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Andrew Worsham
1. Andrew Worsham b abt 1795. (Dorothy Worsham Bailey, Lonake, AR)
He is in the in the 1840 Jasper Co, GA cens as Andrew Worsham b 1790-1800, 1m b 1826-30, 1f b 1790-1800, 1 f b 1835-40, 1 f b 1830-35, 2 f b 1825-30, 1 f b 1820-25, 22 male slaves & 8 female slaves, neighbors: Stephen Harford, Thomas H. Lucket.
Children:
1.1. Alfred Jackson Worsham b Mar 19, 1819 Jasper Co., GA md
Martha Teresa
Pittman Feb 18, 1845 of Jackson Co., GA. Martha, d/o James T. Pittman &
Caroline, b 30 Apr 1830 AL. Martha's father willed a young slave girl to her
who remained with her throughout her life, even after emancipation. (Dorothy Worsham
Bailey) They are in the 1850 Noxubee Co. MS Census, p 197. He is age
30, Grocer, with $1200 Real Estate & b GA. Martha is age 20 b AL. Jessie
Brown, male, age 23 b VA is living with them. He is A. J. Worsham in the 1860
Brooksville, Noxubee Co., MS Census. He is age 34, farmer with Real Estate
valued at $1400 & Personal effects worth $3364 b GA. Martha is age 30 b
GA. Martha d 23 Jun 1899 & bur New Hope Cem, Dardanelle, Yell, AR. Alfred
d 5 Apr 1884 Macon, Noxubee, MS.
The following was in the Memoirs of MS-Goodspeed, pg
211, article by James Kincannon, Macon Beacon, Macon, GA:
"The best
soldier that ever buckled on the armor of the holy cause was Alfred Jackson
Worsham of Co. D. 41st Miss. Infantry. This is saying a heap for a single
soldier, but every man of that glorious band of heros was a true and loyal
soldier, and did his duty well and nobly. But ‘Worsham,' as he was known all
through the brigade to which his regiment was attached, did more than his
duty. He was a man of unique character and was endowed with a physical
constitution that was as tough as a post oak and with a mental organism and
genial personality that was superb. He was entirely original in everything and
had as many peculiarities as were ever compressed in mortal form. He was not
large of statue and his limbs seemed to have been articulated by Dame Nature
when she was in a dreamy mood. In putting all his parts together Nature seemed
to be trying to create a masculine curie, and she certainly succeeded. He was
box-ankled, knockneed, angular and disjointed all mover. He could not stand up
straight and was never in line in the company's formation during the whole
time of his service. His energy was wonderful, his will indomitable, his
courage superb and his powers of endurance supernatural. He was never on the
sick list, was always at roll-call, never shirked any duty and did more extra
service than all the rest of the brigade put together. He was never idle,
slept but little and was always ready to volunteer for any hazardous work that
was wanted. He was truly a wonderful man and seemed to have been made
purposely for the place which he filled in the army.
From the outset Worsham was chosen as the ‘head of the mess.' This meant
that he was chief cook and bottle-washer. Joe Stokes, John Hodges, Joe Rogers,
John Mancers, Jimmy Jones, John S. Jones, Joe Nuckles and Worsham made up the
mess. Over it Worsham presided from the beginning and through all its changes
of members, he held his place to the entire satisfaction of the entire group.
He drew the rations, cooked and washed the dishes for the boys, all of which
they let him do willingly, because he liked the job. When the regiment was
formed in April, 1862, Worsham was ‘promoted' to company ‘commisary' which
he accepted, but held on to his place as head of the mess. He liked the place
and kept it until he was disabled and had to leave the army. As company
commissary he was always at his post and never failed to get his full share of
the best that was to be had. There was never a complaint against him and
nobody ever tried to oust him.
In addition to these important posts Worsham became the barber first for
the company and then for the regiment. He was so successful in this place that
the brigade adopted him and finally the division. Many of the high officers
patronized him and he became famous throught the army as a barber. He kept his
scissors and razers sharp and his brush and soap always clean.
