William Lawrence McSwain graduated from Boiling Springs High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
According to Ancestry.com on June 03, 2007
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about William Lawrence McSwain
Name: William Lawrence McSwain
City: Not Stated
County: Cleveland
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina; United States of America
Birth Date: 13 Nov 1895
Race: Caucasian (White)
Roll: 1765631
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 21
Married or single? Single
By whom employed? L.M. McSwain
Occupation: Farming
Where employed? Cleveland County
Nearest Relative:
What military service have you had? None
Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No
Tall, Medium, or short? Tall
Slender, Medium, or stout? Medium
Color of Eyes? Brown
Color of Hair? Dark Brown
Bald? No
Precinct: Earl
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Date of Registration: June 05, 1917
Signature:
Source Citation: Registration Location: Cleveland County, North Carolina; Roll: 1765631; Draft Board: 0.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
He registered for the Draft into World War 1 as a single man with a background in Farming on June 5, 1917. The war lasted until November 11, 1918.
Joel Whitten told Ridge Cullum that William Lawrence McSwain, was Joel's father - Joel Branch Whitten, Senior's Chaplain in World War I in France.
He graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1924. He married Hester Samantha Bingham in June 1924.
He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky with a Th.M. Degree in 1927.
Ridge Cullum remembers his mother telling him about her dad William Lawrence McSwain when he and grandmother lived at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He would make some money on the side as a student cutting hair for people. He had a real sense of humor, because there were times he would kid fellow students by telling them they needed to change the air in their car tires to keep them fresh and running smooth. And another joke he would tell people would be to ask people if they saw those tall trees in the distance, and when they said that they did, he would ask them if they believed he could take off his shoes and and run and jump over them! They would not believe that, then he would take off his shoes and run and jump over his shoes!
After graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lawrence McSwain became a pastor in Harmony, North Carolina from June 10, 1927 through December 1942. He was there 15 years. He held a field of 5 churches, they were:
Harmony Baptist Church (his home church)
Ijames Crossroads Baptist Church
Cool Springs Baptist Church
New Hope Baptist Church
Society Baptist Church
According to The History of Harmony Baptist Church document page 3 - "In 1927, Rev. and Mrs. W.L. McSwain organized a Training Union, and then called Baptist Young People Union (BYPU). Mrs. McSwain also organized the Young Women's Auxiliary for young girls and in 1933; Mrs. R.H. Lankford organized the Girls Auxiliary (GA's). The church continued its progress under the leadershipo of Rev. McSwain. He served a field of five churches, Harmony, Society, Cool Springs, New Hope, and Ijames Crossroads. There were a number of baptisms during Rev. McSwain's tenure. The baptisms were held at Barnards Mill or the baptismal at New Hope. The 1937 budget was $804.00 yearly with the pastor being paid $416.00. Rev. McSwain preached his farewell sermon December 1941 having served 14 years, 8 months and 21 days."
From there he went to Glen Alpine Baptist Church (in Glen Alpine, N.C.) from 1941 - 1949.
According to the Biblical Recorder, Wednesday, September 13, 1944, page 13 - "Evangelist G.G. Lanter Assists Rev. W.L. McSwain at Glen Alpine. Beginning Sunday, August 13th, and continuing until August 24th, the Glen Alpine Church experienced a great spiritual feast. Rev. G.G. Lanter of Winston-Salem, evangelist and Bible expositor par excellence, assisted the pastor, Rev. W.L. McSwain, in both morning and evening services. There were many reconsececrations and additions to the church by both letter and baptism. The results were gratifying when we consider that because of epidemic restrictions we could have only a partial congregation. Mr. Lanter is a great student of the Bible and a powerful expositor. His preaching is of the type which will be safe and sane in the generations days ahead of rethinking and reconstruction. - W.L. McSwain."
According to the Biblical Recorder, March 31, 1948, page 7 - Thaburn Lawson McSwain, son of Pastor W.L. McSwain of Glen Alpine Church, Catawba River Association, was ordained to the ministry in the Glen Alpine Church on Sunday afternoon, February 29.1948.
According to the History of First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine, NC - Major changes were made at the church in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Water was put into the church, new pews were bought, carpet installed and beautiful paneling for the baptistry was donated by Mr. & Mrs. R.S. Ragan.
Polio was another killer during these years and the fifties. Children were often quarantined because of this dread disease. Records state that when Rev. W.L. McSwain was pastor attendance was down because of the polio epedemic. These were children under twelve years of age.
In 1949 the churches in Glen Alpine began having joint Thanksgiving services which have become a tradition in our community.
By recommendation of the deacons, the church voted on February 27, 1955 that the name of the church, Glen Alpine Baptist Church, be changed to First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine.
From there he went to Kings Mountain, North Carolina to:
David Baptist Church (1949 - 1952) and Allen Memorial Baptist Church. He left in June 1953.
