Vinson Family History

GENERATION #1

Ezekiel 'Zeke' Vinson, was born March 18, 1791 in North Carolina. On November 24, 1808 in South Carolina, he married Mary 'Polly' Wallis. Polly was born on February 12, 1789 in South Carolina.

According to family history, Ezekiel came to Kentucky in about 1818. He kept the Canton toll gate during the Civil War and before Hopkinsville had a railroad. At that time, Canton was a thriving shipping point for tobacco raised in Christian County. The first toll gate was near Canton, and Zeke was the first toll gate keeper. The charge was 5 cents.

Zeke and Polly had twelve children blessed to their marriage: William 1809-?, Benjamin 1810-?, Sarah 1811-?, Elizabeth 'Betsey' 1812-?, Elander 1815-1815, James 1816-1888, Coleman C. 1818-1879, Ezekiel 1821-1891, Thomas 1823-1904, Mary 1825-1881, *Riley 1827-1904, and Martha Frances 1828-?.

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GENERATION #2

*Riley Vinson, the son of Ezekiel and Mary, was born in Trigg County, Kentucky on March 29, 1827. On February 11, 1846 in Stewart County, Tennessee, he married Anna S. Herndon. Anna was born March 4, 1828.

Riley was a farmer and blacksmith. In 1850, he and his family were once again living in Trigg County, Kentucky. Riley was a chartered member of the Linton Methodist Church. Riley died on November 13, 1904 and was buried in the Herndon Cemetery in Trigg County, Kentucky. Anna died on May 26, 1896 and is also buried in the Herndon Cemetery.

Together they had eight children: Parazade Jane 1847-?, Alexander M. 1849-?, Younger 1851-?, Ezekiel 1853-?, J. D. 1855-?, *Elazane Moela 'Lainie' 1859-1915, Idella 'Ida' Douglas 1861-1919, and Mary 'Mollie' F. 1863-?.

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GENERATION #3

*Elazane Moela 'Lainie' Vinson, daughter of Riley and Anna, was born May 17, 1859. In 1879, she married Willis O. Champion, the son of Orville and Mary S. Herndon Champion.

Lainie died on November 27, 1915 of Typhoid Fever. She suffered only a short while from this, before her death. The onset of the illness was November 9, 1915. Lainie is buried in the Champion Family Cemetery, next to her husband Willis. Willis died on May 17, 1906.

During their years together, they had ten children: K.B. 1879-1897, *Chester Dare 1881-1965, Alex Dermont 1883-1957, Willie Pearl 1885-1908, Hollie S. 1889-1965, Augusta Pearl 1891-1984, Riley Orval 1893-1928, Flossie E. 1895-1969, Herman B. 1898-1912, and Joe Bale 'Bailey' 1900-1916.

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GENERATION #4

*Chester Dare Champion, was born on August 22, 1881 in Stewart County, Tennessee. On February 9, 1913, he married Harriet Ruth Outland. Harriet was born in Stewart County on May 14, 1891 to William Elbert and Frances Josephine Futrell Outland.

Chester was a farmer. He had alot of heartache in his life. He was the one that found his father on the backporch, when he had shot himself. Chester was also with his brother Bailey, when he was killed cutting down trees. He lost his sister Willie Pearl, who died at the young age of 22. Chester lost his beloved wife Harriett on October 14, 1960. They had been married 47 years. Chester went home to be with her on September 25, 1965. They are both buried in the Outland Family Cemetery in Land Between the Lakes.

Chester and Harriet Champion, had one son and four daughters.