In battle, Worsham was conspicuously alert and daring. He never quailed
under the most terrific fire. At Perryville he fired seventy-two shorts and
his gun became so hot that he could not load the barrell. In trying to do so
he pushed the ramrod deep into his hand, but he did not mind the pain, and
kept right on fighting. When we had fallen back to Knoxville he brought me a
certificate written in red ink, covering a whole page of foolscap paper,
narrating his exploits in the battle and asked me to sign it. I declined on
the grounds that such a certificate would be invidious. He then carried it to
Lieut. Yated, who declined on the same plea. One of the boyus asked him what
he wanted with it. He replied, ‘I want to have it framed and hung up in my
home, so that my boy can see it and when some coward who went after water and
did not come back till the battle was over says that his father did not do his
full duty in that fight, he can point to it and tell him he is a liar.' This
closed the interview.
At the battle of Murfresboro, Worsham's left arm, between the elbow and the
wrist, was broken by a Minie ball. The bones pierced the flesh and showed
through the skin. Bragg retreated from his position there at night. It was
raining heavily and we had to find our way through pitch darkness. My train
had been cut in two by another at a crossing of two roads and everything was
in confusion. I was giving orders, trying to get out of the disorder and to my
great surprise, I heard Worsham calling me. He recognized my voice and I knew
his. He told me his condition. I could see, only the outline of his form, but
I made him get into one of the wagons and carried him to Shelbyville, which
place we reached at daylight the next morning. Capt. Augustus will recall this
terrible night and how we, drenched with rain, awakened an old Negro and his
wife and jumped into their bed for a little nap. When I could do so, I
examined Worsham's wound, which he had bound up with an old piece of tent
cloth. I tried to get him to go to the hospital, but he would not do so, and
prevailed on me to get Dr. Cain, the surgeon, to send him home, which he did.
He never had anything done for his wound but doctored it himself. It got well,
but was useless thereafter, and he was never fit for service again.
Worsham was an enigma; in his dealing with men he was brusque, suspicious
and wary; he had but few friends, but to these he was loyal and devoted. I
chanced to be one of these and always found him true as steel.
I regard him as the best soldier in Bragg's army. If Stonewall Jackson and
Forrest had had 100,000 men like him the Confederacy would have gained its
independence."
Children:
1.1.1. Sarah Academia Worsham b May 1849 Macon, Noxubee Co., MS. (1
3/12-1850; 12-1860) md F. C. Hucaby Aug 1870 Macon, Noxubee, MS. In mrg
record her name appears to be S. Hardenia Worsham.
1.1.2. Alfred Jackson
Worsham, Jr. b 1850 Macon, Noxubee Co., MS.
(10-1860) md Mary Jane Keene 27 Mar 1876 Noxubee, MS & d bef 1880. He
may also be the A. J. Worsham who md. 27 Feb 1872 Lauderdale Co, to
M. L.
Howell.
Children:
1.1.3. Carrie Worsham b 1852 Macon, Noxubee Co., MS. (8-1860) md
John A.
Potts 24 Feb 1881 Macon, Noxubee, MS.
1.1.4. Mordecai Alfred Worsham b 6 Jul 1857 Macon, Noxubee, MS.(6-1860)
He  graduated from the Memphis Hospital Medical College in 1883. He moved to
AR where he practiced under Dr. Alexander McKenzie. Dr. McKenzie served as
his proctor. He md Nancy Ann Hovis "Nannie" 23 Sep 1884 Yell Co.,
AR by J. W. Pendergrass. Nancy b 5 Dec 1866 Yell Co., AR. (Cemetery record
has 5 Dec 1868) d/o Jasper Hovis "Jap" & Miriam Delina
McKenzie. Nancy d 3 Feb 1941 Centerville, Yell, AR. Photo
of Mordecai Alfred Worsham, MD and wife Nancy Ann Hovis Worsham,
Centerville, AR, courtesy Nancy Phillips, 2006.
Nancy's obituary:
Mrs.
