U.S. Census: Measuring America Has Changed

April 1 is the official date for the 2020 Census, information provided by individuals should include everyone living in the household on that date.  The information is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and for redistricting of congressional, state and local districts.  It is also used in allotting funds to state and local governments from the federal government and for a variety of planning purposes.

The U.S. Census has been taken every 10 years since 1790.  For genealogists census information has proven invaluable in tracing family lines.  However, personal information is not released to the public until 72 years after the date of census so the most recent U.S. Census available for researchers is 1940.

Through the years the method for collecting information and the questions have changed.  In 1940 questions included location, name, relationship to head of household, gender, race, age, marital status, education, place of birth, residence in 1935 and employment information for anyone 14 years of age or older.

Counties were divided into enumeration districts and census takers were hired to take the population, housing and agricultural census through a door-to-door canvas of all residents.  Any enumerator sharing information gathered was subject to prosecution. 

Transylvania County enumerators in 1940 were S.S. Barnette, Walter Fisher, Hal Hart, L.F. Lyday, Mrs. N.A. Miller, A.M. Paxton, Walter I. Reece, J.C. Whitmire, Frank Y. Willbanks and Sutton Wilson.

All guesses for the Transylvania Times' 1940 Census contest had
to be entered on this form.

In April the Transylvania Times announced a contest to guess the county’s official population designated by the 1940 census.  The winner received $5.00, second place earned a one-year subscription to The Times and third place got a six-month subscription.  Contestants did receive a hint in the form of past census numbers of 9,589 in 1930, 9,303 in 1920 and 7,191 in 1910.  An article in the May 2 issue stated that there were hundreds of entries.  The most popular guess was 11,111 from fifteen individuals.  The highest entry was 22,000.

A preliminary report released on June 26 listed the population of Transylvania County at 12,229 up 27 percent from 1930.  There were a total of 2,662 housing units with 298 of those vacant.  Although it was noted that some of the unoccupied homes where summer residences.  The farm count was 1,018, an increase of 288 from 1930, although down 58 from a 1935 count.  Brevard’s population was 3,084 and Rosman’s was 529.

Based on this information Mrs. T.A. Smith of Lake Toxaway with a guess of 12,225 was the presumed winner.  The next three closest entries were from Mrs. Robert Scruggs of rural Brevard (12,222), Walter Shipman from Penrose (12,237) and Mrs. D.H. Hollingsworth of rural Brevard (12,241).  An article in the June 27 newspaper stated that, “Prizes will be sent as soon as the district office certifies the figures as being correct.  However, the count may be changed slightly.”  

No follow-up information is available because Transylvania Times newspapers from July 1940 through March 1941 are not available from any known source.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Women's Clubs Promoted Community Development and Improvement in County

One of the most active and longest operating women’s organizations in Transylvania County was the Women’s Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce.  Established in 1925, they supported community development and improvement.  In 1933 the name was changed to Women’s Civic Club.

They participated in Red Cross Drives, helped raise funds for Christmas Seals, prepared Christmas baskets for residents of the County Home, held a clothing drive for flood victims in Puerto Rico and sold World War II bonds and stamps.

The Women's Bureau operated the Chamber of Commerce office providing
information to visitors during the summer for several years in the 1930s.
It was located in the Crary Hotel beside present day Falls Landing (Pender's).

The organization raised funds for an extensive school grounds improvement project and advocated for a public park and swimming pool.  They supported community wellness initiatives including promoting the need for vaccinations and development of a local hospital.

In 1932 they started the Women’s Exchange.  From May through September each year women were able to sell homemade goods and other items.  The annual membership was fifty cents and ten percent of all profits went to the Club.  The Women’s Exchange operated for several years.

Two projects they were involved with throughout most of their existence were the Clean Up Paint Up Campaign and the Annual Flower Show.

In an effort to make “Brevard the Most Beautiful Town in Western North Carolina” regular work days were organized to clean-up empty lots, rubbish piles and street liter.  Some years cash prizes were offered to the child who gathered the largest pile of trash in his or her neighborhood.  This was part of a nationwide effort to beautify local communities.

The Annual Flower Show featuring hundreds of entries of home-grown and wild flowers was held from 1927 through 1942.  Blue ribbon winners in 1928 included garden flowers from asters to zinnias, wild flowers, Egyptian moss and a rock garden.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s the Women’s Civic Club helped operate and fund the library which at the time was located in the “little shack” beside the courthouse.  They were instrumental in it becoming a public library and receiving state aid beginning in 1944. 

The last mention of the Women’s Civic Club was found in a December 1944 issue of the Transylvania Times.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

A Brief History of Women in Transylvania Politics

In April 1922, Mrs. Roxie Dunn announced that she was running on the Democratic ticket for County Treasurer.  In his endorsement Oat Bryson stated, “Much has been said about the desirability of the woman voter, if we have the women voter, logically we must have the woman office holder.”  Although Mrs. Dunn was defeated in the primary by Ed Paxton Jr. she did make history as the first women in Transylvania County to run for a political office.

In 1921 women were appointed to serve on rural school boards at Blantyre,
Davidson River, East Fork, Island Ford and Selica.  Pictured: Selica School.

During this time period the Democratic Party held a primary in Transylvania County, however the Republican Party nominated candidates for the general election.  In 1928, Mrs. Thelma Fisher was the first woman nominated as a candidate for the County School Board.  It does not appear that she was elected.

