i^v
THE WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER FAMILY
1830 - - 1971
Biography of William Thatcher Baker
and
Genealogical Records
Compiled 1971
by
Kathryne Baker Witty and Alma Baker Rea
COAT OF ARMS
from
THE GENEALOGY OF THE BAKER FAMILY
by
Albert C. Baker
Decor ah, Iowa
1920 ^:::^'^^'f)?>
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
35 NORTH WEST TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITV, UTAH 84150
FOREWORD
This modest endeavor to write the biography of William
Thatcher Baker would not have been possible without the remi-
niscences of his only surviving child, his youngest, Angelina
Alice Baker (Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson); the historical
research of his grand daughters, Mildred Boone (Mrs. Joel
Watkins Haden) and Mable Minier Baker (Mrs. Rex Benton De-
Spain); the first typing of the manuscript by his great
grand daughter-in-law, Jana Pettett (Mrs. Charles Nicholson
Witty); the collection and listing of the names of his and
Emily's descendants, and the organization and final typing
of the manuscript by Alma Baker (Mrs. Otto Newton Rea). To
all these wonderful, enthusiastic, dedicated people I am
deeply grateful.
A Grand Daughter, Kathrjme Baker
(Mrs. Milton Brents Witty)
March 1, 1971
THE WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER FAMILY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
Biography ---------------------- 6
Genealogical Records ---------------- 29
Mayflower Ancestor Data ------------- 31
Genealogy of the Baker Family ---------- 49
Rice-King-Baker Connection ---_______ 54
Will of Charles Baker, Esquire --------- 56
Children of Artemas and Mehettable Baker - - - - 59
Children of William Thatcher Baker and
Emily Elvira Beeman Baker ------ 61
Conant Genealogy ----------------- 62
Beeman Family Bible Record ------------ 67
APPENDICES
#1 Artemas Baker and Artemas Baker, Jr. ----- -- 72
#2 James Beeman ------------------- 72
#3 "Little Grandma" - Elizabeth Baker Beeman - - - - 74
#4 Letter from Judge John J. Good ---------- 75
#5 Sanger Brothers ----------------- 77
#6 Anthony Bannon Norton, Newspaper Publisher - - -- 77
#7 Old Letters Tell about Baker and Elam Families -- 78
#8 Descendants of William Thatcher Baker and
Emily Elvira Beeman Baker ----- 82
#9 HISTORICAL MARKERS
TWIN OAKS - two markers ------------- 140
BAKER REUNION 1970- Historical Marker ------ 141
dedicated to William Thatcher Baker
BAKER REUNION 1971- Historical Marker ------ 144
dedicated to James Jackson Beeman
BAKER STORE MARKER, Lockney, Texas -------- 148
#10 REMINISCENCES by Genella Baker Deavenport - - -- 155
#11 Life and activities of Kathryne Baker Witty - -- 179
#12 1971 Available Addresses ------------ 180
PICTURES
page
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER ------- 4
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER and bride
EMILY ELVIRA BEEMAN -------------- 5
HOME ON PLUM CREEK ---------------- ^^
EMILY ELVIRA BEEMAN BAKER and SONS -------- 24
HOME IN HAMILTON, TEXAS -------------- 25
THE FAMILY - Emily and Children ---------- 26
FIRST FAMILY REUNION with Grandchildren ------ 27
EMILY ELVIRA BEEMAN BAKER and Daughters ------ 28
TWIN OAKS MARKER ----------------- 109
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER MARKER ----- 111
JAMES JACKSON BEEMAN MARKER ------------ 115
BAKER STORE MARKER ---------------- 116
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER
Bom October 10, 1830 in Licking County, Ohio,
near Zanesville. Died August 8, 1884, Hamilton
County, Texas.
William Thatcher Baker and his bride, Emily
Elvira Beeman, taken on the second day of
their marriage. They married September 18,
1856 in Parker County, Texas. Emily was born
Jan. 8, 1841 at Dalby Springs, Bowie County, Texas,
LIFE OF WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER
1830--I884
William Thatcher Baker was a pioneer settler of Hamil-
ton County, Texas, who bought land on Plum Creek and named the
Ohio community after his native state when he became its first
postmaster 4 May 1882. Besides being postmaster he farmed,
raised stock, and operated a gin and a store. He was born
near Zanesville, Ohio, in Licking County 10 October, 1830.
His parents were Artemas Baker, lawyer, born 4 February, 1780,
Templeton, Massachusetts, and Mehettable Conant, bom 24 July,
1793, at Becket, Massachusetts. They were married at Windham,
Portage County, Ohio, 17 August, 1813.
William's brother Artemas, Jr., was responsible for the
family's leaving Ohio and settling in Texas where he had been
living a year. The following account is a story of the trip
to Texas and a bit about their early days there copied from
The Lone Star State Biographical History of Dallas County , Texas ,
published by the Lewis Publishing Company 1892, page 574.
"Artemas Baker Jr. a prominent pioneer of Dallas County,
Texas, dates his birth April 14, 1821. His parents were
Artemas Baker and Mehettable Conant Baker, natives of
Massachusetts. The father when young moved with his
parents to New Hampshire. The mother was reared near
Cape Cod, the place of her birth. When 16 years old
she in company with her father's family went west and
located in Portage County, Ohio, in Windham Township.
About the same time, in 1806 or 1807^ Mr. Baker landed
in the same neighborhood, having made the trip from New
Hampshire on foot.
1. See Appendix No. 1
2. Note: These dates are incorrect. History of Portage Coun -
ty , Ohio , Chicago, Beers & Co"! 1880, state that col-
onists did not come to Portage County until summer
of 1811 so Artemas came after that time.
He settled in Ravenna, the County seat of Portage County and
took up the practice of law, he having previously prepared
himself for this profession. It was there he met and married
Miss Mehettable (Manly) Conant, native of Massachusetts.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Baker moved to Wheeling Creek.
From there he moved to Bridgeport 3, Belmont County, Ohio,
where he continued to practice his profession for a number
of years.
"About 1825 he took a contract on what was known as the National
Military Pike. On this he was engaged five years. He also
interested himself in agricultural pursuits, having bought a
farm west of Zanesville, Ohio. From that place he moved to the
Narrows of Licking Creek where he extensively engaged in quar-
rying rock, boating on the Ohio Canal and rafting logs for a
number of years. He was also engaged in building canal boats.
"In the fall of (October) 1849, he, with several others, boarded
a canal boat and floated to New Orleans, La., from there by
steamer to Shreveport, La., and thence by ox team to the loca-
tion where Hutchins now stands, and reaching his destination
on April 4, 1850.
"Mr. Baker was the father of 17 children, several dying in in-
fancy. Nine came to Texas and four are still living in this
state. He bought land on Bear Creek, near where Lancaster is
now located and lived there until his death October 11, 1853.
(He is buried in Rawlins Cemetery-K.B. Witty, 1966.) Mrs. Baker
survived her husband. She died May 22, 1873.
"Artemas Baker, Jr., preceded his father to this state April
5, 1848. He took a Headright -of half a section of land on the
Trinity River about 14 miles southwest of where Dallas now
stands. Dallas then consisted of only a few log cabins. The
first year Mr. Baker spent in Texas was a memorable one to him.
He had the varioloid and afterward the yellow jaundice. His
companion, William Welsh, took smallpox from him and Mr. Baker
nursed him through his sickness. Previous to his coming to
Texas he had been working on a large steamer, plying between
New Orleans and Cincinnati and it was on this trip from Shreve-
port to Dallas that he was attacked with varioloid.
"In the fall of 1848, he returned to Ohio and remained one
year. November 8, 1849, he married Miss Lavina Bordner, a
native of Lancaster County, Penn. , and a daughter of Peter
Christiana (Lash) Bordner of the same place. She is one of a
8
family of 13 children, 12 of whom lived to marry and have
large families. Mrs. Baker's mother is still living in
Fulton« County, Illinois, with her son, Washington Bordner, at
the advanced age of 102, having been born October 26, 1789.
She and Mr. Bordner were married in 1810 and lived together 71
years. At his death he lacked less than ten months of being
100 years old. Mother Bordner 's descendants two years ago,
living and dead were as follows: Children 13, grandchildren
99, great grandchildren 217, great, great grandchildren 24,
total 353, and this number has since been increased. During
the past eight years she has made three trips to Texas to visit
her children.
"Soon after his marriage Mr. Baker returned to Texas, locat-
ing near where he had taken a headright on his previous trip.
The following fall he moved to Corsicana and worked at the
trade of shoemaker there for two years. Then he formed a
partnership with Cornelius Vernoy and turned his attention to
farming on the headwaters of Chambers Creek, near Alvorado. In
the winter of 1854-55 he left this place and went to Jack County,
settling on the West Fork of Keatchie Creek. While there the
Indians became hostile and settlers had to build forts for pro-
tection. At the time Mrs. Baker was siommoned to attend a neigh-
bor, Mrs. Cameron, during confinement. On account of the strange
actions of the Indians she was afraid to venture from home and
persuaded Mr. Cameron to bring his wife to her house. He re-
turned for that purpose, but never came back, he and his wife
and three children having been murdered by the red men.
"In 1861 Mr. Baker moved to Dallas County to his present loca-
tion. His farm at that time was in its wild state, now it is
one of the best improved places in the county. Mr. and Mrs.
Baker are parents of seven children: Helen Brundage, wife of
Andrew Brundage, who is Mayor of Midlothian, Ellis County,
Texas; Kate, wife of William Fitzpatrick, lives on the farm
with Mr. Baker; Sallie, wife of James Brundage; Baylor, who
married Miss Mattie Hinkle and lives in Wichita County, Texas;
May, who wedded J. T. Cates, died in 1890 leaving three child-
ren; Bell, wife of Samuel Waldren, resides in North Bend,
Nebraska.
"During the war, Mr. Baker was in the Confederate service
two years. He was commissioned to make shoes and harness,
working in Dallas. He is now comfortably situated, sur-
rounded with all the comforts of life. He is an active temp-
erance worker and is regarded as one of the representative
citizens of the county.
3. See Appendix 1
Various members of the Baker family bought land in Dallas
County. Mehettable (spelled Mahitable in Vol. E, Page 293 in
Deed Records), William's mother, paid the W. C. Shelton heirs
$100 for 320 acres of land on 18 Jan., 1856 and she did "grant
bargain and sell and release unto William T. Baker assignee of
Mahitable Baker all the tract of land situated as follows"
in Dallas County on Bear Creek about 15 miles S 5 E from Dallas.
William bought 160 acres on January, 1857, (Vol. E, Page 662)
and another 160 acres 4 February, 1857, (Vol. E, Page 663).
The Deed Records show that Levina. (Lavina) and Artemas were
buyers of good-sized tracts of land also.
In the special session of September Term of Dallas County
Court 1865, William was granted a license to keep a ferry about
one and a half miles below Dowdy's ferry on the Trinity River
for one year from September, 1865. On March 9, 1866, he bought
20 acres on the S.W. bank of the Trinity River which included
the landing place of his ferry which he had established a few
months earlier (Vol. J, Page 185).
10
The Franchise
The State of Texas In the County Court of said
County of Dallas County Special September Term 1865
Whereas, William T. Baker has been granted leave by the
County Court of said County to keep a ferry in said County
about one and a half miles below Dowdy's ferry on the Trinity
River, and whereas the said Wm. T. Baker has paid the required
Tax, as appears from the receipt of the County Treasurer by
him produced, and has given bond as required by Law. There-
fore, the said Wm. T. Baker is hereby authorized to keep a
ferry at the crossing aforesaid, for the Term of one year
from the 25th day of September, 1865, and to charge for cross-
ing thereat, according to the following rates of ferriage,
towit:
For each Footman .05
For Man & Horse • 10
For Horse and Buggy .25
For Wagon or Carriage with 1 Span of
Horses or Oxen .25
For Wagon with 2 Span of Horses or
Oxen . 40
For Wagon with 3 Span of Horses or
Oxen .50
For Wagon with 4 Span of Horses or
Oxen . 60
For Wagon with 5 or more Span of Horses
or Oxen . 75
For each head of loose Horses or
Cattle .05
For each head of Sheep or Hogs .02%
For which this shall be his sufficient License.
In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of the County Court, Dallas County, Texas, this the 23rd
day of October, 1865.
Wm. J. Dunn Clk. Co. Ct. D. Co. Tex.
By J. (?) P. Thomas, Dpty.
11
On 18 September, 1856, William married Emily Elvira Bee-
man, daughter of James Jackson Beeman and wife Sarah Crawford
Beeman. The Beemans had preceded the Bakers to Texas ten years
before, and like them the Beemans moved farther west with each
new generation as the Indians were driven back. Emily was born
8 January, 1841, in a covered wagon about four weeks after the
family had crossed the boundary line into Texas 6th of December
1840, to camp in Bowie County at Dalby Springs. James, his
brother John and family, and nephew John S. Beeman rented land
in this County while waiting for titles to their land which they
were to get as members of Peters Colony.
In that first spring they joined a company of 400 men
headed by General E. H. Tarrant to drive back the Indians from
the settlements west of there along the Trinity River. After
a few months they moved to Bird's Fort 22 miles west of Dallas.
In January of 1842 Col. John Neely Bryan rode into Fort Bird and
asked the families living at the Fort to move to his location
where the West Fork and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River meet.
About the first of April the Beemans loaded their wagon which
was the only one in the group, and drove to the proposed town-
site cutting their way through the river bottoms arriving at the
embryo Dallas on the third day.
4. See Appendix No. 2
5. Note: On 16 July 18 72, when the old Houston and Texas Cent-
ral Railroad depot was opened in Dallas with five or
six thousand people in attendance the "city dignitar-
ies who spoke that day were John Neely Bryan, who built
the first cabin in Dallas, and James J. Beeman, who
brought the first covered wagon here". The quotation
and information is from article by Karen Martin in
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS , Friday Sept., 1963, entitled
"^ate Fair Rescues~TTnest Dallas Depot".
12
Sarah, James' wife, died 8 March 1848. A year later,
when gold was discovered in California, James decided to seek
his fortune there. He left his children, Mary Jane, age 10,
Emily Elvira, age 8, Francis M. , age 5, and Anice, age 3, and
a negro woman to care for them. They lived in a log cabin with
their cousin Margaret, who had married John Neely Bryan in Feb-
ruary 1843. The 1850 census names these children and the Negro
as members of the Bryan household.
James returned in 1850 but without the fortune. The fol-
lowing year on 29th of November 1851 he married Elizabeth (Bet-
ty) Baker , William's sister, who had taught the Beeman children
for several years. This made Elizabeth William's step-mother-
in-law after he married Emily Elvira Beeman in 1856.
In 1854 James "exchanged his headright for merchandise
and moved to Parker County. He established a trading post and
stage stop at his farm on the Fort Worth Belknap Road about 5
miles northeast of the present town of Weatherford. While living
o
there the first County Court of Parker County was held in the
post oak grove on the Beeman Farm. Later he moved into town
and operated his business there and was appointed postmaster,
the fourth one of Weatherford, serving from February 17, 1858
Q
to September 20, 1858. It was while living here that William
and Emily married 18 September 1856 and went to live in Dallas
County .
6. Note: Scott Beeman told this to F. M. Cockrell in 1927
interview printed in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.
7. See Appendix No. 3.
8. See Appendix No. 4.
9. See Appendix No. 5.
13
Having been reared in Ohio by New England parents where
all their ancestors many generations before had been nurtured
in a land where slavery was unprofitable and frowned upon,
William was an abolitionist. In 1850 when the Bakers came to
Dallas County there were 2,536 white people, 207 Negroes, and
only 44 bales of cotton raised. This indicates that most of
the settlers had no economical use for slaves, or were aboli-
tionists. The Baker family fell into this last group. They
had possessed no slaves in Ohio and they owned none in their
new home. Whether wittingly or unwittingly William's barn was
used at times as a station of the "underground railway" in which
runaway slaves spent the day then traveled by night to the next
stop, in order to escape detection. Some time before the Civil
War between the states he had a narrow escape from death. Some
of the incensed slave owners met and marched to his home to
hang him for participating, as they thought, in the escape of
slave property. Just as the going became rough James A. Keller,
an influential man in Lancaster, came forward and said that he
would vouch for Baker's innocence. With that statement William
was saved from an untimely end. When Texas seceded from the Un-
ion he served his adopted state faithfully and well by making
shoes for the Confederate soldiers. Texas was his home, he
loved it, and he was a loyal citizen.
Conscription was resorted to by both North and South and
was opposed in both sections. The following explains why Wil-
liam was not in the Army of the Confederacy:
"William T. Baker, a conscript and a resident of Dallas
County, Texas, age 31 years 5 feet 9 inches high hazel eyes
and brown hair, born in the State of Ohio and by occupation a
farmer, having taken the oath prescribed and having presented
to me a certificate of disability, signed by the Conscript
14
Surgeon appointed for Dallas County, Texas is hereby discharged
from military duty, as a Conscript on account of physical dis-
ability, Dallas, Texas, August 8th, 1862.
