Cdr. Albert Sydney McLemore

Notes:

Biography, copied from his FindAGrave memorial page created by Rob Minteer and maintained by Charles E. Carroll:

Cdr. McLemore was the son of Albert Stevens McLemore and Laura Coleman.
He was Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Frank E. Evans DD 754.

Albert Sydney McLemore was born 5 June 1929, at Toledo, Oregon. He was commissioned 17 September 1949, upon graduation from the California Maritime Academy as a Merchant Marine engineer, with a third assistant engineer's license. From 1950 - 1955, Mr. McLemore served aboard USS Titania (AKA 13), USS Suisun (AVP 53), and USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD 869), all in the engineering department, going from assistant engineer to Chief Engineer. In 1953, he qualified as OOD. He also served aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) as Chief Engineer. Mr. Mclemore went to General Line Officer school and then became Officer-In-Charge of the U.S. Navy Radarman School. In 1956 he served as Executive Officer of USS Aludra (AF 55), then served on the staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 25 Pearl Harbor as Chief Staff Officer and Operations Officer. CDR McLemore assumed command of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) on 26 March 1968.

Cdr. McLemore lived with his wife in San Pedro, California. They had five sons. His significant awards include the Republic of Vietnam Distinguished Service, Navy Commendation (2), Navy Unit Commendation, China Service, American Defense, Navy Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service (5 stars), Vietnam Service (5 stars), Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, UN Service, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign.

He linked on FindAGrave to his wife, Alice Ann McLemore (19 Apr 1929-14 May 2008). Her maiden name is not known.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Oregon, Polk County, Dallas City, First Ward, Precinct 32 First Dallas
Enumerated April 16, 1930
SD 27-40 SD 2 Sheet 3B
Hayter Street
313-83-98
McLemore, Albert S Head M W 32 M 28 Tn Tn Ga Lumber Inspector Lumber Mill
McLemore, Laura Wf F W 33 M 29 Mo Ga Mo
McLemore, Albert S Son M W 10/12 S Oregon Tn Mo

Albert married Laura Kaliman Coleman. Laura was born on 4 Jun 1888 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died on 8 Dec 1967 in Sacramento, Sacramento County, California; was buried in Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In "The Leatherneck" dated May 12, 1923, an article announced the formation of a new chapter of the "Marine Corps Veteran's Association" in Houston, Texas. The chapter was called the McLemore Detachment in honor of Col. Albert S. McLemore USMC. Col. McLemore served 28 years in the Marine Corps and the article said that during the World War he was in charge of recruiting and publicity and, in 1919, he assumed the duties of Asst. Adjutant and Inspector of the Dept. Of the Pacific. The article announced that the McLemore Detachment has the following officers: N.J. Curtis, George Schleeter, Walter E. Baust, Ira L. Hinton and states that "Marines and ex-Marines who are from Texas, or who have ex-buddies from that state may get full information by writing to Ira L. Hinton, Old Federal Building, Houston, Texas." These former Marines were the "plank-owners' of this Detachment. The Marine Corps Veteran's Association then became the Marine Corps League so our Detachment has roots back to the earliest days. Why it was decided to honor Col McLemore by naming the "chapter" after him has been lost to time. But here is a short biography of Col. A.S. McLemore.

Albert Sydney McLemore was a native of Murfreesboro, TN. Born in 1869, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1893. He served with the Marine Guard aboard U.S.S. New York in 1894 and aboard U.S.S. Philadelphia from 1895 to 1897. During the Spanish-American War he served with Co. E, First Marine (Huntington's) Battalion, North Atlantic Fleet from April 22, 1898 to September 20, 1898. He was present ashore at Guantanamo, Cuba in defense of Camp McCalla June 11, 12 and 13, 1898 for which he was later appointed Captain by Brevet on March 18, 1901 for "distinguished conduct and public service in the presence of the enemy at Guantanamo, Cuba". This was a particularly high honor in a time when there no decorations in the Naval service to award bravery for officers. The Medal of Honor was reserved for enlisted men only until after the Mexico Campaign in 1914. He had a long career in the Marine Corps serving on numerous ships and stations. By 1917 he had been promoted to Colonel and became Asst. Adjutant and Inspector in the Marine Corps. In 1918 he assumed the duties of Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Corps Recruiting Publicity Bureau in New York, N.Y. He was named to receive a Brevet Medal for his Distinguished Conduct in Cuba in 1898 but he died at Mare Island, CA from cancer on July 13, 1921.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
California, San Francisco, District 31
Enumerated 3 jan 1920
SD Fourth Calif ED 152 Sheet 12A Stamped 127
McLemore, Col. Albert Head M W 49 M Tn Tn Tn Officer Marine Corp
McLemore, Maud Wf F W 44 M Ga Ala Ga
McLemore, Albert Son M W 24 S Va Tn Ga Soldier Military
McLemore, Dorothy Dtr F W 18 S Washington, DC Tn Ga

