THE

DELTAHistorical Review

Winter 2012

THE DELTAHISTORICAL REVIEWPublished by The

Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society

Mississippi County Historical Commission Members And Society Officers

Glynda Thompson, Wilson------------------------------------------------President

Robert Zenanko, Osceola--------------------------------------------Vice-President

Ann Moore, Osceola--------------------------------------------------------Secretary

Lib Shippen, Osceola ------------------------------------------------------Treasurer

Ruth Hale, Burdette---------------------------------------------------------Archivist

Special Recognition ---- Samantha BridgesSamantha is volunteering at MCHGS. She did the typing, editing, addingphotographs and generally all the work needed to publish the 2012 Delta

Review after we received the information from the Currie Family.

Bonnie Nichols, Blytheville Marion Haynes, Yarbro

Loretta Cude, Leachville Paul Shipley, Blytheville

Dr. Joe Jones, Osceola

Correspondence concerning editorial matters, membership dues, applications for

membership, orders for copies of the Delta Review, and correspondence concerning all other

business matters should be sent to: Mississippi County Historical & Genealogical Society

(or MCHGS), PO Box 483, 209 W. Hale, Osceola, AR 72370

The Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society supplies the Delta Review to its

members. Membership is open to anyone interested in the history ofMississippi County.

Annual membership dues are $25.00 per individual, $40.00 per family.

Neither the Editor nor the Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society (officers

or members) assume any responsibility for statements made by contributors.

Correspondence concerning such matters should be addressed directly to the authors.

Cover: Rosenwald School in Osceola, AR

Dedication

Because he loved this county which had been his family home for generations

Because he loved the history of the area and felt it should be preserved

Because he supported with his time, ideas and resources the education andhistorical aspects of the county

Because he encouraged those who worked to preserve the history ofMississippiCounty and those who worked in the education field

Because he wanted to see the best of the best for Mississippi County, workingfor bridges and other advantages to the area

Because he lived and worked in this county he supported

Because he not only had ideas, but worked to put those ideas in motion

We, with heartfelt thanks, dedicate the 2012 Delta Review to the memory of

Michael (Mike) WilsonWilson, Arkansas

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From the President ofMississippi County Historical &Genealogical Society

The Bible states "Ask and ye shall receive.. .good measure, pressed down,

shaken together and running over."

As most of our local members know, I have been asking—maybe even

begging—for someone to write some of our Delta Reviews because I had gotten so far

behind due to some health problems.

It had been in my mind for a while that we needed to do some books on Mississippi County

families. One day I was talking to a lady and mentioned I would like to have some

information on a certain family. She said she would call one of them and have them call me.

This is something that happens often, but usually I never get the call. I understand because

being asked to do the same and fully meaning to do so, I get side tracked and months later I

finally remember I was supposed to call someone, but can no longer remember the name or

the number and have no idea where I put it or who I talked to about this, so cannot call and

ask.

This time I got the call. I talked to a lovely couple who kept me in stitches the

whole time I was visiting with them. And they said they would see what they could do. I

expected maybe a page or two of information on the family and hopefully a photo or two;

and then I would do some research and maybe get a few pages done for the 2012 book. In a

few days I got a call from another member of the family who was very interested in what

was needed. She said she would see what she could do about getting family members to

participate. What I got was enough information on the whole family "clan" for the 2012

book, organized by each section of the family, photos included. The Currie family had done

so much work on this and I was so excited that I think I told everyone who walked through

the door!

Now all I needed was a typist to get all of this together into one book. But I

got better! Samantha Bridges, daughter of two Mississippi County pharmacists and recent

college graduate, had come home to job hunt. And she wanted a job in publishing, but

needed some experience on her resume. She was discussing this with MCHGS vice president

Robert Zenanko, and he suggested she volunteer at MCHGS and the museum in the hours

she wasn't job hunting. She did, and very soon was putting our 2011 book together. But she

became the editor, typist, writer and more on this 2012 Delta Review. I just handed her the

files on the Currie family information, Rosenwald School, Wilson Trade School, Harrison

School, and the other photos and left her with it. She has not only put the book together and

got it ready to go to the printer, she and Jim Brown (volunteer photographer) are working on

a Mississippi River brochure.