Jno . C . McCoy
Enrolling officer
Dallas Co., Texas
The following letter was written by William's father,
Artemas, to his oldest child, Mehettable, born June 12, 1816,
at Bridgeport, Ohio , who married Oswin Teagarden at Hanover,
Licking County, Ohio, October 14, 1841. She and her husband
moved to Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas, and were living there
when Artemas wrote to her in 1852 describing conditions:
"Pleasant Run Dallas Co. Texas
March 11th 1852
Dear Son and Daughter,
The children here have done most of the writing be-
tween us for some time. I have not heard from you for
some time.
My own health is now pretty good though through the
winter I have been feeble and spiritless. The rest of
us are in good health. I suppose you have heard of the
marriages of Betsy and Mary.
Betsy has married a man of the name of James Beeman,
a widower with six (?) children. His children are agree-
able, well raised. Betsy had taught them for near two
years. They were fond of her. Betsy was well acquainted
with Mr. Beeman. He is a man of handsome property and
appears to be a kind husband. I think her prospects
fair. Mr. Vemoy, Mary's husband, was an old batchelor,
10. Note: Mehettable Teagarden died near Ronda, in
Wilbarger County, Texas, May 6, 1898, and is
buried in Palestine, Texas, in the new ceme-
tery on the N.E. Comer of Lot No. 22 in
Block No. 2. Oswin Teagarden, bom in Wheel-
ing, West Virginia, May 13, 1812, died in
Palestine, Texas, on March 28, 1887. He is
buried in the same lot with his wife.
15
an old settler in Texas, a man of business, apparently.
A man of considerable property. He has been over to
visit us. I like his appearance. I hope they are both
well married. Artemas has gone into partnership with
Vernoy (after working? work for him a year or more) in
farming, & perhaps in shoe making too. They are locating
in Chambers Creek about 40 miles south of us.
Samuel Phelps has traded his horses, wagon, and rifle
for half section of land, at one mile from our location.
We have only three days ago decided on our location and
had the survey made so we and Samuel are now settled at
a nice distance on a stream we call Bear Creek - - on
the south line of Dallas County 5 miles from the Post
Office where this letter is mailed.
I should like to know how you are coming and what are
your prospects and expectations.
This is a country, rich fertile, healthy. From the
best information as good a country as in the state. It
is fast improving and settling; the last Gen'l Assembly
has done much to settle and grant land titles which is
a great advantage. We have a village just started within
two miles of us, with fair prospects. The best mill in
the county, two stores came in within a few months. Pros-
pects of ? ? Lots are as yet given to settlers. Whether
you trade or whatever business you follow, you might do
well somewhere here. I should like to see you settle in
this or one of the adjoining counties. In the village
near me you might do well with a store or with a fashion-
able boot or shoe shop. We have plenty of coarse work-
men that can make a sort of brown shoe, many make their
own, but I know of no one but Artemas in this part of
the state that can make good fashionable boots or a fine
shoe. Dairying, wool growing, are first rate businesses
here. Com or wheat or oats growing, well attended to
will make any man rich. One neighbor of ours sold the
oats he raised on 5 acres of land by carrying about 50
miles to a fort for $300.
There are very few slaves in this part of the state
nor much prospects of more. Our limestone land is not
as good as the sandy parts of the state for cotton.
Sugar it is thought may be raised here to profit for
family, supplies, but not for market. Wheat, corn and
oats are the most valuable crops we can raise. The most
certain money making business in our country.
16
I want exceedingly to see you all. I much wish to
see the children. Do write. Let me know all that con-
cerns you.
Your father, A. Baker Rusk County, Texas"
Mr. Oswin & Mrs. Mehettable Teagarden
(Letter postmarked March 24, 1852).
One Christmas sometime in the late 1860 's after the Bak-
ers had acquired the store, ferry, and three tracts of land,
they were hard pressed for funds. There was no money to buy
presents for the children. Emily rose to the occasion in her
capable way by making a large batch of molasses cookies which
pleased everyone mightily and brightened their Christmas Day.
At the time William was operating his ferry and buying
the 20 acres at one of the ferry sites in 1866, he also had a
store and four children under nine years of age. They were
Mehettable, James Artemas, Francis Houston, and William Thatch-
er, Jr. He had to make a trip to Galveston with an oxteam to
haul the merchandise he bought for the store in Lancaster. On
the return journey he stopped to buy a gift for Emily at Milli-
can, then a thriving railroad terminal and the crossroads for
many stage lines traveling in all directions. He went to Sanger
Bros. Store and chose a large rectangular 30-hour weight clock
with a fruitwood frame which keeps perfect time today, when one
thinks to wind it. When he arrived home with it Emily presented
him with a baby girl, Jane Emily, born 12th of October. After
Emily's death, the clock was given to Jane, who was as old as
the clock was. When Jane stopped keeping house she gave it to
her niece, Kathryne Baker Witty and husband Brents who had lived
with her the first two years of their marriage.
The following poem by Emily and William's youngest child,
Angelina Alice (called Angle, now Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson)
was written by her in her eighty-sixth year about the clock:
11. See Appendix 5
17
THE OLD CLOCK
The first thing I can remember
Is the fireplace and the mantel above,
It held the old family clock
Which had kept time with trials and love.
When we left the old farm home,
We brought with us the old clock.
Having no fireplace it stood on a shelf
Keeping time for thirty hours, then it would stop.
This was caused by old weights slipping off,
And having to be placed back in line.
For years my mother could do this.
But she grew old and weak with the time.
It was a pleasure for Forrest to help.
And I can almost hear her say,
"You will have to fix the old clock.
So we can tell the time of day".
A granddaughter Kathryne wanted this clock.
Has it in her kitchen on display.
Long since, quit marking time.
Or passing the minutes away.
I remember an hour glass stood by the clock,
Don't know why it was laid aside,
I'm so grateful for the memories of long ago.
They linger on and in my mind still abide.
Angle Baker Nicholson,
86 years old, 1969.
Being the true pioneer that he was, and his forefathers
before him, it wasn't long before William looked longingly to
the west and bought 320 acres on the head of Plum Creek (which
was patented to James H. Sparks, Ass'ee of Martin H. Gunter)
for $640 from A. E. Ford of Coryell County, on August 10,
1877. He sent his two oldest boys, James Artemas and Francis
Houston, to the new farm to oversee the building of the new
house -- a story and a half with the addition of what was then
called a shed room on two sides.
18
The family moved to their new home in March, 1879. When
Emily saw the new house which wasn't as large as the one in
12
Pleasant Run she shed tears of disappointment. The house
was set in a beautiful location not many rods from Plum Creek
which ran crystal clear over a rocky bottom into a very deep
hole of water nearby. The cowboys used the cattle trail, a
feeder to the Chisholm Trail, which ran close to the house.
They bedded their herds near the spring-fed hole. Emily would
often bake pans of hot cornbread and take to the cattle drivers
camped there for the night.
William brought walnuts from his home in Dallas and plant-
ed them. He dragged large smooth rocks from the creek bed for
steps to pave the areas around the doorways. He built a gin
on the banks of the creek. On May 4, 1882, with the help of
his friend A. B. Norton, Dallas County lawyer and newspaper
publisher of Norton's Intelligencer , he obtained a postoffice
for his neighborhood and was appointed the first postmaster, a
place held at the time of his death. He named the office Ohio.
Six years before the family left Pleasant Run a son was
bom (9 September, 1873) who was named Norton Amos. Norton
for A. B. Norton and Amos for a distant kinsman, Amos Baker, a
13
school teacher. No. 1 Deme Street, Boston, Massachusetts,
12. Later Called Lancaster.
13. NOTE: Albert Clark Baker of Decorah, Iowa, who wrote
Geneology and History of the Baker , Andrus , Clark ,
and Adams Families (l97D')tound the geneoiogicai
records that Amos Baker had collected at the New
England Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St.
Boston, Mass. They had been given to the society
by his grandson, Leslie Talbot Baker, 37 Newbury St,
Boston. These family records were of great help
to Mr. Baker when he was writing his book.
■m^imt-
19
i4 see fio .If j-.^.K^eA^r e ,v. rK&ir "Ptu — Cf-tt K^.-,v^ ^.^ ^;
> £, l-CCJ,
\tf, i i,-V i^. W'lU'ii-'-'^- fjloLv^^t-A- t+v«Tow of vwairxu t- if-t e i .^..^
William Thatcher Baker and wife Emily Elvira Beeman had this
house built facing east on their Plum Creek farm, 10 miles
south of Hamilton, Texas and moved to it with their family
March 1879. William planted the row of walnut trees by the
rock fence. On April 12, he established a postoffice at his
home which he named Ohio. He operated a store and a gin
close by.
20
with whom William corresponded and who planned to write a book
on the Baker family, but did not complete the task. A letter
from him dated May, 1882, told of his project. When Norton
Amos was a very small boy the senior Amos sent his namesake
a dollar. When William was writing to Amos sometime later he
asked Norton what he wished to say to his kinsman. Norton
said, "Tell him to send me another dollar."
Emily and William found their neighbors in their new
home to be good people of culture and refinement, some of whom
were Keller, Stiles, Massie, Elam , Moore, Smith and Ballard
-- to name a few. One of the first things they did was to es-
tablish the Live Oak School. A granite shaft has been erected
on the site of it at the entrance of the cemetery on which is
inscribed the names of the founding trustees and Will jam's
name is one of these.
After the family moved to Hamilton County, Mary Oconasta
was born, 7 July 1880. She was named for William's sister,
born 11 June 1818, who married Cornelius Vernoy, and died at
Corsicana 1 August 1852. Oconasta (name) was given to the
first Mary in gratitude to an Indian woman by that name who
befriended some of the Bakers in Ohio. The last child was
Angelina Alice, born 26 February, 1883. She was named for
Artemas * youngest sister Angelina Gray Baker, born 25 October,
1839, who married James B. Gi Hi land in Weatherford at James
and Elizabeth Beeman's home.
In the summer of 1884 William became ill and after a few
days illness he died 12 August of an ailment which would now
be diagnosed as appendicitis. He was buried in the Live Oak
Cemetery. Later his body was moved to the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in
14. See Appendix No. 6
21
Hamilton.
The following obituary appeared in Norton's Union Intel -
ligencer after William's death and is in the possession of
his youngest daughter, Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Hamilton,
Texas :
"The departed year had its sad memories in the death roll
it presented to our view. Among the niomber of old pa-
trons of the Intelligencer was the following friend:
"W. T. Baker was bom in Licking County, Ohio, on Octo-
ber 10th, 1830, and emigrated to Texas in the spring
of 1850, settling in the Pleasant Run Country four
miles southwest of Lancaster.
"He married Miss Emily E. Beeman near Weatherford, in
Parker County and remained on his farm in Dallas County
until the spring of 1879, when he moved to Plum Creek,
Hamilton County, where he continued to reside until death
overtook him on the morning of 18th of August, 1884.
"His principal occupation during life was farming, he was
honest, industrious, charitable, and generous. He was
very zealous in behalf of temperance and good morals.
Possessed of an investigative mind he was a diligent
inquirer for the truth and when satisfied he was in the
right, was a firm and unmovable Rock of Gibraltar. He
was on the Intelligencer list from the start and never
faltered or wavered in the support of the Constitution
and the Union. He endured much obloquy and persecution
for his devotion to the Stars and Stripes but firmly and
bravely he pursued the even tenor of his way until all
men who knew him came to respect and love him for his
own integrity and worth.
"In his new home he made good improvements and had pro-
cured after long effort the establishment of a post office
called Ohio of which he was postmaster at the time of his
death.
"There his family resides, and his boys, emulating the
example of their father will always have friends and
helpers."
After William's death Emily continued to live at the Plxim
Creek farm and with the help of some of the younger boys she ran
15. See Appendix No. 7.
22
the farm. In 1889 she moved into town where the educational
advantages were better. On 12 September 1893, she married the
Rev. 'David Thomas Holmes who was the minister of the Methodist
Church in Hamilton for the year 1891. She returned to the farm
with David where he proved to be an excellent farmer.
David died 26 June, 1905, age 73, of debility at the
home of his daughter Nannie and her husband Dr. Charles H.
McCollum at Hico, Texas. Emily died after a short illness 22
February 1920, and was buried at William's side in the I.O.O.F.
Cemetery in Hamilton.
William Thatcher Baker and Emily Elvira Beeman Baker
were the parents of twelve children, named in order of date
of birth:
I Sarah Mehettable
II James Artemas
III Francis Houston
IV William Thatcher
V Jane Emi ly
VI Elizabeth Scythia
VII Charles Curtis
VIII Norton Amos
IX John Beeman
X Margaret May
XI Mary Oconasta
XII Angelina Alice
16,
NOTE: Succeeding generations begin on Page 62, Appendix 8,
23
The following poem was chosen by Wm. T. Baker as a
tribute to his wife, Emily Elvira Beeman, 1881.
AS GOOD AS GOLD
Though fond of jollity--
I have a quiet life,
And love a cozy evening passed
At home with my dear wife;
She brought me neither house nor land
Her worth could soon be told.
But she's a fortune in herself.
And that's as good as gold.
She does not wear the finest robes
Nor dress in silk attire;
But then if she looks fair to me
What more could I desire?
Our home is not the grandest, but,
As it keeps out the cold,
It pleases me, and pleases her,
And that's as good as gold.
When matters go a little wrong,
And fortune seems to frown.
If one's wife is true as gold.
One can't be long cast down;
For when I reach my home at night.
She does not fret and scold,
But always greets me with a smile.
And that's as good as gold.
Contented folks are happier.
Than they who have great wealth;
For gold does not buy happ ine s s ,
Nor can it purchase health;
My wife and I will be content.
When we have grown old,
To be as happy then as now;
And that's as good as gold.
Author unknown.
24
Above picture was taken in Dallas, Texas in August of 1906,
Top row: Norton Amos Baker, John Beeman Baker, William
Thatcher Baker.
Bottom row: Charles Curtis Baker, Mother Emily Elvira
Beeman Baker Holmes, James Artemas Baker, and
Francis Houston Baker.
Each one wears a State Republican Convention
badge with picture of William Howard Taft,
candidate for the Presidency. The six sons
were attending the Convention.
25
Home of Emily Elvira Beeman Baker Holmes, built in 1911, in
Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas. It was here that the first
Family Reunion was held May 29, 1912. All twelve children
were present.
26
TA
The first family reunion, held May 29, 1912, in Hamilton, Texas
From left to right, top row: John Beeman Baker, Norton Amos
Baker, Charles Curtis Baker, William Thatcher Baker, Francis
Houston Baker, James Artemas Baker; bottom row: Angelina
Alice Baker Nicholson, Marv Oconasta Baker Boone, Margaret
May Baker Lynn, Mother Emily Elvira Beeman Baker Holmes,
Sarah Mehettable Baker Shannon, Jane Emily Baker Edgar, and
Elizabeth Scytha Baker Holland.
27
The First Baker Reunion in Hamilton, Texas May 29, 1912.
Back row: Dr. William Thatcher Baker and wife Nannie Key
Baker; Leo Martin Baker, Betty Martin Baker, Hazle Baker,
Francis Houston Baker, Lenn Baker, Dr. Charles Curtis Baker,
Charles Curtis Baker, Jr., Alma Nicholson Baker, Alma Baker,
Kathryne Baker .
Next row: Jane Baker Edgar, Ralph Piper Edgar, Meda Baker
Honea, baby, James Artemas Baker, Mehettable Baker Shannon,
Elizabeth Baker Holland, David Bunch Holland, Jr., David
Bunch Holland, Sr. , Gay Miller Baker, Norton Amos Baker.
Bottom row: Jacob Forrest Nicholson with daughter Angeline
Nicholson, Angelina Alice Baker Nicholson with Jacob Forrest
Nicholson, Jr., John Beeman Baker, Mother Emily Elvira Beeman
Baker Holmes, Mary Oconasta Baker Boone, with William Bascomb
Boone, The Rev. John Lynn, Margaret May Baker Lynn, Erma Baker,
Sitting in front: Moe
and Berin U. Holland.
Silverberg Holland, Ned Baker Holland,
28
The six daughters of Emily Elvira Beeman Baker Holmes taken
in 1914.
