Walter Ray Whitaker

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter R Whitaker
Gender: Male
Age; 5
Birth Year: abt 1925
Birthplace: West Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Frankford, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Cari Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Name: Frances R Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina

1940 Census
Name: Ray Whitacuse [Ray Whitaker]
Age: 15
Estimated birth year: abt 1925
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: West Virginia
Marital status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Inferred Residence in 1935: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Whitacuse [Whitaker] 36
Francis Whitacuse [Whitaker] 37
Ray Whitacuse [Whitaker] 15
Roy Lee Whitacuse [Whitaker] 10
Elodine Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4
Edward Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4

MILITARY RECORDS

The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for West Virginia, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947

Name: Walter Ray Whitaker
Race: White
Age: 18
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 3 Dec 1924
Birth Place: Spring Creek, West Virginia
Residence Place: East Rainelle, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Registration Date: 29 Dec 1942
Registration Place: East Rainelle, Greenbrier, West Virginia,
Employer: Student In Rainelle High School
Weight: 222
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 11
Next of Kin: Carl Whitaker

World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Walter R Whitaker
Birth Year: 1924
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: West Virginia
State of Residence: West Virginia
County or City: Greenbrier

Enlistment Date: 15 May 1943
Enlistment State: West Virginia
Enlistment City: Huntington
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private

Source: Civil Life
Education: 3 years of high school
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 72 in.
Weight: 120 lbs.

Birth:
West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969
Name: Walter R Whitaker
Birth Date: 1924
Birth Place: Greenbrier
Birth County: Greenbrier
Gender: Male
FHL Film Number: 595035

Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007
Name: Walter Ray Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 3 Dec 1924
Birth Place: Spring Creek-Beech Bluff, West Virginia
Death Date: 6 May 1973
Father: Carl E Whitaker
Mother: Frances R Barker
SSN: 236307497
Notes: Jun 1942: Name listed as WALTER RAY WHITAKER; 07 Feb 1997: Name listed as WALTER R WHITAKER

Buried:
Grave location and portrait:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159803769

Died:
West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973
Name: Walter Ray Whitaker
Death Date: 6 May 1973
Death Place: Cabell, West Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Father Name: Carl Whitaker
Mother Name: Francis R. Barker
Spouse Name: Patricia R. Russell
FHL Film Number: 2114639

Walter married Patricia Ruth Russell 14 Aug 1954, Alleghany, Bath Co.VA. Patricia was born 20 Apr 1932; died 11 Feb 2019; was buried , Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Crawley, Greenbrier Co. WV. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101168291

Name: Walter Ray Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 29
Birth Date: abt 1925
Marriage Registration Place: Bath, Virginia
Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1954
Marriage Place: Alleghany, Virginia
Father: Carl Edwin Whitaker
Mother: Frances Rebecca Barker
Spouse: Patricia Ruth Russell
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 22
Birth Date: abt 1932
Father: Overton Henry Russell
Mother: Bessie May Bennett

1. Denver Whitaker
2. Terry Whitaker

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1910 United States Federal Census about Carl Whittaker
Name: Carl Whittaker
Age in 1910: 6
Birth Year: 1904
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1910: Williamsburg, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Nephew [in household of E. J. Cornwell and Sarah Bell Whitaker Cornwell]
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia
His mother Lillie Whitaker is also living in the same household]
Household Members:
E J Cornwell 48
Sarah B Cornwell 35
John A Cornwell 15
Nannie E Cornwell 13
George W Cornwell 11
Carlie J Cornwell 9
James S Cornwell 5
Suzette Cornwell 3
C I Cornwell 1 year 4 months
Lily Whittaker 31
Thomas K Whittaker 8
Carl Whittaker 6

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Cari Whitaker [Carl Whitaker]
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1905
Birthplace: West Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Frankford, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Frances R Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Cari Whitaker 25
Frances R Whitaker 26
Walter R Whitaker 5
Eunice N Barker 33 [sister-in-law]

1940 Census

Name: Charles Whitacuse [Carl Whitaker]
Age: 36
Estimated birth year: abt 1904
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: West Virginia
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Occupation: Laborer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: $6
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 3rd grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 21
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 32
Income: $600
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Whitacuse [Whitaker] 36
Francis Whitacuse [Whitaker] 37
Ray Whitacuse [Whitaker] 15
Roy Lee Whitacuse [Whitaker] 10
Elodine Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4
Edward Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4

Buried:
Grave location:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153672430/carl-e-whitaker