Albert married Maude Stevens on 19 Dec 1894 in Washington, District Of Columbia. Maude was born on 18 Feb 1875 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia; died on 15 Jul 1936 in Coronado, San Diego County, California; was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The biography below is courtesy of Mark Freeman. It includes excerpts from a Biographical sketch in Goodspeed's Tennessee History, Williamson County, pages 996 and 997.

"At seventeen years of age he entered Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., and in 1849 he entered Lebanon Law School, where he graduated in 1851. In the same year he began to practice in Franklin, and in 1856 was elected county court clerk, and held this office until 1860, when he declined re-election and resumed the practice of law. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry . . . " Transylvania University records show William S. McLemore in the 1847-1848 academic index as a member of the Adelphi Society (a literary society). William S. McLemore, Esq. is listed as a candidate for Attorney General for the district composed of Williamson, Davidson, and Sumner counties.

Editor of the Western Weekly Review newspaper in Franklin in 1861. From the Williamson County Circuit Court Minute Books Vol. 15: Monday 15, July 1861 court met according to adjourment. Present the Hon. Nathaniel Baxter, Judge. The Attorney Gen. of this Judicial District being absent, the court appoints William S. McLemore, Attorney General pro tem who appears in court and accepts of said appointment and having taken an oath to support the Constitution of the Confederate States of America and the Constitution of Tennessee and the oath of an Attorney General entered on the duties of his appointment.

A detailed account of Company F is provided in "The Williamson County Cavalry" by Michael Cotten, 1994. According to Thenie's diary he had 3 horses shot from under him during the war. One was at Thompson Station when he was shot through the canteen. John Rucker has the canteen with the bullet entry and exit holes. William S. McLemore was elected 1st Lieutenant of the Williamson County Cavalry shortly after the formation of the unit at Carnton, near Franklin, on 28 Sep 1861. He eventually commanded the 4th Tennessee Cavalry, and ended the war in command of a brigade. The 4th Tennessee fought under Forrest, and in all the major engagements of the Army of Tennessee. W.S. was in temporary command of the regiment as a Captain during the capture of Streight's raiders in Apr - May of 1863, COL Starnes being absent due to illness. He assumed command of the regiment 1 Jul 1863 after COL Starnes was killed at Tullahoma. Col. W.S. McLemore commanded a brigade of cavalry in President Davis's escort when they were captured at Washington Georgia 9 May 1865. The regimental colors of the 4th Tennessee were cut into pieces and divided among the couriers and staff of Colonel McLemore. "Dibrell's Old Flag was not Surrendered" by C.L. Nolen published in the "Confederate Veteran". Goodspeed's (con't): In 1865 he returned home and immediately began the practice of law, which he continued until 1972 when he was elected criminal judge. In 1878 he was elected circuit judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

The autobiography of Albert Sydney McLemore, USMC as well as Thenie's diary give accounts of the election and as W.S. as judge. W.S. McLemore's gavel and certificate as judge are in the Rucker law office on the square in Murfreesboro. In the settlement of a suit by G.A. Pope against John Dabney McLemore et al John Dabney McLemore is represented by the firm of McLemore, Bond, and Wallace. They request a fee of $300 for the suit. It was submitted 22 Apr 1869. Burke Bond is the step son of Barbara McLemore, W.S. McLemore's sister.

From: Historical Sketch of Maury County Tennessee Read at the Centennial Celebration at Columbia July 4, 1876. Columbia: Excelsior Printing Office 1876. Reprinted 1967 Maury Co. p. 74 "In 1872, a Criminal Court was established in the counties of Williamson, Maury, Giles and Marshall, when the Hon. William S. McLemore, of Williamson was elected Judge of said court, which office he holds at this time."