Top row: Mrs. John Lynn (Margaret May Baker), Mrs. Malcolm
Alvah Boone (Mary Oconasta Baker), Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nichol-
son (Angelina Alice Baker);
Bottom row: Mrs. David Bunch Holland (Elizabeth Scythia Baker),
Mrs. Ralph Piper Edgar (Jane Emily Baker), Mother Emily Elvira
Beeman Baker Holmes, and Mrs. James Alexander Shannon (Sarah
Mehettable Baker)
29
GENEALOGICAL RECORDS
30
Through both of his parents, Thatcher Conant and
Elizabeth Manley, William Thatcher Baker is descended
from several of the Mayflower passengers of 1620:
Elder William Brewster, Patience Brewster, his
daughter, Governor William Bradford, James Chil-
ton and wife, Mary Chilton, John Howland and wife
Elizabeth Tilley, and Desire Howland. These gen-
ealogical lines have been given to the family in
previous meetings of the Baker family.
Emily Elvira Beeman and parents, James Jackson
Beeman and Sarah Crawford, are listed in the book
FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS , Linea-
ges of the Members of the Daughters of the Republic of
Texas, First Edition, Copyright by The Daughters of The
Republic of Texas, 1963.
NOTE: - It is interesting to know that Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow traces his ancestry to Elder William
Brewster and three other Pilgrims.
EVANGELINE - A Tale of Acadia, by Henry Wadsworth Long-
fellow with a biographical Sketch, Introduc-
tion and Notes by H. E. Scudder.
31
Statement of Line of Eligibility for Membership in the
SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDENTS
1. Gov. William Bradford of the Mayflower. Bom at Aus-
terfield , Yorkshire , England, on March 19, 1589;
died May 9, Lbb / , at . Married (2) Mrs.
Alice (Carpenter) Southworth, born C. 1590, died
1670. (She came on Ship "Anne", July 1623. They
were married at Plymouth, August 24, 1623.
Their son was
2. William Bradford, born June 17, 1624 at Plymouth,
died Feb. 20, 1703/4 at Plymouth. -'Married 2
Wiswall, born , died
Their son was
3. Joseph Bradford, born c. 1674, died Jan. 16, 1747,
at New London , Conn. Married (1) Ann Fitch on Oct.
169F'^^ at Lebanon^ Conn. She was born April 1675
at Norwich, Conn. Died Oct. 7, 1715, at Lebanon,
Conn.
Their daughter was
4. Ann Bradford, born 1699, died married 1723 ,
Timothy Dimmock, born 1698, died
Their son was
5. Timothy Dimmock, bom 1726, died 1795, married
Desire born 1733, died 1802.
Their daughter was
6. Eunice (Dimmock) Curley , born 1753, died 1801. She
married (?) Asa Manley, born 1735, died 1799, at
Coventry, Conn. (Asa Manley served as a Minute Man
and served as a Private in the Lexington Alarm.
See Nat. Society Daughters of American Colonists,
Vol. II, 1930.)
Their daughter was
7. Elizabeth Manley born Feb. 2, 1769, died Oct. 1,
1843, Married (1) on March 5, 1789, Thatcher Conant,
bom March 2, 1767, died July 17, 1840.
Their daughter was
8. Mehettable Conant , born at Beckett , Mass. , July 24,
died May 22, 1873, at Lancaster, Texas. Married at
Windom, Portage Co., Ohio, on Aug. 17, 1813, to
Artemas Baker , born at Gerry, Mass. , on Feb. 4,
1/8U, died at Lancaster, Texas on Oct. 11, 1853.
32
Their son was
9. William Thatcher Baker born at Licking County,
Ohio , on Oct. lU , 1830 , ~aied~t Hamilton County ,
Texas , on Aug. 12, 1884, married at Parker County,
on Sept. 18, 1856, to Emily Elvira Beeman, born at
Dalby Springs (Bowie County, Texas) on Jan. 8, 1841,
died at Hamilton, Texas, on Feb. 22, 1920.
* Artemas Baker (according to the Boston Library inform-
ation) was born at Templeton, Mass., as Gerry was not
formed until 1786.
33
Statement of Eligibility for Membership in the
SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDENTS
1. James Chilton and wife, ________^ and
daughter Mary. All three were Mayflower pas-
sengers .
Their daughter was
2. Mary Chilton , first to step on Plymouth Rock, bom
cTi605, died before 23rd of October 1678 and May
1679, at Boston. Married Oct. 12, 1624, to John
Wins low, bom April 16, 1597, at Droitwich, Eng-
land, died before May 21, 1674, at Boston. (He
came in the "Fortune** 1621.
Their daughter was
3. Mary Winslow, born before 1635, died after Oct. 28,
1663, and before Nov. 1665. Married Jan. 16, 1650,
at Plymouth to Edward Gray , bom c. 1629, died "ye
last of June", ib«l, at Plymouth.
Their son was
4. John Gray bom 1750, died 1814. Married 1770, to
^usannalRider) bom in 1753, died 1838.
Their daughter was:
5. Anna Gray, died after 1733 (?) married 1831/32
Thatcher Freeman , boim in 1710.
Their daughter was
6. Lydia Freeman bom in 1733, died Jan. 16, 1808
(.probably at Beckett, Mass.,) married 1761 (his
4th wife) George Conant , bom Jan. 12, 1723, Ply-
mouth, died March 3, 1792, Beckett, Mass.
Their son was
7. Thatcher Conant , bom March 2, 1767, Barnstable,
Mass. , died July 17, 1840, Windom, Ohio. Married
March 3, 1789, at Beckett, Mass. to Elizabeth Man ley
bom Feb. 9, 1769, Coventry, Conn, died Oct. 1st,
1843, at Windom, Ohio. (The family moved to Ohio
in 1811.)
Their daughter was
8. Mehettable Conant, bom at Beckett, Mass., on July
ZU, i/yj, died at Lancaster, Texas, on May 22, 1873,
34
married at Windom, Portage County, Ohio or Lancas-
ter, N. H. on Aug. 17, 1813, to Artemas Baker , born
at Templeton, Mass. (Gerry in 1786) on Feb. 4,
1780, died at Lancaster, Texas, on Oct. 11, 1853.
Their son was
9. William Thatcher Baker , bom at Licking County, Ohio,
on Oct. 10, IBJO, died at Hamilton County, Texas,
on Aug. 12, 1884, married at Parker County, Texas
5 mi. north of Weather ford, Texas, on Sept. 13,
1856, to Emily Elvira Beeman , born at Dalby Springs,
Bowie County , Texas on Jan. 8, 1841, died at Ham-
ilton, Texas on Feb. 22, 1920.
35
Statement of Eligibility for Membership in the
SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDENTS
1. John Rowland born 1592/3 died Feb. 23, 1672, and
wITe, ^nTzaUeth (Tilley) bom 1697, married 1623
after August 14, died Dec. 21, 1687, age 80. Both
were passengers on the Mayflower. Elizabeth's
parents John Tilley and wife Elizabeth (Comyngs)
were also passengers on the Mayflower.
Their daughter was
2. Desire How land , bom in Barnstable, Mass., died 1683;
married John Gorham in 1643. He was born 1621, died
1675/76.
Their daughter was
3. Lydia Gorham , born died married to
John Thatcher , born died
Their daughter was
4. Lydia Thatcher born died Married
Joseph Freeman born 1682, died 1756.
Their son was
5. Thatcher Freeman, born 1710, died married
1/31/32 to ~?[nna~Gray .
Their daughter was
6. Lydia Freeman , married George Conant . Lydia bom
1/33, died at on Jan. E, 1808, married
at 1761. George Conant born at Plymouth,
Mass., on Jan. 13"^ 1723, died at Beckett, Mass.,
on March 3, 1792.
Their son was
7. Thatcher Conant , born at Barnstable, Mass., on March
Tj 1/6/, died in Ohio on June 19, 1840, married at
Coventry, Conn., on March 5, 1789 to Elizabeth Man -
ley , bom at Coventry County, Conn, on died
on Oct. 1, 1845.
Their daughter was
8. Mehettable Conant , born at Beckett, Mass., on July
24, 1/93, died at Lancaster, Texas, on May 22, 1873,
married at Windom, Portage County, Ohio, or Lancas-
ter, N. H. , on Aug. 17, 1813, to Artemas Baker ,
bom at Templeton, Mass. (Gerry in 1786) on Feb.
4, 1780, died at Lancaster, Texas, on Oct. 11, 1853.
36
Their son was
9. William Thatcher Baker , born at Licking County,
Ohio, on Oct. W, 1830, died at Hamilton County,
Texas, on Aug. 12, 1884, married at Parker County,
Texas, 5 miles north of Weatherford, Texas, on
Sept. 18, 1856, to Emily Elvira Beeman , born at
Dalby Springs , Bowie County, Texas , [near Booth
Creek, near Texarkana) as family was coming to
Texas with Peter's Colony, on Jan. 8, 1841, died
at Hamilton, Texas, on February 22, 1920.
37
Statement of Line of Eligibility for Membership in
THE SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDENTS
1. William Brewster of the Mayflower
His daughter was
2. Patience Brewster who married Governor Thomas France
Her daughter was
3. Mercy Prence born at Plymouth, Mass. in 1631, died
at Eastham, Mass. , on 28 Sept. 1711, married at
Eastham, Mass., on Feb. 13, 1650 to Ma j or John
Freeman born at England on c Ib/l, died
at Eastham, Mass. on 28 Oct. 1719.
Their son was
4. Thomas Freeman bom on Sept. , 1654 at died
at 9 Feb. 1715/6 (Virkus~Elc. Vol. 3) married
on Dec. 3, 1673 to Rebecca Sparrow, bom at
~~~ 30 Oct. 1655 (Virkus Bk. Vol. 3) at
on Feb. 1740 (Virkus Bk. Vol. 3).
Their son was
5. Joseph Freeman born at 11 Feb 1682/3, died
Mar. 1756; married 13 Oct. 1709 to Lydia Thatcher
bom died Oct. 13, 1724.
Their son was
6. Thatcher Freeman born 1710, died married on
II Jan. 1/31/32 to Anna Gray.
Their daughter was
7. Lydia Freeman bom 1733, died at Beckett, Mass., 6
Jan. 1808, married 1761 to George Conant , bom at
Plymouth, Mass. on 13 Jan. 1/237 died at Beckett,
Mass., on March 3, 1792.
Their son was
8. Thatcher Conant , bom at Barnstable, Mass. on 2
March 176/, died at Ohio on 19 June 1840, married
at Coventry, Conn. 5 March 1789 to Elizabeth Manley ,
bom at Coventry, Tolland Co., Conn, on Feb. 9,
1769, died at Windham, Ohio on Oct. 1, 1845.
Their daughter was
9. Mehettable Conant bom at Beckett, Mass. on 24
July 1/93, died at Lancaster, Tex. on May 22, 1873,
38
married to Artemas Baker, bom at Gerry, Mass. or
Lancaster, N. H. on 4 Feb. 1780, died at Lancaster.
Texas on 11 Oct. 1853.
Their son was
10. William Thatcher Baker , bom at Licking Co., Ohio,
on 10 Oct. i«30, died at Hamilton Co., Texas on
12 Aug. 1884, married at Parker Co., Texas, 5 mi.
north of Weatherford, Texas on Sept. 18, 1856, to
Emily Elvira Beeman, bom at Dalby Springs, Bowie
^^'iJ^^^f^* °" ^ ^^^' 1S^^» <iied at Hamilton, Texas
on 22 February 1920.
39
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
OF
DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER
to the following organizations:
1. NATIONAL SOCIETY OF MAGNA CARTA DAMES.
2. Society of descendants of KING WILLIAM I, THE CON-
QUEROR AND HIS COMPANIONS AT ARMS, LONDON, ENGLAND.
3. ASSOCIATION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF THE KNIGHTS OF
THE GARTER.
The following Mary (Wentworth) Brewster line
was taken in its entirety from the book,
LINEAGES AND GENEALOGICAL NOTES , by Mrs.
Harry Joseph Morris .
Each specific item was carefully researched and
authenticated by the author and references are
given in her book for each fact. Two copies of
this book are in the Dallas Public Library, and
one copy is in the Lubbock Public Library, genea-
logical division.
William Brewster and wife Mary Wentworth Brewster were
Mayflower passengers in 1620.
The descent is shown below:
1. Mary (Wentworth) Brewster, wife of William Brewster
2. Patience (Brewster) Prence, wife of Thomas Prence
3. Mercy (Prence) Freeman, wife of John Freeman
4. Thomas Freeman, wife Rebecca (Sparrow)
5. Joseph Freeman, wife Lydia (Thatcher)
6. Thatcher Freeman, wife Anna (Gray)
7. Lydia (Freeman) Conant, wife of George Conant
8. Thatcher Conant, wife Elizabeth (Manley)
9. Mehi table (Conant) Baker, wife of Artemas Baker
10. William Thatcher Baker, wife Emily Elvira (Beeman)
11.
12.
13.
14.
For names, dates, and places see following pages
on eligibility statements.
40
IMMIGRANTS: WILLIAM BREWSTER AND MARY WENTWORTH,
"ELDER DAME BREWSTER" - Mayflower, 1620
Mary Wentworth, "Elder Dame Brewster," was descended
as follows:
WILLIAM de MOWBRAY, Surety for Magna Charta , was
governor of York Castle, and one of the most prominent
Magna Charta Barons. He was 16th in descent from Sveide
the Viking, m. Advice d' Albini.
They had:
Roger de Mowbray m. Maud Beauchamp.
Roger de Mowbray m. Agnes Clare, descended as follows:
RICHARD de CLARE, Surety for Magna Charta, 4th Earl of
Hertford, dying A.D. 1217. Descended from Sveide the
Viking, m. Amicia of Gloucester.
GILBERT de CLARE, Surety of Magna Charta, b. abt. A.D.
1180, d. 25 October, A. D. 1230, m. Isabella, sister of
WILLIAM MARSHALL, Surety for Magna Charta.
Agnes Clare, as above, m. Roger de Mowbray.
John de Mowbray m. Aliva Braos .
John de Mowbray m. 1st Joan of Lancaster, descended as
follows:
ROGER BIGOD, Surety for Magna Charta, Earl of Norfolk
and Suffolk, and 15th in descent from Sveide the Viking,
b. abt. A.D. 1150, d. A. D. 1221, m. Isabella, dau. of
Hameline Plantagenet.
HUGH BIGOD, Surety for Magna Charta, Earl of Norfolk
and Suffolk, m. abt. A.D. 1212, Maud, one of the sisters
of WILLIAM MARSHALL, Surety for Magna Charta , 16th in
descent from Sveide the Viking.
They had:
Isabel Bigod, whose 2nd husband was John FitzGeoffrey,
41
Sheriff of Yorkshire, and justice of Ireland, d. A.D.
1258.
Maud FitzJohn FitzGeoffrey who m. 2nd William de Beau-
champ, Baron of Elmley, and Earl of Warwick, d. A.D.
1298.
Isabel Beauchamp, m. Patrick Chaworth, who d. A.D. 1382.
Maud Chaworth m. Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster,
a great grandson of JOHN, King of England.
John of Lancaster, as above, m. John de Mowbray.
John de Mowbray b. A.D. 1340, slain by the Saracens
in A.D. 1368, m. Elizabeth Seagrave/Segrave, who was
descended as follows:
ROBERT de VERE, Surety for Magna Charta , was hereditary
lord great Chamberlain of England, and 8th in descent
from HUGH CAPET, Kind of France, d. 25 October, A. D.
1221, having m. Isabel Bolebec.
Hugh de Vere, Earl of Oxford, d. A.D. 1263, m. in A.D.
1223, Hawise Quincey, dau. of SAIRE deQUINCEY, Surety
for Magna Charta .
Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford, and 6th great Cham-
berlain, d. 2 September, A. D. 1296, m. Alice Saunford.
Joan de Vere m. William de Warren, killed in a tourna-
ment at Croyden, A. D. 1285, son of John, Earl of Warren,
Alice Warren m. Edmund FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, who
without trial, was beheaded at Hereford in A. D. 1326.
Alice FitzAlan m. Stephen/ John de Segrave, Constable of
the Tower of London in A.D. 1323, who d. in Gascony in
his father's lifetime.
John de Segrave d. A. D. 1353, age 38 years, m. Margaret
Plantegenet, dau. of Thomas Brotherton, son of KING ED-
WARD I. Their only dau.:
Elizabeth Segrave, as above, m. John de Mowbray.
Alinore/Margaret Mowbray m. John de Welles, who was des-
cended as follows:
42
ROBERT de ROOS, Surety for Magna Charta , b. A. D. 1177,
d. A. D. 1221 . He was the 4th baron of Hamlake Manor.
His wife Isabel, dau. of William the Lion, King of Scot-
land, and they had:
William de Roos m. Lucia FitzPiers.
Robert de Roos m. Isabel d' Albini, descended as fol-
lows:
WILLIAM d' ALBINI, Surety for Magna Charta , lord of
Belvoir Castle, 9th in descent from Louis IV, King of
France, m. Margaret Umfraville, and d. 1 May, A. D.