Nannie Worsham. Wife of Dr. M. A. Worsham. Special to the Gazette. Dardanell,
Feb 3.--Mrs. Nannie Worsham 74, wife of Dr. M. A. Worsham of Centerville,
seven miles south of here died at her home today. She was a daughter of the
late Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Hovis, early residents of Yell county. She was a
member of the Methodist church. She is survived also by three sons, Ray and
Elbert of Centerville and Lester Worsham of Wichita, Kan., five sisters,
Mrs. Otho Mims, Mrs. Maude Hudson, Mrs. Will Vandiver and Mrs. Nona McCorkle
of Dardanelle and Mrs. Mary Stanley of Brinkley, and two brothers, Will and
Alec Hovis of Dardanelle. Funeral services will be held at the Centerville
Methodist church at 2 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. Everett Patton and the Rev.
Ethan Dodge."
Mordecai and Nancy spent their entire adult lives in
and around Centerville, AR where they also reared their children. Mordecai
was known as "Dr. Worsham" throughout Yell County. He d 6 Apr 1947
while visiting relatives in Wichita, KS & bur New Hope Cem, Centerville,
Yell, AR.
Mordecai's obituary was in the Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Tuesday, April 8,
1947:
"Dr. M. A. Worsham. 90-Year Old Physician. Russellville, April 7.
Dr. M. A. Worsham, aged 90, a practicing physician in Centerville from 1881
to 1945, died in Wichita, Kan., Sunday. He had made his home in Russellville
recently, and was visiting in Kansas at the time of his death. He was
believed to have been the oldest Mason in Yell county. Survivors include:
two sons, Lester of Wichita, Kan., and Albert of Centerville. Tentative
arrangements have been made for the funeral at the Russellville Methodist
church Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be in New Hope cemetery, eight miles
southwest of Dardanelle."
A biography was written about Mordecai:
MORDECAI ALFRED WORSHAM,
M.D.
Dr. Mordecai Alfred Worsham lived from July 8, 1857 to April 6,1947. The
son of Alfred Jackson Worsham and Martha T. Pittman Worsham, he b and reared
in Macon, Mississippi. Following completion of the required two years of
medical school at University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, he moved
to Yell County, Arkansas where he was to practice for the remainder of his
long career --office locations changing a few times to meet the needs of the
developing communities extending outward from the Arkansas River Valley.
Arriving by steamboat at Dardanelle in 1878 or 1879 he opened an office in
the nearby village of Chickalah (sha-KEE-la). A short while later he moved
to Kenzie (which later became Centerville) to practice with his preceptor,
Dr. Alexander McKenzie. In 1882 he received his MD degree from the Memphis
Tennessee Hospital Medical College. Married to Nancy Ann Hovis of Yell
County in 1884, they were to raise one daughter, Ora, and four sons, Lester,
Elbert, Ray and Aubrey. A fifth son, Irby, died in early childhood. For a
while he shared offices with another pioneer Yell County physician, Dr.
Kirksey in Neely in the Carden's Bottom area of the Arkansas River Valley.
For the major portion of his career, his home and primary office was in
Centerville, a crossroads community between Dardanelle and Ola north-south
and Carden's Bottom and Danville east-west. He became a member of the
American Medical Association in 1912. Travel in his earliest days was
primarily horseback, and though later supplemented by buggy as trails
developed into roads, was soften during rain and snow the only means of
reaching some of his patients, particularly home deliveries. His black
Kentucky saddle horse, Duke, partially replaced by buggy and later by a
Model T Ford, remained for a while longer the best means of reaching some
patients in less developed areas. What we now know as obstetrics and
pediatrics were of course an essential part of the country doctors'
practice. In time, a sizeable number of the younger citizens of that section
of Yell County had arrived in this world with his assistance. Some were
occasionally in receipt of more than his professional services; as when
following the delivery of twin girls to a family of very modest
circumstances, he subsequently drove to Dardanelle ("Town," as he
termed it) to obtain and deliver to the family a "proper" twin
bassinet.
A granddaughter recalls another
occasion when he was called to see one of his very special patients-a young
girl with heart disease since infancy now approaching her terminal hours.
After tending to her needs as best he could, he asked what else he might get
for her. She requested a Bible. Off he drove to "Town," returning
shortly with the Bible.
