Thomas Madden Cathcart, Sr.
1892-1944
High School Photo?
Thomas Madden Cathcart was born on 24 May, 1892, in Winnsboro, South Carolina; son of John Sterling Cathcart and Maggie Elizabeth Foster.1 Thomas spent is early years with his family in Winnsboro—apparently remaining there until he went off to college at Clemson.
Thomas graduated from Clemson College2 in June of 1915, with a degree in
Horticulture. According to the entry in his Clemson senior yearbook:
Clemson Cadet
Circa 1913
"'Kitty' or 'Squire,' came to us from historic Winnsboro, in the fall of '11. Since entering Clemson, he has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge, attainted high military standing, an caused the 'mailman' no end of trouble. He has the 'rep' of receiving more mail that any other cadet in College. 'Kitty is a typical ladies' man, a fine athlete, and and all-'round good fellow.
In June of 1917, Thomas registered for the World War I draft.
Interestingly, he signed his name as a Junior. However, Thomas was not
a Junior, and his son Thomas Madden Cathcart, Jr. would not be born until
October of 1918.
It would appear that he used "Junior" because there was another Thomas Madden Cathcart living in the same town of Winnsboro in 1917— when he filled out his draft card. In fact, the two were second cousins. The other Thomas Madden (1858-1944) being a grandson of Samuel Cathcart, Sr. of the "Big 4" Cathcart brothers.3
On the 22nd of December, 1917 (six months after completing his World War I draft card), Thomas was married to Eloise Maxwell Sloan. The service took place at the Holy Trinity Church in Clemson, South Carolina. Eloise was born on 17 April 1897, daughter of Henry Augustus and Hattie Greene (Smith) Sloan, Sr.
On 29 October 1918 Thomas and Eloise's had their first child: Thomas Madden Cathcart, Jr. Tragically, Eloise would pass away three days later, on 1 November 1918—obviously due to complications from the birth of her first child.
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| Thomas mid-1930s? |
According to my aunt, Jean Cathcart Thomas, "Mama and Daddy met when she was working in Kingstree, SC for the Red Cross and Daddy was working for Clemson as a County Agent." I'm not sure of the exact dates here, but we know that on the 18th of July, 1922, Thomas married Daisy Bennett Varn in Summerville, South Carolina.
After the marriage, Thomas was transferred to St. George, in Dorchester County, South Carolina; where all three of their children would be born. This is where we find the family in the 1930 census–– on Frederic Street. Daisy must have been about 3 to 4 months pregnant with my Aunt Jean when the census was enumerated in April of that year, as she was born on 12 September 1930.
1930 census: St. George, Dorchester, South Carolina
The family moved to Bishopville in about 1931, where Thomas worked as a County Agent. Around 1940, Thomas accepted the Job as Manager of a government project called "Ashwood" (about seven miles from Bishopville).4
1940 census: Ashwood Resettlement Project (part of Mechanicsville District),
Lee, South Carolina
The 1940 census enumeration for Thomas and his family raises more questions than it answers. First of all, 21-year-old Thomas Madden Cathcart, Jr. is listed as absent—but he is also listed as absent in his grandfather's enumeration. Since Thomas Junior was listed with his grandparents in both 1920 and 1930, we must assume that he spent most of his time with his grandparents, as opposed to his father.
The next mystery is an explanation for the absence of 10-year-old daughter, Jean. I have no idea why she is not enumerated with the rest of her family... this was an unexpected surprise!
Continuing with the 1940 census, we see the Thomas's renting his home for
$15 a month. The census shows that he and his wife Daisy have finished
college, and that Thomas' son, Thomas Jr. (again from his first marriage),
has finished three years of college. We know that Thomas Madden
Cathcart, Jr. would go on to graduate from Clemson in 1940—but would not
have finished by the time of this April 1940 enumeration. John Varn
Cathcart will likewise be finishing his high school education this year,
since this census indicates that he is finished three years of high school.
12-year-old
James Foster Cathcart is currently in the sixth grade. This census
also confirms that the family was living in Bishopville in April 1935.
Finally, Thomas' occupation is listed as "Community Manager, Resettlement
Farms."