1236.
William d' Albini m. 1st Albreda.
Isabel d' Albini, as above, m. Robert de Roos.
William de Roos m. Maud Vaux.
William de Roos m. Margery Badlesmere, descended as
follows :
JOHN de LACIE, Surety for Magna Charta , 15th in descent
from ALFRED THE GREAT and 28th in descent from Cerdic,
m. 2nd Margaret Quincey, descended as follows:
SAIRE de QUINCEY, Surety for Magna Charta, Earl of Win-
chester, b. abt. A. D. 1154, Crusader, d. 3 November,
A. D. 1219, on way to Jerusalem. His wife Margaret Beau-
mont, descended from CHARLEMAGNE and HUGH CAPET, King of
France .
Robert de Quincey m. Hawise, descended from Wm. The
Conqueror
Margaret Quincey, as above, m. John de Lacie.
Maud Lacie m. Richard de Clare, b. A. D. 1222, d. A.D.
1262.
Thomas de Clare d. A. D. 1287, m. Julian FitzMaurice.
Margaret Clare m. Bartholomew Badlesmere, b. A.D.
1275.
43
Margery Badlesmere, as above, m. William de Roos.
Maud Roos m. John de Welles.
John de Welles, as above, m. Alianore Mowbray.
Eudo de Welles, grandson of John de Mowbray, m.
Maud Greystock/Greystoke, who descended as follows:
HENRY de BOHUN, Surety for Magna Charta , was Earl of
Hereford, 5th in descent from MALCOLM III, King of Scot-
land. A Crusader, he d. on a pilgrimage to Holy Land,
A. D. 1220. He m. Maud FitzGeof frey.
Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex m. Maud,
dau. of Raoul de Lusignan, Count of Eu.
Alice Bohun m. Ralph de Toni of Castle Maud, Radnor, and
Flamstead, Herts.
Alice Toni, m. 3rd Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.
Distinguished himself at the battle of Falkirk, and
caused Piers Gaveston to be beheaded, whose partisans
afterward poisoned him and he d. at Warwick Castle, 12
August, 1315.
Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, b. A. D. 1315,
d. A. D. 1369, an original K.G. , renouned for his out-
standing Christian character and bravery at Crecy and
elsewhere, m. Catherine Mortimer, also of baronial
descent .
Maud Beauchamp, d. A. D. 1403, m. Rogert de Clifford,
Earl of Westmoreland. He was b. 10 July, A. D. 1333,
and d. 13 July, A. D. 1389, having distinguished himself
in the wars with Scotland and France. He became sheriff
of Cumberland, and governor of Carlisle Castle. He was
2nd son of Robert de Clifford, also of baronial descent,
and his wife Isabel Berkeley.
Catherine Clifford m. Ralph de Greystock, governor of
Longhamban Castle in Scotland and one of the commis-
44
sioners for guarding the West Marshes. While in com-
mand of the military expedition against the Scots, he
was taken prisoner by George, Earl of Dunbar, at Horse-
ridge in Glendall. His ransom cost 3000 marks. His
brother William, went as hostage for him to Dunbar,
where he d. of the pestilence. Ralph d. A. D. 1417.
Maud Greys tock, as above, m. Eudo de Welles.
Lionel/Leo de Welles, K.G. , Lord de Welles, was slain
at Towton, A. D. 1461, m. Joan/Cecelia Waterton, dau.
and heir of Sir Robert Waterton.
Margaret Welles, dau. of Lionel, Lord de Welles m.
Thomas Dymoke, Knight of Scrivelsby, co. Lincoln, b.
A. D. 1428, beheaded by Edward IV, in A. D. 1471, son
of Philip Dymoke.
Margaret Dymoke, dau. of Sir Thomas Dymoke, Knight of
Scrivelsby, d. 20 June, A. D. 1463 and is buried in
Lincoln Cathedral. She m. Thomas Fitzwilliam of Mab-
lethorpe, co. Lincoln, d. 9 April, A. D. 1479, buried
in Lincoln Cathedral.
Beatrice Fitzwilliam m. 1st to Swinford, 2ndly to
Richard Woodruff e of Woolley as his 2nd wife.
Beatrice Woodruff e, dau. of Sir Richard Woodruffe,
Knight of Woolley, widow of John Dent, Esquire, m. Sir
Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse , who was des-
cended as follows:
(Note: Pedigree of Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse,
Earls of Strafford (Watson-Wentworth, Marquiss of Rock-
ingham), Vernon-Wentworth of Wentworth Castle, and
Wentworth of Woolley) Refer to notes at end of this
Chapter.
Hugh or Robert de Wentworth, d. A. D. 1200, m. Masil.
William de Wentworth m.
45
Robert/William de Wentworth (or Winteworth, as the
old Charters, have it) of Woodhouse, furs exoria temp,
Henry III, m. Emma, dau. and heiress of William Wode-
house/Woodhouse .
William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse , only son
and heir, d. between A. D. 1308/1309, m. Beatrix, dau.
of Gilbert Thakel of Yorkshire.
William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse, m. 1st
Dionista/Dyonisia, dau. of Sir Peter Rotherf ield/Roth-
ersfield and granddau. of Sir Nicholas Rotherfield by
his wife Euphemia, the dau. and co-heiress of William
de L'isle, m. A, D. 1288 William de Wentworth, m. 2ndly
Lucy, dau. of Sir Adam Newmarch, Knight. By his 1st
wife Dionista, William de Wentworth, had:
William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse, succeeded
his father in A. D. 1295, m. Isabel/Isabella, dau. and
co-heiress (with Margery, wife of John Horbary, and Ali-
cia, wife of Thomas Metham) of William Polling/Polling-
ton, CO. York, and had:
Sir William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse, (in the
7th year of Edward II, in A. D. 1314), m. Isabella, dau.
and co-heiress (with her sister Johanna, wife of John
Eyre of Chesterfield) of Robert Hoton of Hoton Roberts
(by his wife Lucia, dau. and heiress of Sir Edward
Shelton) (Partition of lands: Edward III, A. D. 1327).
Sir William Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse m. Lucy,
dau. and co-heiress of Walter, son and heir of Henry
de Tynneslow alias Tins ley/Tyns ley , of Tjmneslow/Tyn-
sley, CO. York, by Lucy, dau. of Walter le Brett.
Sir William de Wentworth, of Wentworth-Woodhouse, m.
Joan/Johanna, dau. of Sir William Fleming, Knight of
Waith/Wath.
William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse m. Lucy
dau. of Isabel/Isabella, wife of William Sheffield of
46
Bolderstoun/Bolsterstone .
William de Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse m. 1st
Isabella, dau. of Thomas Durant/Durrant of Chesterfield;
m. 2ndly Isabel, dau. of Sir Thomas Reresby, of Thryberg,
CO. York, and was father of:
Sir Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse, Knight,
8th year of Henry VI to 27th year of Henry VI, fought
valiantly on the side of King Henry VI, at the battle
of Hesham/Hexham, 3 April, A. D. 1463, when he was made
prisoner with the Duke of Somerset and others. He m.
Joan, dau. of Sir Richard Redman, Knight, of Harwood
Tower, and they had:
William Wentworth, Esquire, of Wentworth-Woodhouse, who
m. in the 39th year of Henry VI, Isabel dau. of Sir
William FitzWilliam of Aldwark, York, and Mr. Wentworth
d. in A. D. 1477. He and Isabel had:
Sir Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse received
the honor of knighthood in the 20th year of Henry VIII
for his bravery in the battle of Spurs. Being a person
of great opulence, he was styled "Golden Thomas." He
paid a fine to be excused from being created a Knight
of the Bath; and in A. D. 1528, he obtained a license
from Henry VIII, to wear his bonnet and be covered in
the royal presence as he was infirm. He m. as stated
above, Beatrice/Beatrix, widow of John Dent/Drax, Es-
quire, of Woodhall, and the dau. of Sir Richard Wood-
ruffe, Knight of Woolley, and his 2nd wife, Beatrice,
dau. of Thomas FitzWilliam of Mablethorp, co. Lincoln.
Sir Thomas d. 5th December, A. D. 1548, aged 70 years.
Will dated 21 August, A. D. 1546, and proved 8th March
A. D. 1548/1549. He is buried at Wentworth, where there
is a brass to his memory. (The Monumental inscriptions
47
of the Wentworths in their Chapel, commence at this per-
iod.) Sir Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse, and
his wife Beatrice/Beatrix had the following children:
1. William Wentworth, Esquire, of Wentworth-Wood-
house, m. Catherine dau. of Ralph Beeston, Esquire,
of Beeston, in the 9th year of Henry VIII, and d. 4th
December/ July, A. D. 1549, aged 42 years.
2. Gervase Wentworth
3. Michael Wentworth of Mendham Priory, co. Suf-
folk and of Ottest, co. Essex, cofferer to King Henry
VIII and to Queen Mary, and comptroller to Queen Eliza-
beth I, d. 13th October, A. D. 1558, was buried at St.
Margaret's, Westminister, 23rd October A. D. 1558. Will
dated 12th October, and proved 30th November, A. D. 1558.
He m. Isabel, dau. and heir of Percival Whitely, Esquire,
of Whitely, co. York, who was aged 8 years at her father's
death in A. D. 1532.
4. Thomas Wentworth of Scorby/Scroby/Scrooby, co.
Nottinghamshire/Notts, m. Grace, dau. of John Gascoigne,
Esquire, of Lasingcroft, co. York, and had issue.
5. Bryan Wentworth.
6. Elizabeth Wentworth m. Ralph Denham/Denman, Es-
quire, of Newhall Grange.
7. Isabel Wentworth m. Nicholas Wombell, Esquire,
of Thundercliffe/Thunnercliffe, co. York. He d. A.D.
1371.
8. Beatrice Wentworth m. Thomas Worrall, Esquire,
of Loversall, co. York
Thomas Wentworth of Scrooby, co. Nottinghamshire/Notts,
m. Grace, dau. of John Gascoigne, Esquire, of Lasing-
croft, CO. York, and had the following children:
1. Thomas Wentworth, their only son.
2. Mary Wentworth m. William Brewster.
3. Grace Wentworth.
4. Elizabeth Wentworth.
48
Mary Wentworth, prob. b. in Scrooby, co. Nottinghamshire,
England, ca. A. D. 1569, d. 17 April, A. D. 1627 at Ply-
mouth, Massachusetts, and was called "Elder Dame Brews-
ter," after she had m. , as is stated above. (Refer to
2. above, Mary dau. of Thomas Wentworth), prob. in
Scrooby, co. Nottinghamshire, England, A. D. 1591, Wil-
liam Brewster, who was b. prob. in Scrooby, Nottingham-
shire, England, A. D. 1566/7, son of William and Pru-
dence Brewster. He matriculated at Peterhouse, Cambridge,
A. D. 1580, but did not graduate. Served under William
Davidson, ambassador and Secretary of State to Queen
Elizabeth I, A.D. 1584-1587. Postmaster at Scrooby,
A. D. 1587-1602. He and his wife Mary, went with the
Pilgrims to Holland, and were there A. D. 1608-1620.
They were passengers on the "MAYFLOWER" in 1620 to Ply-
mouth, Massachusetts, and he was the fourth Signer of
"THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT," on the 11th day of November,
A. D. 1620 (old style). He and his family settled in
Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he was the "Ruling Elder,"
A.D. 1620-1629, and was the first Minister of the first
church to be planted in New England, 11 December A. D.
1620, which is today the oldest Protestant church with
a continuous history in the Western Hemisphere. It was
the First Congregational Parish, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Both Church and Parish became Unitarian. He and his
family settled in Duxbury, Massachusetts, A. D. 1632-
1637, where he was the first minister. He was Deputy
to the General Court, A. D. 1636, and was Chaplain of
the Plymouth Military Company. William Brewster d.
in Pl5miouth, Mass., 16th April, A. D. 1644.
49
Extracts taken from a book on the
GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF THE
BAKER, ANDRUS, CLARK, AND ADAMS FAMILIES
With Descriptive Travels of the Author
by
Albert Clark Baker
Decorah, Iowa, 1920
William Baker married Johanna in England in 1590. Their
son William and wife Mary, with one child, William, four
years old came to America and settled in Concord, Mass.
in 1660. The author calls this William, who first came
to America, the first generation.
1. William Baker, 1, died April 8, 1679. His
widow, Mary, married Henry Jefts, a prominent citizen
of Ballerica, Mass.
Henry Jefts was bom in England in 1606 and died
in Bellerica in 1700. No information of death of Mary.
2. WILLIAM BAKER , 2, was bom in old England in
1656, married Elizabeth Dutton of Wabum, Mass., daughter
of Thomas and Susan Dutton of Wabury, Mass. May 5, 1681.
Elizabeth was born on Dec. 29, 1659, and died April 7,
1698. William married Abigal but we have no further
history of her. His death occurred at Concord, Mass.,
June 8, 1702. Issue of marriage with Elizabeth, the
third generation:
MARY, bom May 1, 1682; ELIZABETH bom Sept. 15,
1684; SUSANNA, born August 25, 1686; THOMAS,
Dec. 9, 1690; JOHN, born May 6, 1692, died
Aug. 3, 1694; SARAH, born Aug. 13, 1693, died
Feb. 16, 1743.
*JOSEPH, bom Jan. 8, 1696 in Concord, died
Sept. 3, 1761, at Littleton, Mass. All these
children were bom at Concord, Mass.
50
3. JOSEPH BAKER, married Alice Jefts of Bellerica,
Mass., daughter of John and Lydia Jefts of Bellerica,
married at Concord, Mass. Dec. 11, 1716 by the Rev. John
Whiting. Children of Joseph and Alice Baker:
ALICE, bom in Concord, Nov. 14, 1717, died
Aug. 26, 1767; WILLIAM, born in Concord, Dec.
12, 1719, died Mar. 13, 1793; JOSEPH, born in
Littleton, June 22, 1721, died 1776; LYDIA,
born in Littleton, Mar. 19, 1723, died Jan. 9,
1809; JOHN, born in Littleton, April 21, 1726,
died June 1760;
'VCHARLES, bom in Littleton, May 30, 1728; died
April 3, 1813; TIMOTHY, bom in Littleton, Nov. 30,
1730, died April 14, 1810; THOMAS, born in Littleton,
Oct. 11, 1732, died 1778.
4. CHARLES BAKER, son of Joseph, 3, of William, 2,
of William, 1, born May 30, 1728; married Mary King (also)
Rice, of Brimfield, Mass., May 30, 1751. She was the
daughter of Ezra King of Worcester, Mass. Issue of this
marriage was:
CHARLES BAKER, JR., bom April 4, 1752.
* JONAS BAKER, bom Jan. 17, 1754.
LEVI BAKER, bom April 10, 1755.
MARY BAKER, bom Sept. 4, 1757.
ARTEMAS BAKER, born Jan. 10, 1759.
LYDIA BAKER, bom June 21, 1761.
JOSEPH BAKER, bom May 12, 1768.
LUCINDA BAKER, born Nov. 20, 1768.
JOHN BAKER, bom May 12, 1768.
5. JONAS BAKER, son of Charles, of Joseph, of Wil-
liam, 2, of William, 1, was bom Jan. 17, 1754; married
Betty, daughter of Jonas and Betty Wilder of Templeton,
0122938
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
35 NORTH WEST TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150
51
Mass., Feb. 16, 1779 and died in Lancaster N. H. Feb. 24,
1828. Issue of this marriage was:
*ARTEMAS BAKER, bom Feb. 4, 1780 at Gerry, Mass.
BETSY WILDER BAKER, born April 24, 1782.
JONAS BAKER, bom Sept. 23, 1785.
Jonas Baker, bom Oct. 28, 1786.
MARY KING BAKER, bom March 27, 1793.
CHARLES BAKER, bom March 27, 1789.
SALLY BAKER, born May 18, 1799.
CHARLES BAKER, bom March 27, 1793.
LACONDA BAKER, bom June 21, 1795.
EUNICE BAKER, bom Oct. 9, 1797.
Mrs. Jonas Wilder Baker died in Lancaster, N. H. July 31,
1801. Jonas Baker married again to Sally, daughter of
Oliver Whitcomb of Littleton, Mass., May 22, 1802. Only
living issue was Oliver Whitcomb Baker, bom March 2, 1806.
6. ARTEMAS BAKER, son of Jonas, 5, Charles, 4, Jos-
eph, 3, William, 2, William, 1, was born at Gerry Mass.,
Feb. 4, 1780 (became a lawyer), married Mehettabel, daug?i-
terof Thatcher and Elizabeth Conant of Becket, Mass., at
Windham, Portage County, Ohio, on August 17, 1813. Issue
was as follows:
ELIZABETH (Betty) BAKER, bom Oct. 10, 1814,
died Dec. 15, 1898 at Waco, Texas.