In July 1953 he went to Hollis, N.C. to Big Springs Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. He was at Big Springs Baptist Church from July 1953 - 1958. According to a phone message from Brenda Urban to Eldridge V. Cullum, IV on July 23, 2018 - Rev. William Lawrence McSwain was a well educated man and a very good musician. He could really get up a good musical service and he had a son and daughter who were both musicians. Brenda said that she lives next to the church. Her sister was friends with Joan McSwain. Brenda said that Rev. Lawrence McSwain played the Trumpet at church, and that he played every Easter. She thought that Grandmother Hester McSwain played the piano. She said that Joan and a brother of her's were both musicians. She thought Joan also played the piano. She said while Rev. Lawrence McSwain was pastor at BigSprings Baptist Church the church moved from an old Wooden Building to a new Brick Church Building, and that Joan McSwain was the first person to be baptized in the new church building.
He went to Little Union Baptist Church, in Unionville, Indiana near Bloomington. He was there from 1958 - June 1961. The church built a parsonage in 1961 and Lawrence & Hester were the first to live in the parsonage. The church is part of the American Baptist Convention Indiana/Kentucky. Wade and Micky McSwain know that when their daughter Susan was born in February 1962 that W.L. & Hester McSwain were living at Earl, North Carolina.
Eldridge (Ridge) Virginius Cullum, IV (son of Hilma Jean McSwain & Eldridge Virginius Cullum, III) recalls how his grandfather William Lawrence McSwain was a tall lanky gentleman. He spoke in a high voice. When Ridge and his family would come see his grandparents, Granddaddy McSwain would often say that Ridge needed a Haircut, and he would pull out his electric Clippers and give Ridge a quick Crew Cut. Granddaddy McSwain invented and built a gas powered motorized Wheel Barrel with a Fan Belt that would turn the wheels, and he would give his grandchildren a ride around the yard in it. Granddaddy McSwain was a prolific vegetable gardener. Ridge remembers seeing his granddaddy working in his garden growing Corn, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Potatoes, Squash, Cucumbers, Watermelon, etc. Granddaddy McSwain had a B.B. Gun which he hung above the Garage Door going into his Wood Working Shop. Ridge and the other grandchildren loved to shoot the B.B. Gun at various targets such as a lid of a container hung on the clothes line, or at tin cans on Cinder Blocks. Granddaddy McSwain had a Wood Working Shop adjacent to the garage with various electric saws and wood working chishels and tools, and he was a Master Craftsman in cutting out of wood and building various Windmills. The Windmills would turn showing the direction of the wind, and the propellers would turn in the wind like a propeller on an airplane, which in turn would cause motion of a figurine on the Windmill such as a Bird flapping its wings, or a woman churning a Butter Churn, or a Farmer bent over hoeing his garden, etc. making the sound of a gentle tapping of wood against wood as it worked in the wind. Granddaddy would paint the Windmills bright colors. These Windmills would be placed upon tall wooden posts which he constructed. He had several hung around his house. He would give them away as gifts. Mom would get one from time to time for our family. Ridge remembers entering a Pinewood Derby Car Race when he was a Cub Scout. He got a prepackaged kit containing the block of Pine Wood. Ridge's mom got Granddaddy McSwain to cut him out a Race Car out of that block of wood and Granddaddy helped him make a Pinewood Derby Race Car. It was painted red and it was a fast car that won several races. Ridge & his sister Candice remember that Granddaddy kept cases of bottled Sun Drop Soft Drinks in the Garage, and they remember helping themselves to drinks there.
Ridge remembers his Grandfather had a desk in his Den at home with a Lamp that could bend to shine on a document, and an old black manual typewriter where Granddaddy could study at home and type his sermons & letters. Ridge and the other grandchildren used to play on the typewriter. Ridge has a memory of seeing a Trumpet in a case and his mother telling him that Granddaddy played "Taps" on the Bugle in World War 1. Ridge fondly recalls his Grandfather serving he and his sisters large glasses of delicious cold Coca Cola Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream which Grandfather called "Jissim Jazzum." Ridge remembers his Grandfather having breathing problems, and when Ridge was eleven years old his Grandfather McSwain died in 1967 from Emphysema though he never smoked in his life. He died in Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Ridge remembers the Reception of Friends before the funeral was held in the Living Room at the house of Granddaddy and Grandmother McSwain. The Casket was displayed in the Living Room surrounded by Flowers and many dressed up people came by the home to express their condolences.
Ridge remembers his mother telling him that she used to travel to the various churches with her dad when he would pastor several churches at the same time, and she would play the piano for the worship services. Grandaddy pastored churches during the Great Depression. Sometimes the churches would not be able to pay him financially, but after services were over, Granddaddy wouild find bags of vegetables and produce and perhaps a chicken in his car given by the church members. Granddaddy instituted in churches during the Great Depression what was known as "The Lord's Acre." Farmers would plant and grow vegetables on this acre which were then sold and the proceeds were given to the church.
On his Gravestone there is a Masonic Symbol, so he was a Mason.