The family remained at Ashwood for about four years, until Thomas became ill with typhus fever. He was under a physician's care at the hospital in Camden until his death on November 19, 1944.5 Thomas is buried at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bishopville.
After Thomas' death, Daisy and the rest of the family moved back to Bishopville, where Daisy lived until her death in 1975.
- In 1941, Thomas' parents submitted and signed a South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificate for their son. Click here. South Carolina did not require birth certificates until 1911. One of the benefits of these delayed birth certificates, was that it allowed for proof of eligibility for Social Security benefits.
- Clemson opened in 1893, graduating its first class in 1896. It did not become "Clemson University" until 1964.
- I use the term "Big Four" to identify before Cathcart brothers, which are part of my line: James, John, Matthew, and Samuel. Click here for more information.
- The Ashwood Rural Organized Community was one of
many of President Roosevelt's "New Deal" programs designed to help the
country recover from the Great Depression. according to an
Internet article,, "The idea was to build an agricultural community
complete with all the educational, social and economic support needed to
be successful. The government built houses and barns, schools, churches,
social facilities and related agriculture industry. More than 100
families were chosen to move to the new community — people who were
poor, of good character and willing to work hard to succeed."
Click here for a 1940 map showing enumeration districts—and the relative location of the Ashwood Resettlement Project and Bishopville. - According to his death certificate, Thomas died of complications from typhus fever. Although the death certificate does not list his residence, it does list his occupation as "Ashwood supervisor." click here for image
Thomas Madden Cathcart, Jr.
1918-1965
Thomas "Duck" Madden Cathcart, Jr.
Clemson Class of 1940 -- Senior Year Photo
Thomas served with distinction during the second world war in the Pacific theater. He was awarded a Bronze Star.
Major Thomas Cathcart praised by Commander
With the 24th Infantry (Victory) Division, Maj. Thomas M Cathcart, Jr. has
been warmly commended by his regimental commander for his part in the
history-making sweep of this Victory Division across Mindanao, last
remaining Japanese stronghold in the Philippines.
Major Cathcart was executive officer of one of the crack 34th Infantry
Regiments battalions when it landed at Parang, Mindanao, said Col. William W
Jenna. When the battalion commander was taken ill, major Cathcart assumed
command. Handicapped by confusion and congestion at the beach, he
nevertheless grouped his battalion, moved it swiftly and efficiently, with
almost incredible speed to the Ford area.
Two days later, the battalion led the regiment's (and the division's)
advance. It ran into a maze of pillboxes and trenches which presented a
serious obstacle. Major Cathcart, from a position with his leading elements
personally directed the assault. His cool and calm action and his excellent
judgment resulted in the forced withdrawal of the enemy and reopened the
root of advance. Again, when the battalion was charged with the security and
the defense of the Padada airstrip, it was due to the thorough planning of
major Cathcart, that the mission was accomplished with the highest
effectiveness. Throughout the operation, his sense of responsibility towards
his officers and men has been an inspiration to all.
[Likely a transcription of a newspaper article]
Florence Morning News; Florence, South
Carolina; 17 July 1965; page 2
John Varn Cathcart, first child of Thomas Madden Cathcart and his second wife, Daisy Bennett Varn,was born in St. George, Dorchester County, South Carolina, on 23rd of November, 1923.
1943 Clemson Yearbook, sophomore year
San Fernando, La Union, Luzon, Philippines.
About 1946
John returned to Clemson University and graduated with honors in 1947. During his senior year, he was president of Phi Kappa Phi (national honor society), Master alchemist of the Alpha Chi Sigma (national professional honorary chemical fraternity).
1947 Clemson yearbook. (note that John is in the top two photos. Below
John, is his classmate and second cousin, Richard Sease Cathcart, Jr.)
James Foster Cathcart
1928-2009
James Foster Cathcart was bornon 6 February 1928 in Saint George, Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Shortly after VE day ( Victory in Europe during World War II), he served in Germany.
He graduated from Clemson in 1951.
Clemson yearbook 1951, senior year
Jean Elizabeth Cathcart
1930-2009