Hi Carol HARRIMAN,
In answer to your query about Ralph Elize KILGORE.
My name is James Lewis KILGORE. I live in Florida now but I was born and raised in Walker County, Alabama. My family moved to Michigan when I was fifteen. I became interested I genealogy after retiring and moving to Florida in 1996. By this time both my parents were deceased as well as all my aunts and uncles. Both my grandparents on my fatherÂ’s side died before I was born. Needless to say I have had a tough time finding my roots. Because there is no relatives to help me with information, I have been assembling a database on early residents of Walker County, trying to piece together my family.
There seems to be KILGOREs that came to Walker County by way of Tennessee and others from Georgia.
I believe my ancestors came from Georgia but I canÂ’t prove that.
In “The History of Walker County its Towns and its People” by John Martin DOMBHART published 1937 by Cayce Publishing Company, Thornton, Arkansas DOMBHART list family records as his source when he writes;
“KILGORE, Elize, came to Walker County from Georgia, presumably about 1843 or earlier. He died about 1860. He married Nancy LARRIMORE. Children: Mitchell KILGORE, who never married, and was killed in the Civil War; Charles C. KILGORE, who moved to Tuscaloosa; Thomas KILGORE, who married Matilda BUSBY, and lived in Jefferson County; James KILGORE; and Wiley KILGORE.”
“KILGORE, James, a son of Elise and Nancy (LARRIMORE) KILGORE, was brought into Walker County by his parents while quite young. He lived on a farm near Pleasantfield all his life. He was married to Mary HUTTO. Children: Isaac KILGORE, who married Adeline WADE; Wiley KILGORE, Who was killed in the Civil War; Martha KILGORE, who married Tobe MINOR; John KILGORE, who married Rodie Smith; Nancy KILGORE, who married William ODOM.”
“KILGORE, Isaac K., a son of James and Mary (HUTTO) KILGORE, was born on Wolf Creek on August 18, 1844. On January 4, 1862, he enlisted at Tierce’s Mill as a private in Company K, Fiftieth Alabama Infantry, under Captain HUTTO, and served until the close of the war. He died on June 8, 1920, and is buried at Liberty Hill. He was married to Adeline WADE. Children: William D. KILGORE; Wiley L. KILGORE; Sarah KILGORE, who married P.F. KNIGHT; James M. KILGORE; Thomas Allen KILGORE; Ira KILGORE, Charles E. KILGORE; Ross M. KILGORE; Joseph O. KILGORE; Libby B. KILGORE.”
“KILGORE, Wiley E., a son of Elize and Nancy (LARRIMORE) KILGORE, was born September 19, 1824. He was brought to Walker County by his parents while still a young man. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was killed in action on May 5, 1864. He is buried in the old cemetery in Jasper. In 1847 he was married to Caroline Sides, who was born in Walker County on September 11, 1831, a daughter of Levi SIDES. She died on November 21, 1911, and is buried at New Prospect. Children:
Nancy KILGORE, who was born in 1848, married Dock SIDES and moved to Texas.
J. Thomas KILGORE, who was born August 31, 1850, and died December 5, 1911, and is buried at New Prospect. He was married to Nancy Ann CONN, who was born March 3, 1859, a daughter of James and Mahula CONN. She died November 4, 1905, and is buried at New Prospect.
Nancy KILGORE, who was born in 1852, married Benjamin GABBERT, and moved to Texas.
J. Robert KILGORE, who was born in 1855. He became a very well known farmer and stock raiser. Before the railroads were built he was a successful teamster, and on his weekly trips, to Tuscaloosa first and later to Birmingham, he and his sturdy team were conspicuous figures on the thoroughfares of the county. He bore the reputation of being the most accommodating wagoner in the service. In a few years he found himself possessed of a small stock of goods and he entered the mercantile business in Jasper. His business grew steadily, and judicious investments during boom days brought success. However, in the fire of1893 he lost two store houses and a large hotel building, which left him practically penniless. He started over again and soon regained his losses. He was married to Mary SHERER.
Martha KILGORE, who was born in 1867, and was married to Madison Monroe SHERER.
Dorenda KILGORE, who was born in 1860, and was married to Amsi SHERER.”
I have much more information if this is the KILGORE you are looking for.