Died:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=31988&Type=Death

Carl married Frances R. Barker 17 Jun 1923, Greenbrier Co. WV. Frances was born 12 Apr 1902, Ashe Co. NC; died 27 Feb 1992, Baltimore Co. MD; was buried , Mount Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bel Air, Harford Co. MD. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Fannie Barker
Age: 17
Birth Year: abt 1903
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Peak Creek, Ashe, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Levi Barker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Ida Barker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Frances R Whitaker
Gender: Female
Age: 26
Birth Year: abt 1904
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Frankford, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: Carl Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members:
Carl Whitaker 25
Frances R Whitaker 26
Walter R Whitaker 5
Eunice N Barker 33

1940 Census
Name: Francis Whitacuse [Francis Whitaker]
Respondent: Yes
Age: 37
Estimated birth year: abt 1903
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Inferred Residence in 1935: Sewell Mountain, Fayette, West Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 7th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Whitacuse [Whitaker] 36
Francis Whitacuse [Whitaker] 37
Ray Whitacuse [Whitaker] 15
Roy Lee Whitacuse [Whitaker] 10
Elodine Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4
Edward Whitacuse [Whitaker] 4

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WH&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=22&GScntry=4&GSsr=2841&GRid=30649305&

Died:
Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
Name: Frances R. Whitaker
SSN: 213-38-7588
Last Residence: 21162 White Marsh, Baltimore, Maryland
Born: 12 Apr 1902
Died: 27 Feb 1992
State (Year) SSN issued: Maryland (1956-1957)

Notes:

Married:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=10189989&Type=Marriage

Other Events:

• _UID: 0135395223344C22863CF7A5D1BB8BB2AD91

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Lilly Whitaker
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1875
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: John Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Lily Whitaker
Age: 22
Birth Date: Nov 1877
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Sister-in-law
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Jacob Cornwell 39
Serrah B Cornwell 26
William J Cornwell 6
John A Cornwell 4
Noni E Cornwell 1
George Cornwell 6 months
Lily Whitaker 22

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Lily Whittaker
Age in 1910: 31
Birth Year: 1879
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1910: Williamsburg, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Sister-in-law
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
E J Cornwell 48
Sarah B Cornwell 35
John A Cornwell 15
Nannie E Cornwell 13
George W Cornwell 11
Carlie J Cornwell 9
James S Cornwell 5
Suzette Cornwell 3
C I Cornwell 1 year 4 months
Lily Whittaker 31
Thomas K Whittaker 8
Carl Whittaker 6

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Lilly Whitaker
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1885
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Williamsburg, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Sister-in-law
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Even J Cornwell 58
Sarah B Cornwell 44
Carlie J Cornwell 18
James C Cornwell 15
Susie E Cornwell 13
Ira Cornwell 10
Catherine Cornwell 9
Annie Cornwell 7
Lilly Whitaker 35

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Lillie Whitaker
Age: 59
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1881
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Sister-in-law
Home in 1940: Williamsburg, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Inferred Residence in 1935: Williamsburg, Greenbrier, West Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 2nd grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
E Jake Comwell 78
Sarah Bell Comwell 64
Catherine Comwell 23
Lillie Whitaker 59
Dorothy Comwell 10

Birth:
DOB according to her death certificate. However, she likely was born in 1875 according to the 1880 Census. The 1900 census gives her birth as Nov. 1877. We don't know who gave this information to the census taker, one of the in-laws she lived with or Lilly herself. Her death certificate is the only vital record we have for this informaton.

Buried:
Grave location:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127978330/lillie-whitaker

Died:
West Virginia vital records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=1075814&Type=Death

Other Events:

• _UID: 20A2EAFE738344A7B0B19D71F8C5CAC04179

Notes:

Civil War veteran. Lived with Bill and Susie Whitaker until he died.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Jno Whitaker [John]
Age: 4
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of James and Nancy Whitaker]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whitaker
Age in 1860: 14
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of James and Nancy Whitaker]
Post Office: Baptist Valley
Had attended school with the census year.

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whitaker
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
John Whitaker 35
Nancy Whitaker 34
James Whitaker 11
Jeremiah Whitaker 10
Lilly Whitaker 5

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Jno Whitaker [John]
Age: 53
Birth Date: Aug 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1868
Years Married: 32
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Jno Whitaker 53
Nancy Whitaker 54
Robert L Whitaker 16
Edna M Whitaker 14
Walter Whitaker 8

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 54 [64]
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whiteaker 54 [64]
Nancy Whiteaker 62
Lee Whiteaker 22
Walter Whiteaker 18

CIVIL WAR SERVICE

In the Fall of 1862 at Dry Fork, John enlisted, along with his father James and his older brother William James to fight for the Confederacy. John served in Co. E of the 34th Virginia Cavalry under Col. W. A. Witcher until the war ended at Appomattox in April, 1864. He was about 16 years old when he became a soldier.

