Will Hames
(Glendale's Boss Weaver Dies.)
Story furnished by Clarence Crocker
According to news articles published in the Carolina Spartan, Monday evening October 1, and the Spartanburg Herald, Tuesday morning October 2, 1917. Mr. William Leander Hames, born June 15, 1866, died early Sunday morning September 30, 1917. He had just finished praying at a sunrise prayer service in the Glendale Methodist Church where he was a member when he was stricken by a heart attack and dropped into his seat. He died almost instantly. Coroner Turner was notified but held no inquest, ruling the death due to natural causes.
His father having died when William was a young boy, his mother Mary J. Hames married Benjamin Holmes. The 1880 census listed; William L. Hames, 14 years of age, his sister Fannie Hames, 12 years of age, his brother Henry E., 10 years of age and his brother John L., 8 years of age. All were living in Glendale with their step father and mother.
Will (as he was known and called) married a local lady, Miss Sallie Gilmer, born October 30, 1868, the daughter of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Nancy Gilmer and they became the parents of five daughters.
U. S. Census for 1900 listed: U. S. Census for 1910 listed:
Willie Hames born June 1866---- Section Man Willie Hames 43------ Boss Weaver
Sallie, wife, born October 1868 Sallie 41
Myrtle, daughter, born October 1891 Winnie 15
Winnie, daughter,born January 1895 Fannie 12
Fannie, daughter, born October 1897 Mabel 10
Mabel, daughter, born September 1899 Sarah 5
Will had served as Weave Room Section Man and Overseer for more than seventeen years. It was reported that he was one of the best known residents of the village and was popular throughout the area. He was considered a real gentleman and greatly respected. The article stated that he was survived by his wife and several children. Unfortunately, I could not find a record of his obituary.
The obituary of Mrs. Sallie Gilmer Hames, published in the Sunday morning Spartanburg Herald and Journal May 13, 1928, stated that she had died at her home in Glendale at 2;15 Saturday morning May 12, at the age of 60. Funeral services were held Sunday May 13 in the Glendale Methodist Church where she had been a member for many years. The Rev. C. W. Allen and Rev. J. W. Shell officiated with interment following in the cemetery located at the side of the Church. Pallbearers were; A. A. Brown, W. F. Rogers, W. L. Gregory, R. H. Rhinehart, A. W. Gault, Lindsey Swofford, R. F. Bagwell and S. J. DuPre.
Survivors were; four daughters, Mrs. H. B. (Winnie) White, Mrs. J. L.(Mabel) Murph, Mrs. W. C. (Sara) Thomas of Glendale and Mrs. V. P.(Fannie) Foster of Whitestone, S. C.; four sisters, Mrs. Ella (Gilmer)Bagwell, Ashville, N. C., Mrs. Z. W.(Mary Gilmer) Vandiver, Mrs. Z. V. (Laura Gilmer) Ammons, Mrs. W. L.(Emma Gilmer) Gregory of Glendale; one brother, F. H. Gilmer of Glendale. She was also survived by a number of grandchildren.
Miss Winnie Hames married H. B. (Bernard) White who came to work in Glendale in 1902 and served as Section man and weave room Overseer for a number of years. He was promoted to Mill Superintendent in 1942. (See Mill Superintendents.)
Miss Mable Hames married J. L. Murph, a Spartanburg County Policeman. (See J. L. Murph.)
Copies of Obituaries and newspaper articles, courtesy of Spartanburg County Public Library.
This web site has been started as a public service to share the story of Glendale. See more information about Mary and her Glendale connection at Mary McKinney Teaster.