According to Ancestry.com on June 03, 2007
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about William Lawrence McSwain
Name: William Lawrence McSwain
City: Not Stated
County: Cleveland
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina; United States of America
Birth Date: 13 Nov 1895
Race: Caucasian (White)
Roll: 1765631
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 21
Married or single? Single
By whom employed? L.M. McSwain
Occupation: Farming
Where employed? Cleveland County
Nearest Relative:
What military service have you had? None
Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No
Tall, Medium, or short? Tall
Slender, Medium, or stout? Medium
Color of Eyes? Brown
Color of Hair? Dark Brown
Bald? No
Precinct: Earl
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Date of Registration: June 05, 1917
Signature:
Source Citation: Registration Location: Cleveland County, North Carolina; Roll: 1765631; Draft Board: 0.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
He registered for the Draft into World War 1 as a single man with a background in Farming on June 5, 1917. The war lasted until November 11, 1918.
Joel Whitten told Ridge Cullum that William Lawrence McSwain, was Joel's father - Joel Branch Whitten, Senior's Chaplain in World War I in France.
He graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1924. He married Hester Samantha Bingham in June 1924.
He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky with a Th.M. Degree in 1927.
Ridge Cullum remembers his mother telling him about her dad William Lawrence McSwain when he and grandmother lived at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He would make some money on the side as a student cutting hair for people. He had a real sense of humor, because there were times he would kid fellow students by telling them they needed to change the air in their car tires to keep them fresh and running smooth. And another joke he would tell people would be to ask people if they saw those tall trees in the distance, and when they said that they did, he would ask them if they believed he could take off his shoes and and run and jump over them! They would not believe that, then he would take off his shoes and run and jump over his shoes!
After graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lawrence McSwain became a pastor in Harmony, North Carolina from June 10, 1927 through December 1942. He was there 15 years. He held a field of 5 churches, they were:
Harmony Baptist Church (his home church)
Ijames Crossroads Baptist Church
Cool Springs Baptist Church
New Hope Baptist Church
Society Baptist Church
According to The History of Harmony Baptist Church document page 3 - "In 1927, Rev. and Mrs. W.L. McSwain organized a Training Union, and then called Baptist Young People Union (BYPU). Mrs. McSwain also organized the Young Women's Auxiliary for young girls and in 1933; Mrs. R.H. Lankford organized the Girls Auxiliary (GA's). The church continued its progress under the leadershipo of Rev. McSwain. He served a field of five churches, Harmony, Society, Cool Springs, New Hope, and Ijames Crossroads. There were a number of baptisms during Rev. McSwain's tenure. The baptisms were held at Barnards Mill or the baptismal at New Hope. The 1937 budget was $804.00 yearly with the pastor being paid $416.00. Rev. McSwain preached his farewell sermon December 1941 having served 14 years, 8 months and 21 days."
From there he went to Glen Alpine Baptist Church (in Glen Alpine, N.C.) from 1941 - 1949.
According to the Biblical Recorder, Wednesday, September 13, 1944, page 13 - "Evangelist G.G. Lanter Assists Rev. W.L. McSwain at Glen Alpine. Beginning Sunday, August 13th, and continuing until August 24th, the Glen Alpine Church experienced a great spiritual feast. Rev. G.G. Lanter of Winston-Salem, evangelist and Bible expositor par excellence, assisted the pastor, Rev. W.L. McSwain, in both morning and evening services. There were many reconsececrations and additions to the church by both letter and baptism. The results were gratifying when we consider that because of epidemic restrictions we could have only a partial congregation. Mr. Lanter is a great student of the Bible and a powerful expositor. His preaching is of the type which will be safe and sane in the generations days ahead of rethinking and reconstruction. - W.L. McSwain."
According to the Biblical Recorder, March 31, 1948, page 7 - Thaburn Lawson McSwain, son of Pastor W.L. McSwain of Glen Alpine Church, Catawba River Association, was ordained to the ministry in the Glen Alpine Church on Sunday afternoon, February 29.1948.
According to the History of First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine, NC - Major changes were made at the church in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Water was put into the church, new pews were bought, carpet installed and beautiful paneling for the baptistry was donated by Mr. & Mrs. R.S. Ragan.
Polio was another killer during these years and the fifties. Children were often quarantined because of this dread disease. Records state that when Rev. W.L. McSwain was pastor attendance was down because of the polio epedemic. These were children under twelve years of age.
In 1949 the churches in Glen Alpine began having joint Thanksgiving services which have become a tradition in our community.
By recommendation of the deacons, the church voted on February 27, 1955 that the name of the church, Glen Alpine Baptist Church, be changed to First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine.
From there he went to Kings Mountain, North Carolina to:
David Baptist Church (1949 - 1952) and Allen Memorial Baptist Church. He left in June 1953.