34th Virginia Cavalry (CSA)was probably the most distinguished confederate unit in West Virginia history. The 34th Virginia Cavalry's core company, Company A, was formed in Wayne County.

Buchanan County Men in the Civil War: "The 34th Virginia Cavalry came into being in September, 1861. Early in the war, the 34th operated mostly in the region between Grundy and Piketon (Pikeville). Many times,the 34th won the distinction of being the advance guard on operations involving numerous units, including the Confederate armies advance into Pennsylvania.

The 34th fought an engagement within 2 miles of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in late June, 1863. The 34th then fell back and occupied the city of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, before being called to Gettysburg. The East Cavalry Battlefield is generally credited as a Union victory because the goal of the Union Cavalry to delay Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry on July 3rd was accomplished. On the morning of the 4th of July, 1863, it was Lt. Col. Vincent Addison Witcher of the 34th VA and General Stuart who walked the battlefield. The Western Virginia men of the 34th, along with only a portion of the rest of the Brigade, had fought the 1st New Jersey, 3rd Pennsylvania, 5th Michigan, and the 7th Michigan led by newly promoted Gen. George Armstrong Custer. The 5th Michigan was armed with the 7 shot Spencer repeating rifles.

Witcher later wrote: "the 34th Battalion, which had alone rallied with me, opened upon the 5th Michigan, sweeping down its ranks with a most deadly fire, killing its Major, capturing its colors, and covering the ground with the killed and wounded men and horses of the 5th Michigan. I was within 30 yards and saw the Major fall, a gallant and heroic man he was."

General Stuart said "the34th had made the worse massacre of Alger's command and had piled more dead and wounded men and horses on as little space as he had ever seen on any field." The 34th had dismounted that morning with 332 men. After the war, Witcher wrote: "I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompanied by one courier, my Adjutant Edwards and Sergeant Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes, my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia, laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I shall never forget that night or the next mornings parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, not a slave holder among them."

[John Whitaker in his 1923 Civil War pension application he said, "I was in the battle of Gettysburg three days and nights, and if I never performed any other military service for the state of Virginia, this baptism of fire and shell should certainly be sufficient credit for my eligibility rolls, at least it seems so to me after 57 years have passed by. I am old and worn out and tired. Have perhaps lived beyond the allotted time already, and if the pension does not come pretty soon. I will not need it."]

The 34th was also given the honor of leading Lee's Army back into Virginia. "The Virginians, and they were almost all that, whether from the counties of Southwest Virginia or the mountain counties of the new state of West Virginia, left knowing they had fought with honor."




Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20664369

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912?2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: John Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 82
Birth Date: 7 Aug 1846
Death Date: 20 Sep 1928
Death Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 9 Jan 1930
Father: James Whitaker
Mother: Nancy Petts
Certificate Number: 1928030285

John married Nancy NUCKLES 14 Sep 1867, Tazewell Co. VA. Nancy was born Nov 1846, Tazewell Co. VA; died Bef 1920, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Family Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 6340AA495E3A4922ADA25753EB6738FB17AE

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Nuckols
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Calvin and Ann Nuckles]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Knuckles [Nuckles]
Age in 1860: 12
Birth Year: abt 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Calvin and Ann Nuckles]
Post Office: Baptist Valley

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 34
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: John Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whitaker 35
Nancy Whitaker 34
James Whitaker 11
Jeremiah Whitaker 10
Lilly Whitaker 5

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 54
Birth Date: Nov 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Jno Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1868
Years Married: 32
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother: number of living children: 10
Mother: How many children: 10
Household Members:
Jno Whitaker 53
Nancy Whitaker 54
Robert L Whitaker 16
Edna M Whitaker 14
Walter Whitaker 8

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 62
Birth Year: 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: John Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whiteaker 54 [64]
Nancy Whiteaker 62
Lee Whiteaker 22
Walter Whiteaker 18

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2225540&GRid=113087266&

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: John Whitaker
Birth Date: 1846
Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Age: 21
Spouse's Name: Nancy Nuckles
Spouse's Birth Date: 1847
Spouse's Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Spouse's Age: 20
Event Date: 14 Sep 1867
Event Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Father's Name: Jas Whitaker
Mother's Name: Nancy
Spouse's Father's Name: Calvin ... Nuckles
Spouse's Mother's Name: A
Spouse's Marital Status: Single
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
GS Film number: 34214
Reference ID: Page 25Line88