Hugh Nelson Dyer

  General Notes:

The marriage certificate in the Roanoke County Court House for Hugh N. Dyer and Katherine Elizabeth Garrett records his parents as James H. and Lucy J. Dyer of Henry Co., Va. however, the 1880 Federal Census for Martinsville, Henry Co., Va. page 102A does not list Hugh as a son of James (42) and Lucy (40) but a son of W. C. (44) and and Elizabeth J. (40) Dyer with siblings George F. (21), Mattie G. (14), William C. (13), Elkand (11), James H. (9), Albert W. (7), and Nancy R. (2). The two families are separated by several pages in the census records. Hugh is listed as 19 years old (born 1861) while the marriage certificate above indicates his age in 1910 as 36 (born 1874). On page 108B is James H. (42) and Lucy J. (40) Dyer with children Ella C. (15), John H. (13), James B. (11), Hervin (6), Dred H. (4), and William J. (2). Perhaps "Hervin" is actually Nelson?

The 1900 Federal Census for Martinsville, Henry Co., Va. records Lucy H. Dyer (Jan 1840-widow) with sons John (May 1867-married)and Hugh N. (Dec 1873-single) Dyer. Also in the household is daughter-in-law Julia W. Dyer (June 1874-married). This is obviously the family listed above in the 1880 census...perhaps "Hervin" is actualy Hugh. Julia is obviously John's wife.

Hugh N. Dyer (49) is recorded in the Jefferson Ward of Roanoke City, Va. in 1910 and is reported as the Chief of Police and married to a Anna J. Dyer (48). The 1920 census records Hugh N. (59) and Emma J. (58) Dyer on Campbell Ave. in Roanoke. Hugh is a Hardware Merchant. 1930 has Hugh (69) and Emma (68) still on Campbell Ave. with Hugh listed as retired. They have been married since 1893.

This is obviously a preplexing situation of contradictions (see notes on wife Kate Garrett). Certainly more research is needed. It is a fact that in 1910 the Mayor of Roanoke and Police Chief had some legal problems that resulted in the Mayor being forced out of office. Maybe there is a connection ... more research is needed.

April 2005 finds the solution to the "two" Hugh Dyers of Henry County. The WWI Draft Registration Card for Grady Garrett lists his sister, Kate Dyer, living in Martinsville, as the person to contact . The 1920 Federal Census for Martinsville, Henry Co., Va. District 116 records Hugh W. (N?-46) and Kate G. (32, born in North Carolina, father in NC, mother in VA) Dyer with children Hugh W. (6), Catherine (4 11/12), and Haurice (3 1/12 - Horace?). Hugh is listed as President of a Cotton Mill. Thus the two Hugh Dyers are found to be two differnet people.

The 1930 Federal Census for Martinsville, Henry Co., Va. District 8 records Hugh W. (55 - VA/VA/VA) and Katherine G. (42 - VA/VA/VA) Dyer (indexed as Dyle at ancestry.com) with children H. Nelson Jr (17), Katherine (15), and Horece G. (13) living at 829 Starling Street. Hugh and Kate have been married for 20 years. Hugh's employment is listed as none, however, there is a President and Vice President of a Furniture Company living to either side of this family. Hugh's house is valued at $20,000 while the 2 neighbors are valued at $30,000 and $15,000.

The 1940 Federal Census for Martinsville, Henry Co., Va. District 112-4, page 65A, dated April 4, 1940 records Hugh W. (65 - VA) and Kate (52 - NC) Dyer with children Katherine (25) and Horace (23) living at 205 Starling Street. Hugh has completed 7 years of schooling while Kate 4 years of college. Hugh's employment is listed as Assistant Secretary at a Bank earning $800 while working 52 weeks during the last year. Hugh owns his home valued at $14,000.

There is a WWI Draft Registration Card for Hugh N. Dyer dated Sept 10, 1918 that lists his date of birth as Dec 9, 1873 and his wife as Kate Dyer. He is Secretary of Martinsville Cotton Mill. He is described as tall with medium build and brown eyes and bald. (Image 177 of 182)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: President of a Cotton Mill (1920).

Hugh married Katherine (Kate) Elizabeth Garrett, daughter of James Price Garrett and Anna Lee Mitchell, on 17 Nov 1910 in Salem, Roanoke Co., VA. (Katherine (Kate) Elizabeth Garrett was born on 18 May 1887 in Rockingham Co, NC, died on 6 Mar 1986 in Martinsville, Henry Co., VA. and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Martinsville, VA.)