In July 1953 he went to Hollis, N.C. to Big Springs Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. He was at Big Springs Baptist Church from July 1953 - 1958. According to a phone message from Brenda Urban to Eldridge V. Cullum, IV on July 23, 2018 - Rev. William Lawrence McSwain was a well educated man and a very good musician. He could really get up a good musical service and he had a son and daughter who were both musicians. Brenda said that she lives next to the church. Her sister was friends with Joan McSwain. Brenda said that Rev. Lawrence McSwain played the Trumpet at church, and that he played every Easter. She thought that Grandmother Hester McSwain played the piano. She said that Joan and a brother of her's were both musicians. She thought Joan also played the piano. She said while Rev. Lawrence McSwain was pastor at BigSprings Baptist Church the church moved from an old Wooden Building to a new Brick Church Building, and that Joan McSwain was the first person to be baptized in the new church building.
He went to Little Union Baptist Church, in Unionville, Indiana near Bloomington. He was there from 1958 - June 1961. The church built a parsonage in 1961 and Lawrence & Hester were the first to live in the parsonage. The church is part of the American Baptist Convention Indiana/Kentucky. Wade and Micky McSwain know that when their daughter Susan was born in February 1962 that W.L. & Hester McSwain were living at Earl, North Carolina.
Eldridge (Ridge) Virginius Cullum, IV (son of Hilma Jean McSwain & Eldridge Virginius Cullum, III) recalls how his grandfather William Lawrence McSwain was a tall lanky gentleman. He spoke in a high voice. When Ridge and his family would come see his grandparents, Granddaddy McSwain would often say that Ridge needed a Haircut, and he would pull out his electric Clippers and give Ridge a quick Crew Cut. Granddaddy McSwain invented and built a gas powered motorized Wheel Barrel with a Fan Belt that would turn the wheels, and he would give his grandchildren a ride around the yard in it. Granddaddy McSwain was a prolific vegetable gardener. Ridge remembers seeing his granddaddy working in his garden growing Corn, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Potatoes, Squash, Cucumbers, Watermelon, etc. Granddaddy McSwain had a B.B. Gun which he hung above the Garage Door going into his Wood Working Shop. Ridge and the other grandchildren loved to shoot the B.B. Gun at various targets such as a lid of a container hung on the clothes line, or at tin cans on Cinder Blocks. Granddaddy McSwain had a Wood Working Shop adjacent to the garage with various electric saws and wood working chishels and tools, and he was a Master Craftsman in cutting out of wood and building various Windmills. The Windmills would turn showing the direction of the wind, and the propellers would turn in the wind like a propeller on an airplane, which in turn would cause motion of a figurine on the Windmill such as a Bird flapping its wings, or a woman churning a Butter Churn, or a Farmer bent over hoeing his garden, etc. making the sound of a gentle tapping of wood against wood as it worked in the wind. Granddaddy would paint the Windmills bright colors. These Windmills would be placed upon tall wooden posts which he constructed. He had several hung around his house. He would give them away as gifts. Mom would get one from time to time for our family. Ridge remembers entering a Pinewood Derby Car Race when he was a Cub Scout. He got a prepackaged kit containing the block of Pine Wood. Ridge's mom got Granddaddy McSwain to cut him out a Race Car out of that block of wood and Granddaddy helped him make a Pinewood Derby Race Car. It was painted red and it was a fast car that won several races. Ridge & his sister Candice remember that Granddaddy kept cases of bottled Sun Drop Soft Drinks in the Garage, and they remember helping themselves to drinks there.
Ridge remembers his Grandfather had a desk in his Den at home with a Lamp that could bend to shine on a document, and an old black manual typewriter where Granddaddy could study at home and type his sermons & letters. Ridge and the other grandchildren used to play on the typewriter. Ridge has a memory of seeing a Trumpet in a case and his mother telling him that Granddaddy played "Taps" on the Bugle in World War 1. Ridge fondly recalls his Grandfather serving he and his sisters large glasses of delicious cold Coca Cola Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream which Grandfather called "Jissim Jazzum." Ridge remembers his Grandfather having breathing problems, and when Ridge was eleven years old his Grandfather McSwain died in 1967 from Emphysema though he never smoked in his life. He died in Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Ridge remembers the Reception of Friends before the funeral was held in the Living Room at the house of Granddaddy and Grandmother McSwain. The Casket was displayed in the Living Room surrounded by Flowers and many dressed up people came by the home to express their condolences.
Ridge remembers his mother telling him that she used to travel to the various churches with her dad when he would pastor several churches at the same time, and she would play the piano for the worship services. Grandaddy pastored churches during the Great Depression. Sometimes the churches would not be able to pay him financially, but after services were over, Granddaddy wouild find bags of vegetables and produce and perhaps a chicken in his car given by the church members. Granddaddy instituted in churches during the Great Depression what was known as "The Lord's Acre." Farmers would plant and grow vegetables on this acre which were then sold and the proceeds were given to the church.
On his Gravestone there is a Masonic Symbol, so he was a Mason.
