Individual Details
Green Paul "Dean" FURR
(29 Jul 1879 - 15 Mar 1966)
Dean Furr (1879 - 1966) , was born 8 miles from Albemarle, N. Carolina, 2 miles west of Canton Baptist Church. He was known to his family and friends as Dean, and came known to the public as G.P.
“I was born in a log house. There was a spring near the house where they got water. We got our bath in a wash tub and later I went to the creek with a crowd of boys. When I was still a baby we moved to a place on Ramsey’s Branch, also a log house about 50 ft long with a fireplace at each end. On the east room fireplace my mother did all her cooking. I remember my mother weaving cloth, or making for me a coat.
About the age of 6 years – in that day threshing grain was done by a separater. I got great joy in watching the driver stand on a platform cracking his whip to see that each horse pulled his part.
It was about this time I was known as a good accordion player, it being the custom at the time for the neighbors in the community to help each other at threshing time. The thresher men all gathered around, eager to hear a little boy play. I played a few pieces, one “Dixie” to the delight of the crowd. Later, I learned to play the violin by ear only. I played for the old time parties, at corn huskings, quiltings, etc. for people to dance after work was done. Never thought of getting paid for it as our parties were free on the farmer’s floor after eating pie or chicken and dumpling supper – these were the good old days. We played ‘hoe down’.
My dad’s [Civil] war buddies would come by the house. I would stay up late listening to their stories. They would stay up all night. My dad used to sing war songs.
A schoolteacher boarded at my father’s house. One day he was going to have an entertainment of dialogues and speeches, and wanted me to help him out. I said 'Oh no, I’m much too backward to do anything of that kind.' However he influenced me to try to do something, and at the final performance, I did my very best. In the audience was my future wife. She admired me very much and kept me in mind until after she got me, then she began to forget them. ha!ha!
At the age of 15, I induced my father to buy me a photographer outfit. With it I made photographs of people around the community. At the age of 16 I had completed the country grade school. From there I went to a preparatory high school [Big Lick Academy in Albemarle], then to a country superintendent school [Palmerville College in Albemarle) where I received my first grade certificate for teaching. I was teaching school at the age of 17. The building was in a one room building about 20’ by 30’. The average attendance was 40. Taught all grades the ABC’s to the 8th grade. We had only 4 months of school, then the students would have to stay home to help their parents work in the fields. For my services I was paid $25 a month. From this amount I had to pay board and room, my clothes, etc. I taught school for two years.
My uncle wanted me to run his store for him at Bloomington. I thought I could for a while then get back to teaching. He sold me the stock to the store for $400. I only had $25 to my name so I had to borrow $375 from my grandmother. At the age of 20 years, I had bought the store, business had increased to the extent that I was out of debt, had paid grandmother back, then thought it was time to think about getting married. One of my first steps was to build a house beside the store.
These were the days of romance [with] this particular young woman [Mary Hathcock] whom I became very infatuated with, which later turned to love. We went to Plyler where we tied the knot.
I was Postmaster in Bloomington from about 1900 to 1908. [In} 1903 our first baby was born, Carl. In 1908 I built a new store in Bloomington, then was in possession of another store - stocked goods at $600.
My parents were religiously inclined. About sunset one evening at my father’s home two Elders [from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] came. Their story sounded good to me and my father.
My second oldest son broke his leg. Vernon hadn’t walked for a month. Mary wrote to the Elders to come administer to him. Elders Tucket and Bishop were 100 miles away, but walked all the way to the place. They came to the store first for my consent to administer. The next morning he walked.
I was baptized on [Nov. 15], 1909. From that day to this I never regretted that great step. I was told by father with tears in his eyes that I would lose my business. I told him I couldn’t help that. For I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth. Instead of losing my business it increased.
The spirit of gathering came over us. On April 10, 1910, I with my wife and children – Carl, Vernon, Essie and Ruth started for Rigby Idaho and located.. where we made many friends. Our baby Ruth became sick. The Bishop being on a mission, his counselors and Relief Society visited us, during the sickness and death of our dear baby, being about 6 weeks after arriving in the west.
We lived on a farm in the LaBelle section for one year. We sold our farm to my father-in-law then [went] into the General Mdse. Business. Our son Cecil was born in the living quarters we had in the rear of our store at LaBelle.
In Poplar, we took up 320 acres and lived on it for 3 years [where] Paul was born. Then we built a nice brick home near the store. It had a large basement, and on account of [World War I] we could not get enough coal to keep us comfortable. One snowy night our daughter Mary decided to try our cold climate, so she had to arrive in this snowy weather in a house that was not too warm."
