Walter Kennon McAdory, of Birmingham, Alabama was a clerk of the Jefferson county circuit court. He was born in Jonesboro, Alabama, Dec. 17, 1868, to Thomas McAdory, Jr. and Jane Acre (Kennon) McAdory. His father was a native of Christian county, Kentucky and his mother was a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Walter’s father, Thpmas McAdory, Jr., was the son of Cecelia McAsham and Thomas McAdory, born June 15, 1817, Christian County, Kentucky, died June 28, 1879, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. He married first September 8, 1836, Emily Eleanor Owen, daughter of Mary Eliza Elmore and Thomas Owen. She was born March 15, 1820, and died December 11, 1854, aged 33 years, 5 months, and 26 days.
Their children were
Thomas James McAdory b.10-6-1837; d.1862 (C.S.A., died at Ft. Morgan);
Thomas McAdory, Jr’s second wife Jane Acre Kennon, and mother of Walter were married ca. 1858 and had the following children:
Robert McKinney McAdory, b.12-25-1859; d. 1932
Walter Kennon McAdory, b.12-7-1868 d. Oct 19, 1963.
Walter K. McAdory spent his youth on the plantation and received his education in the Pleasant Hill and Red Mountain academies. In 1887-88 he served as assistant postmaster at Bessemer and resigned to accept the office of city tax collector and assessor.
In 1890 he engaged in the mercantile business in Bessemer but in 1892, he was again appointed assistant postmaster, a position he held for four years, He acted postmaster for part of this time. Walter was also an alderman from the First ward of Bessemer. In the spring of 1897, he again engaged in merchandising and continued until elected clerk of the circuit court in August 1898, for a term of six years. In 1934, he was secretary of the State Confederate Pension Commission. In 1935, he was chief of the Alabama Highway Patrol.
On Jan. 1, 1890, he married Daisey Crook, (b. November 1870 d. January 1, 1890) daughter of Captain H. W. Crook of Morton, Mississippi. He had three sons and two daughters—
Wallace Crook McAdory,
Helen K. McAdory,
Robert McAdory,
Richard Lewis McAdory,
Mary Elizabeth McAdory .
He and Mrs. McAdory were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
He was a Knight Templar, a thirty-second degree Mason and a Mystic Shriner. He was also past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias order, past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the Knights of Honor, Woodmen of the World and the Elks. He took an active part in all the lodges as well as in matters of public concern. He gave exceptional satisfaction to the people in the management of the office of circuit clerk. When elected to this office he received the largest majority in the primary in April and led the State and county ticket in August at the general election. He was genial and pleasant in manners and had many friends.
Walter Kennon McAdory died October 19, 1963, and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama. Daisey Crook McAdory died October 12, 1939 and also buried in Cedar Hill.
WALTER KENNON McADORY