William Lawrence McSwain graduated from Boiling Springs High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
According to Ancestry.com on June 03, 2007
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about William Lawrence McSwain
Name: William Lawrence McSwain
City: Not Stated
County: Cleveland
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina; United States of America
Birth Date: 13 Nov 1895
Race: Caucasian (White)
Roll: 1765631
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 21
Married or single? Single
By whom employed? L.M. McSwain
Occupation: Farming
Where employed? Cleveland County
Nearest Relative:
What military service have you had? None
Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No
Tall, Medium, or short? Tall
Slender, Medium, or stout? Medium
Color of Eyes? Brown
Color of Hair? Dark Brown
Bald? No
Precinct: Earl
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Date of Registration: June 05, 1917
Signature:
Source Citation: Registration Location: Cleveland County, North Carolina; Roll: 1765631; Draft Board: 0.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
He registered for the Draft into World War 1 as a single man with a background in Farming on June 5, 1917. The war lasted until November 11, 1918.
Joel Whitten told Ridge Cullum that William Lawrence McSwain, was Joel's father - Joel Branch Whitten, Senior's Chaplain in World War I in France.
He graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1924. He married Hester Samantha Bingham in June 1924.
He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky with a Th.M. Degree in 1927.
Ridge Cullum remembers his mother telling him about her dad William Lawrence McSwain when he and grandmother lived at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He would make some money on the side as a student cutting hair for people. He had a real sense of humor, because there were times he would kid fellow students by telling them they needed to change the air in their car tires to keep them fresh and running smooth. And another joke he would tell people would be to ask people if they saw those tall trees in the distance, and when they said that they did, he would ask them if they believed he could take off his shoes and and run and jump over them! They would not believe that, then he would take off his shoes and run and jump over his shoes!
After graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lawrence McSwain became a pastor in Harmony, North Carolina from June 10, 1927 through December 1942. He was there 15 years. He held a field of 5 churches, they were:
Harmony Baptist Church (his home church)
Ijames Crossroads Baptist Church
Cool Springs Baptist Church
New Hope Baptist Church
Society Baptist Church
According to The History of Harmony Baptist Church document page 3 - "In 1927, Rev. and Mrs. W.L. McSwain organized a Training Union, and then called Baptist Young People Union (BYPU). Mrs. McSwain also organized the Young Women's Auxiliary for young girls and in 1933; Mrs. R.H. Lankford organized the Girls Auxiliary (GA's). The church continued its progress under the leadershipo of Rev. McSwain. He served a field of five churches, Harmony, Society, Cool Springs, New Hope, and Ijames Crossroads. There were a number of baptisms during Rev. McSwain's tenure. The baptisms were held at Barnards Mill or the baptismal at New Hope. The 1937 budget was $804.00 yearly with the pastor being paid $416.00. Rev. McSwain preached his farewell sermon December 1941 having served 14 years, 8 months and 21 days."
From there he went to Glen Alpine Baptist Church (in Glen Alpine, N.C.) from 1941 - 1949.
According to the Biblical Recorder, Wednesday, September 13, 1944, page 13 - "Evangelist G.G. Lanter Assists Rev. W.L. McSwain at Glen Alpine. Beginning Sunday, August 13th, and continuing until August 24th, the Glen Alpine Church experienced a great spiritual feast. Rev. G.G. Lanter of Winston-Salem, evangelist and Bible expositor par excellence, assisted the pastor, Rev. W.L. McSwain, in both morning and evening services. There were many reconsececrations and additions to the church by both letter and baptism. The results were gratifying when we consider that because of epidemic restrictions we could have only a partial congregation. Mr. Lanter is a great student of the Bible and a powerful expositor. His preaching is of the type which will be safe and sane in the generations days ahead of rethinking and reconstruction. - W.L. McSwain."
According to the Biblical Recorder, March 31, 1948, page 7 - Thaburn Lawson McSwain, son of Pastor W.L. McSwain of Glen Alpine Church, Catawba River Association, was ordained to the ministry in the Glen Alpine Church on Sunday afternoon, February 29.1948.
According to the History of First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine, NC - Major changes were made at the church in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Water was put into the church, new pews were bought, carpet installed and beautiful paneling for the baptistry was donated by Mr. & Mrs. R.S. Ragan.
Polio was another killer during these years and the fifties. Children were often quarantined because of this dread disease. Records state that when Rev. W.L. McSwain was pastor attendance was down because of the polio epedemic. These were children under twelve years of age.
In 1949 the churches in Glen Alpine began having joint Thanksgiving services which have become a tradition in our community.
By recommendation of the deacons, the church voted on February 27, 1955 that the name of the church, Glen Alpine Baptist Church, be changed to First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine.
From there he went to Kings Mountain, North Carolina to:
David Baptist Church (1949 - 1952) and Allen Memorial Baptist Church. He left in June 1953.
