Bell County is located in the southeastern corner of Kentucky where the state meets Tennessee and Virginia at the famed Cumberland Gap. Its 361 acres are dominated by two mountain ridges, Pine Mountain and Cumberland Mountain. Much of its rugged terrain is thickly forested with picturesque streams cutting through deep valleys. Rugged terrain . . . That’s a BIG YES. Many of the roads in this mountainous area were almost impossible to navigate - along with some truly sad and neglected areas. However, it was one of my favorite day trips to date dealing with my ancestors.
My research focused on my FUSON ancestors of southeast KY. The Fuson Family came from England and eventually settled in Hanover County in Virginia.
| Thomas Fuson, my 5th Great Grandfather (born in 1765 in Hanover County, Virginia) was the progenitor of the Fuson/Fuston family in southeastern Kentucky … settled in the Chenoa area (marrying Rachel Permelia Robinson in Liberty, Tennessee, in 1791). Thomas Fuson was a son of John and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Fuson of Hanover County, Va. Thomas has been approved as a Revolutionary War ancestor for DAR membership. Questionable story says he froze to death in 1849. GREAT READ… pdf version of History of Bell County, KY by H.H. Fuson http://www.bellcpl.org/uploads/4/2/6/7/42679073/history_of_bell_county_kentucky.pdf |
| Following are maps of the three different cemeteries visited. |
FUSON CEMETERY #4 - located in Frakes, Bell County, KY
A HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS By E. POLK JOHNSON1912 The Lewis Publishing Company
Transcribed by Kim Mohler
JUDGE BETH A. FUSON
The present able incumbent of the office of judge of Bell county, Kentucky, is B.A. Fuson, whose public-spirited interest in all that pertains to the well being of this section of the fine old Blue Grass commonwealth has ever been of the most insistent character and whose various business enterprises have been an important element in general progress and development.
Judge Fuson was born in that part of Knox county which now forms a portion of Bell county, Kentucky, the date of his nativity being the 14th of December, 1858. He is a son of James R. and Lucinda (Evans) Fuson, the former of whom was born in the state of Tennessee, in 1822, and the latter of whom was born on the same old homestead farm as was the Judge, her birth having occurred on the 15th of February, 1819. Mr. and Mrs. James R. Fuson became the parents of six children, and of the number five are living at the present time, namely – James A., Mrs. Letitia Smith, J.T., B.A. and H.J., all of Bell county, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of the Judge came from his native state of Tennessee to the head of Bear creek, Bell county, Kentucky, at an early day on a hunting expedition. He was lost from his family for a period of two years and was then recognized by some hunters; his family was notified and he was looked up. He then removed his family to Kentucky and there resided during the residue of his life. James R. Fuson was a farmer by vocation and at the time of his death, on the 24th of March, 1864, he was incumbent of the office of magistrate. In politics he was originally an old-line Whig but at the time of the organization of the Republican party he transferred his allegiance to its principles and policies. His cherished and devoted wife, who long survived him, passed to eternal rest on the 10th of February, 1902.
After completing the curriculum of the district schools of his native place Judge Fuson continued to be engaged in the work and management of the home farm until the 25th of May, 1887, at which time he came to Pineville, where he turned his attention to the general merchandise business. He continued to be identified with that line of enterprise for the ensuing four years, at the expiration of which his place of business was destroyed by fire. He was then, in 1891, elected to the office of chief of police, in which connection he served for one year, when he resigned in order to accept the position of magistrate, to which he had just been elected. He was magistrate for four years and then made the race for the office of police judge, but was defeated. In the next election he was again candidate for police judge and then he was successful, serving for four years, his regime being marked by conscientious devotion to duty. His next public office was that of deputy circuit court clerk, which he held for four years. In November, 1909, he was further honored by his fellow citizens in that he was then elected to his present position of county judge. He assumed charge of the affairs connected with this position in January, 1910, and in discharging the duties connected therewith is acquitting himself with all of honor and distinction. Judge Fuson initiated his independent business career as a teacher, following that line of occupation for a period of five years. He was also deputy United States marshal for twenty-six months prior to his election as police judge.
In the year 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Judge Fuson to Miss Alice B. Coppock, who was born at Grundy Center, Douglas county, Illinois, and who is a daughter of W.H. Coppock. To this union have been born eight children, seven of whom are living and all of whom are at home – Sylvia G., Ida L., Ollie Lucinda, Lola, Alice, Mary, Myrtle and B.A., Jr. The child deceased is Ida L., whose death occurred September 9, 1900. Judge and Mrs. Fuson are affiliated with the Baptist church in their religious faith and they are zealous and ardent workers in its behalf.
In his political convictions Judge Fuson is allied as a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party, in the local councils of which organization he is an active factor. He has always been prominent and influential in public affairs, as already seen, and his service as an official has ever been characterized by faithfulness and marked ability. During his regime as judge very few of his decisions have ever been appealed and all his rulings are influenced by that stern sense of justice which is so potent an element in the enforcement of the law. Fraternally he is connected with the local lodge of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of which he is secretary at the present time, and he is also a valued and appreciative member of the time-honored Masonic order. As a man he is genial, kindly and markedly courteous, thus winning the love and unalloyed esteem of all who know him. He is straightforward and honest in all his business dealings and in public life he holds an untarnished record.
