Individual Details

Prince Alexander FURR

(25 Jan 1888 - 15 Sep 1968)

From 1925 to 1929 Prince Alexander Furr and his sons Belvin, Marvin, Rayvon and Thaddeus performed as a string band sponsored by Nehi beverages.

Prince Furr, a machinist in the local mills in Albemarle, taught his son Belvin to play the fiddle in 1921. The next year his son Marvin began to play the mandolin (later switching to the fiddle). His son Thad began the tenor banjo in 1923 and in 1924 Rayvon took up the mandolin. The family traveled to perform at fiddlers’ conventions, rallies, parties and dances. In 1925, Prince was working at the local Nehi bottling plant. A visit by the district manager led to the band taking a trip to Kansas City to perform in the Nehi booth at a national convention of soft drink manufacturers. Over the next few years, they continued to travel for the company. The association with Nehi ended in 1929. The band became a more modern dance band, added new members, and became known as Prince Furr and his Orchestra. In 1933, the family band ended. Three of the brothers, led by Belvin (known as Pee Wee), formed a big band called the Tar Heel Club Orchestra.

Events

Birth25 Jan 1888Stanly County, NC
Marriage21 Nov 1907Stanly County, NC - Dora May HUNEYCUTT
Marriage19 Oct 1912Stanly County, NC - Carrie Ila BYRD
Occupation1920knitting mill machinest - Albemarle, Stanly County, NC
Occupation1930hosiery mill machanic - Stanly County, NC
Death15 Sep 1968Albemarle, Stanly County, NC
Soc Sec No242-01-2188
BurialFairview Memorial Park, Albemarle, Stanly County, NC

Families

SpouseDora May HUNEYCUTT (1889 - 1912)
ChildGladys Virginia FURR (1908 - 1997)
ChildSula May FURR (1910 - 1911)
SpouseCarrie Ila BYRD (1893 - 1971)
ChildWilliam Belvin "Pee Wee" FURR (1913 - 2004)
ChildOdessa FURR (1914 - 1914)
ChildMarvin Deamus FURR (1915 - 1984)
ChildThaddeus Alexander "Thad" FURR (1917 - 2012)
ChildRayvon Elbert FURR (1918 - 2007)
ChildJettie Bell FURR (1920 - 1984)
ChildIrene Janet FURR (1921 - 1997)
FatherMarshall Filmore FURR (1867 - 1947)
MotherLaura Jane MORTON (1869 - 1906)
SiblingRella FURR (1889 - 1972)
SiblingWilliam Robert FURR (1891 - 1961)
SiblingAlva Alma "A.A." FURR (1893 - 1971)
SiblingPallie Lillie FURR (1895 - 1966)
SiblingRoy Lee FURR (1897 - 1973)
SiblingSarah Jane FURR (1899 - 1973)
SiblingMarshall Byran FURR (1900 - 1976)
SiblingCharlie C. FURR (1902 - 1903)
SiblingPattie E. FURR (1906 - 1906)

Notes

Endnotes