MEHETTABLE BAKER, bom June 19, 1816, at Bridge-
port, Ohio, died May 6, 1898.
MARY 0. BAKER, bom June 11, 1818, married Cornel-
ius Vemoy, died Corsicana, Texas, Aug. 1, 1852.
JONAS BAKER, bom Nov. 15, 1820, Bridgeport, Ohio,
died May 28, 1822.
ARTEMAS BAKER, bom April 14, 1821, in Bridge-
port, Ohio.
52
SYBIL BAKER, born Nov. 15, 1822, married Sam-
uel C. Phelps of Licking Co., Ohio, Mar. 4,
1849.
LYDIA BAKER, born Mar. 15, 1824.
CHARLES BAKER, born Feb. 9, 1826.
SUSANNA BAKER, born 1828, Aug. 26, died Jan. 2,
1846.
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER, born Oct. 10, 1830, died
Aug. 12, 1884.
EUNICE BAKER, born Nov. 7, 1882.
REBECCA BAKER, bom April 30, 1834, died July 1,
1852 at James Beeman's, East side of Trinity,
Dallas Co., Texas.
Artemas died Oct. 4, 1852 at Lancaster, Tex., and Mehet-
table died at Lancaster, Tex., May 22, 1873. (Mehettable
was bom at Becket, Mass., July 24, 1793.)
CHLOE BAKER, born May 23, 1836 in Hanover, Ohio,
died in Hanover, 0., Aug. 1836.
ANGELINA GRAY BAKER, bom Oct. 25, 1839. Mar-
ried James B. Gilliland, March 26, 1851, at James
Jackson Beeman's in Parker County, Texas.
Of this sixth generation Elizabeth (Betty), married
James Jackson Beeman, November 21, 1851, in Dallas County,
Texas .
Mehettable married Oswin Teagarden in Ohio, October
1, 1841, died at Ronda, buried at Palestine, Texas.
Artemas Baker married Lavina Broadner of Hanover,
Ohio, in 1849.
Sybil married Samuel C. Phelps of Licking County,
Ohio, in March 4, 1849.
Mary 0. Baker, no further record.
53
Note 1: William Thatcher Baker married Emily Elvira
Beeman of Parker County, Texas, Sept. 8, 1856.
Eunice Baker married Nathaniel B. Everts of
Lancaster, Texas.
Angelina Gray Baker married James B. Gilliland
of Parker County, Texas, March 19, 1857, at the
home of James Jackson Beeman.
Note 2: Charles Artemas Baker went to Havana, Cuba,
returned to Ohio. Afterwards was seen on board
a vessel at New Orleans by an old friend of the
family by the name of Bob Reed. Charles was
never seen again.
Note 3: From the GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF THE BAKER,
ANDRUS, CLARK, AND ADAMS FAMILIES, with
Descriptive Travels of the Author, by Albert
Clark Baker, Decorah, Iowa, 1920
Page 8 - - History of Embellishments:
"The coat of arms (By the Name of Baker) I
have no doubt is an original and not one of
those that were sold to the public for prestige.
My father said that his father prized much, and
that he said it had been in the William branch
of the family since brought from England. It
is on a very ancient piece of sheepskin and
shows all the marks of its ancient origin. It
was put in a frame covered with Indian arrow-
heads and for years hung in the sitting-room at
our old home in Castalia. When we removed from
there, it was taken from the frame; it was never
reframed, but at father's death given to my broth-
er William at Sioux City, yis son William having
passed on, it was given to Frank Dike Baker of
Sioux City, the oldest living son."
54
RICE-KING-BAKER FAMILY CONNECTION
Lineage showing the Baker Family eligibility for membership
in the "Edmund Rice (1638) Association, Inc." The Historian
and Editor is Frederick R. Rice, 16 Eastern Ave., Arlington,
Mass. 02174.
(I) EDMUND RICE, immigrant ancestor, bom in Barkham-
stead, England in 1594. He probably came to America early
in 1638. He settled in Sudbury, Mass., and was proprietor
and selectiuaa tht^ce in 1639, he became the largest indivi-
dual land-holder. He was one of the petitioners for the new
town of Marlborough, Mass., and moved there in 1S60.
He married first, in England, TAMAZIN ^ , she
died 13 June 1654. Their son was:
(II) SAMUEL RICE, born about 1634 in England, came to
America with his family. He married in Sudbury, 8 Nov. 1655,
ELIZABETH KING, daughter of THOMAS KING (l) who was also one
of the proprietors of Marlborough, Mass. and originally from
Shaftesbury, England. ELIZABETH was born in England about
1635 and brought to America with her brother Peter. She died
in Oct. 1667 when her sixth child, SAMUEL, was an infant. Be-
fore her death she gave her baby boy to her brother Peter King.
For many years this boy was known as SAMUEL KING, alias RICE,
and his children were similarly designated.
(III) SAMUEL KING, alias RICE, was born in 1667 in Sud-
bury, Mass. He married ABIGAIL CLAPP, bom 29 Jan. 1659/60;
died 17 Feb. 1729/30 at Sudbury. She was the daughter of
THOMAS CLAPP AND ABIGAIL .
(IV) EZRA KING, alias RICE, was bom 22 May 1697; died
14 Jan. 1746 at Cape Brent on, Canada. He married SILENCE BOND.
(V) MARY KING, alias RICE, was bom 9 July 1726; died
in Gerry (now Phillipston) Mass., 8 May 1803. She married in
55
Littleton, Mass., 30 May 1751, CHARLES BAKER (4) who was born
in Littleton, 30 May 1728; died in Gerry (now Phillipston) , 3
April 1813. He was the son of Capt. JOSEPH (3) and ALICE
(JEFTS) BAKER of Littleton, Mass.
CHARLES BAKER was one of the early settlers of Templeton,
Mass. settled in 1762. He was a prominent figure in the early
history of the town. He was a licensed Inn Holder and survey-
or of many plots of land and roads. In 1786 the west part of
Templeton and part of Athol, Mass. was set off for the town-
ship of Gerry, Mass. and at the first town meeting he was cho-
sen town clerk and selectman.
(VI) JONAS BAKER (5), born in Littleton, Mass., 17 Jan.
1754; died in Lancaster, New Hampshire, 14 Feb. 1828. He
moved to the new town of Lancaster, N. H. in 1786, and the
following year he surveyed the town into 100 acre lots. In
civil life he served as selectman, town clerk, moderator and
clerk of the court of common pleas, at different times. He
married in Templeton, Mass., 16 Feb. 1779, BETTY WILDER, daugh-
ter of JONAS and ELIZABETH WILDER. Their son was:
(VII) ARTEMAS BAKER (6), born 4 Feb. 1780 in Templeton,
Mass.; died 11 Oct. 1853 in Lancaster, Texas. He studied law
at Hartford, Conn, and in the early 1800 's went to Ohio and
settled first at Revenna, County seat of Portage County. It
was in Revenna that he started law practice. And it was in
Ohio that he met and married Miss MEHETTABLE CONANT, also a
native of Mass. She was the daughter of THATCHER and ELIZA-
BETH CONANT and was born in Becket, Mass. They came to Texas
in 1850, and settled near Lancaster, Texas.
56
CHARLES BAKER, ESQUIRE, WILL
Will filed April 15, 1813
Series A, Case 2619
In the name of God Amen: I, Charles Baker of Gerry in the
County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire.
Being in a good measure of health and through the goodness of
God, in sound mind and memory but calling to mind the mortal-
ity of my body, and knowing that it is appointed to men once
to die, do therefore make and ordain and publish this as my
last will and testament in manner and form following, that it
say first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand
of God that gave it; and my body to the earth to be buried in
a decent Christian manner by my Executor hereinafter named - -
And with regard to such worldly estate as it pleased God to
bless me with, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the
way and manner following, viz--
First I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Mary, as a
full right of dower, the whole of my part of the Farm that we
dwell in in said Gerry, with my part of the buildings thereof;
or she may take her maintenance out of my Estate according to
a bond given me by my son Levi Baker, with all the privi ledges
and advantages of said bond. I also give to my said wife the
use of my pew in said Gerry Meeting House. I also give to my
said wife all my household furniture to use as she may during
her life.
I give to my son Charles One Dollar to be paid him in one year
after my decease; which with what he has already had will be
his share. I give to my son Jonas one third part of a note
of hand I hold against him and what more I hold against him
and due on said note at my demise I order him to pay to my
57
Executor for the benefit of my Heirs. I give to my son
Artemas, all notes and obligations that I hold against him.
I give unto my Grandchildren, namely, Lydia Stevens, Charles
Stevens, Thomas Stevens and Joseph Stevens, children of my
daughter Mary Stevens, deceased. One Dollar to each of said
children to be paid them when they respectively arrive to the
age of twenty one years .
I give to my son Joseph Baker, a piece of meadow land in said
Gerry, containing about seven acres, more or less, lying on
New Brook (so called) bounding South by a turn pike road east-
erly by Templeton, line northerly by land of Edmond Brigham,
westerly by land of Isaac Allard. Also I give to said Joseph
my pew in Gerry Meeting House at the reversion of the Dower,
saving and reserving to my daughter Elizabeth, a right and
privilege to sit in said pew during her continuance in single
life. I also give to my said daughter Elizabeth two rooms in
my dwelling house, at her option, with the privilege of using
the same as long as she continues in single life.
I give to my three daughters Lydia Kilburn, Lucinda Gould,
and Elizabeth Baker, and my son John Baker, all my lands that
I hold in Templeton, to be divided in the following manner,
Lydia and Lucinda to have one third part equally between them
and Elizabeth to have one third part and John to have the
other third part, to them and their heirs, assigns, forever.
I give to my son Levi Baker when he has fulfilled my will,
viz, has paid all my just debts and all funeral charges for
myself and wife - at reversion of the Dower; the whole of mes-
suage or tenement of land where I now dwell in said Gerry, to
him, his heirs and assigns forever, only reserving to my
daughter Elizabeth the free use and benefit of two good rooms
in the dwelling house at her option during her continuance
in single life.
58
I constitute and appoint Levi Baker of Gerry in the County of
Worcester, my sole Executor to this my last Will and Testament
in witness whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal the
Seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord 1802.
Charles Baker
NOTE: Charles Baker was the son of Joseph and Alice Jefts
Baker born May 30, 1728 and died April 3, 1813.
59
On the 11th day of September, 1810, sixteen men met at
the house of Thatcher Conant, in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass.,
for the purpose of forming a company to purchase a township
in New Connecticut and remove there. They bought 14,845
acres at $1.75 an acre. The deed was made to "Dillingham,
Clark, Esquire, Alpheus Streater, Yoeman, and Thatcher Conant,
Gentleman". The land was surveyed into equal lots, each pur-
chaser had the proportion, according to his investment. Four
young men made the advance journey on foot with a sled and
horse to carry their baggage. They arrived on 16th of March,
1811. They immediately commenced a settlement. Several more
families came. On 2nd day of May, 1811, the First Congrega-
tional Church in Windham, Ohio was organized in Becket, Mass.,
and transported like an Ark of the Covenant as its covenanting
members journeyed in their oxcarts to their new township "on
reserve". On 13th of July Thatcher Conant and Jeremiah Lyman
arrived and settled on Lot 86. On March 2, 1813, Thatcher Con-
ant was one of the trustees elected of the township. He was
also elected one of two Overseers of the Poor.
NOTE: Above information from History of Portage County ,
Beers & Co., Chicago 1885 and research of Minier
Baker DeSpain Sept. 12, 1968.
CHILDREN OF ARTEMAS AND MEHETTABLE BAKER
1. Elizabeth (Betty), bom October 10, 1814, moved to Pleas-
ant Run, Dallas County with her parents, April 4, 1850,
married James Jackson Beeman November 29, 1859, died
December 15, 1898 at Waco, Texas, in the home of her son,
Charles Artemas Beeman, 823 N. 12th Street; buried in un-
marked grave on a doctor's lot in Waco.
2. Mehettable, bom June 12, 1816 at Bridgeport, Ohio, mar-
ried Oswin Teagarden at Hanover, Licking County, Ohio,
October 14, 1841. She died near Ronda, in Wilbarger
County, Texas, May 6, 1898, and is buried in Palestine,
Texas in the new cemetery. Oswin Teagarden, born in
60
Wheeling, West Virginia, May 13, 1812, died in Palestine,
Texas, on March 28, 1887. He is buried in same lot with
his wife.
3. Mary Oconasta, bom June 11, 1818. Married Cornelius Ver-
noy and died at Corsicana, Texas, August 1, 1852.
4. Jonas Baker, bom at Bridgeport, Ohio, November 15, 1820.
Died in Bridgeport, Ohio, May 28, 1822.
5. Artemas Baker, born April 14, 1821, in Bridgeport, Ohio.
6. Sybil, born November 15, 1822, in Bridgeport, Ohio. Mar-
ried Mr. (Samuel Chauncey) Phelps, Sr., a native of Lick-
ing County, Ohio, March 4, 1849 and came to Texas in 1851.
They settled in Dallas County, buying a portion of the
Holeman headright near the Trinity River. Sybil Baker was
a teacher in her earlier years. She died in March, 1859,
leaving three small children, viz: Artemas who died April
8, 1894, unmarried; Elizabeth who married Winfield S.
Lewis, Aug. 23, 1869, resided in Tarrant Co., and reared
a large family; and Samuel Chauncey, Jr. , farmed in Jack-
son Co., Oklahoma, married Nettie Renn in Hardeman County,
April 12, 1891, reared eight children.
7. Lydia, bom March 15, 1824.
8. Charles, bom February 9, 1826.
9. Susannah, born Aug. 26, 1828, died January 2, 1846.
10. William Thatcher, born October 10, 1830, married Emily
Elvira Beeman September 18, 1856, in Parker County, 5
miles north of Weatherford, Texas. Emily was bom at
Dalby Springs, Bowie County, Texas, January 8, 1841,
as her family (James Jackson Beeman and wife, Sarah
Crawford Beeman) were coming to Texas with Peter's
Colony. William died August 12, 1884, at Ohio, Texas,
61
in the community which he named and was the first post-
master. Emily died February 22, 1920, in Hamilton, Texas.
Both are buried in the I.O.O.F, Cemetery, Hamilton, Texas.
11. Eunice, born November 7, 1832.
12. Rebeckah, born April 30, 1834, died at her brother-in-
law's home, James Jackson Beeman, who lived on the east
side of the Trinity River, Dallas County, Texas, July 1,
1852, of consumption.
13. Chloe, bom March 23, 1836, in Hanover, Ohio, and died at
Hanover, Ohio, August, 1836.
14. Angelina Gray, born October 25, 1839, married James B.
Gilliland at home of James Jackson Beeman, March 26,
1857, Parker County, Texas.
CHILDREN OF EMILY ELVIRA BEEMAN AND WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER
Name
Mehettable
James Artemas
Francis Houston
William Thatcher
Jane Emily
Elizabeth Scythia
Charles Curtis
Norton Amos -,
John (Erskine)
Beeman
Margaret May
Born
Nov. 10, 1857
Sep. 22, 1859
Dec. 13, 1861
Jan. 9, 1864
Oct. 12, 1866
Feb. 8, 1869
Jan. 30, 1871
Sep. 9, 1873
Oct. 2, 1876
Married
Died
Mary Oconasta
Angelina Alice
Jul. 2, 1878
Jul. 7, 1880
Feb. 26, 1883
James A. Shannon Oct. 7, 1942
Alice Ratliff Oct. 16, 1917
Eulalie Crews 1st
Elizabeth Martin,
2nd Nov. 3, 1930
Nannie Key Feb. 19, 1935
Ralph Piper Edgar Mar. 7, 1949
David B. Holland Nov. 28, 1932
Alma Nicholson Mar. 21, 1942.
Gay Miller May 17, 1943
Amma Pinkerton Mar. 18, 1955
Jul. 18, 1955
John Lynn 1st
Cash Mathis 2nd
Malcolm Alvah Boone
Jul. 6, 1963
Jacob Forrest Nicholson
Oct. 6, 1960
3. NOTE: John changed the Erskine to Beeman because the child-
ren in the family called it Ear Skin.
4. NOTE: See Appendix 8 for Family Groups; page 82
62
CONANT GENEALOGY
BY
FREDERICK 0. CONANT
Portland, Maine
1887
George Conant , who came to Plymouth, Mass., from Exe-
ter, England, abcut 1718, was perhaps son of George Conant of
Dunsford, a small parish of Devon, seven or eight miles west
of Exeter. He is said to have been a haberdasher of Exeter,
and of considerable property, but the vessel in which he came
was wrecked, all was lost, and he finally settled in Plymouth.