A devout Christian, he served for over thirty years as Sunday School
Superintendent and teacher at the Centerville Methodist Church. He was for
many years a member of the Masonic Order.
Dr. Worsham continued to practice into his mid-eighties then announced his
retirement. However, many of his patients were slow in getting the news or
sometimes slow to accept it. One expectant mother came to request his
services for the upcoming event and upon hearing that he had retired the
previous year, tearfully reminded him that he had delivered her other nine
children and that she would not accept other care for the new baby.
He agreed to be available and later unpacked his instruments and
successfully delivered her tenth child. On other occasions, former patients,
though aware of his retirement, would present themselves at his home with
assorted problems ranging from dislocation of a shoulder to lacerations. He
continued to administer to their needs, usually on a gratis basis, until his
late eighties then moved to Russellville in Pope County to live with his
grandchildren and daughter-in-law. A few years later, in failing health, he
moved to his son's home in Wichita, Kansas. He died shortly thereafter,
April 6, 1947, just short of his ninetieth birthday.
He was buried in the family plot at New Hope Cemetery in Yell County,
located between Centerville and Dardanelle, not far from the Village of
Chickalah where he had begun his practice of medicine almost three-quarters
of a century earlier. During these years he had seen medical science evolve
from its post-Civil War emphasis on surgery and purging to the beginning of
the antibiotic era, and his means of transportation from horseback though
horse and buggy to exclusively automobile.
Descendants who have pursued medical careers include Aubrey Gordon Worsham,
MD, of Dallas, Texas; Stephen Allen Worsham, MD (Gordon's son) of Salinas,
California; and Richard Emmert, DDS, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Gordon,
who wrote the biography, was a pediatrician for years with a huge practice
in Dallas. He's well past 70 and just retired a year or 2 ago. Doctor
Worsham was very serious-minded, not much for jokes or bending of rules, but
very much loved and respected by his family and community.
Children: (Burials: Cemeteries of Yell Co., AR, Vol II & III by Yell
Co., AR Historical & Gen. Association, Dardanell, AR, 1994, Vol II pp
55, 117, 130 & Vol III pp 105, 214, & 215)
1.1.4.1. Ora G.
Worsham b Aug 1885 Centerville, Yell, AR md Thomas Otho Howell
b 14 May 1885. They lived in Dardanelle, Yell, AR. Thomas d. Aug 1979 of Little Rock, Pulaski, AR
1.1.4.2. Lester Allen Worsham b 2 Feb 1887
Centerville, Yell, AR with blue eyes light brown hair. Lester md Hazel D., b 24 Mar
1896 & d 14 Feb 1972. In 1930 they lived in Wichita, Sedgwick, KS. Lester d 11 Nov
1972 Centerville, Yell, AR. Both are bur New Hope Cemetery, Dardanelle, Yell, AR.
Children:
1.1.4.2.1. Elaine J. Worsham b abt 1916 Yell, AR.
1.1.4.2.2. Royce H. Worsham b 22 Feb 1919
Yell, AR & d 12 Jan 2004 Grants Pass, Josephine, OR.
1.1.4.2.3. Coralie M. Worsham b abt 1922
Yell, AR.
1.1.4.2.4. Gail L. Worsham b abt 1925 Yell,
AR.
1.1.4.3. Irby Worsham b 11 Jan 1889 Centerville, Yell, AR, d 4 May 1899
& bur Moore Hill Cem., Yell Co., AR.
1.1.4.4. Heber Elbert Worsham b 8 Jan 1891
Centerville, Yell, AR md Laura May.
Laura b 27 Apr 1893 AR. Heber d 15 Oct 1951 Ventura, CA & Laura d 1 Nov 1977.
Both bur Dacus Cemetery, Yell, AR.
Children:
1.1.4.4.1. Helen
Worsham b abt 1915 Centerville, Yell, AR.
1.1.4.4.2. Dorothy
Worsham b abt 1915 Centerville, Yell, AR. She md Lloyd Bailey
1.1.4.4.3. Jack
E. Worsham b 1921 Centerville, Yell, AR md Thelma
Madella Suggs 5 Nov 1945. Thelma b 5 Oct 1919 near Sulphur Springs,
Yell, AR d/o Madison Livingston Suggs & Mary Ella Dacus.
