Whipkey Homestead off White Pine had little flat land
Kenneth and Gladys Kelley Whipkey marriage photo
1928, raised their four depression era children there
Whipkey children in front of depression era homestead
By Bob Weaver 2023
The Whipkey Homestead off White Pine Road would have tales to tell, according to current owner David Shreve, the house likely built in the early 1900s, a 100 acre farm with not enough flatland to stir up a dust.
Kenneth (1908-1990) and Gladys Kelley Whipkey (1909-2002) married in 1929 and lived in the house since the start of the Great Depression, rearing their family. Their children, Mary Lee, Edna, Kenneth Jr. and Francis.
Kenneth Whipkey was the son of Phillip David and Mary Dame Kight Whipkey, his wife she was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Della Grimm Kelley.
"They never threw anything away, stuffing the house and outbuildings with "keepies," said Shreve, likely due their frugal depression era gene, canning and curing food to be housed in a large cellar.
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Huge cellar still standing
House walls covered with newspapers and layers of wallpaper
Property has numerous outbuildings, collapsing
At least three of Whipkey's brothers were World War I veterans
The original family attended the Slab Fork one
room school located on Laurel Creek, photo 1913
[The photo above and below text is a newspaper clipping, the date is unknown]
Lina Barr of White Pine has saved this picture dated Nov. 13, 1913, showing students at the Slab school. The school was located on Laurel Creek on what was known as the Billy Ayers bottom, near the old residence of the late John F. Ferguson. The location now belongs to the Barr family of White Pine. Mrs. Barr was also able to name all those in the picture.
First row, left to right: Cleo Gainer. Susie Grimm Wilt, Hollene Wease, Lina Kelley Barr. Violet Grimm Roberts, Jack Ferguson and Virgil Kelley: second row: Playford Wease, Rene Grimm White, Eula Ferguson, Carl Gainer, John Wease, Noel Grimm, Rome Ferguson; back row: Lem Kelley, Willie Ayers, teacher Pearl Smith, Harley Grimm, Edna Ferguson Swanson, Burl Gainer, Doyle Gainer and Victor Gainer.
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