The Link Family - Part Three
by T. W. Briley, 1930

Submitted by Claude W. Nimmo
cwnimmo@vci.net
Retyped for the page by Diane Payne & Danene Vincent
1998.

J. F. Link was born September 18, 1834. He first married Miss Elvira Searcy, and according to the best information I can get, she only lived a short time. I have been unable to find any record of the date he married or the date of her death, but it must have been sometime between 1855 and 1860, for we find he married Miss. Nancy J. White May 21, 1861. Their union was blessed with nine children, two of whom died young, seven living to be grown and married. Four are living at this date. The dead are Charles E. Link, born March 3, 1865, married Miss Hattie Boyd, who lived but a few years. They had one child. A boy, who was born ?. His name is Verner. He is married and has one chid and lives at his father's home place in the fifteenth district of Sumner County, Tenn.

J. T. Link, eldest son of J. F. Link, was born June 6th, 1862. He married Miss Maud Covington, Sanders Covington's daughter, June 4, 1905. They have four children: Thos. Brady, born September 26, 1906. He is a sanitary officer in Sevier County, Tenn. Lorene Link was born December 8, 1908. She is teaching school. Cleo Link was born May 19, 1911. Edna, the youngest, was born May 23, 1916.

Esma Link, eldest daughter of J. T. Link, was born March 5th, 1890; was married to Mr. W. H. Crittenden, September 17, 1914, and died May 12, 1917.

Callie Jo Link was born September 10th, 1893; was married to Joe Briley December 14, 1913. They have three children: Melvin B., born March 29, 1916; Harris E., born September 21, 1918; Russell W., born May 15, 1928. They live on the Fountain Head and White House road near Mrs. Briley's father J. T. Link's home.

J. T. Link deserves more than passing notice. He spent a number of years saw milling and threshing, but for the last twenty years he has devoted his time to school work, having served on the County Board of Education of Sumner County for a number of years, and is at this timetime a member of said board. He takes great interest in the work and has made an envious record of such. He is also a great Sunday School man; he is at the present time teaching two schools, on e in the morning and one in the afternoon. He devotes his time to the welfare of his fellowman, is a high-class Christian gentleman, a man of influence and is admired for his unselfishness by all who know him.

Mrs. Fannie Link Glidewell was born May 17, 1867, was married to Mr. Jos Glidewell, a prominent farmer of Robertson County, Tenn., November 27, 1884. They have four children. Forrest, the eldest was born July 30, 1894; Lillie was born December 5th, 1897; married Mr. Everett Covington, a real estate dealer and insurance agent in Springfield, Tenn. James was born in 1901. Nannie, the youngest was born January 11, 1904. I will give Mr. John E. Link's history just as he gave it to me. Mr. Link was kind enough to give me the following history of himself and family, making it much easier for me to write up a correct history and I will only add that it was my pleasure to be personally acquainted with Mr. Link when he lived in Tennessee, where he was born and raised. He was a good boy when growing up and made a good man. He was kind, honest, and industrious, and was a gentleman; had many warm friends; and has them where he lives, for he is a Royal Arch A. A. M., Council No. 12 R.& S.M., Zanesville Blue Lodge 145, Valley Lodge Malta O. He joined Blue Lodge of F. & A. M. in 1918. His son, E. O. Link, is a member of the Blue Lodge F. & A. M., LaFayette No. 79 and Chapter No. 9 Zanesville. His daughters all belong to the Order Eastern Star.

I give Mr. Link's history as he gave it to me because it will be more interesting to his connections and friends.

"John E. Link was born Feb. 27, 1871 (being the fourth son and the sixth child of John F. And Nancy J. White Link), 14 miles west of Gallatin, Sumner County, Tenn., on a farm on Maxwell Creek. At the age of sixteen years went to work at one of the first roller mills in that section, at Cross Plains, Tenn., for Kinney, White & Kinney. Worked as a hand and engineer for one year, and bookkeeper and manager for two years. Was married (at Portland, Tenn. by Rev. Joseph Smith) at the age of 23 years of age on March 25, 1894, to Florence Della Kirby. She was born near McConnellsville, Ohio, August 11th, 1871; taught school 4 years, in Ohio, and taught at Jackson schoolhouse in 1893 and 1894, Sumner County, Tenn., and went to Adairville, Ky., March 1895, engaged in the livery business, but being a lover of horses, could not stand to see horses abused; sold out and went to Ohio March 1896; ran engine in spoke factory. That was in the panic of 1896, when Wm. McKinley defeated Grover Cleveland; almost every bank, factory and grocery closed.