A biography for Jack E. Worsham
is in Yell Co. Heritage, History of Yell Co., AR by Yell Co. Historical
& Gen. Association (Yell Co., AR, The Association, 1997) p 631:
Jack E.
Worsham b at Centerville, Arkansas the son of H. Elbert and Laura May
Worsham. H. Elbert was the son of Dr. Mordecia and Nannie A. Hovis Worsham.
Jack served in World War II, sailed for Europe in January 1945. While
serving he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action. He
also holds the Expert Combat Infantryman's Badge. Private Worsham was
credited with 96 points under the Army's discharge system and was eligible
for discharge on his return from Austria. He served 28 months in the
Aleutians. Jack married Thelma Madella Suggs 5 Nov 1945. Thelma b 5 Oct
1919. She is the only child of Madison Livingston and Mary Ella Dacus Suggs.
She b near Sulphur Springs in Yell County, Arkansas, attended school and
graduated from Dardanelle. She worked in Tulsa during the war and also
worked at West Gibson Store in Russellville. They are the parents of two
children: Sherry Ann Worsham and Gary Michell Worsham. Jack is retired from
Arkansas Power & Light company. They live in the Ranger Community, Yell
County, Arkansas.
Children:
Sherry Ann Worsham and Gary Michell Worsham.
1.1.4.5. Infant Worsham b & d 12 Feb 1897
Centerville, Yell, AR. In Moore Hill Cem., Yell, AR. is listed: Worsham, Inf./o Dr. M.A. &
N.A. born & died 12 Feb 1897.
1.1.4.6. Ray E. Worsham b 1 Apr 1898
Centerville, Yell, AR; md 1922 to Zona George d/o Horace George & Daisy
Yarbrough & he d 6 Jan 1943 New Hope Cem, Dardanelle, Yell, AR. Ark Cpl 142
Field Arty 39 Div U. S. Army. Zona b. 25 Apr 1898 & d. 28 Nov 1980
Bryan, Brazos, TX.
Child:
1.1.4.6.1. Macklynn Duane Worsham
b 28 Feb 1923 Centerville, Yell, AR. Macklynn md Floy Elizabeth James
1 Jun 1944 in Tampa, FL. Floy's obit appeared in the 25 May 2005 Star-Telegram:
Floy Elizabeth "Betty" Worsham, 81, died Tues,
 May 24, 2005. Burial: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Mrs. Worsham was born Nov 14, 1923, in Ola, Ark., to Benjamin Franklin and Floy Elizabeth Dixon James. She was married to Macklynn Duane Worsham on June 1, 1944, in Tampa, Fla. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Ola, Ark. She was preceded in death by a brother, Frank James Jr. Survivors: Husband, Macklynn Duane Worsham of Denton; daughters, Vicky Vawter of Denton and Judy Harshaw of Knoxville, Tenn.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Macklynn's obit is in the Denton Record, Sat, Aug 20,
2005:
Macklynn Duane Worsham, 82, of Denton, left this world on
Friday, Aug 19, 2005, after losing his battle with cancer. Mr. Worsham was born Feb 28, 1923, in Centerville, Ark., to Ray and Zona (George) Worsham. He was married to Floy Elizabeth “Betty” James on June 1, 1943, in Tampa, Fla. (she died May 24, 2005). He served in the United States Army Air Force during WWII where he fought in the Normandy, Northern France and Germany campaigns. He was awarded three Bronze Stars for Normandy, Northern France, and the Purple Heart for being wounded in action in Germany on Jan. 14, 1945. Mr. Worsham worked at Stebbins and Roberts Paint Company in Little Rock, Ark., for more than 30 years. After living in Fort Worth, he moved to Bryan-College Station and bought Chapman’s Paint Company and operated that business until he retired. After retirement, he moved to Denton to be closer to his family. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Dr. Jim Porter will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Gwin Harshaw, Jeff Vawter, Jeff Wilholt and Robert Krause; honorary pallbearer will be Dr. Gordon Worsham. Survivors include his daughters, Vicky Vawter of Denton and Judy Harshaw of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Amy Wilholt of Denton, Jeff Vawter of Trumbull, Conn., and Kelly Vawter of Denton; and great-grandchildren, Riley and Reed Wilholt of Denton, Madison Vawter of Denton, Erin Macklynn and Ryan Vawter of Trumbull, Conn. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Texas, 8150 Brookriver Drive, S-102, LB-151, Dallas, TX 75247. Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for all the care and concern that Duane received to: all of his doctors, Heaven at Home Senior Care, Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Center; and a very special thanks to Denise Warden with Accolade. We will miss him and love him dearly. His sense of humor and love of life will be missed by all who knew him.