He married about 1718 one Mary, daughter of Joseph and Eliza-
beth (Southworth) Howland, born about 1690. Joseph Howland
was son of John Howland who came in the "MAYFLOWER" and Eliza-
beth, daughter of John Til ley, who with his wife and family
were also passengers on the MAYFLOWER.
George Conant was accidentally drowned in Plymouth Har-
bor in 1731. After a few years his family moved to Barnstable
on Cape Cod, and the widow married William Green of Barnstable
in 1745. She died October 23, 1756.
Children of this marriage -- George and Mary Howland Conant:
Charles, George, and Elizabeth Conant.
George Conant, 2, was born Jan. 13, 1723 in Plymouth,
fought in Revolutionary War, and in 1779 moved to Beckett.
He died March 3, 1792, and was buried in the First Congrega-
tional Church Yard. He married Elizabeth Crocker, fourth time
in 1761, Lydia daughter of Thatcher and Anna Gray Freeman,
bom 1733, and died January 6, 1808.
4: NOTE: From the D A R PATRIOT INDEX 1968
George Conant, Sr . b 1-18-1723 d 3-3-1792
page 571 m Cl) Sarah Goodspeed
Pvt Mass (2) Susanna Crocker
Elizabeth Crocker
Lydia Freeman
63
Children of George and Lydia Freeman Conant:
George Thatcher and Thatcher Conant.
Thatcher Conant, 3, was bom March 2, 1767, in Barns-
table, moved to Beckett in 1779. He was one of the organi-
zers of a colony of about ninety people who, in 1811, moved
to Windham, Portage County, Ohio. He died June 19, 1840.
His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Asa and Eunice (Dimmock)
Manley, whom he married March 5, 1789. Elizabeth died in 1801,
The wedding took place in Coventry, Connecticut.
The following is a copy of data from the family Bible
owned by Mrs. Angelina Gray (Baker) Gilliland, daughter of
Artemas and Mehettable (Conant) Baker.
CONANT AND BAKER FAMILY TREE
Thatcher Conant was bom of George and Lydia Conant,
March 2, 1767 in Barnstable, and removed with his parents to
Becket, Berkshire County, Mass., in June 1779. He married
Elizabeth Manley, March 5, 1789. Elizabeth Manley was bom
of Asa and Chloe Manley (The Registrar General of D A R cor-
rected this to read Eunice (Dimmock) Curley on Daisey Tea-
garden Behrends D A R papers), February 9, 1769, in Coven-
try, Tolland County, Conn. , and removed with her Aunt King
to Becket, Berkshire County, Mass., in February, 1788. She
and Thatcher Conant were married in Beckett and lived there
until June, 1811, then moved with their ten children to Wind-
ham, Portage County, Ohio.
Thatcher Conant died June 17, 1840, in Windham, Ohio,
with inflamation of the brain.
Susannah Conant, first child of Elizabeth and Thatcher
Conant, was bom Monday, Nov. 23, 1789. She married James
Robb of Poland, Trumble County, Ohio, October 22, 1810.
64
Thatcher Freeman Conant, second child of Thatcher and
Elizabeth Conant was born Saturday, August 20, 1791, and
married Irene Maxfield, September 12, 1818.
Mehettable Conant, third child of Thatcher and Eliza-
beth Conant, was born Wednesday, July 25, 1793, and married
Artemas Baker, August 17, 1813. Artemas Baker was bom Feb-
ruary 11, 1780. Artemas Baker died in Dallas County, Texas,
October 11, 1853, at 3 o'clock in the morning.
Elizabeth Edna Conant, fourth child of Thatcher and
Elizabeth Conant, was bom Thursday, Oct. 8, 1795, and married
Levi Alford, April 6, 1814. She died at the residence of her
son-in-law, Levi Alford in Windham, Ohio, October 1, 1845.
Rebeckah Conant, fifth child of Thatcher and Eliza-
beth Conant, was born February 14, 1798, and married Leander
Sackett, January 23, 1821. She died at her father's in Wind-
ham, Ohio, March 12, 1828.
Asa Manley Conant, sixth child of Thatcher and Elizabeth
Conant, was born Sunday, March 15, 1800, and married Eunice
Bierce Sept. 1, 1824.
Chloe Bridgman Conant, seventh child of Thatcher and
Elizabeth Conant, was born Saturday, October 30, 1802, and
married H. N. Bierce, March 5, 1823. She died at her resi-
dence Dec. 29, 1846, of consumption.
George Erskine Conant, eighth child of Thatcher and
Elizabeth Conant was born Tuesday, May 8, 1805, and married
Emily Foot, Oct. 1, 1829. She died July 7, 1843, at her re-
sidence, with con;sumption and George Erskine Conant married
again to Abigail Pain, April 10, 1845.
Lydia Mary Conant, ninth child of Thatcher and Elizabeth
Conant, was bom Tuesday, February 23, 1808, and married Rob-
65
ert M. Higley, November 17, 1830.
Angelina Gray Conant, tenth child of Thatcher and Eliza-
beth Conant was bom Saturday, October 20, 1810, and married
Alexander Bierce, October 27, 1839.
Elizabeth (Betty) Baker, first child 62 Artemas and
Mehettable Baker was bom October 10, 1814.
Mehettable Baker, second child of Artemas and Mehettable
Baker was bom June 12, 1816, at Bridgeport, Ohio, and married
Oswin Teagarden at Hanover, Licking County, Ohio, October 14,
1841. She died near Ronda, in Wilbarger Co., Texas, May 6,
1898, and is buried at Palestine, Texas, in the new cemetery
on the N.E. comer of Lot 22, in Block No. 2.
Oswin Teagarden was bom in Wheeling, West Virginia,
May 13, 1812 and died in Palestine, Texas, on March 28, 1887.
He is buried in the same lot with his wife.
Mary Oconasta Baker, third child of Artemas and Mehet-
table Baker, was bom June 11, 1818. Married Cornelius Ver-
noy, and died at Corsicana, Texas, August 1, 1852.
Jonas Baker, fourth child of Artemas and Mehettable was
bom at Bridgeport, Ohio, Nov. 15, 1820. Died Bridgeport,
Ohio, May 28, 1822.
Artemas Baker, fifth child was bom April 14, 1821, in
Bridgeport, Ohio.
Sybil Baker, sixth child of Artemas was born Nov. 15,
1822.
Lydia Baker, seventh child of Artemas was bom March 15,
1824.
Charles Baker, eighth child of Artemas and Mehettable
B. was bom February 9, 1826.
66
Susannah Baker, ninth child of Artemas and M. Baker
was born Aug. 26, 1828, and died Jan. 2, 1846.
William Thatcher Baker, tenth child of Artemas and M.
Baker was bom Oct. 10, 1830, married Emily Beeman (daughter
of James Jackson Beeman) 8 January 1841.
Eunice Baker was bom November 7, 1832.
Rebeckah Baker was born April 30, 1834, and died at her
brother-in-law's James Jackson Beeman, East Side of Trinity,
Dallas Co., Texas, July 1, 1852, of consumption.
Chloe Baker was bom March 23, 1836, in Hanover, Ohio,
and died at Hanover, Ohio, August, 1836.
Angelina Baker was born October 25, 1839. Married James
B. Gilliland. Married March 26, at J. J. Beeman's house. (1857)
67
FAMILY RECORD
of the Families of James J. Beeman and Charles A. Beeman
Births
James J. Beeman, Dec. 21, 1816, in 111.
Sarah Beeman, 1st wife of James J. , was daughter of James
Crawford. She was born Dec. 13, 1819, presiomably in 111.
Elizabeth Beeman, 2nd wife of James J. was the daughter of
Artemas Baker, born Oct. 10, 1814 in Ohio.
Children of James J. Beeman and Sarah Beeman:
William C. Beeman, Sept. 27, 1837 in Green County, 111.
Mary Jane Beeman, March 3, 1839, in Calhoun County, 111.
Emily E. Beeman, Jan. 8, 1841 in Bowie County, Texas.
Gennett Beeman, Oct. 17, 1843 in Dallas County, Texas.
Francis M. Beeman, Nov. 28, 1844 in Dallas County, Texas.
Melissa Anice Beeman, Nov. 19, 1846 in Dallas County, Texas.
Children of James J. Beeman and Elizabeth Beeman:
Lydia A. Beeman, Nov. 13, 1852(dead) in Dallas County, Texas.
Charles A. Beeman, Jan. 24, 1854 in Dallas County, Texas.
Sarah E. Beeman, March 9, 1857 in Parker County, Texas
Martha E. Beeman, wife of C. A. Beeman was the daughter of
W. W. McCotmick. She was born Dec. 4, 1855 in Kentucky.
Children of C. A. Beeman and Martha E. Beeman
A girl (dead) Jan. 4, 1878 in Hamilton County, Texas.
Elbert Beeman (Friday), Feb. 6, 1880 in Hamilton County, Texas,
Carl Beeman (Monday), Nov. 12, 1883 in Lampasas County, Texas.
Norvil Beeman (Sunday), June 1, 1890 in Temple, Texas.
Otis Beeman (Tuesday), Oct. 9, 1894 in Temple, Texas.
MARRIAGES
J. J. Beeman and Sarah Crawford, (1st wife), Sept. 16, 18 36
St. Charles Co. Mo.
68
J. J. Beeman and Elizabeth Baker, (3rd wife) Nov. 29, 1851 in
Dallas Co. Tex.
Mary Jane Beeman and Henry C. Price (1st husband) July 29,
1855, Parker County, Texas.
Mary Jane Beeman and Wyatt Barnett (2nd husband) - - -Dallas
Co. , Texas .
Emily E. Beeman and Wm. T. Baker (1st husband), Sept. 18, 1856.
Parker Co., Texas.
Emily E. Beeman and David Thomas Holmes (2nd husband) parti-
culars unknown.
Francis M. Beeman and Amanda J. McCormick in Rockwall County,
Texas, Feb. 6, 1868. (She was a sister of Martha E. Bee-
man, wife of Charles A. Beeman).
Sarah E. Beeman and L. Albert Sweet, June 22, 1873 in Dallas
County, Texas.
Charles A. Beeman and Martha E. McCormick, Aug. 24, 1876,
Kaufman Co., Tex.
Elbert Beeman and Louise Beckley, April 17, 1901 in Waco, Tex.
Norvil Beeman and Cleo M. Knights, Aug. 21, 1917 in Chicago,
111.
Carl Beeman and Thelma Keithley, May 14, 1919, in Dallas, Tex.
Otis Beeman and Ethel Kenworthy, June 27, 1925, in Chicago,
111.
DEATHS
Wm. C. Beeman, Aug. 5, 1840 in Green County, 111.
Gennett Beeman, Oct. 21, 1845 in Dallas County, Texas.
Sarah Beeman, wife of James J. Beeman, March 8, 1848, Dallas
County, Texas.
Melisa Anice Beeman, Feb. 27, 1861, Parker County, Texas.
Lydia Beeman, Jan. 29, 1853 in Dallas County, Texas.
James J. Beeman (Friday) Dec. 7, 1888, 2:30 P.M. at Lampasas,
Texas .
Elizabeth Beeman (3rd) wife of J. J. Beeman, (Thursday), Dec.
15, 1898, 7 A.M., Waco, Texas.
69
Martha E. Beeman, wife of Charles A. Beeman, Feb. 4, 1908,
Dallas, Texas (Oak Cliff)
Charles A. Beeman, Oct. 9, 1940, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. , buried
in Oak Cliff Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
Elbert Beeman, Sept. 19, 1943; buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery,
Dallas, Tex.
BEAMAN OR BEEMAN
James Beaman (Elder) and wife Nancy
died Oct. 17, 1811
Their children were:
Samuel Beaman bom April 6, 1795, Murfreesboro, N.C., died
May 13, 1877.
Mary born April 16, 1797.
John born Oct. 20, 1799, N.C. died Mar. 12, 1856.
Lyda born Mar. 16, 1802.
Nancy bom Jan. 11, 1805 died Sept. 1808.
Isaac born April 27, 1808 died Aug. 5, 1831
William bom Feb. 3, 1811
James' wife, Seytha died Oct. 30, 1836.
James Beaman (Elder) died Feb. 20, 1833.
James J. Beaman bom Dec. 21, 1816, 111. died Dec. 7, 1888,
Lampasas, Tex.
Nancy born July 8, 1819
Margaret bom July 17, 2 twins
Note: Three Beeman brothers came to Texas from 111.
John and James J. came in 1840
Sam came in 1846
Bible published in Philadelphia 1817.
The above records were sent by Ruth Cooper (a Beeman descendant)
4826 Worth Street
Dallas, Texas 75246
70
BEEMAN OR BEAMAN
James Jackson Beeman's parents were John Beeman who married
Margaret Hunter 19 May 1767. His will is found in Rowan Coun-
ty, North Carolina, WILLS 1805-1826, Vol. I P 11, and his
children are given as James Beeman, Mary Beeman Moore, Thomas
Beeman, Joseph Beeman, Elizabeth Beeman, Nancy Beeman, Char-
les Beeman, William Beeman and Samuel Beeman.
The Family Record is from the Beeman Bible which belonged to
John's grandson, John.
It is concluded that James Beeman married 1st Nancy (no sur-
name given) .
Children: Samuel b April 6, 1895, Murfreesboro,
N.C.
John B. Oct. 20, 1799; died March 12,
1856
James' 2nd wife was Seytha (Rattan?) died Oct. 30, 1836.
James Jackson Beeman was the son of James and Seytha
(probably named for his father)
b 21 December 1816 Calhoun County, Illinois
d 7 December 1888, Lampasas, Lampasas County, Texas.
71
APPENDICES
72
No. 1. ARTEMAS BAKER was a fluent speaker of no mean ability
as is proven by a speech he delivered at Bridgeport, Ohio, in
1825, a copy of which is in the possession of the descendants
of James (Jim) Artemas Baker in Lockney, Texas. Family tradi-
tion says that at sometime in his legal career he was a Rep-
resentative or Congressman but so far there is no proof of
it. We have a copy of the speech which shows him to be a
man of broad education and keen understanding of the times
backed up with a good knowledge of history with all his
thoughts skillfully phrased for clarity. He gives evidence
of his thorough New England schooling and study at Harvard
where family tradition says he went to college.
From Peters Colony of Texas , by Seymour V. Connor, p. 186:
ARTEMAS BAKER, JR., migrated to the Colony as a single
man prior to July 1, 1848. He was issued a land certificate
by Thomas William Ward in 1850 and patented 320 acres in Dal-
las County (Nacogdoches Third Class No. 2177). He is listed
on the Census of 1850 (Dallas County Family No. 294) as a
29-year-old Shoemaker, born in Ohio.
No. 2. JAMES BEEMAN migrated as a family man prior to July
1, 1844. He was issued a land certificate and patented 640
acres in Dallas County (Nacogdoches Third Class No. 521). Ac-
cording to the Colony's Agent's report for 1844, he was living
on White Rock Creek in Old Nacogdoches County. (From Peters
Colony) .
f\ 1\ ^\ 7« /\ 7? 'V /\ t\ /\ t\ t\ 7\ /\
James Jackson Beeman's father was James also and was
son of John Beeman and wife Margaret Hunter, married May 19,
1705. John's will is found in Rowan Co., N.C. ( Wills , 1805-
1826, Vol. I, page 11. James is listed in the will. James
emigrated to Illinois about 1800.
73
1st married Nancy died October 17, 1811.
2nd married Seythe (Rattan?) died Oct. 1836.
James Beeman (James Jackson Beeman's father) was a
devout Baptist. Mention is made of him in Religion in the
American Frontier -_ The Baptists 1783 - 1830 , a collection
of source material by William Warren Sweet on the pages 262-
270 in Chapter X entitled Extracts from the Records of Front -
ier Baptist Churches . Records are from Wood River Church or-
ganized 1806. The Church now extinct was located one mile
east of the present town of Upper Alton, Illinois.
James Jackson Beeman, born December 12, 1816, in "Madi-
son County" (Calhoun Co. not formed until 1825), Illinois
Territory. " - - - - at the head of American Bottom in Mad-
ison County about 3 miles below the City of Alton, and about
one mile below St. Louis Crossing on Ward River - - - was
partly raised in Green County, and partly in Calhoun County
on Illinois River opposite mouth of Apple Creek." (From a
letter of C.A. Beeman dated 8 June 1938, in Mrs. Angle Baker
Nicholson's possession.)
No. 3 William and Emily's children called Elizabeth "Little
Grandma". She was a delightful person who knew how to please
and entertain them and was much loved by them and everyone.
Here is a letter Elizabeth wrote to Norton Amos Baker when he
was living in Lockney with his brother Jim (James Artemas) and
she was living in Temple where her son Charles Artemas Beeman
had a business school. Charles lived there at the time.
Copy of an old letter in possession of Hortenz Baker Bradshaw;
Dallas, Texas.