Dean prospered so well at the store that the family had the luxury of wired electricity. The children walked a half mile to school every day, even through the frigid Idaho hail and snow. The 7 years that the Furr's spent in Idaho were very happy ones. Dean and Mary got along well, and the family had a great time playing baseball together – Dean would throw, Mary would catch. Coyotes could be heard howling all over the area.
Then in 1917, came the final word from Mary, “Dad, let’s get out of here, it’s too blame cold!” So the Furr & Hathcock families, 2 horses, a cow, a dog, and two big boxes of apples, headed south. “Well we heard of a place where oranges grew, in Mesa, Arizona... and here we are.“
After buying a store on 8th Ave & McDonald St, a farm, and hiring someone to run the store, they were flat broke. But they dug right in, plowing the land to produce good things such as watermelons, peaches and pears.
Dean worked hard from morning till he went to bed at night starting at 4:00AM. For about 3 years he ran a milk route with the help of a big Oldsmobile truck. He would go around the countryside to farmer’s homes, pick up the milk cans (a 123 lb man routinely hefting 10-15 cans into the truck daily) and take them to the creamery. “After a few years I sold the Mdse - would milk for 2 years, sold stockings and phonographs, while our oldest son was on a mission.”
Dean became a cotton buyer for the Peterson Bros. Brokerage in Phoenix. Soon the family prospered enough to purchase a telephone and electricity for their home.
In 1919, the Furrs were blessed with a new son, Quentin. Deep sadness followed when he died soon after. Two years later in 1921, they found joy again as they welcomed another boy, Edgar.
In 1926, the Furrs made their last move into a nice $5,000 brick home in Mesa, as Dean now turned to the Real Estate business. Their housewarming gift was none other than then birth of their 10th and last child, James “Angus”.
Tragically in 1927, Paul at age 13 was in a gun accident. His resistance became so low that he caught pneumonia and died. Some tell the story that he also drank water from a ditch and contracted typhoid. More devastation followed when two years later, Essie gave birth to her first child at the age of 22, then died at childbirth. The family was heartbroken at the loss of now 4 beloved children.
As the Great Depression swept the country, times became harder than ever. There was little time for Dean to have hobbies or time to spend with his children. Dean uncomplainingly “worked himself to the bone” each day (but Sunday) just for his family to survive. At one point Mary said in tears, “We may lose our home.”
On rare occasions, they splurged and took the kids out for a soft drink. The family also sacrificed what they could to help build the LDS Mesa Temple, which was not far from their home. Dean took photos of the progress. His pictures are now hanging in the visitor’s center of the Mesa Temple. Soon Dean was also supporting his daughter Mary on an LDS mission.
Dean’s motto was “My friends are worth more than money.” He was generous with what means he had to help people in need. The Furrs couldn't afford much during the Depression, including glass for their windows (canvas coverings were used instead) . People came into his store and asked for groceries because they couldn’t pay, or they would ask for needed commodities like shoes for their children. Dean trusted that people would pay him back, but they didn’t. Eventually Dean had up to $1,100 outstanding. Up to his dying day, he had deeds, contracts and rentals that remained unpaid by his clients.
But Dean himself believed in staying honest to the penny, which inspired the confidence of his customers and friends. He never became bitter but forgave. No one remembers Dean ever raising his voice. He was likeable with a friendly countenance, kind under all circumstances, and had a good disposition. Here was a humble and faithful servant of God, husband and father who exemplified faith, temperance, generosity, hard work, honesty and love. His family often heard him say, “The Lord will take care of it.” He knew that in the end, the important thing was that he do what was right.
(Compiled by Nancy Hendrickson. Click on "Memories" for more stories).
“I was born in a log house. There was a spring near the house where they got water. We got our bath in a wash tub and later I went to the creek with a crowd of boys. When I was still a baby we moved to a place on Ramsey’s Branch, also a log house about 50 ft long with a fireplace at each end. On the east room fireplace my mother did all her cooking. I remember my mother weaving cloth, or making for me a coat.
About the age of 6 years – in that day threshing grain was done by a separater. I got great joy in watching the driver stand on a platform cracking his whip to see that each horse pulled his part.
It was about this time I was known as a good accordion player, it being the custom at the time for the neighbors in the community to help each other at threshing time. The thresher men all gathered around, eager to hear a little boy play. I played a few pieces, one “Dixie” to the delight of the crowd. Later, I learned to play the violin by ear only. I played for the old time parties, at corn huskings, quiltings, etc. for people to dance after work was done. Never thought of getting paid for it as our parties were free on the farmer’s floor after eating pie or chicken and dumpling supper – these were the good old days. We played ‘hoe down’.
