I have spent several interesting hours this morning in the search of information on Charles Pike “Caleb” Hale and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Medkeff, both buried in Calhoun Cemetery in McLean County, Kentucky.
Charles was the son of Caleb Hale and Sarah Huff, born in Ohio County, March 23, 1821. Sarah was the daughter of John Robertson Medkeff and Charlotte Smith, also born in Ohio County, October 10, 1828.
Charles and Sarah were married on the 23rd day of November 1848 by Joseph P. Ellis, M.G. (Minister of the Gospel). After their marriage they moved north to Daviess County, and were found in the 1850 census there. Charles was 29, a carpenter, and Sarah was 23.
Ten years later they were living in McLean County. Charles was a nurseryman, and did quite well with this profession the rest of his life. Three children were included in the 1860 census – John Caleb, 6, named for both grandfathers; Martha C., 3; and Elizabeth Owen, 1. The family survived the war years and in 1870 four additional children had been added – Sallie M., 10; Lineaus Gray, 7; Delila, 4; and Laura, 2. In 1880 son John Caleb lived on his own, the rest of the family unit remained together.
A list of the children of Charles and Sarah Hale:
- John Caleb Hale, MD, February 3, 1854-March 31, 1905, married Martha Ann Martin.
- Martha Carmazella Hale, September 24, 1856-July 8, 1949, married Taylor Davis.
- Elizabeth Ann Hale, May 14, 1859-March 8, 1930, married Edwin Hawes Bivins.
- Sallie Amanda Hale, October 26, 1861-August 31, 1931, married Charles David Lockett.
- Lineaus Gray Hale, October 2, 1864-July 29, 1947, never married.
- Delila Hale, May 28, 1866-?
- Laura A. Hale, November 13, 1868-March 24,1958, married James Monroe Threlkell.
C. P. Hale, March 23, 1821-March 23, 1884. Calhoun Cemetery, McLean County, Kentucky.
Charles Hale died four years after the 1880 census, on his birthday. He was buried in Calhoun Cemetery, with a simple stone, just his name and dates. I could find no obituary for him, but the marriage of his daughter Martha Carmazella to Taylor Davis lists her father as deceased.
The Owensboro Messenger, Daviess County, Kentucky
Tuesday, November 17, 1885
Another Notable Marriage by Which Daviess and McLean are United
Calhoun, Nov. 15 – Wednesday morning Mr. Taylor Davis, eldest son of Rev. A. G. Davis, of Utica, Daviess County, and Miss Carmie Hale, eldest daughter of Mr. C. P. Hale, deceased, the famous nurseryman, were married at half past ten o’clock, the father of the groom officiating. The church was very tastefully decorated. Over the altar was erected a beautiful floral arch. When the appointed hour arrived, Mr. Nace Mattingly and Miss Lizzie Shutt, Mr. Farmer, and Miss Mollie Owen, of Daviess, attendants, marched up the ladies’ aisle, followed by the bride and groom. The attendants formed a wing on either side of the arch and the contracting parties stood beneath it, facing the minister and audience. The ceremony was short, but very impressive. After the consummation of the happy event many congratulations were offered, after which the bride and groom, those who were in attendance from Daviess, and a few friends and relatives departed for the home of the groom’s father, where a very brilliant reception was given. The bride was very neatly and becomingly attired, and the groom was elegantly dressed. The bride is a popular young lady in society here and is a niece of Dr. Hale, of Owensboro. She has many friends here, who will miss her at the society entertainments, and who wishes her a long, happy and prosperous life. The groom is an energetic and thrifty young farmer, and his many friends congratulate him over winning this amiable young woman for a helpmate.
In the 1900 census Sarah Hale lived in Butler County, with daughter Laura Threlkell, 31; her son-in-law James Threlkell, 32; and grandchildren Maggie, 7; Latta, 5; Eraus, 3; and Eva, 2. Sarah, listed as Elizabeth Hale, was 72. She had given birth to 9 children with 7 living. I could not find Sarah in the 1910 census.
A few samples from the Messenger Inquirer, Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky, give examples of Sarah Hale during the end of her life when she lived in Fordsville, Ohio County.
February 1, 1907 – Mrs. Laura Brown and children of Clarksville, Kentucky, are visiting her mother, Mrs. C. P. Hale.
March 7, 1907 – Mrs. Ella Beauchamp, of Falls of Rough, visited her mothers, Mrs. C. P. Hale, Thursday. [I believe this must be Delila].
October 17, 1907 – Mrs. Laura Brown, of Grayson Springs, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. C. P. Hale, has returned home.
Messenger Inquirer, Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky
Tuesday, July 28, 1914
Relatives who attended the funeral of Mrs. Sarah Hale, at this place Tuesday were: Mrs. Leslie Leach and Mrs. Ed Barnes, of Central City; Mrs. Shelby Taylor, of Louisiana; Mrs. Taylor Davis, of Dawson, and Mrs. Ed Bivins, of Lyonia. [The last two were daughters Martha Camazella and Elizabeth Ann.]
Sarah Elizabeth Medkeff Hale died July 20, 1914, at the age of 85 years. She was buried in Calhoun Cemetery beside her husband.
Sarah E. Hale, October 10, 1828-July 20, 1914.
Categories: Family Stories
