Ida Cox, nee Prather, was a Cedartown-raised vaudeville performer who, along with Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, founded the female blues genre. Born in 1888, Ida left home at an early age to pursue her singing career. “Wild women Don’t
Some Personalities in Polk County
Joseph A. Blanche, Lawyer, Cedartown. Son of Joseph G. and Mary Williams Blanche. He was born at Savannah, Georgia June 30, 1838. Attended school Emory at Oxford until 1857, then studied law and was a partner of Col. James D.
History of Cedartown and Polk County’s Newspapers
Cedartown and Polk County’s first newspaper was the Record, established in 1869 by W.S.D. Wikle, who acted as editor and publisher for a number of years. A few years later, Thomas Gibson established the Express and published it until he
Street Names of Cedartown
This is a document dated 1937 and was donated to the Historical Society by Georgia Wyatt in July of 1991. Much of the history of Cedartown might be traced through the names of its various streets. The facts stated below
Brigadier General Kendall J. Fielder
“Brigadier General Kendall “Wooch” Jordan Fielder (August 1, 1893 – April 13, 1981) was an influential World War II veteran, who settled in Hawaii, and testified before Congress in favor of statehood. At the time of the attack on Pearl
Georgia Twins are Born by Caesarean Operation
Mrs. C. H. Wray and Children of Cedartown, GA What was probably the first Caesarean operation, bringing twins into the world, in the history of surgery, was performed in Atlanta on January 6, 1909, by Dr. W. B. Lingo, at
Henry Witcher, Cedartown’s Wooden Toy Artist
Rome-News Tribune, 1983 “Like many other good men, Henry Witcher first got his motivation from a woman and a rolling pin. Just not in the customary manner so often associated with women and rolling pins. Only the product of that
Dr. Seals L. Whitely
Dr. Whitely was born in Rome, GA, in 1880, the son of Charles Hiram Whitely and Mary Joseph Downer Whitely. When he was six years old, he and his family moved to Cedartown. He received a masters degree in pharmacy
My Humble But Beautiful Home
Found in the Cedartown Advertiser: December 11, 1879 Oh give me when day is declining, And sunshine is flooding the west, My ivy-clad mound, where reclining, I can watch the birds seeking their rest, And list to their twitter of
Women’s History Month: Gerry Edmonds Holmes
Geraldine (Gerry) Edmonds Holmes (September 14, 1947 – April 9, 2003) is buried in Greenwood cemetery with an inscription of “Loving Mother and Wife” as well as “First Female District Attorney.” She has been added to our Cemetery Tour as