 26, and George Griffin, 22, auto factory laborer.

In the 1940 census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan: at 5726 Vancourt, garage attendant Jessie Winn, 23, wife Agnes, 16, and daughter Betty Mae, 5 months, were lodgers in the household of Rev. Joseph Hankerson, 55, a Georgia-born barber.

Jesse Winn registered for the World War II draft in Detroit in 1940. Per his card, he was born 13 July 1917 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 5610 – 23rd Street, Detroit; his contact was sister Mildred Perry, 3741 Moore Place, Detroit; and he worked for Detroit Waste Works. He was described as Negro,  5’8 1/2″, 160 pounds, with black hair and eyes and dark brown skin.

Jesse Winn died in Detroit 20 January 1981.

  • Ernest Carlos Winn Jr.

In the 1920 census of Brogden township, Wayne County: Alice Wynn, 56; daughters Myrtle, 21, and Alice, 18; and grandchildren Ernest, 3, Jesse, 2, and Mildred, 11 months. 

In the 1930 census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan: at 6321 Stanford, auto factory laborer Ernest Winn, 35; wife Almena, 37; children Ernest Jr., 14, Jesse, 13, and Mildred, 11; and lodgers Leslie, 28, auto factory laborer, and Ada Hinckle, 26, and George Griffin, 22, auto factory laborer.

On 26 June 1937, Ernest Winn Jr., 20, born in North Carolina to Ernest Winn and Anna May Richardson, occupied at factory work, married Mary B. Wilson, 18, born in Ohio to Robert and Rick Hicks Wilson, in Detroit.

In the 1940 census of Detroit, Wayne County: Ernest Winn, 23, crane man in auto factory; wife Mary, 18, born in Ohio; and sons Ernest III, 2, and Robert A., 6 months.

Ernest Carlos Winn registered for the World War II draft in Detroit in 1940. Per his card, he was born 26 March 1916 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 527 Erskine Street, Detroit; his contact was wife Mary B. Winn; and he worked for Briggs Manufacturing. He was described as Negro, 6’1″, 168 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and light skin, with a scar on his forehead.

Robert Winn died 4 January 1943 in Detroit of suffocation after inhaling smoke in a house fire. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 February 1940 in Detroit to Ernest Winn and Mary Wilson and lived at 616 Erskine.

Mary Winn filed a divorce petition on 14 August 1944, and she and Ernest Winn were divorced 6 November 1944 in Detroit.

Ernest Winn died in February 1980.

  • Moses Taylor

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on an improved dirt road, farmer Hillard Taylor, 53; wife Annie, 48; and sons Walter, 24, and Moses, 14.

Moses Taylor registered for the World War II draft in Detroit in 1940. Per his card, he was born 4 January 1916 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 2149 East Canfield, Detroit; his contact was mother Annie Vanleer, 1360 East Willis, Detroit; and he worked for E&B. He was described as Negro, 5’8″, 136 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and light brown skin.

  • John Walter Richardson

In the 1900 census of Mannings township, Nash County: day laborer Gid Richardson, 44; wife Milbra, 30; and children Josh, 8, John, 3, and Mary, 5 months.

John Walter Richardson registered for the World War I draft in 1918 while in the Ohio State Reformatory. Per his registration card, he was born 3 April 1898; his permanent address was Wilson, N.C.; and his contact was Mildred Richardson, Wilson.

John Walter Richardson registered for the World War II draft in Detroit in 1942. Per his card, he was born 3 April 1897 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 742 Ionia Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan; his contact was daughter Johnnie Mae Benney, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and he was an unemployed crane operator. He was described as Negro, 5’11 1/2″, 170 pounds, with brown eyes, black eye, dark brown skin, and a bent finger on each hand.

On 21 October 1942, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, John Walter Richardson, 46, crane operator, born in Wheeling [sic], N.C. to Gid Richardson and Mary Moore, married Sadie Mae Woods, 42, born in Chandler, Oklahoma.

Sadie Richardson filed a divorce petition on 20 April 1944, and she and John Richardson were divorced 25 July 1944 in Grand Rapids.

John Richardson died 3 June 1950 in Detroit.

U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Corporal Artis arrives at hospital.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 September 1944.

