By Staff
There are many families that have made their way into Escambia County from a wide range of places. There are residents in Escambia County that would certainly give us the right to say we are a “melting pot.”
The Harolds that settled in Escambia County were from the area of Bavaria, Germany, and were documented on the 1840 census for Conecuh County. George (Herauldt) Harold (1804-13 Sept. 1883) and his wife, Elizabeth (1810-1874), were the first of the family to settle in this area. At the time of the 1840 census they were listed as having four small sons but at the time of the 1850 census, the sons were no longer listed so they must have died young.
There were, however, three more children listed as being in the family at the time of the 1850 census.
George's brother, Henry Harold (8 April 1809-6 Oct. 1889), also decided to immigrate to the United States from Germany and by the year 1853, he and his family had left Germany and landed in Pensacola. The two brothers settled near each other on land close to Fort Crawford in an area that would later become known as Germantown as there were so many people of German descent living there. Some of the other names were Schad, Zeppernick, Mantel, Deitz, and Bower.
George and Elizabeth Harold had three children; Charles Ashley Harold (Oct. 1841-abt. Sept. 1876) who married Louisa Blum, Henry Harold (10 Oct. 1843-23 Jan.1908) who married Amanda Lydia Adkisson, and Elizabeth Harold (25 Feb. 1847-29 July 1911). After the death of Elizabeth, George married Augusta Zeppernick. He died Sept. 13 1883 during the yellow fever epidemic and was buried in the family plot that is located on property now owned by Jefferson Smurfit Paper Mill.
I plan to continue with the information concerning the Harold family next week.
Until then, happy hunting.
Charles Ashley Harold died at a young age soon after the birth of his daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Harold. He and his brother, Henry Harold, were coon hunting in the Conecuh County swamp and cut down a tree with a coon in it. A large limb fell on Charles and killed him.
Harold and his wife built a house on what is now Ashton Street in East Brewton. The house was still standing until a few years ago and had the distinction of being the oldest in the city of East Brewton.
Henry died Jan. 23 1908, and is buried at Fort Crawford. He and Amanda had six children; Mary Elizabeth Harold, 1867-16 April 1940) who married first Green Carnley and second, Thomas J. Scott and third, Buchanan Brantley, Charles Harold (12 Jan. 1869-7 Apr. 1916) who married 11 May 1893) Sarah Frances Blair, Lottie Delano Harold (11 April 1870, 21 Aug. 1948) who married James Dan Brantley, Celia Dora Harold (22 Oct. 1872-30 Nov. 1920) who married Charles McArthur and George Britain Harold (20 Dec. 1874-21 April 1903) who married Annie Lavisa Williamson, and Lettie Amanda Harold (1 June 1878-23 April 1940) who married William Harrison Travis.
Henry Harold (8 April 1809-6 Oct. 1889) brother to George, married Dora Rehinhart (13 Aug. 1819-3 Sept. 1904) and migrated to what would become Escambia County. They were the parents of Eva Harold who married John Carlovitz, Margaret R. Harold (26 Aug. 1842-23 July 1895) who married Riley Franklin, Elizabeth Harold (12 March 1843-11 July 1917) who married John D. Franklin, Cournal Baeur Harold (1 May 1852-6 March 1922) who married James Martin Franklin, George C. Harold (14 Sept. 1846-26 Feb. 1932) who married Ann Mariah Weaver, Andrew Harold (Oct 1850-abt. 1922) who married Malinda Oliver, Lucinda Harold who married William J. Jernigan, Pauline Harold, and James Henry Harold (27 Sept. 1863-9 Feb. 1910) who married Arizona Lola Seal.
The Harold family was involved in the lumber and timber business. They built and operated a large sawmill with many acres of timberland. Their general merchandise store, which is the two-story part of the old Robbins and McGowin building downtown, was the first brick building built in Brewton. In addition, the Harold family owned and operated a large hotel in Brewton.
The Harold family is well represented in many families that still live in Escambia County. Many may not even be aware of the fact that they have good Harold blood running through their veins.
HAPPY HUNTING!!!