January 9: Birthday of Wesley Biddle Notgrass (1915)
Prayer Idea
Pray for fathers and grandfathers to serve their families and set godly examples.
History Note
Wesley Biddle Notgrass was the only child of Earl and Maggie Notgrass. He was born on January 9, 1915, and reared in Columbia, Tennessee.
Maggie and Earl Notgrass with Baby Wesley (1915)
After high school, Wesley worked at Columbia’s Daily Herald newspaper. He also learned to tap dance and played in a band.
In the spring of 1941, Wesley received an invitation to join the U.S. military. This was before the United States entered World War II, so he thought he would only be joining for one year.
Four years, one month, and seven days later, Wesley returned to Columbia after traveling to New York to join the U.S. First Army, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to prepare for the Allied invasion of Europe, and landing in France the day after D-Day.
Wesley met and married his wife, Joan Kathleen May Clark, while stationed in England. They made their home in Columbia after the war and had two sons, Alan and Ray. Ray was named after Raymond C. Cooper, a friend of Wesley’s who died during the war.
Ray Notgrass grew up to become a minister and a homeschool curriculum writer. We are thankful for Wesley Biddle Notgrass and the legacy he left for our family.
Learn More
John Notgrass wrote this song in honor of his grandfather Wesley Notgrass and sang it at his funeral on March 21, 2007.
This video shows John performing the song at The Family Vision Library in St. Charles, Missouri, the following year.
At Homeschool History, you can watch John Notgrass tell Wesley’s life story using photographs and memorabilia. You can also explore more resources about World War II.