In July 1953 he went to Hollis, N.C. to Big Springs Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. He was at Big Springs Baptist Church from July 1953 - 1958. According to a phone message from Brenda Urban to Eldridge V. Cullum, IV on July 23, 2018 - Rev. William Lawrence McSwain was a well educated man and a very good musician. He could really get up a good musical service and he had a son and daughter who were both musicians. Brenda said that she lives next to the church. Her sister was friends with Joan McSwain. Brenda said that Rev. Lawrence McSwain played the Trumpet at church, and that he played every Easter. She thought that Grandmother Hester McSwain played the piano. She said that Joan and a brother of her's were both musicians. She thought Joan also played the piano. She said while Rev. Lawrence McSwain was pastor at BigSprings Baptist Church the church moved from an old Wooden Building to a new Brick Church Building, and that Joan McSwain was the first person to be baptized in the new church building.
He went to Little Union Baptist Church, in Unionville, Indiana near Bloomington. He was there from 1958 - June 1961. The church built a parsonage in 1961 and Lawrence & Hester were the first to live in the parsonage. The church is part of the American Baptist Convention Indiana/Kentucky. Wade and Micky McSwain know that when their daughter Susan was born in February 1962 that W.L. & Hester McSwain were living at Earl, North Carolina.
Eldridge (Ridge) Virginius Cullum, IV (son of Hilma Jean McSwain & Eldridge Virginius Cullum, III) recalls how his grandfather William Lawrence McSwain was a tall lanky gentleman. He spoke in a high voice. When Ridge and his family would come see his grandparents, Granddaddy McSwain would often say that Ridge needed a Haircut, and he would pull out his electric Clippers and give Ridge a quick Crew Cut. Granddaddy McSwain invented and built a gas powered motorized Wheel Barrel with a Fan Belt that would turn the wheels, and he would give his grandchildren a ride around the yard in it. Granddaddy McSwain was a prolific vegetable gardener. Ridge remembers seeing his granddaddy working in his garden growing Corn, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Potatoes, Squash, Cucumbers, Watermelon, etc. Granddaddy McSwain had a B.B. Gun which he hung above the Garage Door going into his Wood Working Shop. Ridge and the other grandchildren loved to shoot the B.B. Gun at various targets such as a lid of a container hung on the clothes line, or at tin cans on Cinder Blocks. Granddaddy McSwain had a Wood Working Shop adjacent to the garage with various electric saws and wood working chishels and tools, and he was a Master Craftsman in cutting out of wood and building various Windmills. The Windmills would turn showing the direction of the wind, and the propellers would turn in the wind like a propeller on an airplane, which in turn would cause motion of a figurine on the Windmill such as a Bird flapping its wings, or a woman churning a Butter Churn, or a Farmer bent over hoeing his garden, etc. making the sound of a gentle tapping of wood against wood as it worked in the wind. Granddaddy would paint the Windmills bright colors. These Windmills would be placed upon tall wooden posts which he constructed. He had several hung around his house. He would give them away as gifts. Mom would get one from time to time for our family. Ridge remembers entering a Pinewood Derby Car Race when he was a Cub Scout. He got a prepackaged kit containing the block of Pine Wood. Ridge's mom got Granddaddy McSwain to cut him out a Race Car out of that block of wood and Granddaddy helped him make a Pinewood Derby Race Car. It was painted red and it was a fast car that won several races. Ridge & his sister Candice remember that Granddaddy kept cases of bottled Sun Drop Soft Drinks in the Garage, and they remember helping themselves to drinks there.
Ridge remembers his Grandfather had a desk in his Den at home with a Lamp that could bend to shine on a document, and an old black manual typewriter where Granddaddy could study at home and type his sermons & letters. Ridge and the other grandchildren used to play on the typewriter. Ridge has a memory of seeing a Trumpet in a case and his mother telling him that Granddaddy played "Taps" on the Bugle in World War 1. Ridge fondly recalls his Grandfather serving he and his sisters large glasses of delicious cold Coca Cola Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream which Grandfather called "Jissim Jazzum." Ridge remembers his Grandfather having breathing problems, and when Ridge was eleven years old his Grandfather McSwain died in 1967 from Emphysema though he never smoked in his life. He died in Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Ridge remembers the Reception of Friends before the funeral was held in the Living Room at the house of Granddaddy and Grandmother McSwain. The Casket was displayed in the Living Room surrounded by Flowers and many dressed up people came by the home to express their condolences.
Ridge remembers his mother telling him that she used to travel to the various churches with her dad when he would pastor several churches at the same time, and she would play the piano for the worship services. Grandaddy pastored churches during the Great Depression. Sometimes the churches would not be able to pay him financially, but after services were over, Granddaddy wouild find bags of vegetables and produce and perhaps a chicken in his car given by the church members. Granddaddy instituted in churches during the Great Depression what was known as "The Lord's Acre." Farmers would plant and grow vegetables on this acre which were then sold and the proceeds were given to the church.
On his Gravestone there is a Masonic Symbol, so he was a Mason.