74
Temple, Texas Feb. 2, 1891
Norton Baker
Dear Grandson I was glad to hear from you, I had heard
you had gone to Floyd Co. Your Aunt Ange told me that she
had an acquaintance in Floyd Co. but I have forgotten their
name, I think they are in the southern part, they went from
Milam Co. Charles is book keeper for Bently and Bass dry
goods merchants here. Charles has bought and built him a
house here and is living in it. They have another boy a fine
healthy looking baby eight months old, Norvill A. is his name.
My health is good but I am growing old and feeble. I
want to go up to your Mother's next summer after Sarah goes
to Gregg (it looks like Grear Co. but must be Gregg) Co. next
spring. I am in hopes they will come by to see me I fear I
will never see Sarah after she goes to Gregg. If I knew I
would not live much longer I would not care much, I have but
four years to live to be as old as Mother was when she died.
I do hope I wont live that long. I am now 76 years old, born
Oct. 10, 1814.
I am glad to hear you are going to have a Sunday School
and preaching once a month. I do hope you will succeed. If
you will work God will bless you I do hope you will build up
a church there while the country is new. I would not sell all
of my land it will be worth a great deal some day if your Grand
Pa had held on to some of the town property he once owned in
Dallas and Weatherford he would of died rich. But he was just
as happy.
I am glad you are going to school, an education will
take you where money can't take you, tell Alice I will look
for a long letter from her, you did not tell me all about
75
that country. Give my love to Jim and Alice little ones.
I can think of nothing more that would interest you
I am not in a very good mood for writing you can see by the
blunders I have made.
Your loving Grand Ma
Elizabeth Beeman
No. 4 Letter from Judge John J. Good to his wife.
Private collection of grand-daughter, Miss Frances
Thomas
Beeman 's Store (Weatherford, Parker County, Texas)
June 4, 1856
My dear wife:
For fear I won't have time to write you in the morn-
ing, I have after retiring, arisen to pen this epistle.
In company with Wat Caruth, I had a very pleasant but
warm trip to this place. At Ft Worth I enjoyed myself fine-
ly in company with my old friends at that place. We left
early next morning and passed over and amidst the finest and
wildest scenery that I have ever seen in any part of Texas.
It was worth the trip from Dallas to see it.
At a late hour in the evening we reached this place
and stopped with a Dallas County acquaintance, James J. Bee-
man, and have been far better entertained than I had any rea-
son to anticipate. Biscuits, and combread, fat beef, pork,
bacon, piompkins , sal lad (polk greens), coffee and milk have
been our diet. The bed is neat clean one put up in the smoke
house I'm the only guest that occupies the bed stead. (Here
he is referring to bed-bugs).
We have had a sharp quantity of business in court and
I have fees on good men to amount of $300.00 certain and
about $200.00 conditional. Court adjourned about 4 o'clock
76
tonight and closed with decidedly a rich farce. The examin-
ation of a (Pettifogger for license). I was placed by his
Hounour on the committee and we kept the poor scoundrel on
the stand for an hour by sun until adjournment of the court
then rejected the application and reported that he was not
qualified.
In the morning we shall all start for Johnson County by
way of Robinson's Mill. We may remain at the latter place to
frolic and bathe and fish.
I'm getting very anxious to see you and my boy and
shall take the very earliest opportunity to do so. Kiss the
boy and learn him to talk before my return, if you can. Be
sure and take good care of yourselves. I am in fine health
and as bouyant spirits as a fond husband and parent can be
when absent from those he loves.
I shall expect a letter from you at Waxahachie, Ellis
County. Dom't omit writing. If you do I shall feel serious-
ly disappointed. I shall write you from Wordville and Ellis.
Kiss the boy and tell him to kiss you for me. Give
my love to your Pa, Ma, Nat, Tommie and accept the love of
your devoted husband.
Signed: John J. Good.
PS I have been boasting large on our boy and those to
whom I have talked look upon him as a prodigy of the
genus puer. Have not danced a step since leaving
home. Party at Ft Worth but did not attend. JJG
Note: This letter was copied by Ruth Cooper, 4820 Worth
St., Dallas, Texas, a Beeman descendant, and given to
Margaret Boone Ackerman, 6466 Glendora, Dallas, Texas.
The latter gave a copy to Kathryne Baker Witty,
July 4, 1970.
77
No. 5 Sanger Brothers - From The Dallas Morning News , Sun-
day, September 1956. Forward with Texas since 1857.
Isaac Sanger opened the first store in McKinney, Texas
in 1857; later stores were opened at Decatur and Weatherford,
then at Millican. From 1861 to 1867 the small town of Milli-
can was a railroad terminal, and was a thriving metropolis.
It had stagecoach lines connecting it with many points in
Texas. Here Lehman and Philip Sanger opened a store, L & P
Sanger, which people called Sanger Brothers.
Later stores were opened at Bryan, Heame, Calvert,
Kosse, Bremond, Groesbeck, and in 1871 at Corsicana.
By 1869 Alexander and Samuel Sanger had joined the firm
making a total of five brothers. In 1872 Philip and Alexander
came to Dallas. It was here the brothers concentrated their
efforts.
No. 6 When the Bakers moved to their Plum Creek farm they
brought not only their worldly belongings but also a large
stock of newspapers, covering many years. There were the
publications of William's good friend, the abolitionist,
A. B. Norton, whose paper was Norton's Union Intelligencer
established in 1856 in Dallas. Some of the papers are still
in the possession of Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson (Nee' Ange-
line Alice Baker), and date back as early as 1872 and as late
as 1886.
"Anthony Bannon Norton was bom in Ohio and educated
at Kenyon College. After being admitted to the bar
at Portsmouth, Ohio, he practiced his profession in
Central Ohio and Southwest Texas before the Civil War.
"Arriving in Texas sometime before 1855, Norton began
the publication of the Intelligencer at Austin. He
78
was elected Vo the Texas House of Representatives
of the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Legislatures, 1855-1861,
During a recess of the Eighth Legislature, he was ap-
pointed adjutant general by Sam Houston.
"With the outbreak of the Civil War, Norton, who was
always a Union man, moved to Ohio. He took no part
in the military conflict but worked to alleviate the
conditions of Texans who were held in northern prisons.
After the Civil War, he returned to Texas and accepted
the post of a Judge of the district embracing Dallas.
Norton became a Republican, published the Union Intelli -
gencer at Dallas, and received a number of political
appointments including States Marshal for North Texas.
He married Maria Neyland in 1857; they had six children.
Norton died on December 31, 1893."
Webb- Handbook of Texas , page 288.
No. 7 From: THE HAMILTON HERALD-NEWS
Thursday, July 13, 1961, Hamilton, Texas.
Tells of First Post Office - Ohio postoffice began
May 4, 1882, Wm. Thatcher Baker was appointed on that
date.
OLD LETTERS REVEAL HISTORY IN TWO LIBERTY COMMUNITY,
FAMILIES
By Mrs. Bess Brown, nee Elam
Across the northern part of the Liberty community runs
Pliam Creek, one of the most beautiful small streams in the
county. Its fertile valleys, tall elms, and natural arbors
of Mustang grape vines all lend an attraction to the small
streams.
About 1879 and 1880 two families settled on this creek.
William Thatcher Baker from the state of Ohio settled on the
79
place now owned by Henry Eisen. William Nile Elam from Mis-
souri purchased a league of land now the Bird Ranch. Wallace
Parrish now lives at the site of the original home.
The two families lived only a few miles apart and had
much in common. Both were Unionists, and they both believed
in the abolition of slavery. This caused the other settlers
to label them "Black Republicans" at a time and place when
and where it was dangerous to be a Republican.
In 1883 both families were expecting new arrivals. Two
baby girls were born. The Bakers called their daughter Angle
and the Elams named theirs Bess.
These two girls were again together last Saturday when
Mrs. Forrest Nicholson from Hamilton called on Mrs. Bess Brown
at the old Elam Ranch headquarters. With her was her niece,
Mrs. Brents Witty and her daughter, Mrs. R. L. Fulcher from
Blanco. They had been visiting the old home place. E. 0. and
Grace Elam were also present.
Mrs. Nicholson had with her the original documents and
letters of her father's which told something of his activities
in this county.
Judging from the letters, Mr. Baker had a very influen-
tial friend in Dallas, General A. B. Norton, editor and prop-
rietor of a Dallas paper, "Norton's Union Intelligence." The
General was also the United States Marshal of the Northern
division of Texas. The many letters from him showed him to
be somewhat of a legal advisor for Baker.
One document authorized Baker to be an agent for the
paper and to take subscriptions, advertising, and to transact
business for it. In another letter Baker was asked to write,
"a plain, strong, forcible letter to the President of the
United States: setting forth my record as a Unionist and a
Republican, brief, and to the point."
80
Since it was quite a distance on horseback from Liberty
to Hamilton and the post office, Mr. Baker -- he had already
9
established a store, a stonegrinding grist mill , and a cot-
ton gin powered by a donkey walking on a tread-wheel-- decid-
ed that the settlement needed a post office. He wrote to Nor-
ton for advice on obtaining one, and in the next letter these
requirements were given:
"1. Get a petition signed by all nearby settlers.
2. Get a plat made showing the nearest post-
offices.
3. Give it a name.
4. Keep very quiet about it, to keep others
from making a similar request."
The requirements were met, and the post office named
"Ohio" for Mr. Baker's native state.
Mrs. Nicholson has the original document authorizing
the establishment of this post office issued by Postmaster
General Timothy O'Howe.
The mail was brought in saddle-bags once a week. No
record is given as to the salary of the carrier, but Postmast-
er Baker was paid $1.00 per quarter, or $4.00 per year, for
his services.
The post office was located in the Baker home. The
visitors Saturday found the letter mailing slot still in the
wall of the former residence.
Elam, a rural teacher, helped Baker persuade several
neighbors to subscribe to "The Dallas News" which was pub-
lished weekly. A year later the mail came twice a week, and
"The Dallas Semi-Weekly Farm News" became available. It was
very popular with the settlers.
9. Note: This is an error, Mr. Baker did not have a
grist mill.
81
It even had a "Sister's page" to which women could
write letters, and a "Cousin's page" that gave every youngs-
ter a "Pen Pal".
In August of 1884, Baker became very ill, and he
passed away on August 12, 1884. With his passing the
county suffered the loss of its greatest benefactor.
82
APPENDIX #8
DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER
Compiled by-
Alma Baker Rea, 1971
83
DESCENDANTS
OF
WILLIAM THATCHER BAKER AND EMILY ELVIRA BEEMAN
I Sarah Mehettable Baker m James Alexander Shannon
b 10 Nov 1857 Dallas Co. Tex b 9 Jan, 1850, South Bend,
d 7 Oct 1942 Fort Worth, Pennsylvania
Tarrant Co. Tex. d 17 Oct, 1892, Hamilton,
Hamilton Co. Tex.
Date of marriage, 25 Jan. 1877, Lancaster, Dallas Co. Tex.
6 children
1. Mary Addie Shannon
b 15 May 1878, Lancaster, Dallas Co. Tex.
d 15 Oct 1879, Lancaster, Dallas Co. Tex.
2. Effie Elvira Shannon m Elbert Franklin Porter
b 27 July 1880, Lancaster, b 16 Nov. 1877 near Meridian,
Dallas Co. Tex. Lauderdale Co., Mississippi,
d 30 Mar. 1953, Kerrville, d 16 Nov. 1948 Hico, Hamilton
Kerr Co., Tex. Co. Tex. Buried in Hico.
Buried in Hico, Tex.
date of marriage 9 Jan. 1911, Hamilton, Hamilton Co. Tex.
Elbert Franklin Porter, a diruggist, owned a drug store
in Hico, Texas, for many years.
one daughter
Martha Porter m Lowie Clinton Ritchey, Jr.
b 23 Feb. 1917, Hico, b 10 Jan 1920 Alpine,
Hamilton Co. Tex. Brewster Co. Tex.
d d
date of marriage 2 Sept. 1939, Hico, Hamilton Co. Tex.
2 daughters and 1 son
Margas Shannon Ritchey m David Gibson Sherrard
b 6 Dec. 1942 Houston b
Harris Co. Tex.
d d
date of marriage 3 August, 1968, Fort Benning, Georgia.
#1 Sarah Mehettable Baker Shannon Family (Cont'd) 84
Elizabeth Elliott Ritchey m Donald Alan Olson
b 28 Sept 1946 Alpine, b
Brewster Co., Texas
d d
date of marriage 14 June 1969 Metairie, Jefferson
Parish, Louisiana.
Lowie Clinton Ritchey III b 28 Sept. 1946
d 1 Oct. 1946
3. Sanford France Shannon m Barbara Kraemer
b 16 April 1883, Hamilton, ,
Hamilton Co. Tex.
d 23 Jan. 1929, Fort Worth
Tarrant Co. Tex. d
date of marriage
2 children
James Alexander Shannon m
b 20 Oct 1920, Chicago,
111
d
Mary Jane Shannon m
b 16 June 1925, Oklahoma
City, Okla.
d
date of marriage
4. Mable Shannon m Thomas Stratton Gillis
b 25 Feb 1886, Hamilton b
Hamilton Co. Tex
d d
Fort Worth, Tarrant Co. Tex,
date of marriage 29 June 1913 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
2 children
Shannon Gillis m Frank Justin Kelly
b 19 June 1919 Fort Worth
Tarrant Co . , Tex b
d d
date of marriage 6 Oct. 1940 Fort Worth, Tarrant Co. Tex.
2 children
Frank Stratton Kelly m Lynda Harper
b 16 July 1941 Houston, b
Harris Co. Tex
d d
date of marriage
#1 Sarah Mehettable Baker Shannon Family (Cont'd) 85
Frank Stratton Kelly has a degree in Architecture and his wife
Lynda is preparing her dissertation for her doctorate in French,
attending both Rice University in Houston, Texas, and the Sor-
bonne in Paris, France. Jan. 1971.
Carolyn Kelly m Robert Ernest Corry
b 26 July 1943 Houston, b
Harris Co. Tex.
d d
date of marriage
children
Thomas Stratton Gillis, Jr.
b 2 Feb 1921, Fort Worth m Frances Roensch
Tarrant Co. Tex b
d d
date of marriage 5 October 1947
Susan Gillis
b 8 Dec 1950
d 20 Dec 1950
Amy Catherine Gillis
b 25 Feb. 1952
d
Edward Stratton Gillis
b 15 Jan 1955, Houston
Harris Co. Tex.
5. Carson Baker Shannon, D. D. S.
b 23 Dec 1888 Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas
d 16 July 1927 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in an automobile
accident. Buried in Hamilton, Texas.
6. Lona Shannon
b 23 Oct 1891, Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas
d 7 Jun 1963 Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
married twice and divorced each time -- no children.
86
II
1.
James Artemas Baker
b 22 Sept 1859 Dallas
Co., Tex
d 16 Oct 1917 Lockney,
Floyd Co. , Tex.
Buried in Lockney
date of marriage 1 Jan.
m Sarah Alice Ratliff
b 26 Aug 1867 Van Zandt Co.,
Tex.
d 2 Jun 1967 Lockney, Floyd
Co., Tex.
Buried in Lockney, Tex.
1885, Hamilton Co., Tex.
James Artemas Baker was a farmer and a merchant, and
member of the Church of Christ.
12 children
Meda Mozelle Baker m
b 21 March 1886 Hamilton
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d
Lester Monroe Honea, farmer
b 23 Sept 1881, Cleburne,
Johnson Co., Texas
d 1 June 1969, Lockney, Floyd
Co., Tex. and buried there
date of marriage 22 March 1903, Lockney, Floyd Co., Tex,
3 children
Olga Honea
b 23 Nov 1903 Lockney
Floyd Co. , Tex
d
m Clyde Frances Applewhite
b 23 Aug 1898 Lavernia,
Wilson Co. , Tex.
d
Farmer and rancher
date of marriage 24 March 1932 Lockney, Texas
Alice Honea
b 1 July 1907 Lockney,
Floyd Co. , Tex.
d
date of marriage
1 daughter
m Herman Dean
b 7 Jan 1905 Springfield,
Sangamon Co., 111.
d
Dian Louise Dean
b 4 April 1942
d
m
Larry John Foster
b
d
date of marriage 1 March 1960, Pampa, Gray Co., Tex.
3 children
Joe Brent Foster
b 1 Nov 1960, Pampa,
Gray Co. , Tex.
d
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd) 87
Jerry Dean Foster
b 28 Feb 1962 Odessa, Tex
d 8 Jan 1966, buried in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Tex.
