Jacob Pelfrey

1892-1979

Jacob Pelfrey was born 2 Jul 1892 in Rowan County, Kentucky, the son of Louiza (Hargis) Pelfrey 1861-1907 and Beverly McClain Pelfrey 1857-1940. James William "Willie" Hardin pictured below was Jacob' Pelfrey's nephew, son of Sarah Elisabeth Pelfrey, Jacob's sister, and Alfred Hardin. Willie Hardin was killed by a gun shot wound through the kidney on 11 June 1929 in Rowan County, Kentucky.

Hargis family story:  Here is a account that survives today, passed down through the Hargis family by those too young to have actually known or remembered Willie Hardin, but did know Jake Hargis and also remember family stories from those who were there. Jake Pelfrey was living with the William Norvel Hargis family near Craney, Kentucky at the time he shot "Willie" (James William Hardin). The Hargis, Pelfrey and Hardin families were all related. William Norvel's sister Louiza Hargis married Beverly McCain Pelfrey. her son was Jacob "Jake" Pelfrey and Willie Hardin was Louisa's grandson through her daughter Sarah Elizabeth Pelfrey and husband Alfred Hardin (see family tree on homepage). After Jake Pelfrey shot Willie Hardin he returned to the Hargis home to hide. Nancy (Gearhart) Hargis, wife of William Norvil, got very upset over the incident and told Jake he had to leave and that he couldn't hide out there. Jake left the Hargis home and was last seen heading over the mountain behind their house toward Paragon. William Norvel's son Jake Hargis got so upset after Jake Pelfrey shot Willie Hardin that he changed his name from Jake Hargis to Jack Hargis. He was afraid someone would mistake him for Jake Pelfrey and shoot him in retaliation for Willies death. Jake Hargis kept the name Jack the rest of his life.

From the website of Donna Hardin, who is researching the Hardin Family:  "Willie" died after he was shot by his mothers brother, Jake Pelfrey. Jake meant to shoot Willies Dad, Alfred Hardin but mistook Willie for his father because he was wearing his new straw hat, one similar to his fathers.  Alfred Hardin and Jake Pelfrey were fighting over a property line. James William Hardin's death certificate states that he died from a gunshot wound through the kidney (#379).

Jacob "Jake" Pelfrey on right, James William 'Willie' Hardin on left.

Third man from left is James William 'Willie' Hardin, 4th is Jake Pelfrey. The rest of the men include John and Emmitt Johnston, Fred Whetchely (spelling?) and Pharis (last name unknown)