My dad’s [Civil] war buddies would come by the house. I would stay up late listening to their stories. They would stay up all night. My dad used to sing war songs.
A schoolteacher boarded at my father’s house. One day he was going to have an entertainment of dialogues and speeches, and wanted me to help him out. I said 'Oh no, I’m much too backward to do anything of that kind.' However he influenced me to try to do something, and at the final performance, I did my very best. In the audience was my future wife. She admired me very much and kept me in mind until after she got me, then she began to forget them. ha!ha!
At the age of 15, I induced my father to buy me a photographer outfit. With it I made photographs of people around the community. At the age of 16 I had completed the country grade school. From there I went to a preparatory high school [Big Lick Academy in Albemarle], then to a country superintendent school [Palmerville College in Albemarle) where I received my first grade certificate for teaching. I was teaching school at the age of 17. The building was in a one room building about 20’ by 30’. The average attendance was 40. Taught all grades the ABC’s to the 8th grade. We had only 4 months of school, then the students would have to stay home to help their parents work in the fields. For my services I was paid $25 a month. From this amount I had to pay board and room, my clothes, etc. I taught school for two years.
My uncle wanted me to run his store for him at Bloomington. I thought I could for a while then get back to teaching. He sold me the stock to the store for $400. I only had $25 to my name so I had to borrow $375 from my grandmother. At the age of 20 years, I had bought the store, business had increased to the extent that I was out of debt, had paid grandmother back, then thought it was time to think about getting married. One of my first steps was to build a house beside the store.
These were the days of romance [with] this particular young woman [Mary Hathcock] whom I became very infatuated with, which later turned to love. We went to Plyler where we tied the knot.
I was Postmaster in Bloomington from about 1900 to 1908. [In} 1903 our first baby was born, Carl. In 1908 I built a new store in Bloomington, then was in possession of another store - stocked goods at $600.
My parents were religiously inclined. About sunset one evening at my father’s home two Elders [from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] came. Their story sounded good to me and my father.
My second oldest son broke his leg. Vernon hadn’t walked for a month. Mary wrote to the Elders to come administer to him. Elders Tucket and Bishop were 100 miles away, but walked all the way to the place. They came to the store first for my consent to administer. The next morning he walked.
I was baptized on [Nov. 15], 1909. From that day to this I never regretted that great step. I was told by father with tears in his eyes that I would lose my business. I told him I couldn’t help that. For I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth. Instead of losing my business it increased.
The spirit of gathering came over us. On April 10, 1910, I with my wife and children – Carl, Vernon, Essie and Ruth started for Rigby Idaho and located.. where we made many friends. Our baby Ruth became sick. The Bishop being on a mission, his counselors and Relief Society visited us, during the sickness and death of our dear baby, being about 6 weeks after arriving in the west.
We lived on a farm in the LaBelle section for one year. We sold our farm to my father-in-law then [went] into the General Mdse. Business. Our son Cecil was born in the living quarters we had in the rear of our store at LaBelle.
In Poplar, we took up 320 acres and lived on it for 3 years [where] Paul was born. Then we built a nice brick home near the store. It had a large basement, and on account of [World War I] we could not get enough coal to keep us comfortable. One snowy night our daughter Mary decided to try our cold climate, so she had to arrive in this snowy weather in a house that was not too warm."
Dean prospered so well at the store that the family had the luxury of wired electricity. The children walked a half mile to school every day, even through the frigid Idaho hail and snow. The 7 years that the Furr's spent in Idaho were very happy ones. Dean and Mary got along well, and the family had a great time playing baseball together – Dean would throw, Mary would catch. Coyotes could be heard howling all over the area.
Then in 1917, came the final word from Mary, “Dad, let’s get out of here, it’s too blame cold!” So the Furr & Hathcock families, 2 horses, a cow, a dog, and two big boxes of apples, headed south. “Well we heard of a place where oranges grew, in Mesa, Arizona... and here we are.“
After buying a store on 8th Ave & McDonald St, a farm, and hiring someone to run the store, they were flat broke. But they dug right in, plowing the land to produce good things such as watermelons, peaches and pears.
Dean worked hard from morning till he went to bed at night starting at 4:00AM. For about 3 years he ran a milk route with the help of a big Oldsmobile truck. He would go around the countryside to farmer’s homes, pick up the milk cans (a 123 lb man routinely hefting 10-15 cans into the truck daily) and take them to the creamery. “After a few years I sold the Mdse - would milk for 2 years, sold stockings and phonographs, while our oldest son was on a mission.”
Dean became a cotton buyer for the Peterson Bros. Brokerage in Phoenix. Soon the family prospered enough to purchase a telephone and electricity for their home.