So I have been greatly blessed for the 2012 year and a load was taken from

my mind and shoulders. MCHGS is completely run by volunteers—no one is paid, but we

have some of the best volunteers in the world. They keep the museum open 5 days a week,

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work at all of our projects: from planning to participating, raising funds for our needs,

helping with grant writing, filing, sweeping floors, dusting, decorating windows, and

anything else that needs to be done. And there are no words to express how important our

regular volunteers are, and how faithful they are. Then we get some special volunteers like

Lonnie Strange (who gave permission to use the info in the 2011 book), the Currie family,

Jim Brown, and Samantha Bridges. While we know some, like Samantha, will leave (when

she finds the job she wants), and some don't live close for everyday volunteering but will

work hard at what they can do, we are so thankful for their help and willinginess to work so

hard for MCHGS just to help support MCHGS Museum and keep it open to teach people the

history ofMississippi County.

As many of you know, we are trying to raise money to put a new roof on the

research/events building and the coffee shoppe. We'll take donations or ideas for fundraisers.

After the end of the year, we will be working hard on an auction to raise funds. We have

some great items already and can still use some more. This will be a rather "high-end"

auction (we have jewelry, a bass guitar, and a framed one of a kind photo to give you an

idea), so we are especially looking for the unusual. We need about $25,000.00 dollars, and

we have already raised about $5,000.00. Any support you can give will be appreciated.

When completed, we will being using the 1902 building to expand our museum!

We also now have a website: mississippicountymuseum.com. It is still a work

in progress but getting better all the time. Let us know what you would like to see on the

website and we'll see what we can do. And remember we are always looking for family

information, photos, information on the history of towns in Mississippi County, etc. , for our

Delta Reviews and for our museum and research files.

Have a great 2013.

Glynda Thompson

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THE CURRIES

Preface

Ann Eliza Evans/Douglas Currie (3/1 /1 840 – 9/18/1918) andSamuel Washington Currie (11 /2/1 832 – 12/2/1 892) were the parents of elevenchildren:

Julia Catherine (6/7/1 895 – 8/2/1931 )James Hiram (10/1 /1 861 – 11 /6/1943) – Preacher/PastorLaura Rena (8/31 /1 864 – 10/3/1934) – Farmer's WifeWilliam Louis (12/27/1 867 – 6/18/1946) – Educator/FarmerMelinda Anna (6/1 3/1 870 – unknown) – FarmerMary Eliza (3/4/1 873 – 2/12/1937) – FarmerJohn Washington (6/2/1 876 – unknown) – Teacher/FarmerMattie Geneva (3/2/1 879 – 3/16/1 879)Samuel Addison (1 /2/1 881 – 9/5/1956) – PhysicianFannie Rebecca (4/5/1 882 – unknown) – TeacherJonathon Hebron (2/25/1 886 – unknown) – Preacher/Pastor

Several of the siblings settled in Mississippi County. Laura RenaCurrie Plummer and William Louis, Sr. , lived in Carson and Melinda AnnaDean lived in Joiner. John Washington and Jonathon Hebron were inBlytheville. Samuel Addison lived in Evadale.

Although William Louis and Samuel Addison and their familiesare featured in this article, it is evident that the other Mississippi Countysiblings and their offspring will have much to contribute to a fuller picture ofthe entire Ann Eliza and Samuel Washington Currie family. Included arephotographs of other members of the broader Currie family from reunions heldin Memphis, Tennessee, in 2002 and in in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2007.