In 1932, Mrs. Rholly Galloway ran in the Democrat primary for County Treasurer.  She was defeated by O.L. Erwin.  The same year Mrs. Pearl Owen ran on the Republican ticket against Jess Galloway for Register of Deeds in the general election.  She too was defeated.

Melvin Gillespie was elected as Register of Deeds in 1940.  When he was called for military service in July 1943 his wife, Eva was appointed to serve as Register while he was away.  She appears to be the first woman to actually serve in public office in Transylvania County. 

In 1944, Mrs. Gillespie announced that she would run for election as a Democrat.  She defeated her Republican opponent handily, 3033 to 2134.  She had the highest number of votes of any candidate for county office that year.  Mrs. Gillespie did not run for re-election in 1948.

Other women in elected positions in Transylvania County included Mrs. Marion McMahon as Clerk of Superior Court and Mrs. Elizabeth Mull as Tax Collector, who were both first elected in 1968. 

In Rosman, Edith Osborne served as mayor from 1967-1973.  She was initially appointed to finish out the term of Mayor Sisk after his death.  She ran unopposed for a two-year term in 1969 and was elected again in 1971.

Katherine Anderson was first elected to the Brevard Board of Aldermen in 1975 and as mayor of Brevard in 1986.  Jan Bryant was the first woman elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1976.  Trudi Walend, who was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1996, was the first woman from Transylvania County to serve in NC House of Representatives.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Transylvania Suffragettes Line Up To Cast A Ballot

Last week Picturing the Past covered local events leading up to the ratification of the 19^th Amendment giving women the right to vote in 1920.  Election Day 1920 appears to have been a typical Transylvania day—rainy. 

This photo shows the library beside the courthouse and provides a perspective
of the line for women voters.  The library was a common spot downtown for
women to gather in the early 1900s.

An article in the Friday, November 5, 1920 Brevard News begins, “Transylvania County probably polled the greatest ballot in its history in spite of a steady downpour.  At a very early hour on Tuesday morning a stream of the new voters (the fair sex) were in line stretching from the public library to the polls and on the opposite side stretching from Macfie’s corner stood the old timers.”

It continues, “Never before has Transylvania shown as much interest in any election and for hours the voters of both sexes waited patiently to cast their ballots.  It is reported on good authority that Mrs. Cos Paxton cast the first Democratic vote and that Mrs. C.B. Deaver was the very first women in Transylvania County, or at least in Brevard Township to ever cast a ballot.” 

A later correction reported that Mrs. T.H. Hampton actually cast the first vote among the women of Transylvania County.

The article goes on to state, “There was very little excitement, but much interest and the men of old Transylvania proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that the ladies would have nothing to fear because of any ungentlemanly conduct.  There was no (bug juice) in sight.”  Apparently partying and drunken behavior was common at the polls and there was a concern of women being exposed to such behavior.

The article ends by stating, “The Republican Party carried the County by an overwhelming majority and elected all their candidates with the exception of ‘Tude’ Stamey who had no opposition for the office of Constable of Brevard Township.”

Next week Picturing the Past will look at women in elected positions in Transylvania County.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

In 1920: Local Viewpoints on Women's Right To Vote

During 2020 the nation is celebrating the centennial of the 19^th Amendment giving women the right to vote.  Both before and after the momentous occasion of August 18, 1920 women were working as agents of change to improve their lives, the lives of those in their community and around the world. 

During the Great War local women organized the Transylvania chapter of the National League of Women’s Services.  They worked on the behalf of mothers and wives of soldiers to ensure that they received benefits due to them by writing countless letters to civilian agencies and various government and military offices to obtain information about their loved ones.  Reading through these offers a picture of life on the home front and the monumental work and effort these women undertook to help others in their community. 

This letter in the March 28, 1919 Brevard News claimed to
support women's right to vote.

Following the war many of these same women led the push for women’s right to vote.  Although there was not a formal suffrage group in Transylvania County, a June 20, 1919 article in the Brevard News stated, “A number of ladies here have taken vital interest in the question and they are now predicting that they will vote for the president in 1920.”

Both women and men expressed viewpoints on the subject of women’s right to vote when a war of opinions broke out in letters to the Brevard News.  It started when a local woman wrote in refuting reasons she had recently overheard a local man express against women’s suffrage.

A man responded in opposition using a fictitious name.  It begins, “Now I believe in suffering all that we can and all that becomes necessary for us to suffer for the good women of this county.  But I don’t believe in their being allowed to vote.  Not because they are not as well qualified as we men, but because it will lower them in our eyes to see our women going out and raking up women from the slums and bringing a dunken galoot up to the poles, and voting him while poor John or Tom rocks the cradle at home.”

His comments led to several responses in support of women’s right to vote.  Rosman druggist R.S. Morgan stated, “A good woman should vote and make the country and world better—should teach her son by example as well as precept—should aid, assist and guide him in the political work for justice, purity, truth, honor and glory…If she is suited to mould the home she is suited also to aid in moulding the nation into a higher and better life.”

This series of articles can be found in the June 20 through August 22, 1919 Brevard News available online at DigitalNC.org.

Next week Picturing the Past will continue the story of women’s first effort to vote in Transylvania County.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.