Walter Jones, Clarke School Student

Walter James Jones was born in 1894 in Dunn Loring to James Walter Jones, a government clerk, and his wife, Mary Riedel, according to census, draft, and marriage records. Walter was the fourth of his parents’ six children. In 1901, his father bought a property in the vicinity of the northeast… Continue reading

Mary Alice Gunnell, Clarke School Student

Mary Alice Gunnell was born in 1894 to Carberry Gunnell and Annie Smith, according to her death certificate.  Mary was the Gunnell’s second child. As of 1900, her father was working as a farm laborer and the family was living in a rented house, according to the census. I suspect the… Continue reading

The Elgin Brothers, Clarke School Students

Thrift Bertram “Bert” Elgin and James Carlisle Elgin were the only children of Charles Thrift Elgin and Laura R. Jackson, according to death certificates and census information. Bert, the younger of the two boys, was born in 1895 in Middleburg in Loudon County, according to his death certificate and findagrave.com. Older brother… Continue reading

Isabel Dyer, Clarke School Student

Isabel Corrin Dyer was born in 1898 to John Asa Dyer and Minnie S. Bryant Dyer, according to Isabel’s death certificate. Isabel was the second of John and Minnie’s children, according to census information. The house where Isabel presumably spent some of her childhood appears to have been on Clarks… Continue reading

Alice B. Cockrell, Clarke School Student

The “Alice Cockrill” who the Fairfax Herald refers to as a student at the Clarke School in 1913 was probably Alice B. Cockrell, judging from early 20th century census records. Alice B. Cockrell was born in 1898 as the first child to Jeremiah “Jeff” Cockrell and Florence R. Cockrell, according to… Continue reading

Gertie Adams, Clarke School Student

Gertie Thurman Adams was born in 1888 to Robert Lee (R.L) Adams and Velettie Adams, according to findagrave.com. Her sister was the Clarke School teacher, Henrietta Adams, and she was a cousin of Beulah and Florence Adams, her fellow Clarke School students. The R.L. and Velettie Adams residence was just… Continue reading