In 1919, the Furrs were blessed with a new son, Quentin. Deep sadness followed when he died soon after. Two years later in 1921, they found joy again as they welcomed another boy, Edgar.
In 1926, the Furrs made their last move into a nice $5,000 brick home in Mesa, as Dean now turned to the Real Estate business. Their housewarming gift was none other than then birth of their 10th and last child, James “Angus”.
Tragically in 1927, Paul at age 13 was in a gun accident. His resistance became so low that he caught pneumonia and died. Some tell the story that he also drank water from a ditch and contracted typhoid. More devastation followed when two years later, Essie gave birth to her first child at the age of 22, then died at childbirth. The family was heartbroken at the loss of now 4 beloved children.
As the Great Depression swept the country, times became harder than ever. There was little time for Dean to have hobbies or time to spend with his children. Dean uncomplainingly “worked himself to the bone” each day (but Sunday) just for his family to survive. At one point Mary said in tears, “We may lose our home.”
On rare occasions, they splurged and took the kids out for a soft drink. The family also sacrificed what they could to help build the LDS Mesa Temple, which was not far from their home. Dean took photos of the progress. His pictures are now hanging in the visitor’s center of the Mesa Temple. Soon Dean was also supporting his daughter Mary on an LDS mission.
Dean’s motto was “My friends are worth more than money.” He was generous with what means he had to help people in need. The Furrs couldn't afford much during the Depression, including glass for their windows (canvas coverings were used instead) . People came into his store and asked for groceries because they couldn’t pay, or they would ask for needed commodities like shoes for their children. Dean trusted that people would pay him back, but they didn’t. Eventually Dean had up to $1,100 outstanding. Up to his dying day, he had deeds, contracts and rentals that remained unpaid by his clients.
But Dean himself believed in staying honest to the penny, which inspired the confidence of his customers and friends. He never became bitter but forgave. No one remembers Dean ever raising his voice. He was likeable with a friendly countenance, kind under all circumstances, and had a good disposition. Here was a humble and faithful servant of God, husband and father who exemplified faith, temperance, generosity, hard work, honesty and love. His family often heard him say, “The Lord will take care of it.” He knew that in the end, the important thing was that he do what was right.
(Compiled by Nancy Hendrickson. Click on "Memories" for more stories).
Events
| Birth | 29 Jul 1879 | Bloomington, Stanly County, NC |  | ||
| Marriage | 10 Dec 1902 | Plyler, Stanly County, NC - Mary Catherine HATHCOCK | | ||
| Occupation | 1910 | farmer - Fremont County, ID | |||
| Occupation | 1920 | grocery store proprietor - Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ | |||
| Occupation | 1930 | cotton buyer - Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ | |||
| Occupation | 1950 | real estate broker - Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ | |||
| Death | 15 Mar 1966 | Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ | |||
| Soc Sec No | 526-56-1264 | | |||
| Burial | City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ | |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Catherine HATHCOCK (1881 - 1972) |
| Child | Carl Jethro FURR (1903 - 1991) |
| Child | Vernon Cornelius FURR (1905 - 1988) |
| Child | Essie Elizabeth FURR (1907 - 1929) |
| Child | Ruth FURR (1909 - 1910) |
| Child | Cecil Ray FURR (1911 - 1987) |
| Child | Green Paul FURR Jr. (1913 - 1927) |
| Child | Mary FURR (1917 - 2006) |
| Child | Kenneth Quentin FURR (1919 - 1920) |
| Child | Edgar Grant "Eddie" FURR (1921 - 1990) |
| Child | James Angus FURR (1926 - 1996) |
| Father | Aaron FURR (1846 - 1920) |
| Mother | Sarah Leticia "Sally" HATLEY (1847 - 1933) |
| Sibling | Marcenia Hettabelle FURR (1867 - 1937) |
| Sibling | Goodin Caphus FURR (1869 - 1937) |
| Sibling | Andrew Jenkins "Andy" FURR (1872 - 1951) |
| Sibling | Malinda Jane FURR (1875 - 1961) |
| Sibling | Rosa Lillian Ann "Mollie" FURR (1877 - 1958) |
| Sibling | Margaret Ellen "Maggie" FURR (1882 - 1972) |
| Sibling | Grover Cleveland FURR (1885 - 1921) |
Endnotes
1. North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005.
2. Helen L. Garner, transcriber, Stanly County North Carolina Marriages, Book I: 1851-1867, Book II: -1904: (Albemarle, NC: Stanly County Genealogical Society, 1987).
3. United States Social Security Death Index.
4. findagrave.com.