Alexander James McKenzie

 

Alexander James McKenzie, son of Alexander Duncan Butler McKenzie and Ella Lampkin Hawkins, was born 06 Feb 1902, FL and died 15 Aug 1934, Miami, Dade CO, FL.

He married Feb 1920, Folkston, Charlton CO, GA, Fern Augusta Rich, dau of Fred Alonza Rich and Gertrude Lenore Keen, born 18 Dec 1905, Spruce, Bates CO, MO and died 03 Feb 1926, Palm Beach CO, FL near West Palm Beach. She was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO , FL under her maiden name with the notation that she was the wife of Alex J McKenzie.

He is found on page 6 of the 1920 census of Flagler County in the household of his brother Fred A. McKenzie with his occupation given as "Fireman on Dredge." Issue;

1. Eugenia Keen McKenzie, born 27 Mar 1921, Miami, Dade CO, FL, died 20 Nov 1990, Ormond Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 25 Oct 1939, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL by Rev D D Dieft to Herbert Grey Allen, son of Grey L Allen and Evie LNU, born 16 Dec 1908, Cuba, Sumter CO, AL, died 11 Apr 1981, Ormond Beach, Volusia CO, FL. Both buried Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL. She is buried under her maiden name and it is noted that she was the wife of Herbert G Allen.

Herbert came to Flagler CO in 1940 to work on State Road 11. He was working on a project in AL when high water from thee Mississippi River forced a lay-off there. Since the construction firm also had the contract to build SR 11, they sent him here.

He grew up in the construction business. His father built the levee from Memphis to New Orleans in the days before steam shovels and front-end loaders - - he employed 500 black workers and a like number of mules.

Eugenia owned and operated Allen’s Beauty Shop and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Royal Neighbors of America and the Pioneers of America. Issue;

(1) Fern Evie Allen, born 09 Sep 1942, Dr Rose’s Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 24 Nov 1962, First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, James Collie Tracy, son of James R Tracy and Mildred LNU, born 07 Aug 1937.

Fern was a graduate of Bunnell High School and a graduate of Mary Karl Vocational School in Daytona Beach, FL with a speciality in Cosmetology. Issue;

A. Elizabeth Lynn Tracy, born 13 Aug 1966, St Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL

B. Melissa Ann Tracy, 30 Sep 1967, St Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL

C. James Allen Stewart Tracy, 29 Sep 1970, St Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL

(2) Elizabeth Keen Allen, born 11 Nov 1948, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 11 Jul 1970, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL Thomas Dale Herr, son of Orin Kermit (OK) Herr and Willa Mae (Debbie) Roman, born 16 Aug 1948, Ridgewood Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

Elizabeth was a 1966 graduate of Bunnell High School and a 1969graduate of Mary Karl Vocational Cosmetology School in Daytona Beach, FL (Div-07 May 1979). Issue;

A. Thomas Dale Herr Jr, born 25 Jun 1975, Orlando, Orange CO, FL

Elizabeth Allen Herr married 2nd, 24 Nov 2000, First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Dalton Hoke (Cobby) Cobb, son of Hoke Smith Cobb and Wilda Elnora Holland, born 02 Jan 1934, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL, died 15 Jun 2003, Florida Hospital Flagler, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL

Cobby was married 1st on 11 Aug 1956, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Eleanor Faye Irvin, born about 1939, dau of Jesse Leroy (Roy) Irvin and Ida LNU (Div)

Cobby was married 2nd, 25 Jan 1974, Seminole CO, FL, Karen Kierce (Div)

2. Chester Alex McKenzie, born 02 Aug 1924, FL, died 03 May 2013, Calhoun, McLean CO, KY, maried 26 Aug 1944, Owensboro, Daviees CO, KY, Lula Ann James, dau of William Henry James and Florence Josephine Poole, born 16 Feb 1923, Sacramento, McLean CO, KY, died 04 Jul 1998, Flagler CO, FL. Both buried Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun, McLean CO, KY.

Cpl McKenzie served in U S Army in WW II in Holland, Belgium, Germany in the 75th Infantry then transferred to 2nd Division.

The following story appeared in the May 31, 1945 edition of The Flagler Tribune:

BUNNELL SOLDIER GETS BRONZE STAR FOR ACHIEVEMENT

Technician CHESTER ALEX MCKENZIE has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on April 8, 1945, in Germany. The citation for the action reads:

"In response to a radioed call of a machine gun platoon for ammunition, Technician McKenzie and another man voluntarily ran through open terrain covered by enemy sniper, burp gun, mortar and artillery fire and under perfect observation of the enemy.

They crossed a route that had not been swept for mines and arrived in time to avert a serious threat to our troops. The new supply of ammunition enabled our forces to kill seven of the enemy, wound others and capture an 88-mm gun intact.

Technician McKenzie's fearless courage in risking his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces."

Issue;

(1) Sadye Augusta McKenzie, born 28 Apr 1946, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 14 Aug 1965, Lynn Ray Austin, born 05 Apr 1947. Issue;

A. Rodney Lynn Austin

B. Donald Ray Austin

C. Debra Deen Austin

D. Angela Kay Austin

(2) Sarah Jane McKenzie, born 26 Nov 1948, married 09 Jan 1965, Terry Lynn Walker, born 6 Sept 1947. Issue;

A. Sheryl Ann Walker

Alexander James McKenzie married 2nd, 16 Apr 1927, Miami, Dade CO, FL, Clara Harper, born 09 Mar 1904. Issue;

3. Thomas James McKenzie, born 19 Mar 1928, Miami, Dade CO, FL, died 17 Aug 1971, Broward CO, FL, married 09 Jun 1946, Martha Meisch, born 06 Mar 1927. Issue;

(1) Alexander James McKenzie, born 10 Nov 1948, married 07 Jul 19??, Karen Walsh, born 11 May 1950

(2) Kathryn Evelyn McKenzie, born 02 Jun 1950

(3) Bonnie Lee McKenzie, born 10 Aug 1951, married 23 June 1973, John Moore, born 25 Aug 1951

(4) Harold Oscar McKenzie, born 23 Sep 1953

(5) Thomas Jefferson McKenzie, born 07 Mar 1959

 

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census, Published Articles and Elizabeth Allen Herr.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1910 United States Federal Census, Prec 5, Choctaw CO, AL; 1920 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL; U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Florida Marriage Collection, 1927-2001; Florida Divorce Index; Florida Death Index; Social Security Death Index, 1927-2001; and

The Flagler Tribune, 09 Nov 1939, 07 Sep 1944, 02 May 1946, 19 Aug 1948, 11 Nov 1948, 09 Dec 1948, 30 Aug 1962, 18 Aug1966, 05 Oct 1967, 04 Jun 1970, 22 Oct 1970, 03 Jul 1975, and 16 Apr 1981.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com