General Notes

[coosa1.ged]
Our Vinson Family
Based on the original manuscript of
Myra Vinson Rushing
And the notes of
Gussie Vinson Freeman
4b.6.1.  Walter Vinson (named at birth Walter Raleigh Brannon, but, like
his grandfather Allen, he chose to live with only one none) was born 26
October 1969 in Coosa County, Alabama.  He died 25 September 1966, having
been mentally alert and to a large extent physically active and
productive until the last few months.  He was married 15 December 1895 to
Isadora Raines (born 8 February 1875; died 16 September 1951).  She was
the daughter of the Rev. Augustus Goodwyn Raines and his wife, Roxannah
(1850) Roxie Ann Frances (later) Massey, who were married in Coosa County
1 December 1869.  Their ceremony was performed by a minister, Rufus Figh,
who was sent out by the First Baptist Church of Montgomery.  As I write
this, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Figh are active members of the First Baptist
Church, she serving as organist, and having in her lineage many Coosa
County natives.
I will insert here an article which appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser
- issued from PRATTVILLE, 28 October 1968 (AP):
'95 Years Young' and Still Best Saw Sharpener Around.
"The fact that he's 95 years old doesn't keep Walter Vinson from
being one of the best saw sharpeners around Prattville.  Vinson, who was
95 Monday, said he had been 'as near dead as anybody, but somehow I have
managed to pull through.  Guess there were just some more saws that had
to be filed.'
"He is still mentally alert, has most of his own teeth, and he has
no trouble seeing the teeth on the saws he files.
"Vinson started out an a farmer (my note: he said it took just one
year for him to realize he was not a farmer), but decided to go into the
building business. He was on his way to Bir-mingham to got a job when a
friend persuaded him to stay in Prattville and work there.
"Later he went to work for the Continental Gin Company and made
cotton gin equipment for 42 years until he retired in 1943.
"Vinson's wife died in 1961, and since then he has lived alone and
done all his own cooking and housekeeping.  (Not entirely accurate -
three daughters, two daughters-in-law and sons-in--law and sons were on
the watch out.   My note.)
"He comes from a family with a history of longevity.  His mother
lived to be 90, his father 88, and he has two sisters in their 90's."
"Oh the occasion of his approaching 95th birthday (Monday). his
pastor, tbe Rev. Donald Allred, paid tribute to him in the Sunday morning
service, stating: (as related in an item by Kate Barris, correspondent
for one of the Montgomery papers) "Men he was born there were only 37
states in the Union and Yankee troops were still occupying the South.  He
has lived through the administration of twenty of the country's
presidents."
Found among Papa's papers was this chronological account of his adult
years:
1869 Born October 26;
1890 Worked for Mr. Guy;
1892 Carried mail (My notes: his mail route was out of Titus, Alabama);
1893-1894 worked for Mr. Barrett;
1895 Married December 16;
1898 Came to Prattville in November;
1899-1900 Built houses (The first one was the home of W. W. Duncan.)  (In
later years, when for any reason the shop was not running on full
schedule, Papa did carpentry work of all kinds, again building houses in
partnership with Mr. W. born Durden.);
1901 Went in the shop;
1943 Retired;
1943-1953 Filed saws;
1954-1956      Also filed saws and somewhat continuously until the final
months of life.
For thirty-five years he was treasurer of the then Prattville Baptist
Church, serving also in nearly every capacity from custodian (janitor,
etc.) to Trustee.  He was a deacon, teacher, superintendent of the Sunday
School and participant in all the activities except the choir - he could
not sing, but always followed along with the words before him and the
tune in his heart.  He bought property next to the