Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Ocracoke Newsletter

We've published another Ocracoke Newsletter.

This month's article is the story of Major General Ira Thomas Wyche, or "Cousin Iry" as my father referred to him. Ira Wyche was born on Ocracoke in 1887. His parents were Rev. Lawrence Olin Wyche & Lorena Howard. After both of his parents died (his mother in 1897 & his father in 1900) he lived at the Hatteras Inlet Life Saving Station with his grandparents, Captain James W. & Zilphia Howard.

Ira Wyche entered West Point as a young man, and advanced steadily in the military. His stellar career included command of the 79th Infantry Division in WWII, including their invasion of France and advance into Germany until the war's end. He was later appointed Inspector General of the Army by President Harry S. Truman.

You can read the complete story of General Wyche here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092110.htm

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:39 AM

    How fun to check in on your site today while we are on Ocracoke! Will stop in soon! soulou

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  2. Anonymous3:21 PM

    From Garrish cousin-Unaware of your int.in my comment til now. Did read abt.Freener-amazed to find words spoken by my ggf about my ggm over l00 yrs ago. Callas Garrish b. before l880 was my gr.dad-g.mom was Ida Mae (not a native) Their only ch. Edith-b. abt l920 was my mom. They lived on Ocr.in the 20's & early 30's. Left for Phila.after 2 hurricanes wrecked house. Never met his fam. I was only 9 when he d. I949 of TB. Sadly-found nothing to prove he even existed -but he did-& I still miss him.

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  3. Anonymous6:26 PM

    Are the piers on the north end of the island the remains of the life saving station? They used to be in the water but they are on land now.

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  4. Ira's wife Mary Louise Dunn had an interesting great grandfather, Williamson Dunn. Google him.

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  5. Reading "Cousin Iry" reminded me of my great aunt named Ira Mae. Everyone called her "Are Mae"!
    -Mandy

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  6. The pilings at the north end of Ocracoke are, indeed, the only remaining evidence of the US Life Saving Station that once stood there.

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  7. For our other readers who may be interested in the Ocracoke Island expression, "Too late, I've done promised Freener," you can read more here:http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news070101.htm

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  8. Anonymous6:34 PM

    For anyone who is interested if finding a long, lost relative...Go to the Ancestry.com website. I have found relatives that i didn't know that I had, and it also has lots of interesting information. Records can date back to the mid 1600's. Worth the minor investment! Good luck with your investigation..

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  9. Anonymous8:00 AM

    your stories of the lifesaving station and the Wyche's were part of the best night of our week in Ocracoke! Thank you Phillip for such a great evening....my diastematic sister and I are still talking about it!

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  10. I'm glad you enjoyed the stories! Your group was great to work with...in no small measure because you and your sister were part of it. Thanks for the kind words.

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