Letter - Click Family History

Note from contributor, Jami:
"This letter was sent to my grandmother, Mina Evelyn Cohee Davis. Her grandmother, Mina Jane Click Cohee, was the daughter of Nicholas Click and Sarah Pavey. David Dunlap Cohee, Mina Jane (Jenny) Click's husband kept a diary every day for 62 years and gathered together quite a bit of Click family history as well as Cohee family history. The letter (photocopy of an original) is somewhat difficult to decipher; question marks denote questionable transcription. While I was transcribing, I figured out that the "cousin John Daniel" referred to in the letter is probably the author of the letter, JD Hodges. I sent the transcript to a Click researcher in North Carolina and he confirmed that JD Hodges was likely John Daniel Hodges."

Mocksville, NC
Aug 15, 1930

Dear little cousin:

your splendid letter of the 13th __ [unreadable word] received today-15th-a quick trip. I was, indeed, delighted to get such a nice letter and that, too, from a young lady. I always did like to get letters from pretty girls. It pleases me yet. It was all the more pleasing because it was written by a grand-daughter of Jane Click--my mother was Mary Magdalene Click--and her fine husband D. D. Cohee who has written me many interesting letters during the past few years. I am very much enamored with the Click name. This because of the careful training of a widowed mother and her heroic efforts on behalf of her son, during the war of the States and the trying period of reconstruction that followed the war. Mighty few mothers like her. Wish I could tell you about her.

Being young and enthusiastic, you may be interested in knowing something of the Click ancestry. In the early years of the 17th century there was a young officer in the German army. His name was Nickalaus Kluck. Fancying that he had been insulted by a superior officer, he promptly challenged this officer to a mortal combat. The challenge was promptly accepted. Seconds were chosen, terms were agreed upon. These terms were that stript to waists, they were to fight with short swords. At the hour appointed the parties met, stript to the waist, with sword in hand. They were just about to engage in combat, when the German police ran upon them, the combatants scampered off to the neighboring forests. Kluck never went back to his home, but by night marches--concelaing himself in the day time--he sought a seaport town and sailed thence to America.

On landing in America, he sought a German settlement, near the Maryland Pennsylvania line. Here, he married a German girl whose name was Elizabeth Herman [transcribers note: my records say Rebecca Harmon, not confirmed however]. Soon thereafter they joined a great crowd of German emigrants, who were making their way to North Carolina. This colony of Germans settle in this immediate community where I live.

This Nickalaus Kluck raised a large family of children, among whom were Daniel Kluck, my grandfather, and Jacob Kluck, Jane Click Cohee's grandfather. This Daniel Kluck married Mary Ann Ratts and this Jacob Kluck married Margaret Ratts. These two girls were sisters and the boys, Daniel and Jacob, were brothers. So you see that the descendants of Daniel Click, here in North Carolina, are double cousins to the descendants of Jacob Click in Indiana.

Now, at the close of the Revolutinary war, the German people in this community, all of them wanted to change their names--Americanize them. the Kluck's changed "Kluck" first to "Klick" then to "Click."

You doubtless remember, or have read that, in "the World War," General Von Kluck was in command of the German army when they got so close to Paris, within 25 miles, I believe. Well, I have no doubt, that this General Von Kluck was a member of the "Kluck" family discussed above.

The original "Kluck" was an educated man, had a large library, perhaps one of the largest in the NC colony. They were all German books, of course, and mostly religious.

These NC Clicks have all been noted for good citizenship, minding their own business, avoiding lawsuits, and all sorts of troubles. None of them very rich, none of them very poor. None of them have ever been in the poor house, or in jail.

At first, they were all Lutherans, getting their religion out of the Catachism. now, they are represented in about all the churches--though none of them are Catholics.

In politics they are democrats, every last "rascal" of 'em--have been so, since Thomas Jefferson formed the party. We North Carolina Clicks are intense Southerners--were so in the war of the States. With heart and soul, we put our all--life, property, everything into the conflict. Your cousin, John Daniel, was into it, up to his eyes, with heart and soul. When you read of the daring of Stuart and Hompstone [?], you may know that your cousin was there, there, in all and the wildest of their pranks, for he was never sick a moment, during the war. Yes, "I was in it" to the last ounce, of pride and energy that was in me.

We went home from Appomatox, weary, hungry, and footsore to our dilapidated homes, many of them in ashes--our fields, too, were wasted. In despair, we set about rebuilding these homes, and repairing the worst places. And we have succeeded, beyond our own expectations, until now we are a happy, loyal people, glad that we are again in our father's house, and that the flag of our fathers is our flag now and forever.

The heroism and devotion of the soldiers on both sides "of the late unpleasantness" is the common heritage of the great American people. This common heritage will constitute an inspiration to our children as the years come and go.

The heroism of the Confederate General Wheeler, at Santiago, and the breaking of "the blasted[?] Hindenburg line", gloriously attests the loyalty and devotion of the Southerners to the flag of our reunited country.

The brightest pages of recorded history are the pages that tell of the herosim, devotion, and endurance of the Northern and Southern soldier, alike. In that memorable struggle, the union of the states were cemented by the best blood on both sides.

The union now and forever is the common hope and purpose of a great people, whom God, in his infinite wisdom and goodness overruled the destinies of the warring sections to the end that rememberance should be a beacon light, pointing the way to peace and happiness to all the nations of the Earth.

Please remember me kindly to your Grandpa Cohee. I think he must be a pretty good old fellow. I was pleased to see the recognition the newspaper gave him. These newspaper folks are the greatest people in the world. They do more for nothing, in the behalf of the country, state, and every good cause than any other class of people--more in fact, than every body else.

I have now taxed your patience too long and will only add that I am 86 years old, every vital organ functioning normally, but cataract is getting its work on my eyes. It is with great difficulty that I can read or write.

In behalf the "Tar Heel" Clicks and their friends, I extend cordial greetings and good wishes to the "Hoosier" Clicks and friends.

Our reunion is always on the fourth Sunday in August. We all would be glad to see any of our kin of the great west.

Cordially, and kindly, yours, JD Hodges

PS We are expecting your Grandpa and others to be with us at our reunion.

Submitted by: Jami Davis