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Eulogy written and delivered by Mrs. Edna Griffin Jones at Mr. William L.Currie's funeral, June 1946

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William Louis Currie, Sr., and Annie Holland Currie12/27/1867 – 6/18/1946 2/22/1885 – 6/15/1943

Models in Education and Service

William and Annie Currie were truly models of education and service as was

reflected in the principles that guided their journey together.

Family records indicate that in 1867 William Louis Currie, Sr. , was the fourth

child born to Samuel Washington Currie and Ann Eliza

Evans/Douglas Currie in Haywood County, Tennessee. His

father died in 1892 and his mother moved to Mississippi

County, Arkansas, in 1893. It is believed that W.L. Currie's

earliest education was acquired in Haywood County and that

he worked on a farm there until he was 15. He then worked in

a stave factory for the next 7 years. Afterward, at age 22, he

entered high school and went on to complete the Normal

Course at Le Moyne Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee, in

1896. Then, in his words, he became “connected with school

work in Mississippi County .. in the capacity as Principal.”

For more than ten years, he was also a vocational agricultural

instructor. After more than 40 years, Mr. Currie retired from

the Mississippi County School system in 1938. During his

teaching career, Mr. Currie took summer school courses at

several institutions, including Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee; Tuskegee Institute; and

A.M.&N. College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1898, Mr. Currie bough the first 20 acres of his

farm. By the time of his death in 1946, the farm had grown to 180 acres.

In 1885, Annie Elva Holland Currie was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, the

younger of two children born to George Holland, a farmer and

carpenter, and Olcey Burkhalter Holland, a dressmaker and

housekeeper. Annie's sister, Julia, became a teacher. Another

child, Maud, was brought into the family with Olcey when

she and George married in 1882. Maud, a seamstress and

homemaker, endeared herself to Annie's family through her

regular visits and gifts of clothes and toys for the children.

Annie received her first education in Morrilton and completed

the Normal Course at Shorter College in Little Rock,

Arkansas, where she received teaching credentials. Annie

was an eager learner and gained a variety of skills and

knowledge. In a letter to her oldest daughter, Annie Louise,

Annie wrote, “Your father said that I was a very industrious

William L. Currie, Sr.

Annie H. Currie6

person because I never sat with idle hands. I made quilts and quilted them, crocheted,

sewed, embroidered, canned, read or played the piano.” It is believed that Annie Elva began

her teaching career in the Morrilton, Arkansas, and, as most of the teachers of that era, took

summer school courses. She studied at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama; Hampton

Institute, Hampton, Virginia; and A.M.&N. College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Annie and

William were married June 4, 1 911 , at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee.

Eleven children were born to Annie and William, Sr.:

Annie Louis (3/23/1912 – 4/22/1997) – Social Worker/Teacher

Alva Bernice (1 /20/1914 – 3/14/2003) – Teacher/Principal

Cyrus Claude (4/21 /1916 – 3/22/1922)

George Holland (10/19/1917 – 10/2/1917)

Geraldine Farrar (2/6/1918 – 4/2/1997) – Home Demonstration

Agent/Teacher

Willamette Eugenia Holland (8/2/1921 – present) – Teacher/Principal

William Louis, Jr. (7/26/1923 – 11 /26/2006) – Farmer/ Teacher/Principal

Maud Samuel (12/1 8/1925 – present) – Dietician/Teacher

The Currie children circa 1928

Standing left to right: Willamette, Geraldine, William; sitting left to right: Annie Louise,

Maud & Marie, Bernice

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Marie Sanelle (12/1 8/1925 – 5/7/2003) – Teacher/Vice Principal

Maurice Meshell (1 /6/1 927 – 1 /5/1927)

Zenobia (11 /7/1930 – present) – Social Worker/Teacher

The eight of those children who grew to adulthood are further noted

individually in this article.

