Ned Stapleton
The Paintsville Herald,Thursday Feb. 11,1943
OLDEST MAN IN THE COUNTY DIES
JAN.27, 1943
Uncle Ned Stapleton would have been 98 in March.
Uncle Ned Stapleton, probably the counties
oldest citizen, died at his home in Volga,Ky
Wednesday, January 27th. Had he lived until
March 11, he would have been 98 years old. Mr. Stapleton
was born in Scott Co.,Va, March 11,1845 and
was the son of James and Susan Stapleton.In
1863 he came to Johnson County and soon thereafter
enlisted in the Union Army. After peace was
declared he purchased a farm on what came to
be known as Stapleton Branch. in the Volga
vicinity. This was his home for the remainder
of his life. In 1865 he married Sarah Burchett.
They became the parents of ten children: Henry
"Buddy" Stapleton, deceased: Mrs. Miles Sturgill,
deceased: Sam Stapleton,deceased(lived at East
Point.):Mrs. Tommy (Ick) Melvin: Mrs. Sam Auxier,
Chicago: Marion Stapleton, Collista; Mrs. Millard
Auxier, Nebraska; Sandy Stapleton, Volga; Crate
Stapleton,Flat Gap; and Harry Stapleton, Volga.
Mrs. Stapleton died in 1915. In 1919, Mr. Stapleton
married Mrs. Mary Bell Cooper, who survives him.
Uncle Ned was a remarkably strong personality.
He suffered his share of life's sorrows and misfortunes,
yet he maintained an active and vigorous interest
in life throughout his 98 years. He was an honorable
upright citizen. He was at the time of his death
and had beem for forty years, a member of the United
Baptist Church at Bethel. he was active in the political
affairs of the county. As a neighbor, he was generous
and considerate. During the last fifteen years of
his life, Mr. Stapleton was deprived of his eye-
sight, but he retained full possession of his mental
faculties until the time of his death. His hearthside
became a favorite spot for those who would hear
from a direct source of Civil War days in Scott
Va and Johnson Co.,Ky. On the history of Johnson
County from the Civil War to 1900 and later, he was an
authority. He would relate stories of the past
with a zest and clarity that captivated the listener
and transported him back three-quarters of a century
through time. Funeral services were held for Mr.
Stapleton on Friday, January 29, and he was buried
in the family cemetery on the home farm.Mr.Stapleton
was the grandfather of Dow Stapleton. Principal
of the Oil Springs High School, and an uncle of
Frank Stapleton, Mayor of Denver,Colorado.
(submitted by: Judith Need)