On December 21st, 1896, our first child was born, Mabelle Miriam. In March 1897, we moved to a rented farm (they were hard times) in Morgan County, Ohio. In 1899 Ellis O. was born, on May 4th. In June, 1902, we bought a farm of 81 acres in Penn. Twp. Morgan County, Ohio. On November 4th, 1902, Ruth K. was born. We stayed with the farm until the World War broke out. In April, 1917, at the age of 17 years, 11 months and 10 days, Ellis O. joined the Army, and on October 27, 1917, tired, worn-out and discouraged, we bid farewell to the farm, spent the winter in McConnellsville. Moved to Zanesville, O., in July 1918, went into real estate, and went through the real estate boom in Zanesville, O., where property raised from $3000.00 in 1 year's time to from $7000.00 to $9000.00.

In 1927 we built and opened a Service Station, on the old Zane-Trace (just South of Zanesville, O.) running from Cleveland, Ohio to Florida.

Now Tommy, as to politics, I never had any desire to hold public office, never held any office except Church, and School, or Notary Public; just for convenience of the neighbors, have been a Notary for a number of years.

We all belong to the Methodist Church. Mabelle Miriam was a school teacher, before marriage. Ellis O. represents the Graybar Electric Co. and Ruth K. Is a bookkeeper in Zanesville, Ohio. Florence D. has a grocery store and soft drinks. And I just hang around."

Mrs. Laura Link White, was born May 6, 1869; was married to Rose White. They only had one child, a girl, Versie White, who is now grown and married to one Mr. Scottle. They have children of their own and live near Fountain Head.

Her mother, our subject, died September 30, 1898. She was a good woman and was loved by all who knew her.

Lee Link, son of J. F. Link, was born November 5, 1876; married Miss Mary Johnson of Nashville, Tenn., February 23, 1898. To them there were born two boys. Granville Link was born December 17, 1898, and was married to Miss Irene Bowlding January 15, 1928. They have one little boy named Hugh.

Harry Link was born October 2, 1904; was married to Miss Bell Glover September 12, 1926. They have one child, a little girl named Dorothy.

Lee's widow is still living; she lives with Granville Link at his home, his grandfather's old home place, in this, Sumner County.

It was my pleasure to live near Lee Link and I knew him well, and I have not words sufficient to express my feeling for him. He was a man amongst men; he was as near perfect as any man I ever had dealings with. He was a Mason and a high type of a Christian gentleman. I was sitting by his bedside when he died; he held out his hand and told me goodbye, and said he was gone. And by the grace of God, I will shake hands with him again some day where partings will be no more. He departed this life May 1st, 1911.

A. C. Link was born September 18, 1879. He married Miss Bertha Hardaway August 27, 1899. To them were born two boys, Herman Link, who is grown and married; his home is in Nashville, Tenn. The youngest is Victor, yet unmarried. He also lives in Nashville, Tenn.

A. C. Link and wife have lived in Nashville for a number of years.

Martin Link, son of Jacob Link, was born November 26, 1832. He married Miss Mary Ann Johnson in 1856. To their union were born ten children, three boys and seven girls. All lived to be grown and married. At this date, 1930, there are only four of the children living: Perry Link, of Scottsville, Ky.; Turner Link, of Benlonia, Miss.; Ann M. Pitt, of Dyer, Tenn., and Susie Kelly, of Fountain Head.

Martin Link was a farmer and wood worker. He made coffins for years. He made his own and his farther's coffin. That was back 50 years, when there was no undertaking establishment, only in towns. For years he was a member of the County Court of Sumner County, Tenn., and was said to be the best or one of the best there in the county. He died August 20, 1903, at the age of 71 years and was burred in the Link Cemetery.

Annie Melissa Link, daughter of Martin Link, was born 1862. She married Robert Pitt and moved to West Tennessee. I was not able to find out anything about her family. She lives in West Tennessee.

Jacob Perry Link, son of Martin Link, was born July 29, 1856. He was married to Rhoda E. Garrison September 27, 1877 and to their union four children were born, all girls as follows:
Nora Link was born July, 1881, aged 59 years.
Daisy Link was born November, 1883, age 47 years.
Callie Link was born May, 1879, aged 51 years.
Lila May was born July 1896, age 34 years.
They are all living.

Mr. Perry Link has eight grandchildren, 7 living. He has three great grandchildren.

Mr. Link's home is Scottsville, Ky.

Janie Link, daughter of Martin Link was born March 11, 1858. She married George Pitt. They moved to West Tennessee. To their union were born three children, to-wit: James Pitt, Lillie Pitt, and Rose Pitt, Lillie married a man by the name of Griffin. They also lived in West Tennessee. James Pitt has been married twice. He first married Lovie Hagen of Sumner County. They had several children. Some of them are married. They all live in Nashville. He and his wife became estranged and he married a Nashville girl. James served as Constable in the fifteenth civil district of Sumner County quite a while, then moved to Nashville. He is a mail carrier there now, 1930. Janie died November, 11, 1882.

