Charlie May (Hogue) Fletcher (1897 - 1977)

Born 17 Aug 1897 in Old Piney, Drew, Arkansas, United States

Wife of Walter Bernard Lowenstein — married 28 Dec 1920 (to 6 Aug 1923) in Shelby, Tennessee, United States

Wife of Howard Jacob Simon — married 15 Sep 1926 (to 22 Nov 1936) in Paris, France

Wife of John Gould Fletcher Jr — married 18 Jan 1936 in Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

Died 21 Mar 1977 at age 79 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Charlie (Hogue) Fletcher is Notable.

Charlie May Hogue, better known under her pen name Charlie May Simon, is a notable figure due to her significant contributions to the literary world. As an accomplished author, she wrote 27 books throughout her career, showcasing her diverse talents in children's literature and biography. Her works not only captivated readers, but also garnered critical acclaim, earning her prestigious awards such as the Albert Schweitzer Book Prize and the Jewish Book Club award. Moreover, her autobiography, "Johnswood," provided a unique glimpse into her personal life and marriage to renowned poet John Gould Fletcher. Hogue's ability to weave compelling narratives and delve into a wide range of subjects solidifies her status as one of Arkansas' leading literary figures, leaving a lasting legacy for readers and aspiring writers alike.

Charlie May Hogue, an accomplished author and biographer, was born on August 17, 1897, in Old Piney, Drew County, Arkansas, near Monticello. She was the daughter of Charles "Charlie" Waymon Hogue and Mary Jackson (Gill) Hogue.^[1] Throughout her life, Charlie May Hogue embarked on various journeys, experienced personal triumphs and losses, and made significant contributions to the literary world.

In 1900, Charlie May Hogue lived on Theobold Street in Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi.^[2] The following decade found her living on Looney Avenue in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, according to the 1910 census.^[3] It was during this time that her passion for art began to flourish.

In 1914, Charlie May Hogue's artistic talent gained recognition when she won an international art contest held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The competition, sponsored by the crayon company and under the direction of the School Arts Magazine, was open to school pupils from the United States and Canada.^[4]

By 1920, Charlie May Hogue had moved to Keel Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, where she worked as a typist for an oil company.^[5] It was during this period that she married Walter Bernard Lowenstein on December 28, 1920, in Shelby County, Tennessee.^[6] After their marriage, the couple relocated to Atherton, San Mateo County, California. Tragically, Walter passed away on August 6, 1923, leaving Charlie May a widow.^[7]

After her husband's death, Charlie May Hogue embarked on extensive travel. In 1925, she returned from Honolulu, Hawaii, to San Francisco, California, aboard the ship Manoa.^[8] Subsequently, she traveled to France, where in 1926, while in Paris, she met and married the artist and illustrator Howard Simon on September 15, 1926. The couple exchanged vows in Paris, France, and later departed from Cherbourg, France, arriving in New York City, New York, aboard the ship Leviathan. Upon their return to the United States, Charlie May and Howard briefly resided in New York City, before settling outside of Russellville, Arkansas, on a homestead without electricity or running water. It was during this time that Charlie May published her first three books under the pen name Charlie May Simon: "Robin on the Mountain" (1934), "Lost Corner" (1935), and "Teeny Gay" (1936), with Howard providing illustrations for all three.^[9]

Although Charlie May and Howard divorced on November 22, 1936, in Perry County, Arkansas^[10], Howard continued to illustrate her books well into the 1940s.^[9] Not long after the divorce, Charlie May Hogue encountered and married John Gould Fletcher, an Arkansas poet who would later win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1939. The couple married on January 19, 1936, in Pulaski County, Arkansas.^[11] They settled in Little Rock, where they built a house overlooking the Arkansas River, naming it Johnswood. This became their residence until John's passing in 1950.^[9]

Throughout her life, Charlie May Hogue displayed a deep commitment to writing. In the 1940 census, she was listed as a writer while residing in Owen Township, Pulaski County, Arkansas.^[12] Her passion for writing continued in 1950, when she lived in Big Rock Township, Pulaski County, Arkansas^[13], and still worked as a writer. In 1953, she published "Johnswood," an autobiographical account of her marriage to John Gould Fletcher.^[9]

Charlie May Hogue's talent and dedication to literature earned her numerous accolades. In 1958, she received the Albert Schweitzer Book Prize for her biography "A Seed Shall Serve" (1958), which focused on the Japanese spiritual leader Kagawa Toyohiko. Additionally, her works encompassed a wide range of topics, including "Straw in the Sun," "All Men are Brothers," and "Faith has Need of All the Truth." In 1970, the Arkansas Department of Education established the Charlie May Simon Award, honoring her contributions to outstanding children's literature.^[9]

Charlie May Hogue passed away on March 21, 1977, in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.^[14] She was buried at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas.^[15] Throughout her career, she wrote 27 books, making her one of Arkansas' leading literary figures. While she achieved fame for her children's books, her prowess as a biographer also garnered recognition. From writing about philosopher-musician-physician Albert Schweitzer to the crown prince and princess of Japan, Charlie May Hogue left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Her legacy continues to inspire and captivate readers, ensuring that her contributions to literature will be cherished for generations to come.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1897 Ancestry Record 61774 #834604
2. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Greenville, Washington, Mississippi; Roll: 832; Page: 23; Enumeration District: 0082 Ancestry Record 7602 #28509222
3. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Memphis Ward 9, Shelby, Tennessee; Roll: T624_1520; Page: 3a; Enumeration District: 0158; FHL microfilm: 1375533 Ancestry Record 7884 #136435098
4. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, 26 Nov 1914, Thu. - Page 6. "Memphis Girls Win - Four Draw Prizes in International Contect." 6 Jul 2023.
5. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Memphis Ward 9, Shelby, Tennessee; Roll: T625_1763; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 117 Ancestry Record 6061 #22012437
6. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, 29 Dec 1920, Wed. - Page 7. "Lowenstein-Hogue Marriage." Accessed 6 Jul 2023.
7. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Peninsula Times Tribune, Palo Alto, California, 28 Aug 1923, Tue. - Page 4. "Tribute Paid to Walter Lowenstein." Accessed 6 Jul 2023.
8. ↑ Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1900-1959: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At Honolulu, Hawaii, Compiled 02/13/1900 - 12/30/1953; NAI Number: A3422; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: RG 85 Ancestry Record 1502 #1975214
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5} Britannica Kids, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2023. "Charlie May Simon Biography." Accessed 6 Jul 2023.
10. ↑ Arkansas, Divorces, 1923-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Divorces; Year: 1936; Film Number: 2 Ancestry Record 61776 #380465
11. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1936; Film: #8 Ancestry Record 61775 #90564479
12. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Owen, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00170; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 60-121B Ancestry Record 2442 #102064385
13. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Big Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: 4198; Sheet Number: 3; Enumeration District: 60-11 Ancestry Record 62308 #32450588
14. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #19627162
15. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20225/charlie-may-simon: accessed 06 July 2023), memorial page for Charlie May Simon (17 Aug 1897–21 Mar 1977), Find A Grave: Memorial #20225, citing Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.