According to Ancestry.com on June 03, 2007
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about William Lawrence McSwain
Name: William Lawrence McSwain
City: Not Stated
County: Cleveland
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina; United States of America
Birth Date: 13 Nov 1895
Race: Caucasian (White)
Roll: 1765631
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 21
Married or single? Single
By whom employed? L.M. McSwain
Occupation: Farming
Where employed? Cleveland County
Nearest Relative:
What military service have you had? None
Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No
Tall, Medium, or short? Tall
Slender, Medium, or stout? Medium
Color of Eyes? Brown
Color of Hair? Dark Brown
Bald? No
Precinct: Earl
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Date of Registration: June 05, 1917
Signature:
Source Citation: Registration Location: Cleveland County, North Carolina; Roll: 1765631; Draft Board: 0.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
He registered for the Draft into World War 1 as a single man with a background in Farming on June 5, 1917. The war lasted until November 11, 1918.
Joel Whitten told Ridge Cullum that William Lawrence McSwain, was Joel's father - Joel Branch Whitten, Senior's Chaplain in World War I in France.
He graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1924. He married Hester Samantha Bingham in June 1924.
He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky with a Th.M. Degree in 1927.
Ridge Cullum remembers his mother telling him about her dad William Lawrence McSwain when he and grandmother lived at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He would make some money on the side as a student cutting hair for people. He had a real sense of humor, because there were times he would kid fellow students by telling them they needed to change the air in their car tires to keep them fresh and running smooth. And another joke he would tell people would be to ask people if they saw those tall trees in the distance, and when they said that they did, he would ask them if they believed he could take off his shoes and and run and jump over them! They would not believe that, then he would take off his shoes and run and jump over his shoes!
After graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lawrence McSwain became a pastor in Harmony, North Carolina from June 10, 1927 through December 1942. He was there 15 years. He held a field of 5 churches, they were:
Harmony Baptist Church (his home church)
Ijames Crossroads Baptist Church
Cool Springs Baptist Church
New Hope Baptist Church
Society Baptist Church
According to The History of Harmony Baptist Church document page 3 - "In 1927, Rev. and Mrs. W.L. McSwain organized a Training Union, and then called Baptist Young People Union (BYPU). Mrs. McSwain also organized the Young Women's Auxiliary for young girls and in 1933; Mrs. R.H. Lankford organized the Girls Auxiliary (GA's). The church continued its progress under the leadershipo of Rev. McSwain. He served a field of five churches, Harmony, Society, Cool Springs, New Hope, and Ijames Crossroads. There were a number of baptisms during Rev. McSwain's tenure. The baptisms were held at Barnards Mill or the baptismal at New Hope. The 1937 budget was $804.00 yearly with the pastor being paid $416.00. Rev. McSwain preached his farewell sermon December 1941 having served 14 years, 8 months and 21 days."
From there he went to Glen Alpine Baptist Church (in Glen Alpine, N.C.) from 1941 - 1949.
According to the Biblical Recorder, Wednesday, September 13, 1944, page 13 - "Evangelist G.G. Lanter Assists Rev. W.L. McSwain at Glen Alpine. Beginning Sunday, August 13th, and continuing until August 24th, the Glen Alpine Church experienced a great spiritual feast. Rev. G.G. Lanter of Winston-Salem, evangelist and Bible expositor par excellence, assisted the pastor, Rev. W.L. McSwain, in both morning and evening services. There were many reconsececrations and additions to the church by both letter and baptism. The results were gratifying when we consider that because of epidemic restrictions we could have only a partial congregation. Mr. Lanter is a great student of the Bible and a powerful expositor. His preaching is of the type which will be safe and sane in the generations days ahead of rethinking and reconstruction. - W.L. McSwain."
According to the Biblical Recorder, March 31, 1948, page 7 - Thaburn Lawson McSwain, son of Pastor W.L. McSwain of Glen Alpine Church, Catawba River Association, was ordained to the ministry in the Glen Alpine Church on Sunday afternoon, February 29.1948.
According to the History of First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine, NC - Major changes were made at the church in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Water was put into the church, new pews were bought, carpet installed and beautiful paneling for the baptistry was donated by Mr. & Mrs. R.S. Ragan.
Polio was another killer during these years and the fifties. Children were often quarantined because of this dread disease. Records state that when Rev. W.L. McSwain was pastor attendance was down because of the polio epedemic. These were children under twelve years of age.
In 1949 the churches in Glen Alpine began having joint Thanksgiving services which have become a tradition in our community.
By recommendation of the deacons, the church voted on February 27, 1955 that the name of the church, Glen Alpine Baptist Church, be changed to First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine.
From there he went to Kings Mountain, North Carolina to:
David Baptist Church (1949 - 1952) and Allen Memorial Baptist Church. He left in June 1953.
