At left on front row is George (born 1906) He was the youngest of 8 children. My dad, Ben is next (he was the oldest child, born 1889). Grandpa William and Grandma Laura, Stella and Thomas complete the front row. Back row from left is Elsie, Delia, Aubyn and Gladys.
Most of the eight children attended and graduated from the only high school in WATAUGA County at that time, APPALACHIAN TRAINING SCHOOL, which was located at BOONE, N.C. 13 miles away. This facility is the present day APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY, with an enrollment of 15,000 students.
My grandfather, WILLIAM,( 1867-1951) taught elementary school at several locations in the county, probably starting when he was 18 years of age. He also taught at the Johnson Public School, which was located immediately across the public road from his farm at this location. Some years ago, Aunt ELSIE ( 1901-1994 ) reported that she went to school to him at the Johnson School. Uncle TOM ( 1903- 1985) also reported, that he went to school to him at the Johnson School.Uncle TOM, who became a physician, went thru college at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky.( I will add that "RED" FOLEY, who was from Berea, graduated with Uncle Tom!! Mr. Foley became a well known country music figure)!! After graduating in 1928, Uncle Tom enrolled at YALE UNIVERSITY, in CONNECTICUT where he received his medical training. He had his medical practice near San Francisco, California from the mid 1930s until the 1970s.
Benjamin along with sisters; Stella, Delia and Elsie each obtained teacher's certificates at the the Training School at Boone N.C.and each taught elementary school in this early era. Shortly after teaching a couple of terms, Aunt Elsie went to Richmond Virginia and got a position in the medical records department of a hospital. While working here, she met a young medical student (John Powers) from the eastern part of N.C. They got married in 1925 and settled in his home town where he practiced medicine several decades.
In other words, My grandparents, WILLIAM AND LAURA FARTHING, had a son ( THOMAS ) and son-in-law ( JOHN POWERS ) who were both PHYSICIANS !!!
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