Carl (known to my brother, sister, and I as Uncle Carl) lived with our GrandMother, Bertha Ferguson (she was a widow) on her cotton farm in MS. Carl had been married to Bertha's sister, Mattiebelle, but because of his drinking problems, they were divorced. He moved to Bertha's farm and took over the cotton farming operation. There was much whispering and gossiping among the locals at the time. Uncle Carl could always come up with a good story to tell the kids and was greatly enjoyed for his patience and imagination.
He was also noted for his mathematical abilities. He kept a running total in his head of the amount of cotton picked by the hands and knew when the trailer had reached a full bale weight. It was truly remarkable.
1900 United States Federal Census > Mississippi > Choctaw > Beat 1 > District 26
122/122RayJohn L.HeadW/M/Aug/1867/32/M/2MS,MS,MS, Farmer
LulaWifeW/F/Dec/1877/22/M/2/1/1MS, Ms, Ms
CarlSonW/M/Jan/1898/2/SMS,MS,MS
1930 United States Federal Census > Mississippi > Sunflower > Beat 5 > District 25
