My great-grandfather, Evander Wilder McIver, was born in North Carolina on August 22, 1855 to the marriage of John Roberson McIver and Lucinda Wilder.
Evander, who descended from the Scottish Clan Maciver, was the seventh of eight children born to John and Lucinda.
He was a brother to John Wilder, William Neal, Kenneth Wilder, George Wilder, Matthew Wilder, and Lucinda McIver.
The 1860 census shows Evander and family living in Cumberland, North Carolina.
In the 1870 census, Evander is listed as a laborer living with the McGilvary family in Pocket, Moore County, North Carolina.
The 1880 census shows Evander and wife Lucy (believed to be Lucy Blaylock) living in Oakland, Chatham County, North Carolina. Also living in the same household were his father, John Roberson McIver and brother, John.
Evander and Lucy had one son, Donald John McIver, who was born on October 16, 1880. It is assumed that Lucy died at some point after Donald's birth as records show a second marriage for Evander in 1889.
It should also be noted that records indicate son, Donald, moved with Evander and his second wife to Mississippi in the early 1900s. His 1917-1918 WWI draft registration cards show a residence of Millard, Pearl River County, Mississippi.
Evander's second marriage took place on July 25, 1889 to
Lillie Tufford.
The wedding ceremony was held in the home of H. W. Hill in Quewhiffle, Cumberland County, North Carolina.
The Justice of the Peace, D. K. McDuffie performed the ceremony with witnesses listed as D. N. Leslie and H. W. Hill.
Following their marriage, it is believed by family that Evander, Lillie and possibly Donald lived in Southern Pines, North Carolina; though no records have been found to confirm.
The next available census record shows the family living in Pearl River, Mississippi in 1920.
Evander Wilder McIver passed from this life in 1940. As I have been unable to locate a 1940 census record for him, I am led to believe that he died prior to April 1 census. He is buried in the Military Baptist Church Cemetery in Sumrall, Lamar County, Mississippi.
The following children were born to the marriage of Evander Wilder McIver and Lillie Tufford:
Robert Lee
Arabelle Philips
Minnie
Flora Jane
Matthew Ranson
Ludie Emaline
Coy Howard
One of Evander's granddaughters remembered that Evander was of the Presbyterian faith and that their house in Mississippi resembled the family home on the once popular television show, The Waltons.
He was called grand-daddy by his grandchildren; all of whom loved to spend the night with him. As Evander aged, he lost his eyesight. Grandchildren remembered Grand-Daddy Evander rubbing the tops of their heads as a way of telling them apart.
A special "thank you" to Margo Necaise for sharing family information on Evander.
On December 29, 1894, James Benjamin Bynum married Annie Jane Sumrall in Lamar County, Mississippi. Several years later Ben purchased 160 acres on which he built their family home.
Annie Jane Sumrall was born in Sumrall, Lamar County, Mississippi on March 13, 1876. She was the fourth of twelve children born to the marriage of Daniel L. Sumrall and Mary Rebecca Pouncey.
My great-grandfather, Evander Wilder McIver, was born in North Carolina on August 22, 1855 to the marriage of John Roberson McIver and Lucinda Wilder.
Evander's second marriage took place on July 25, 1889 to Lillie Tufford.