Also in the Star-Telegram 20 Aug 2005:
Macklynn Duane Worsham, 82, left this world
 Friday, Aug. 19, 2005, after losing his battle with cancer. Graveside service: Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Pallbearers: Gwin Harshaw, Jeff Vawter, Jeff Wilholt and Robert Krause. Honorary pallbearer: Dr. Gordon Worsham. Mr. Worsham was born Feb. 28, 1923, in Centerville, Ark., to Ray and Zona George Worsham. He married Floy Elizabeth "Betty" James on June 1, 1943, in Tampa, Fla. She died May 24, 2005. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II, where he fought in campaigns in Normandy, northern France and Germany. He was awarded three Bronze Stars for Normandy, northern France and the Purple Heart for being wounded in action in Germany on Jan. 14, 1945. Mr. Worsham worked for Stebbins and Roberts Paint Co. in Little Rock, Ark., for over 30 years. After living in Fort Worth, he moved to Bryan-College Station and bought Chapman's Paint Co., and operated that business until he retired. After retirement, he moved to Denton to be closer to his family. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks for all the care and concern that Duane received, to all of his doctors, Heaven at Home Senior Care, Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Center, and a very special thanks to Denise Warden with Accolade. We will miss him and love him dearly. His sense of humor and love of life will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors: Daughters, Vicky Vawter of Denton and Judy Harshaw of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Amy Wilholt of Denton, Jeff Vawter of Trumbull, Conn., and Kelly Vawter of Denton; and great-grandchildren, Riley and Reed Wilholt of Denton, Madison Vawter of Denton and Erin Macklynn and Ryan Vawter of Trumbull, Conn.
1.1.4.7. Aubrey Worsham b 25 May 1901
Centerville, Yell, AR md Nannie  Emily Lasater
16 Dec 1920.
Aubrey d 19 Apr 1940. Nannie b 2 Feb 1901 Jenny Lind, Logan, AR & d. 23 Dec 1983
Conway, AR. (Nancy Standley
Phillips, 2006) These photos, courtesy Nancy Standley
Phillips, 2006, of Aubrey and Nannie were
taken ca 1920, prior to their marriage.
Children:
1.1.4.7.1.
Aubrey Gordon Worsham b 25 Oct 1921 of Yell, AR md 1st) Mary Alice
Perez, they had 3 children. Mary b 13 Oct 1928 of Galveston, TX & d 27 Nov 1992
Dallas, TX. Aubrey md 2nd) Sudie Austelle Clere.
Children of Aubrey and Mary: Stephen Allan Worsham,
Laura Lea Worsham & Richard Ernest Worsham.
1.1.4.7.2. Lora Gene Worsham
"Gene" b 9 Nov 1929 of Yell Co., AR. He md LuAnn McCoy and they divorced. (Nancy Standley
Phillips, 2006) Gene died 2 Jun 1995 of a heart attack while driving from his home
near Russellville, AR to his office in Little Rock, AR. (Nancy Standley Phillips, 2006
& SSDI)
1.1.4.7.3. Gloria June Worsham
b 9 Nov 1929 of Yell, AR md Robert
Elson Standley. Robert b 2 Mar 1920 & d 10 Oct 1982 of Conway, Faulkner,
AR.
1.1.4.7.4. Violet Ruth Worsham md
Robert I. Emmert.
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