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By 1865, Samuel D. had changed positions and became the foreman at Williams & Co. saw mill, located on Front St. near the Memphis gas works. The family probably lived in company housing. The mill was located on the west side of Front Street between Mill and Bayou streets, and the family resided on Mill Street at the corner of North Front near the gas works. He continued this position until he died around 1869, from unknown causes. |
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Martha McAninch, their oldest daughter, had grown up. In 1866, Martha was a primary school teacher of second grade girls. The school was located at the corner of Second and Adams streets. Martha had moved out and was living on Front St. above Archer. Sometime after 1866, Martha married a man whose identity is unknown and died, possibly in childbirth. |
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By the 1870 City Directory, Sarah H. McAninch was listed as a widow and the family lived at the rear of the city jail. Samuel D.'s death had an impact on the family. Samuel J. McAninch was still a minor. We know that Samuel J. had two brothers. His brothers known to be in Memphis were Allen H. (Hartsfield?) and Isaac McAninch. Were Samuel J.'s brothers younger than he was? A mystery to be resolved. |
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Sometime late 1870, Sarah had found work and a place to live at a boarding house at 11 Front Street, providing housing and meals for railroad men. She worked and the family lived there until 1876. Samuel J., around age 15, became an apprentice to Adolph Tiensch, who manufactured mathematical and optical equipment at 254 Second St. By 1876 Samuel J. found more opportunity and became a clerk. He then moved his mother Sarah and family to a boarding house at 15 Main St. Isaac McAninch was a laborer for Hope Oil Mill. The family then moved to 16 Promenade St., later to 8 Promenade St. Allen H. McAninch became a ginner. By 1877, Samuel J. McAninch became a railroad switchman, and later, a brakeman. |
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Because of improper sanitation and other conditions, Memphis was struck with recurring epidemics of yellow fever and cholera during the 1870's. During these epidemics, tragedy again struck the McAninch family. It was during the 1878 epidemic that apparently both Allen H. and Isaac McAninch died. This left the deceased Samuel D. and Sarah H. McAninch with Samuel J. McAninch their only surviving child. |
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Some time before 1880, the 23-year old Samuel J. McAninch moved with his mother Sarah to Little Rock, Pulaski [County], Arkansas. Shortly thereafter Sarah J. Hartsfield McAninch died. She is buried in Little Rock although the grave site is unknown at this time. |
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Samuel D. McAninch was a man of hard work whose time was brief. His wife, Sarah Hartsfield McAninch, demonstrated strength and courage. Through heavy odds and hard work, Sarah insured the survival of their family. This legacy of Samuel D. and Sarah Hartsfield McAninch continued through their descendants. |
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McAninch Family History Newsletter Vol. II No. 4 December 1994 pg.8 page 1994-39 |
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[original contents (except as noted); change font for online presentation (May 2003)] |