I stumbled upon this catalog last night as I was researching for afamwilsonnc.com. As I scanned the list of students, I was stunned to see W.S. Hagans of Fremont, Wayne County. This is William S. Hagans, son of Napoleon and Appie Ward Hagans, and first cousin to my great-great-grandmother Louvicey Artis Aldridge (1865-1927.) William graduated from Howard University’s preparatory division in 1889 and went on to obtain bachelor’s and a law degree from Howard. Apparently, however, he spent at least a year of high school in Fayetteville, a little closer to home. A few months ago, I would have immediately picked up the phone to share this new information with my cousin Bill, William’s grandson. Bill is gone though, so I’ll just have to imagine his warm laugh and exclamations of surprise.
Catalogue found here.
What a treasure. Forever present. The heart sometimes rules the head. The soul forever belongs to GOD. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! By the way, in my afamwilsonnc.com blog, I recently posted an obit for Cora P. Exum Vincent. It states she was born in Wilson, but I can’t find her in the 1870 or 1880 census and don’t know her parents. She married Vincent in Goldsboro. Ring a bell?
Dear Lisa,
You are so right, Bill would have been very pleased and reacted exactly as you have described.
William S. Hagans diploma from Howard hangs in a place of honor in our home.
You are amazing! Bill used “amazing” often when talking about you and your work.
Sincerely,
Willow Hagans