Mr. and Mrs. Currie demonstrated in their lives the model for their children to

follow. Having been born so close to the end of slavery and living during Reconstruction,

this couple, and many other African Americans, were dedicated to educating themselves and

others. They perceived education as paramount in attaining a better life for themselves and

others. Thus, the Curries placed education as a priority in their home. It was their wish that

each of their children would finish college and that wish was fulfilled. Mr. and Mrs. Currie

did all they could to encourage their children to learn, grow and serve, verbally, financially

and, probably most importantly, by their examples.

Mrs. Currie maintained their farm home and saw to it that the children did

homework, studied, took music lessons, shared in household chores and participated in age

appropriate community activities. The girls were taught the domestic skills if cooking,

canning, sewing and gardening. House, yard, garden and farm chores were assigned to the

children as determined by their parents. William, Jr. , was under the tutelage of his father,

who imbued in him the knowledge and skills of farming. All of the children were taught the

rudiments of some musical instrument, primarily the piano. Maud, Marie and Willamette

were proficient in the piano. The twins, Maud and Marie, were often called upon to play for

local churches. Willamette also developed skill in playing the violin, and William, Jr. , played

the trumpet. Mrs. Velma Brown Keith was the piano teacher for most of the children. The

Currie children were involved in extracurricular activities at school, such as plays, recitations

and basketball. Most of the Currie children were taught by Mrs. P.A. Gipson in the primary

grades, Mrs. Willie Greer in the middle grades and Mrs. Mamie Wilson, the Principal of

Carson Rosenwald School, through 8th or 10th grades. They participated in the church

Sunday School classes, also taught by Mrs. Wilson, as well as the main church service at the

African Methodist Episcopal/Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, located across the road

from the school, within sight and walking distance of the Currie home.

In 1931 , Mrs. Currie accepted the position of Jeanes Supervisor in Mississippi

County, a job in which she joined numerous others in counties throughout the Southern

states. Miss Anna T. Jeanes, a Quaker and Philadelphia philanthropist, set up a foundation in

1907 to foster “rudimentary education in small rural schools.” The Anna T. Jeanes

Foundation became known as the Negro Rural School Fund. This Fund was to be directed

“solely towards the maintenance and assistance of rural, community or country schools for

Southern Negroes” (i). (Miss Jeanes appointed the initial Board ofTrustees for the

Foundation. They included Mr. Howard Taft, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Dr. Hollis S. Frissell,

Dr. Booker T. Washington, Mr. George Peabody, and any others they wished.)

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Mrs. Currie's job entailed providing supervision, training and technical

assistance to staff in all the Negro schools in Mississippi County, working with Parent and

Teacher Associations and keeping abreast of current and best educational practices. In

addition, she monitored books and supplies for these schools assuring that the Negro

children received the same quality ofmaterials as those issued to the White children, since

the “separate but equal” concept was not a reality in most situations. In addition, Mrs.

Currie worked with the schools in their developing competitions in sports, held Field Days

and supported musical and oratorical activities for the children. She was active with the

Annual Christmas Seal Drive, distributing stamps to all the families in the fight against

tuberculosis and supporting the employment of health staff in the schools. During her tenure

in this job, Mrs. Currie participated in seminars and courses at several institutions of higher

learning as noted earlier. Because of her exemplary work in Mississippi County and her

exceptional communication skills, Mrs. Currie was elected President of the Arkansas State

Congress ofColored Parents and Teachers in 1937. She remained I her job as a Jeanes

Supervisor until 1 940 when her health was challenged.

Mr. Currie was dedicated to his family, helping a number of his siblings, as

The Currie family in 1936

Back row left to right: Annie Louise, Willamette, William, Jr. , Geraldine, Bernice; front row

left to right: Maud, W.L. Currie, Sr. , Zenobia, Annie H. Currie, Maire

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A newspaper clipping describing a contest held while Annie Currie was JeansSupervisor

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well as his children and untold numbers of children in Mississippi County, to attain higher

education. He was an involved, caring father who readily helped his children when they met

challenges in subject matter. He was active in the CME church where he taught a Sunday

School class. On occasion, he and Mrs. Currie would sing a duet in church. Mr. Currie

readily shared his wisdom about life and enjoyed engaging in conversations where on was

obliged to think. He was always available to share agricultural information with other

farmers and physically gave help if needed. He would often ask any one of the children to

listen to the news on the radio (no television at that time), report it to him and give an

opinion about it. He like to tell scary stories to the children on summer evenings while

sitting on the porch. The mosquitoes were legion, so he screened the porch. Mr. Currie also

enjoyed playing checkers and attending baseball games. He and his brother Samuel

occasionally gave themselves a treat by attending a baseball game in Memphis.

