Luther Allen Alford
Surnames: ALFORD, MURRAY, HENDERSON, THOMASON, SHARP, NIX, VANDIVER, NULLLuther Allen Alford, b July 24, 1892 at Oletha, Limestone County, Texas--was a son of John Allen and Dora (Murray) Alford. He had one brother, James Jackson Alford.
Luther volunteered for military service in World War One in 1917--serving in the 360th Infantry Texas Brigade under Colonel C. H. Conrad, Commander. He served in the European Theater; and during the months of November and December, the entire divison was afflicted with an epidemic of measles and mumps, with pneumonia as a further complication. For a period of two months, there were about 300 men on the sick report, and a number of these died. By March 1918, things had returned to normal. The regiment became known as the "Singing Regiment," and on account of its Regimental Yell and the presence of a large brown bear as the regimental mascot, it received more than ordinary attention. Luther served until peace was restored, and Armistice signed.
On October 31, 1919 at Oletha, Limestone County, Texas, Luther was married to Katie Henderson--daughter of James Henry and Eula (Thomason) Henderson. The family moved to Alto Springs, Falls County, Texas in 1926, where they became active in the Methodist Church and quickly earned the reputation of being a musical family. A visit to their invariably included gathering around the piano for a song fest; and Luther played the guitar, piano, violin, and harp. His wife, and all of his daughters, played the piann, and the entire family were noted for their singing abilities. Luther served as Justice of the Peace in Alto Springs for some years; and although Luther was reared a Baptist, he attended the Methodist church with his family--always telling the pastor, Reverend H. W. Koenig--that he had preached a "good baptist sermon."
As a usual in the rural communities in Falls County, a large "community" dipping vat was dug, filled with water and chemicals, so all the tick-infested cattle could be dipped, as was required by the government in the 1940's. The dipping vat in Alto Springs was located near the property lines of J. D. McIntyre and Luther A. Alford.
Luther and Katie were the parents of four children:
Elona Gwendolyn Alford (called "Sue"), b July 22, 1920--married Robert S. Sharp, who died August 27, 1981 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas--a son of Rufus and Lula Sharp, of Kosse. Their son, Robert Neal Sharp (called "Bobby") married Joy Dell Nix, and they had two sons: Stephen Sharp and Wesley Sharp. "Sue" Sharp, as well as "Bobby" Sharp family, resides in Marlin, Texas.
Evelyn Laverne Alford--married Joe Louis Vandiver, and had two sons: Louis Allen Vandiver, and Robert Randall Vandiver. They reside in Arlington, Texas.
Fraymond Randall Alford, b July 17, 1925, d October 23, 1949.
Katie Ruth Alford, b November 16, 1935--married Virgil Avon Null, and their son, Mark Luther Null, is in the U. S. Navy--serving Submarine Duty.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
