On July 3, 1880, on a farm in Ina, a son Alva was born to Francis Marion and Pamal Carolyn Farthing Shehorn. They also had two daughters, Maude Shehorn Butler and Bessie.

Alva lost his parents at a very early age and the children were raised by different families in the community. He went to the Clark Roberson home and farmed for them.

He married Gertie Ann, daughter of Christopher and Emmaline Foster Roberson, in 1905. To this union five children were born: Willie Melvin, Arvol Glenn, James Edward, Lula Mae, and an infant son who died at the age of six months. They first lived in Ina and later moved to Nason where Alva worked at the Nason Coal Mines. Alva died in 1940 and Gertie in 1956.

Melvin married Mildred Darnell. Melvin passed away Oct. 8.1957. They had no children. Arvol married Bernadine Frances Melton, daughter of Ralph and Margaret Barva Melton. They lived in Nason where they had three children, Melvin Lee, Margaret Ann Rich, and Jerry Glenn.

Arvol worked in the Nason coal mines until he opened an auto repair service in Waltonville. Later he moved to Mt. Vernon where he operated an auto repair service on South Tenth Street.

Melvin Lee has four sons, Mark Alen, Jerry Lee, Robert Glenn and Melvin Lee II. Margaret Ann married Robert Rich in 1961. They have four children, Arvol Todd, Melvin Tony, Tonya Ann and Timothy.

Jerry Glenn had one son, Jimmy Glen. Jerry died on May 28, 1972. James Edward, the third son of Alva and Gertie, had two sons, Alva Vincent and Neal Edward.

Alva has three sons, Vincent Gay, Wesley Ray, and Jason Alva. Neal Edward has two daughters, Yvonda and Audria Mic­helle. Lula Mae, the fourth child of Alva and Gertie passed away April 10, 1957.

Facts & Folks Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer