FIFTH GENERATION

16. Henry Rader was born on 17 Feb 1829 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. He died on 25 Jul 1864 in Camp Douglas, Unon Prison, Chicago, Cook Co, IL. He has reference number HENRY2. by Harry Roberts Civil War Legends
During the Civil War some soldiers, whether Union or Rebel is not
known, camped in the woods back of the Harry Rader home. They built
their fires against trees, some of which, when recently cut, bore old
burn marks from these bivouacs.
Major Lister, who was born in 1868, remembers his mother telling
him of seeing a group of Union Soldiers pass by the old Henry Rader
home, where she was staying with her sister. The soldiers passed at
night and we could see the sparks flying from their shoes as they
struck rocks on the roadway. They rode by the house on past where the
church now stands and disappeared into the night, later to surprise
General Morgan in Greeneville.
Henry Rader (1829-1864)
Henry Rader left Dulaney on horseback and rode to Rader's
Sidetrack where he boarded the train for joining the Confederate Army.
He and his cousin Daniel Rader had no special concern for the
Confederacy but were influenced by some other men of the area. This
according to what Mr. Wilmer R. Rader told me.
Uncle Andy, a 12 year old boy, rode another horse and went to the
sidetrack with his father to bring the horse back home. Wouldn't you
like to have heard their conversation on the way to the sidetrack. I
doubt if Uncle Andy ever told anyone what was said.
I do not know any dates regarding his service except the date of
capture and his death. He died of dysentery in Camp Douglas just
outside of Chicago, Ill. I have read of the neglect and unsanitary
conditions which existed there.
Henry Rader was stationed at Big Creek Gap which is north west of
Knoxville, Tenn., in the Cumberland Mountains. The reason for that
camp was to guard one of the passes through the Cumberland Mountains .
To prevent the invasion of a Union Army which was stationed in
Kentucky from early in the war waiting until it was safe to bring an
army into East Tennessee.
That opportunity did not present itself until the summer of 1863.
The Confederates had a Knoxville based army in East Tennessee guarding
the railroad, and rich agricultural area as long as they were able.
In the summer - early August - the Confederates under Gen.
Buckner were ordered to move toward Chattanooga to help protect the
army of Gen. Bragg. Gen Buckner left one brigade to defend Cumberland
Gap and another along the railroad east of Knoxville - and marched his
main army toward Chattanooga.
Gen Burnside was in command of the army in eastern Kentucky. He
marched toward Knoxville, but not by the way of the Cumberland Gap
which was heavily fortified to withstand an assault from the north
(Kentucky). Instead he entered Tennessee by some very rugged passes
through the mountains west of he Gap.
Burnside and part of the XXlll Corps of the Dept. of the Ohio,
arrived in Knoxville on Sept. 2 and immediately sent a part of his
army to capture Cumberland Gap, from the poorly fortified south
(Tenn.) side.
The Confederate garrison of some 2,500 men was under the command
of Brig. Gen. John W. Frazier. He surrendered with very little
resistance, losing in addition to his small army 3,000 stands of small
arms. (A stand consisted of a complete outfit for a soldier, rifle,
bayonet, cartridge & belt. Or sometimes the rifle belt of ammunition
alone) and 36 cannon.
I presume that the prisoners were taken to Knoxville and then
sent to Camp Douglas. Reports on whether Henry Rader was able to come
home after he joined seemed to be indefinite. Since he evidently was
stationed in the Knoxville area it is most probable that he did come
home for a visit before being captured.
The home of HENRY and POLLYAN RADER is a landmark in Dulaney
Community and probably one of the oldest structures in the county. It
was built long before HENRY bought it for his family in 1858. It is
vacant and used for storage at present, but we were impressed by the
fine craftsmanship revealed in the brickwork of the chimney and the
solid log construction. It stands near the crest of a hill. A
descendant, MARGARET RADER, remembers it as being a very inviting spot
with a wide veranda and shaded by large oak trees. A spring once
gurgled at the foot_ of the hill. She said a constant stream of
visitors came to the home in the olden days.
HENRY was a farmer and he actually established a blacksmith shop
in Dulaney, which is a village off the Warrensburg Road about twelve
miles southwest of Greenville. The bellows and blacksmithing tools are
still intact and have been used by succeeding generations.
HENRY joined the Confederate Army, was captured by Union forces
and later died in a prison camp in the Chicago area. A comrade brought
his sword back to the family which remains a treasure among
descendants.
Condition Camp Douglas from Am. Heritage Magazine Aug. 1959
Filth, poor drainage, over crowding created a horror at Camp
Douglas on the edge of Chicago. The Pres. of the U. S. Sanitary
Commission after inspecting the place asserted that the conditions
were "enough to drive a sanitarian mad". In the fall of 1864 the
colonel who commanded this camp reported that 984 of his 7,402
prisoners were sick, said that there had been a lack of efficiency in
the management of the medical affairs of the post and complained that
many prisoners had scurvy because no vegetable or any antiscorbutics
were available.
part of a conversation with CHARLES P. RADER JULY 22, 1990
2457 Greenhaven, Akron OH 44313 - (216) 836-6940
The Civil War split the Rader family right down the middle.
Henry's branch was affluent because they owned slaves so they went
with the South. Henry spoke a little german and was probably the
last. They settled in Lickcreek in Green County. Henry and Jacob,
who were brothers, each had a son named William and they were born
within a year of each other. I think one in 1798 and the other 1799.
Henry son of the 1798 William died in the Civil War. I found his
grave in Chicago. It's on the south side of Chicago, and that isn't
the nicest neighborhood. It's a city block, it has a twelve foot
concrete wall around it. It's an old cemetery that's been there since
the civil war. They even told me where the grave was, they had a
record of it and I was able to go right to it. He died there in 1864,
he was a sergeant in confederate army. Of coarse, after the war the
family was destitute, they had no means of bringing him back for
internment in Tennessee. It was a mass grave, they strung them along
in a chain. You can say within a few feet, this where he is buried.
They have all their names engraved on a plate there. He was married to Mary Ann 'Pollyan' Bowers on 3 Oct 1850.⁽³⁵⁾

17. Mary Ann 'Pollyan' Bowers was born on 15 Feb 1831 in Greene Co., TN. ⁽³⁶⁾ She died on 7 Dec 1895 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. She was buried in Timber Ridge. She continued to live in the log cabin home Henry bought before
going off to war. Her oldest son Andy built his home across the street
from her. She lived there until her death. Children were:

8 i. Reuben H. Rader.
ii. Andrew J. 'Andy' Rader was born on 1 Jul 1852 in Greene Co., TN. He died on 13 Mar 1937 in Salem EUB, Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. Andy was twelve years old, in 1863, when his father left Dulaney
to join the Confederate Army. He accompanied his father to Rader's
sidetrack to bring his horse home after he caught the train. Henry
Rader was captured by the Union troops at Cumberland Gap.
His father died in a Federal prison in Chicago, Illinois and Andy
was left with the responsibility of being the man of the house. Andy
went to Chicago several times until he was satisfied that he had
located the grave which is in the Confederate cemetery in Chicago.
Before the age of twenty Andy had established a sash saw mill on
Dulaney Creek powered by a water wheel and steam turbine. Andy became
a craftsman in his own right by mastering many skills including
carpentry, blacksmithing and wheelwright. He sawed white oak and
chestnut oak cross ties which he delivered to the rail road for 40
cents each.
He married and established his own home raising a large family.
He built his home, a large two story white frame house across the
creek and road from his mothers home. He was famous for erecting a
building for every need. He surrounded his home with more than 30
separate farm buildings including; scale house, threshing floor barn,
buggy house and separate carriage house. He also built a shed for
making molasses and owned a cane mill. He burned a lime kiln fir lime
needed in making mortar, whitewash and plaster. He also owned and
operated the Rader store for many years.
A millwright , he built himself two mills and installed equipment
himself. In addition to a small grist mill he built and equipped the
Dulaney mill in 1890. The mill was powered by a 20 horse-power wood
burning engine. Farmers brought their grain by wagons and sleds to be
ground into livestock feed.
He was a man of tall stature and was very industrious. He took
an active part in Church affairs. He promoted the "Old Harp Singing"
for years. His home was a gathering place for the families during the
holidays. In the dining room was a huge dining table which was always
loaded with food. At christmas the main dish was chicken pot pie in
an iron kettle swinging on an iron bar in the fireplace full of hot
embers.
Andy and his wife attended Salem UB church at Dulaney and are
buried in the church cemetery
This was written by Margaret Rader, his grand-daughter in 1991.
For other details about Andy - see "Olden Times in Greene County -
Volume One", page 124 by Harry B. Roberts.
iii. Mary Elizabeth 'Molly' Rader was born on 23 Mar 1862 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. She died on 28 Aug 1934 in Greene Co., TN. She was buried in Pine Grove. Mary Elizabeth "Molly" Rader Roberts by Harry Roberts (1991)
She was born 23 March 1861 in the log cabin home of Henry and
Polly Ann Bowers Rader near one of the springs on the Rader farm in
Dulaney, 25 Civil District, Greene Co, Tennessee. The house is
standing in 1991 although the brick chimney fell a few years ago.
Henry Rader had joined the Confederate army before her birth, and
was stationed at Big Gap Creek near the Tennessee/ Kentucky border.
Conflicting opinions as to whether he came home once and saw her, or
did not, have persisted.
Needless to say her youth ( in fact her entire life) was spent at
hard work and before her marriage in poverty. Her mother was left to
raise four sons and a daughter on a poor farm with no outside aid.
Poverty was normal for that time and place for most people. It was
especially so for those who had fought for the south.
Molly attended the old Rader's school which stood by the side of
the road across from the old Carter Rader home. One of her teachers
was A.A. Roberts, a graduate of Woolsey College. She later married
him 7 October 1880.
Her main concern, like all german women, was the care and nurture
of her children. She had and raise nine children to whom she dedicated
her life. She cared for her children at least two Whilhoit children
and numerous grandchildren. These children attended Glenwood school.
A diligent provider, she raised a large garden, gathered bushels
of apples, peaches and other fruits from a large orchard and picked
countless gallons of berries. Al;l summer long gathering, cooking and
preserving foods was her concern. Never a day passed without progress
in that endeavor, constant work for herself and her children. She
canned dried fermented Kraut Pickles and other foods in vinegar, which
she made. Her total food preparation would be enormous. She served
an average of 27 to 35 meals daily.
Her kitchen with two more daughters would be as busy as that of a
modern restaurant every day of the year. She made yeast cakes kept
them on hand for making "light" bread. I still remember their odor
and wondering what their purpose was.
Growing up in Victorian era girls had to be careful that they did
nothing to be "talked about". "Mommy" was ultra conservative about
her dress and manners. Unlike many she only talked when speaking was
necessary.
In later years she wore only either solid black or black with a
small amount of white. I never saw her with color in her clothing,
although I have been told that she sometimes wore a dark purple scarf.
Her dresses were floor length with long sleeves throughout the year.
She always wore Sunday dress on Sunday regardless of whether she
was going any where or not. A black silk bonnet was always part of
her sunday best garb. For every day, whenever out of the house, she
wore a home made bonnet made of gingham.
She made most of her own clothing for her children. She was very
deft with the needle, she made over coats for grandchildren. She made
dolls and small baskets of corn shocks. She knit and crocheted almost
every night, while grand pa read before going to bed.
Although she had only an elementary education she read the bible,
and the newspapers including the Knoxville Journal. She had but
little interest in national and international events.
The work and worry of keeping the house going and food on the
table was left largely to her, a responsibility which she accepted
completely.
Grand Pa taught school, kept the farm going mostly by his sons
and the girls. He was especially concerned with church, school, the
community, and politics. He conducted singing school for the
community.
I lived in their home for a few months in the winter of 1917-18.
A period of which I have vivid memories. Each night Nanny sat and
knit and grand pa sat and read - not a word spoken - or any noise
except the perpetual ticking of the clock on the mantel. I hope that
I had something to play with but if so I don't remember what it was.
Occasionally the deep silence would be broken by the ringing of
the wall telephone. Their party-line ring was; a long - a short and
another long. Regardless of whose ring, Mammy always listened as was
the accepted custom of the time. Then, people called on the party
line only when necessary, calls in the night usually meant sickness or
a death message.
I shall never forget how she always worried about having food
enough. This harkens back to her childhood when no doubt food for the
winter was a major and perennial concern. I might add that she always
had plenty on the table.
In the summer of about 1924 I was a frequent visitor ad Grand
ma's. That year was a bad drought year, and the year of the advent of
the mexican bean beetle. The result was very little production in
gardens, orchards or berry patches. Mammy was constantly worrying and
saying "We will starve to death this winter - we won't have a bite to
eat" I was at the age to believe exactly what ever parents and
teachers said and I expected to be a starvation statistic in the
coming winter ( needless to say, we survived and I don't remember
being hungry) I remember trailing along when mammy went to gather her
guinea eggs ( and I remember exactly where the nests were) she would
take along a wooden spoon to remove the eggs - always leaving a few -
nest eggs. She believed that the guinea could smell her hands and
would move the nest unless she used the wooden spoon.
Most people of that time were superstitious and believed whatever
the older folks said.
I remember her ash hopper in the back yard, but was never there
when she made homemade soap which she stored in large gourds. She
didn't need small children to watch out for she used the lye
(potassium Hydroxide) to make hominy - which was a main dish
throughout the winter.
"Waste not want not" was her favorite proverb - Waste was
otherwise not in her vocabulary. She saved everything including
peeling of Christmas oranges, apple peels for jelly, boxes -
especially candy boxes, pieces of string - everything except pure
junk.
In addition to vegetables gourds and "plum granits" she always
had a few rows of flowers in the garden - mainly marigolds and Zinnias
- beside the garden gate was a beautiful small Harrisons yellow rose.
Grandma was a naturalist. She went to the dark hallow about 1/2
mile away and took up dogwood, maple and ash trees. Many of these
trees still stand at the homestead.
When she reached the age and condition that she was unable to
work her mood gradually changed. She hardly ever spoke, but was very
kind and especially appreciative of whatever was done for her. I am
sure that she never gave a thought to the fact that her life had been
one of work and service to others.
Most of her and grand pa's latter years were spent in our home in
the summer time, and at Aunt Bess in Florida in the winter time. At
our house once she had a serious eye infection - had to have it
removed. My mother said at the time that she never saw anyone suffer
so much.
In her very last year or so she returned to her home and was well
cared for by "Lizzy" Claytore - a local nurse. Grandma went to her
well deserved rest on 28 August 1934 closing a life of hardships,
devotion and labor and care that could hardly be surpassed by any
mortal woman. She was loved and highly regarded by all who knew her.
iv. Lafayette M. 'Fate' Rader was born on 5 Apr 1859 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. He died on 15 Jan 1937 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. He was buried in Timber Ridge, Presbyterian Cem. Fate's blacksmith shop was in Dulaney across the road from the
Dulaney Store. The shop was not torn down until after his grandson
built a home there in 1955. Fate did all the blacksmith work in the
whole area. His main years of work were from about 1885-1925. He did
not do much after his wife died. There was not much demand for his
work after 1925.
Oliver Burkey relates the following:
My Grandfather Rader did not have any money, but my Grandfather
Burkey owned and operated the Dulaney store (which is still standing
in 1991) across the road from the blacksmith shop. Burkey had money
and he credited all the farmers for a year for groceries. They would
pay him back when they sold their tobacco.
One story I have heard about my two grandfathers: One of the
farmers in the area needed shoes to put on his horses. Grandfather
Rader charged 10 cents for each shoe. The farmer got the shoes from
Grandfather Burkey on credit and also borrowed 10 cents for each shoe
to pay Grandfather Rader.
My Grandparents lived in an old frame house that was located
behind my present home. It was built on the Henry Rader property by
them. It was torn down after I built my new home in 1955.
My mother, Lucy Rader, never told me much about her parents.
People in that generation kept everything to themselves.
v. Joel Leander 'Lee' Rader was born on 10 Aug 1854 in Dulaney, Greene Co, TN. He died on 23 Mar 1916 in Greene Co., TN. He was buried in Timber Ridge.