Julia Link, daughter of Martin Link, was born November 2, 1862; married John Hardaway October 22, 188. To their union were born two children, one boy and one girl. Luther Hardaway was born October 23, 1879. He was married November 24, 1904 and has two children: Mary Ruth, who was born July 25, 1907, was married November 26, 1928, to one Mr. Benton. They have two children, Mary Ceremen Benton, Lizzie Mae Hardaway, born September 25, 1909.

Bertha Hardaway, daughter of Julia Link Hardaway, was born October 31, 1881; married A. C. Link, son of J. F. Link, August 27, 1899. They have two children: Herman Link and Victor Link. Herman Link was born September 8, 1901. He married September 18, 1925 and has one child, W. C. Link, 3 years old. Herman is a member of Cherry Mound Lodge No. 227 F. & A. M. His home is Nashville.

Victor Link, son of A. C. Link and Bertha Hardaway Link was born September 8, 1907. He lives in Nashville, Tenn. Luther Hardaway married Miss May McMurtey. They live near Adairville, Ky.

Mrs. Julia Link Hardaway died February 2, 1884, was buried in the Link Cemetery in Sumner County on her grandfather's old home place.

Susie Link, daughter of Martin Link was born January 2, 1865. She married A. D. Kelley February 27, 1881. To their union were born three children, two girls and one boy. The eldest, Maud Kelley, was born July 28, 1883. She married Cullen Brooks January 31, 1901. To that union were born three children, all boys. The eldest, Elbert Brooks, is 27 years of age. He married Cyntha Adamson. He is at this time, 1930, bookkeeper in the Farmers Bank of Portland, Tenn., and has been for a number of years. His wife also works in the same bank.

Paul Brooks, age 23 years is single. He is in the mercantile business on Fountain Head and White road.

Woodrow Brooks is Maud's youngest son and is with his parents. He is 13 years of age.

Sam Kelley, Susie Link Kelley's son, was born May 12, 1883. He married Miss Lillie Fulgum. They had no children. He is a farmer and lives near Fountain Head, Tenn.

Addie Kelley, daughter of Susie Link Kelley, was born August 3rd, 1887. Married a Mr. Chas Scottle January 31, 1901. They have one child, a boy. They live at Newport, Ky.

Susie Link Kelley is living with her daughter, Mrs. Addie Scottle at Newport, Ky. Her husband, A. D. Kelley died March 27, 1919.

Turner Link, son of Martin Link, was born July 3, 1872. He married Miss. Nora Miller, of Bowling Green, Ky., January 1, 1902. To that union were born two children, a girl and boy. His daughter, Lurlean, is about twenty-seven years of age. She is married and has one child. Mr. Link's son, William Link, is about eighteen years of age.

Turner Link was born and reared in Sumner County, Tenn. He left here about twenty-six years back. He went South and went in the lumber business, owned and operated several sawmills. He has be4en very successful and has accumulated quite a fortune. He stands at the head of the name financially. While Mr. Link is very wealthy and is full of business, yet is sociable, kind and generous, always has a kind word for his friends. He lives in Bentonia, Miss.

Miss. Sallie Link, daughter of Martin and Mary Link, was born April 17, 1867. She married Chas. W. Hale September 8, 1887. To their union were born three children. Norman Hale, the eldest, was born October 15, 1893 and died December 17, 1917. Odie W. Hale and Elie were twins. They were born March 2, 1899. Odie W. Hale was a fine orator, served one term as trustee of Sumner County and is living but in very poor health. His twin sister married Clayton Lambert November 4, 1917. They have four children. The eldest was born November 11, 1918; Odie M. born August 2, 1922; Clayton Jr., September 26, 1926; Winnie N. July 7, 1928.

Mrs. Sallie Link was one of the best educators in Sumner County of her day. She had a host of friends. She died September 1904.

Hattie M. Link, daughter of Martin and Mary Link, was born April 19, 1877. She married Frank Hollis December 21, 1898. He died about two years later. Hattie married Charlie Jackson October 1, 1906. Hattie was a teacher for years and was a book keeper in the Farmer's Bank at Portland until her health gave down. She died December 26, 1920.

Nicholas Link, son of Martin and Mary Link, was born July 27, 1874. He married Miss Elmo Bradley, a West Tennessee girl, October 10, 1900. He was born and reared in the fifteen civil district of Sumner County, Tennessee. He left Sumner County and went to West Tennessee. He was a photographer by trade. He had only one child, a boy, a J. N. Link. He lives in West Tennessee. Nick Link died December 1st, 1900.

Mattie Link, daughter of Martin and Mary Link, was born July 21, 1890. She married Robert Pitchford January 21, 1912. To their union were born six children, to-wit Ruth, Mary A., Roy R., and Hattie May and two whose names I failed to learn.

Mattie died September 22, 1918. Her husband and children live at Scottsville, Ky. Mr. Pitchford is owner and editor of a paper published at Scottsville.



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