From: Century Review of Maury County 1805-1905 page 16&17 "Circuit Court . . . Wm. S. McLemore, 72 (1872), for six years as special judge for criminal cases" Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Franklin. On the board of advisors for the Tennessee Female College in Franklin, 1885-1886. See Thenie's diary for a copy of his speech at her commencement. From a letter from Aunt Dorothy to Albert S. McLemore, a copy which Harriet Hough provided me: "I must tell you my favourite story about my grandfather: one day a Nashville girl came out to visit and he was delegated to drive her around and show her the countryside. He became fed up with her hoity-toity airs and citified questions and, when she pointed to some negro women hoeing cotton and asked what they were doing, he replied "oh, they're just hoers" - maybe the Scottish McLemores were lairds or thanes, but William Sugars was an earthy man!

The Whartons were intellectuals, which helps the family tree - and the Dabneys were aristocracy - but I don't know just where they fit in." THE MAURY PRESS VOLUME II NO.I WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9,1861 NEWSPAPER CHANGE--DR.S.P.HILDRETH has retired from the editorial management of the Franklin Review,succeeded by W.S.McLEMORE,Esq. MR.BALCH,one of the publishers also retired. THE MAURY PRESS VOLUME II NO.2 THURSDAY JANUARY 24,1861 WE HAD THE PLEASURE--on Sunday last,of a visit from W.S.McLEMORE,Esq.,editor of the Franklin Review. More About William Sugars McLemore CSA: Burial: 09 Aug 1908, Rest Haven Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee55,56 Cause of Death: Paralysis Record Change: 01 Mar 2005

(Courtesy of Mark Freeman)

(Research):

Census Information:

1870 Federal Census
Tennessee, Williamson County, 9th Civil District, Post Office Franklin
Enumerated 7 June 1870 by Joel A. Anderson
Page 13, stamped 131
77-82
McLemore, Wm. 40 M W Lawyer $5000 $1500 Tenn
McLemore, Annie L 34 F W Keeping House Ala
McLemore, Annie 11 F W Tenn
McLemore, Bethenia 3 F W Tenn
McLemore, Albert S 1 m W Tenn
Grey, Susan 14 F B Domestic Servant

1880 Federal Census

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
W.S. MCLEMORE Self M Male W 50 TN Judge Of State Circuit Court TN TN
Annie MCLEMORE Wife M Female W 44 AL Keeping House VA AL
Annie Lou MCLEMORE Dau S Female W 21 TN At Home TN AL
Bethenia MCLEMORE Dau S Female W 13 TN At School TN AL
Albert MCLEMORE Son S Male W 11 TN At Home TN AL
Whorton MCLEMORE Son S Male W 9 TN At Home TN AL
Lizzie MCLEMORE Dau S Female W 1 TN TN AL
Source Information: Census Place District 9, Williamson, Tennessee
Family History Library Film 1255286 NA Film Number T9-1286
Page Number 126A

William married Annie Louise Wharton on 15 May 1856 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Annie was born on 8 Mar 1836 in Alabama; died on 12 Apr 1907 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee; was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her headstone is engraved: Annie Louise Wharton, Wife of William S. McLemore, March 8, 1836, April 12, 1907. A Mother in Christ."

The death certificate of her son, William Wharton McLemore, shows her place of birth as Tuscumbia, Alabama.

Notes:

Married:
Marriage Notes for William McLemore and Annie Wharton: From Thenie's diary: "When Mama was a young pretty city girl (Nashville) she came visiting to Spring Hill and Papa's two sisters Margaret and Thenie McLemore came to call on her. They invited her out to their country home to a party and it was there Papa met and fell in love with her. He was not living there then but was a young lawyer in Franklin. Living only 8 miles from Thompson Station he was at home on a visit. I do not know how long they were engaged but they were married on Demonbreun Street in Nashville at her home on May 15, 1856, and came at once to live in Franklin."

Williamson County Historical Society journal 32, 2001, page 43, in a letter from Andrew B. Ewing to his son Hugh date 12 Apr 1859: "I have been very busy in my profession for several days - Billy McLemore's wife blessed him with Twin-daughters a few days since, which is the fourth woman I have attended with twins this spring - a very unusual number indeed even for a whole years business." (Courtesy of Mark Freeman)


(Courtesy of Mark Freeman)