“Professor Currie”, as he was often called, was know to be a serious,

competent administrator and a quietly effective disciplinarian. His eyes reflected his

disappointment when his expectation that everyone would do their best at all times was not

upheld. Mr. Currie was held in high esteem by his colleagues, as evidenced by the tribute

The Currie children in the 1970sTop row left to right: Bernice, Marie, Willamette, Zenobia, Geraldine; bottom

row left to right: Annie Louise, William, Jr. , Maud

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given by Mrs. Edna Jones at his funeral, and by the community at large as it reflected by

their response when his home burned the day following Mrs. Currie's funeral. In the face of

this tragedy, neighbors, friends and extended family rallied around Mr. Currie by taking

some of the children into their homes until a new home was built and by giving monetary

and physical help in the restoration process.

During his years with the Mississippi County Public School System, Mr.

Currie maintained and expanded his farm. Each of his work settings – education and

farming – complemented the other in that each was focused on growth and development, and

each needed regular, careful, and thoughtful tending. After his retirement in 1938, Mr.

Currie was able to place his focus on farming, the area in which his life's journey began.

After Mrs. Currie's death in 1943, one of the older daughters would come home each year,

teach locally and assist Mr. Currie with the home and the younger children. This

arrangement continued until his death in 1946. Following the death ofMr. Currie, the farm

was managed for several years by Mr. John Jones, husband ofMrs. Edna Jones, mentioned

above. Subsequently, William, Jr. , moved to Carson and assumed management of the farm

for a number of years. When his health was challenged, his son, William III, took over the

management of the farm until his death in 2008. The widow ofWilliam III, Janice Currie,

The Currie children in 1987Standing left to right: Geraldine, William, Jr. , Bernice, Willamette; sitting left

to right: Marie, Maud, Zenobia, Annie Louise

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currently oversees the farm with the help and support of their sons, William IV and Brian.

In a small, rural community such as Carson, all the people who reside there

know and impact each other in a variety ofways. The Tates, Fraziers, Rutherfords, Hardins,

Trusses, Grays and all the other families in the area were a part of the fabric of the Currie

family. Mrs. Wilson was a strong, committed educator. Her two sons, Frank and Richard,

were in the same age range and friends ofWilliam, Jr. , and Willamette. Frank became a

local school principal and Richard earned the M.D. Degree and practiced medicine in

Washington, D.C. Zenobia and Alma Jones Norment, PhD, the daughter ofMr. John Jones

and Mrs. Edna Griffin Jones, maintain contact though Alma lives in upstate New York.

When Alma was a little girl, she and her cousin Jean Johnson Weddington participated in

Marie Currie's wedding to Conrad Harris. Both Mrs. Jones and her sister Mrs. Alma Griffin

Johnson had worked with Mr. Currie in the Mississippi County Schools.

William and Annie Currie, a loving, dynamic, dedicated couple, were inspired

by their parents and the times to fulfill their potential by utilizing the natural talents they

were given. The impact of their lives instill in their children and successive generations the

importance and value of education and service to others. Their contributions to the life of

Mississippi County will be of a lasting nature since they made a difference in the lives of

many of its citizens.

Source:

(i) Williams, Mildred M., and others. THE JEANES STORY –A Chapter in

the History ofAmerican Education, 1 908 – 1968. Southern Education

Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, through Jackson State University, Jackson,

Mississippi, 1 979.

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