Few places on earth display such grand and awesome beauty as the mountains of Western North Carolina. It is little wonder that religious-freedom-loving people were attracted to Macon County.
Long before it was Macon County, pioneers of Scotch-Irish, German, and other European descent were drawn to this land. They found an opportunity to live free from religious persecution and oppressive governments. They were strong-willed, hard-working people determined to make a better life for their family. Their strong faith in God and love for each other was all they needed to carve out a home in the rough mountain land.
Such is the story of Jimmy W. Ledford and Martha Carpenter Ledford. They raised a family and taught their children to trust in God and how to live off the land by hard work and common sense. Their second son, Miller David Ledford, was born May 21, 1875. As a young man, he felt the need to help his family, which required him to find work away from home.
One day, Miller and two friends on foot headed west over the rough Smoky Mountains to Knoxville, Tenn. Along the way, Miller’s two friends turned back, but Miller continued on to Knoxville. He found work and was able to send money home to his family and save enough to purchase a tract of land at the end of Setser Branch in southern Macon County.
Miller cut a wagon road through the wilderness and built a log cabin. In 1897, he married Lula Annie Stanfield and started a family. They had five daughters: Edna, Vernie, Lillian, Queenie, and Alvie. They also had three sons: Ellsworth, Lake, and Claude. Miller, a devout Christian, passed away at the age of 89 on Feb. 12, 1964.
Claude Monroe Ledford was born on Sept. 1, 1907. He grew up on the farm and became a skilled carpenter. In 1935, at the age of 28, Claude was called to preach. He delivered his first sermon at Gillespie Chapel Baptist Church. Claude went on to pastor at Pleasant Hill, Black Mountain, Prentiss, Rose Creek, North Clayton, Calvary, Scaly Mountain, West Franklin, Coweeta, and West Union.
In the early days, travel in Macon County was by horse, mule, or foot. There were few automobiles and no paved roads. So, for a preacher to pastor a church 10 miles or more from home was a challenge. Claude had a mission to preach the gospel and not even the devil himself would stop him.
Along the way, he met Miss Effie Byrd, fell in love, and married. This was the beginning of many years together and the blessing of a large family.
The times were hard during the Great Depression years and World War II. Claude’s ministry was so vital to many people through sickness, death, and despair; Claude ministered to every need. During that difficult time, Claude’s pay would consist of a fat hen, eggs, ham, or whatever the congregation could share. Claude and Effie found a way to feed their children and thanked God for it.
In the later years, life became easier for the aging preacher as he purchased a car and improvements were made to the region’s roads. With the exception of the birth of his children, the highlight of Claude’s life was a trip to Israel and a tour of the Holy Lands. It made a lasting impression on Claude to have walked the same paths as Jesus.
Claude’s ministry spanned more than 50 years in Macon County. He conducted thousands of funerals and marriage ceremonies and made many trips to hospitals and rest homes. A long life of service and a life well lived – he leaves a legacy of love for his family, his fellow man, and the thousands of people God touched by using this good and faithful servant.