Hamling Tatum

Hamling Tatum

Hamling Tatum, 1860-1948

• Father: Hamling Tatum b. 16 September 1816, d. 9 April 1878
• Mother: Jane Elizabeth Wilkerson b. 9 January 1828, d. 5 May 1911

• Hamling Tatum was born on 1 October 1860 in Alabama.
• He married Susan Ella Beall, daughter of Samuel Preston Beall and Susan A. Lawhon, on 26 January 1886 in Coffee County, Alabama.
• Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, at Collier Street enumerated next to Susan's mother Susan Beall.. Other members of the household included Lela Beall Tatum, Duke Hamling Tatum, Mary Glenn Tatum and Earl Menefee Tatum.
• The following appeared on 10 October 1908 in The Montgomery Advertiser: (Elba, Oct. 9) Last night at 8:30 o'clock at the Methodist church Mr. Arthur V. Buck and Miss Leila Belle Tatum were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. [:C:R]      . . . Miss Alice Boyd was maid of honor and Mr. Duke Tatum best man. The attendants were: Mr. Ted Campbell and Miss Elba Lane, Mr. R. B. Carr and Miss Eurora Farris, Mr. J. M. Bowers and Miss Monnie Rowe, Mr. John Campbell and Miss Pearl Hutchinson, Mr. Grover C. Bowden and Miss Bessie Rainer. Messrs. Henry Ellis, Joseph Brook acted as ushers. [:C:R]      . . . They were met at the altar by Rev. T. Jones, pastor of the Methodist church here, who performed the solemn rites that made them husband and wife. [:C:R]      After the ceremony the entire bridal party was entertained at a reception at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tatum. [:C:R]      The young couple are well known in this section of the State. The bride is one of the best families of the town, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. Buck is a son of the late Captain A. V. Buck, who was quite prominent in the public affairs of the town.
• Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, at Collier Street. Other members of the household included Mary Glenn Tatum and Earl Menefee Tatum.
• He was proprietor of a barber shop, according to the 1910 census.
• Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, at 502 South Oates Street. Other members of the household included Mary Glenn Tatum.
• He was employed in a barber shop, according to the 1920 census.
• Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, at 205 South Oates Street. Other members of the household included Duke Hamling Tatum. Also in the household were grandchildren Mary Sue (age 18), Pauline (15), Dorothy (13) and Glenn Buck (12), children of their deceased daughter Lela Beall Tatum Buck.
• He was a barber, according to the 1930 census.
• The following appeared on 22 July 1935 in The Dothan Eagle: Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Norman and children of Lake Charles, La., are the guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tatum on South Oates street. . . .
       Duke Tatum of Elba spent the week end in Dothan attending the bedside of Mrs. Tatum who is ill at a local hospital.
• Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, at 205 South Oates Street.
• Aubrey Norman Smith registered for the draft in 1942 in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, while living at 739 Pujo Street in Lake Charles, employed there at Norman Construction Company, 938-1/2 Ryan Street. Contact specified (wife's father): H. Tatum, 205 South Oates Street, Dothan, Alabama.
• The following appeared on 26 January 1947 in The Dothan Eagle: A very quiet celebration today will note the sixty-first wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Hamling Tatum, 207 S. Oates street. Although there will be no formal observance of the event, their relatives and friends will take advantage of the opportunity to offer congratulations to this beloved couple.
       They were married in the Baptist Church at Elba on January 26, 1886. Mrs. Tatum, prior to her marriage, was Susie Lawhon Beall, daughter of the late Samuel Preston Beall and Susie Lawhon Beall, of Elba.
       Mrs. Tatum at 84 still does her own housework and laundry as well as most of her sewing and fine needlework. Family friends are amazed when they learn that she does not wear glasses and has never had her eyes examined. Her hearing is almost as perfect as it was in her younger days.
       Mr. Tatum was born October 1, 1861 [sic] at Elba. He retired from active business ten years ago but he manages to accomplish many chores about the house which younger men would find taxing. Two years ago when he was 84 he repainted the entire interior of his apartments in addition to doing some of the outside painting. Commenting on his good health, Mr. Tatum remarked that he did not smoke and that he had never tasted whiskey.
       Mr. and Mrs. Tatum, who are prominent and spirited citizens, moved to Dothan from Elba in 1919. Since that time they have been active members of Foster Street Methodist Church. During the sixty-one years of their marriage they have shared together the affection and esteem of their fellow-citizens.
       Their children are Earl Tatum, of Dothan; Duke Tatum, of Elba; Mrs. L. A. Norman (Glennie), of Lake Charles, La; and Mrs. A. V. Buck (Lela Beall), deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tatum reared the four surviving children of their daughter, Mrs. Buck, after her death.
• Hamling Tatum died on 15 May 1948 at age 87 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, at 207 South Oates Street at his residence.
• His wife Susan Ella Beall became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at Dothan City Cemetery, Dothan, Houston County, Alabama.
• The following appeared on 16 May 1948 in The Dothan Eagle: Hamlin Tatum, eight-eight, retired Dothan barber, died unexpectedly at his residence, 207 South Oates street, about 11:30 o'clock last night.
       Survivors include two sons, Duke Tatum of Elba and Earl Tatum of Dothan; one daughter, Mrs. Leslie Norman of Lake Charles, La., and several grandchildren.
       Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ward-Wilson.

• Last Edited: 12 May 2014