Digitized collections of historic newspapers are becoming more and more available on the Internet. Most of the websites that offer these treasure troves of genealogical information charge some type of fee. But, the convenience of being able to search from your own home usually makes it worth the price. Plus, character recognition software coupled with modern-day indexing makes finding the name of that long-lost relative buried deep in an article on the back page a snap. No more microfiche-ing required.
If you’re lucky enough to find a relative’s hometown newspaper that’s been digitized in one of these collections, you might also be lucky enough to gain insight into their personal life. Assuming, of course, they did something newsworthy.
Such is the case of Levi R. Trantham, whose name appears here and there in the Commerce Journal of Commerce, Texas between 1902 and 1918.
In 1906, Levi ran unsuccessfully for constable of the 6th precinct of Hunt County, Texas. His wife, Olga, must have been ill for a good portion of his campaign. Levi sent a letter to the newspaper in July explaining to potential voters that his wife’s illness had prevented him from meeting all of them. He implored them not to hold that against him on election day.
The letter did not sway the voters as Levi lost to Roy Harrington in the primary. (Levi came in last place with 32 votes!) The loss probably brought a lot of tension into the Trantham home which might have been getting a tad overcrowded. Four years after the election, Levi appears in the 1910 census as the head of a household that included his wife, Olga, her parents Calvin and Mary Sims, two of his wife’s sisters – Ella and Eunice Sims, and two of his brother’s daughters – nieces Bennie Bell and Gladys Trantham.
My 2nd cousin, 1x removed, Kay, told me her grandmother, Bennie Bell, indicated life with her Uncle Levi was unpleasant. I can imagine that it was. But, I don’t think Levi was a bad person. He did, after all, provide a home for quite a few people. Between his wife’s lingering illness, his defeat at the polls, and a house full of relatives, it’s possible that Levi was under a bit of stress those days.
Levi’s name appears in the Commerce Journal on a few more occasions. His “brother in from Tennessee” came for a visit in 1902 apparently looking to buy land. In 1917, Levi donated $2.50 to a college fund alongside other members of the community.
Finally, in 1918, Levi gave a testimonial about the power of advertising in the Commerce Journal. Thanks to an ad he had placed (which I could not locate), he received more hog-killing business than he admittedly could handle. (Bad news for the hogs in town but at least, I suppose, he had a way of relieving some of his stress!)
Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: 2nd great grand uncle
Common ancestors: Levi is the younger brother of my 2nd great grandfather, Campbell Jackson Trantham
References:
Newsy Nuggets From Northeast Corner. (1902, May 2). Commerce Journal, p. 8.
Announcements. (1906, June 1). Commerce Journal, p. 2.
Announcements. (1906, June 29). Commerce Journal, p. 6.
A Word To The Voters. (1906, July 20). Commerce Journal, p. 1.
Contributions To College Fund. (1917, August 3). Commerce Journal, p. 14.
Proof That It Pays To Advertise. (1918, January 10). Commerce Journal, p. 7.
Special thanks to the fine folks at the Gee Library Special Collections section at Texas A&M University for confirming the results of the 1906 election.