Columbus Esdella Artis registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1940. Per his draft registration card, he was born 9 June 1918 in Black Creek, North Carolina; lived at 859 Landing Street, Norfolk (updated to Rt. 2 Box 335, Stantonsburg, N.C., then 1423 R Street N.W., Washington, D.C.); his contact was mother Laurine Artis, Stantonsburg; and he worked for Mr. Ferbee, Dependable Company, 617 Boush Street, Norfolk.

[SIdenote: Artis was named for his paternal uncle, undertaker Columbus E. Artis.]

Sugar registration.

To prevent hoarding and to tamp down prices, the United States government mandated registration for sugar rations in the spring of 1942. Wilson established seven registration sites at schools around Wilson township — three white and four “colored.”

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Wilson Daily Times, 2 May 1942.

Registration at Vick School and Sallie Barbour School essentially divided East Wilson into two zones, north and south of Vick Street.

I do not know the precise locations of Barnes School, west of the city (and not the present-day B.O. Barnes Elementary), or Lane School, east of the city.

1944 sugar ration coupon.

Studio shots, no. 152: Albert F. Hinnant.

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Albert Franklin Hinnant (1909-1988).

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Atlas Hinnant, 47; wife Hattie, 43; children Albert, 18, Cleo, 15, Mary, 13, and Paul, 9; plus mother Haley Lane, 62, widow.

In 1940, Albert Franklin Hinnant registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 23 March 1909 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. #1, Lucama, Wilson County; his contact was mother Hattie Hinnant, R.F.D. #3, Kenly, Wilson County; and he worked for Walter Kirby, Lucama. He was described as 6’5″, 205 pounds.

On 28 December 1972, Albert Franklin Hinnant, single, born 23 March 1911, married Lillie Mae Brown, divorced, born 23 June 1915, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Albert F. Hinnant died 5 May 1988 in Hampton, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 March 1911 in Wilson, N.C., to Atlas Hinnant and Hattie Pierce; was married to Lillie M. Hinnant; lived in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was a retired merchant seaman. He was buried in Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry user jmt1946808.

Anatomy of a photograph: Buy War Bonds.

Charles Raines shot this photograph of a crowd gathered in front of the Wilson County Courthouse. The event appears to be the official welcoming ceremony in late March 1945 for Major E.D. Winstead, who had recently been released from three years’ imprisonment by the Japanese in the Philippines.

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Though Wilson was about 42% African-American at the time, no African-Americans stand in the crowd facing the dais. Rather, as even patriotism required segregation, black citizens who showed up to greet Major Winstead were relegated to the sides and rear of the dignitaries.

Thanks to Mark Raines for sharing his father’s work.

The first line of defense is on the home front.

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Wilson Daily Times, 27 December 1941.

Negro Home Agent Jane Amos Boyd highlighted the efforts of homemaker Henrietta Ruffin to insure an ample food supply for her family and community. Ruffin canned 674 quarts of fruits, vegetables, and meats; bought 460 baby chicks; and sold more than eighty dollars worth of surplus eggs and chickens at a curb market.

Though Ruffin had a Pitt County address, she lived between Saratoga and the Wilson-Pitt County line.

——

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Howards Path, farmer Jesse Ward, 26; wife Arey, 32; and children William, 14, Walton, 10, Henrietta, 10, Susan, 6, Kizie, 5, and Juanita, 1 month.

Charlie Ruffin, 21, of Saratoga, son of Ida Ruffin, married Henretta Moore, 18, of Saratoga, daughter of Ara Moore, on 25 January 1920 in Saratoga township. Washington Littles, a Disciples minister, performed the ceremony in the presence of William Dupree, Henry Stewart, and Arluster McNair, all of Saratoga.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Fountain Road, farmer Charles Ruffin, 19; wife Henrietta, 19; mother Ida, 50, widow; sister Daisy, 13; and niece Mary, 12.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Ruffin, 30; wife Henritta, 28; and children Bertha, 9, Charles Jr., 8, James R., 6, Juntia, 2, and Gladis L., 10 months.

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 39; wife Henretta, 38; and children Bertha, 19, Charles, 17, James R., 16, Juanita, 12, Gladys Lee, 10, Christine, 8, Bruce, 7, Bertie Mae, 4, and Curtis, 10 months.

Henrietta Moore Ruffin died 29 November 2004.