In July 1953 he went to Hollis, N.C. to Big Springs Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. He was at Big Springs Baptist Church from July 1953 - 1958. According to a phone message from Brenda Urban to Eldridge V. Cullum, IV on July 23, 2018 - Rev. William Lawrence McSwain was a well educated man and a very good musician. He could really get up a good musical service and he had a son and daughter who were both musicians. Brenda said that she lives next to the church. Her sister was friends with Joan McSwain. Brenda said that Rev. Lawrence McSwain played the Trumpet at church, and that he played every Easter. She thought that Grandmother Hester McSwain played the piano. She said that Joan and a brother of her's were both musicians. She thought Joan also played the piano. She said while Rev. Lawrence McSwain was pastor at BigSprings Baptist Church the church moved from an old Wooden Building to a new Brick Church Building, and that Joan McSwain was the first person to be baptized in the new church building.
He went to Little Union Baptist Church, in Unionville, Indiana near Bloomington. He was there from 1958 - June 1961. The church built a parsonage in 1961 and Lawrence & Hester were the first to live in the parsonage. The church is part of the American Baptist Convention Indiana/Kentucky. Wade and Micky McSwain know that when their daughter Susan was born in February 1962 that W.L. & Hester McSwain were living at Earl, North Carolina.
Eldridge (Ridge) Virginius Cullum, IV (son of Hilma Jean McSwain & Eldridge Virginius Cullum, III) recalls how his grandfather William Lawrence McSwain was a tall lanky gentleman. He spoke in a high voice. When Ridge and his family would come see his grandparents, Granddaddy McSwain would often say that Ridge needed a Haircut, and he would pull out his electric Clippers and give Ridge a quick Crew Cut. Granddaddy McSwain invented and built a gas powered motorized Wheel Barrel with a Fan Belt that would turn the wheels, and he would give his grandchildren a ride around the yard in it. Granddaddy McSwain was a prolific vegetable gardener. Ridge remembers seeing his granddaddy working in his garden growing Corn, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Potatoes, Squash, Cucumbers, Watermelon, etc. Granddaddy McSwain had a B.B. Gun which he hung above the Garage Door going into his Wood Working Shop. Ridge and the other grandchildren loved to shoot the B.B. Gun at various targets such as a lid of a container hung on the clothes line, or at tin cans on Cinder Blocks. Granddaddy McSwain had a Wood Working Shop adjacent to the garage with various electric saws and wood working chishels and tools, and he was a Master Craftsman in cutting out of wood and building various Windmills. The Windmills would turn showing the direction of the wind, and the propellers would turn in the wind like a propeller on an airplane, which in turn would cause motion of a figurine on the Windmill such as a Bird flapping its wings, or a woman churning a Butter Churn, or a Farmer bent over hoeing his garden, etc. making the sound of a gentle tapping of wood against wood as it worked in the wind. Granddaddy would paint the Windmills bright colors. These Windmills would be placed upon tall wooden posts which he constructed. He had several hung around his house. He would give them away as gifts. Mom would get one from time to time for our family. Ridge remembers entering a Pinewood Derby Car Race when he was a Cub Scout. He got a prepackaged kit containing the block of Pine Wood. Ridge's mom got Granddaddy McSwain to cut him out a Race Car out of that block of wood and Granddaddy helped him make a Pinewood Derby Race Car. It was painted red and it was a fast car that won several races. Ridge & his sister Candice remember that Granddaddy kept cases of bottled Sun Drop Soft Drinks in the Garage, and they remember helping themselves to drinks there.
Ridge remembers his Grandfather had a desk in his Den at home with a Lamp that could bend to shine on a document, and an old black manual typewriter where Granddaddy could study at home and type his sermons & letters. Ridge and the other grandchildren used to play on the typewriter. Ridge has a memory of seeing a Trumpet in a case and his mother telling him that Granddaddy played "Taps" on the Bugle in World War 1. Ridge fondly recalls his Grandfather serving he and his sisters large glasses of delicious cold Coca Cola Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream which Grandfather called "Jissim Jazzum." Ridge remembers his Grandfather having breathing problems, and when Ridge was eleven years old his Grandfather McSwain died in 1967 from Emphysema though he never smoked in his life. He died in Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Ridge remembers the Reception of Friends before the funeral was held in the Living Room at the house of Granddaddy and Grandmother McSwain. The Casket was displayed in the Living Room surrounded by Flowers and many dressed up people came by the home to express their condolences.
Ridge remembers his mother telling him that she used to travel to the various churches with her dad when he would pastor several churches at the same time, and she would play the piano for the worship services. Grandaddy pastored churches during the Great Depression. Sometimes the churches would not be able to pay him financially, but after services were over, Granddaddy wouild find bags of vegetables and produce and perhaps a chicken in his car given by the church members. Granddaddy instituted in churches during the Great Depression what was known as "The Lord's Acre." Farmers would plant and grow vegetables on this acre which were then sold and the proceeds were given to the church.
On his Gravestone there is a Masonic Symbol, so he was a Mason.
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