Shawn Hamilton Foster
b 2 Nov 1964 Odessa, Ector Co., Texas.
d
T. J. (Thomas Jefferson) Honea m Edna Smith
b 24 April 1910 Lockney, Texas b
d d
date of marriage 24 March 1932, Lockney, Texas
no children i^^LJA^i^^yvCi^ ^i^
2. Gene 11a Baker m John Alexander Deavenport, farmer
b 28 Oct 1888 Hamilton b 1 Aug 1883 Brown County,
Co. Tex. Tex.
d d 8 Sept 1968 Boulder, Boulder
Co. Colorado.
date of marriage 29 Aug 1909 Floydada, Floyd Co., Texas
6 children
Joseph Addison Deavenport m Eileen Genrich/>^^^^'*'*^ ^^^''
b 27 Oct. 1941 Lockney, b <L'\.^'i-u<i J U^ii.-i9S'0
Tex.
^ ^ ^ .rrnu^ifS^
Served in U. S. Navy 22 y&axs(yM^.^\'r)'>'^'^l^■'^^^tlfyy^aM^daslAJ^^ ^^^^
date of marriage 30 Nov 1941 " " " ^^'^'^^^ '' ^
1 son John Addison Deavenport
b 5 Oct. 1943 m Bonnie Hubble
d b
one son, John Allan Deavenport
b 26 Sept 1963
Trent ie Deavenport m Lowell Wendell Weiss
b 31 May 1913, Lockney, Tex b
d d
Dist. Manager for
Dale Carnegie Courses
date of marriage
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
88
2 children
Gail Trentie Weiss m
b 31 May 1913 Lockney, Tex
d
date of marriage
2 children
Athena Ann Kuettel
b 22 July 1967
d
David Joseph Kuettel
b 29 July 1969
Lowell Warner Weiss
b 29 Nov 1942
d
date of marriage
4 children
m
Joseph Marie Kuettel (Swiss)
b
Banker
Martha Louise Locke
b
d
Thomas Scott Weiss
b 31 Jan. 1962
d
Sally Lynn Weiss
b 15 Nov 1964
d
Kenneth Owen Weiss
b 7 March 1966
d
Andrew Lowell Weiss
b 1 March 1967
d
Loyd Steele Deavenport m
b 7 Feb. 1916 Boulder,
Boulder Co., Colorado
d
date of marriage 4 May 1938
3 children
Elizabeth Baird
b
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
89
Loyd Steele Deavenport Jr m
b 4 May 1939
d
2 children
Sherri Kay Deavenport
b 20 March 1965
d
Tracey Ann Deavenport
b 31 Aug 1970
d
Yvonne Karr
b
d
Newton Baird Deavenport
b 11 July 1940
d
m
Elizabeth Rosita Vargo
b
d
date of marriage 25 July 1970
daughter Yolanda Jean Deavenport
b 4-8-1971
Dennis Leon Deavenport m
b 19 Jan 1945
d
date of marriage 7 June 1969
1971 - working on Ph D at TCU
Martha Ileane Brown
b
d
Hope Deavenport
b 30 May 1918, Boulder
Boulder Co., Colorado
d
Teacher
2 children
m Frederic Andrew Blake, builder
b h'o^ .21 . i9/?
d _
Brick contractor
Robin Frederic Blake p, ,
b 16 Sept, 1950, Boulder, Colo. -i-3'^vi- 6c^vlj^Y»^.v^ t5U<'^
d
April Jean Blake
b May 1954, Boulder, Colo,
d
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd) 90
Meda Faith Deavenport m Robert D. Coleman, served in
b 1 Mar 1921 Boulder, Colo. b U.S. Navy
d d
Secretary
date of marriage 2 October 1952
Olga Diane Deavenport m 1st Ben Adam (divorced)
b 6 August 1924, Boulder,
Boulder Co. , Colo
d
Teacher
date of marriage 19 July 1946
1 daughter Krishna Adam
b 26 Jan 1953
d
Married 2nd, Lloyd Lewis Fells Sept 5, 1955 (divorced)
1 daughter Kathleen Dee Fells
b 7 Aug 1956
d
. France Baker m Leo Maud Watson
b 9 June 1890, Hamilton b 3 July 1893, Howe,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Grayson Co., Tex.
d d 22 Nov 1969, Lubbock,
Lubbock Co., Tex.
date of marriage 8 March 1911
France Baker -- banker and farmer
2 sons
Lennis Watson Baker m Verdie Mae Warren
b 12 Mar 1912, Lockney b 1 Aug 1917 Pontotoc,
Floyd Co., Tex. Pontotoc Co., Miss.
d d
Office Supply Co. & Art
date of marriage 15 Sept. 1940, Lubbock, Lubbock Co., Tex,
3 daughters
Carol Janis Baker m Austin Cramer Adams
b 5 Aug 1942, Lubbock, b
Tex.
d d
Lubbock, Texas
date of marriage 7 August 1965, Lubbock, Texas
91
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
1 daughter Loaua Michelle Adams
b 29 October 1970, Fort Worth,
Tarrant Co . , Texas
Beverly Ann Baker m Marvin Ray Crossnoe
b 17 Aug 1945, Lubbock, Tex b
d d
date of marriage 29 April 1966, Lubbock, Texas
1 son Chetlen Ray Crossnoe
b 27 March 1970, Lubbock, Texas
d
Janet Lyn Baker
b 20 July 1955 Lubbock, Texas
d
James Guest Baker m Betty Lee Lindsey
b 3 June 1917 b Carthage, Jasper Co. Missouri
Lockney , Texas
d d
Office Supply & Art
date of marriage 18 Aug, 1940, Lubbock, Lubbock Co., Tex.
1 daughter Candace Lee Baker
b 29 April 1951,
Lubbock, Lubbock Co., Tex
Norton Baker, Furniture Business
m Myrtle Maude Dial
b 21 April 1892 b 17 Sept 1892, Celeste,
Floyd Co., Tex. Hunt Co., Texas,
d d
Financier
1 daughter
Coleta Joy Baker m James Gray Marshall, Real Estate
b 24 Oct 1913, Lockney, Tex b 29 March 1912
d d
divorced
Note: Lennis Watson Baker and James Guest Baker are owners
of the well known Baker Company and Art Gallery in
Lubbock, Texas.
92
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
1 daughter
Mary Ann Marshall m Henry James Melton
b 26 April 1952, Amarillo b
Potter Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 4 June 1971, in Central Church of Christ,
Amarillo, Texas.
Attending University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1971
Robin Baker, merchant m Rena Mae Smith
b 22 Feb 1894, Lockney, b 10 Sept 1894, Lockney,
Texas Floyd Co., Texas
d 10 Dec 1965, Plainview, d 2 June 1970, Plainview,
Hale Co., Texas Hale Co., Texas
date of marriage 2 January 1915
3 children
Guemes Robin Baker m Lillian Frances Smith
b 10 Nov 1917, Lockney, Tex. b 12 Feb. 1922, Petersburg,
Hale Co. , Texas
d d
photographer
1 son
Charles Wajme Baker m La Tresa Van Horn
b 8 Jan 1947, Plainview b 6 Sept. 1946, Sayre,
Hale Co., Tex. Beckham Co., Okla.
d d
served 2 years in U. S. Army
stationed in Germany
date of marriage 1 Nov. 1967, Shamrock, Wheeler Co., Tex.
1 son Douglas Wayne Baker
b 10 Jan. 1968, Wursburg, Germany
Charles Artemas Baker, M.D. m Catherine Marie Burknett, R.N.
b 22 May 1922, Lockney, Tex b 24 Mar. 1926, Leavenworth,
Leavenworth Co . , Kansas
d d
Served in U.S. Navy Methodist
1946-1947
93
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
date of marriage August 19A6
5 children
James Andrew Baker died in infancy 1949
b Englewood, Bergen Co., New Jersey
Charles Artemas Baker, Jr.
b 24 Sept 1950, Washington, D.C.
d
William Smith Baker
b 4 Feb. 1953, Washington, D. C.
d
Marilyn Marie Baker
b 19 Mar. 1956, Washington, D. C.
d
Nancy Sue Baker
b 2 Jan. 1958, Washington, D. C.
d
Elizabeth Ann Baker m Clarence Albert Willis,
b Sept. 1923, Lockney, Accountant
Texas b 22 Sept. 1921, Sanger,
Denton Co., Texas
d ^^_^^_^__ d ^
Secretary and bookkeeper 1st Lieutenant WW II
in Phillipines
date of marriage 1 Sept. 1946, Plainview, Hale Co., Tex.
members of Church of Christ
4 children
James Michael Willis
b 21 June 1948, Plainview,
Hale Co. , Tex.
d
Mathematician, working on Ph. D. at University of
Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
Thomas Malcolm Willis
b 2 Dec. 1949, Plainview,
Hale Co. , Tex.
d ^
Fre-Med student at University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo,
94
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
Mark Albert Willis
b 19 June 1956, Grand Junction,
Mesa County, Colorado
d
Susan Mae Willis
b 16 Dec. 1958, Grand Junction,
Mesa County, Colorado.
d
6. James Artemas (Artie) Baker (Jr.)
b 22 Sept. 1896, Lockney, m 1st Stella Stalcup (divorced)
Floyd Co., Texas b
d d ~
Artie is a farmer, banker, and owner of an irrigation
machine shop, Pecos, Texas. Married 3rd: Trussa
2 children
Mary Alice Baker m Francisco Frank Gonzalez
b Plainview, Hale Co., b Nogales, State of Sonora,
Texas Mexico,
d d
2 adopted Mexican children, now grown. No dates given.
Kevin Baker m Jean Hoggard
b 10 Jan. 1935, Lockney b 24 Oct. 1941, Memphis,
Floyd County, Texas Hall County, Texas
d d
date of marriage 7 June 1957, Plainview, Hale County, Texas
Kevin Baker owns skating rinks (roller), in Lubbock, Texas
3 sons
James Drew (Andrew?) Baker
b 29 April 1958, Pecos,
Reeves County, Texas
d
NOTE: Artie married 2nd Joe Adams, divorced
3rd Trussa ___^___^.^ bom in Holland.
Was living in Houston, Texas, at the time
of her marriage. Roman Catholic
95
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
Chris Dwayne Baker
b 20 Oct. 1959 Pecos,
Reeves County, Texas
d
James Artemas Baker (III)
b 11 Oct. 1960, Pecos,
Reeves County, Texas,
d
Dimple Baker, Drygoods Business
b 16 Nov, 1898, Lockney, m Austin H. McGavock, Pharmacist
Floyd Co. Tex. b 3 Feb. 1896
d d 3 Feb. 1963 Odessa, Ector
Co. Tex.
Served in U.S. Army in WWI
date of marriage 12 August, 1920, Lockney, Floyd Co., Tex.
one son - adopted
Monty Malcolm McGavock m Velva Rose Vaninger,
b 25 May 1927 Dallas b 7 Oct. 1927, Trenton,
Dallas Co. Tex. Clinton Co. 111.
d d
served in U. S. Navy
WW II
date of marriage 12 Nov. 1949, Trenton, Clinton Co., 111.
4 children
Kathryn Lois McGavock
b 15 Sept. 1950 Highland,
Madison Co. , 111.
Karen Ann McGavock
b 3 March 1952, Highland
Madison Co. , 111.
d
Monty Malcolm McGavock
b 9 Oct 1955, Highland,
Madison Co. , 111.
d
96
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
Marc Martin McGavock
b 13 Aug. 1957, Highland
Madison Co. , 111.
d
8. Eula Lee Baker m Christopher Col\jmbus Seaman
b 26 Dec. 1900, Lockney, b 15 Oct 1892, Silverton,
Floyd Co., Tex. Briscoe County, Texas.
d d 25 Jan. 1963, Sulphur,
Murray Co., Oklahoma.
Car dealer; served in WWI
date of marriage 30 Jan. 1921, Lockney, Floyd Co., Tex.
3 children
Christine Seaman m Jean Arthur Shelton
b 18 Dec. 1921, Lockney, Tex. b 12 April, 1918, Sapulpa,
Creek County, Okla.
d ___^^_^ d
School Clerk Retired from U. S. Navy;
served during WW II and
Church of Christ Korean War
date of marriage 1 June, 1942, Altus, Jackson Co., Okla.
4 children
Dina Lee Shelton m Allen Byron Robinson
b 19 Sept. 1944, New London, b
Connecticut
d d
date of marriage 10 Aug. 1968, San Diego, Sandiego Co., Cal.
Jean Christopher Shelton (boy)
b 9 Mar. 1946, Lubbock,
Lubbock Co. Tex.
d
Eric Mark Shelton
b 11 Jan. 1950 San Diego,
San Diego Co. Cal.
d
Claire Marlene Shelton
b 11 Jan. 1950, San Diego
San Diego Co., Cal.
d
97
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
1970 -- Dina Shelton Robinson in Strasbourg, France, where
she worked at research at the Institute of Human
Rights. Received her law degree from the University
of California, Berkley, June 1970, and a $5,000
scholarship to continue study in France.
Jean Christopher Shelton is teaching physics at the
University of California, Los Angeles, where he is
working on his doctorate. Received B. S. Degree in
physics from the California Institute of Technology,
Pasadena, Calif., June 1966.
Eric Mark Shelton is a junior student in History at
the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
Marlene is in France with Dinah and is undecided
what she wants to do. Is traveling now. Dec. 1970.
Betty Lou Seaman m Timothy Quinlan Phalen
b 8 June 1926 Altus, (address unknown 1970)
Jackson Co. Okla.
d
Registered Nurse; served in
U. S. Air Force; Roman Catholic
date of marriage 18 Feb. 1950; annuled 2 Feb. 1968.
1 daughter Teresa Ann Phalen
b 26 May 1958, Miami,
Dade County, Florida
d
2nd marriage to Francis Michael Grossman Served in
b 8 March 1904, U. S. Navy
Westphalia, Anderson Co., Kansas
d
date of marriage 10 June 1968 Plainview, Texas.
Lonnie Lee Seaman m Betty Ruth Perry, teacher
b 24 March 1928, Altus b 5 March
Jackson Co. Okla.
d d
date of marriage 21 Jan 1951, Canyon, Randall Co., Tex.
2 children
98
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
Claude Alan Seaman
b 31 May 1958 Dallas
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Kenneth Wade Seaman
b 3 Feb 1960, Dallas
Dallas Co., Texas,
d
9. William Dorsey Baker, farmer m Wanda B. Stinebaugh
b 7 Sept. 1904, Lockney, b 24 Aug. 1909, Farming ton,
Floyd Co., Tex. Grayson Co., Tex.
d d
Methodist
date of marriage 10 June 1933 Fort Sumner, DeBaca County,
New Mexico
2 sons
William Norton Baker m Joan Muriel Jacobs,
b 6 Feb. 1935, Plainview, Presbyterian
Hale Co., Tex. b 4 Dec. 1936, Corsicana,
Navarro Co. , Tex.
d d
Attorney, C.P.A.; served in United States Army; Presbyterian
2 children
Richard Norton Baker
b 6 Nov. 1960, Corsicana,
Navarro County, Texas
d
Elizabeth Jacobs Baker
b 11 Oct. 1963, Lubbock
Lubbock Co., Tex.
d
Dorsey Lynn Baker m Charlyne Marie Brown
b 26 May 1936, Plainview b 9 Oct. 1939, Plainview,
Hale County, Texas Hale County, Texas
d d
Attorney; Methodist; served 3k Baptist; teacher
years in Army; Graduate of
West Point
99
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
2 children (girls)
Stacey Lynn Baker
b 19 June 1968 Hinsdale,
Dupage Co. , 111.
d ^
Kari Ann Baker
b 20 July 1969, Hinsdale,
Dupage Co. , 111.
d
100
Husband: William Norton Baker
Bom February 6, 1935, Plainview, Hale County, Texas.
Elder son of William Dorsey Baker and Wanda Stinebaugh Baker
(Brother is Dorsey Ljmn Baker)
Schools: Lockney Public Schools, Lockney, Texas 1941-1953
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Summer 1955
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 1955-
1959
Degrees: Southern Methodist University B.B.A. degree in
Accounting, 1956
S.M.U. School of Law--L.L.B. degree 1959
Received Certified Public Accountant Certificate 1961
June 1959-December 1959 served on active duty with Army in
Ft. Leonard Wood and Ft. Ord, California.
October 1961 - August 1962 served on active duty with Army
as 1st Lt. in Ft. Polk, Louisiana.
Lived in Dallas, Texas from Jan. 1960 to August 1962; worked
as C.P.A. with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell in the Tax Research
Department. Moved to Lubbock, Texas in August 1962 as a part-
ner with Edward R. Smith to form Smith and Baker, Tax Attorneys.
Began teaching graduate tax courses in Texas Tech School of
Business Administration in fall of 1967. President Texas Tech
Tax Institute 1967. Deacon, elder, and trustee of the First
Presbyterian Church; he joined this church in October 1962.
Treasurer of the Lubbock County Bar Association 1970-71. Dir-
ector of the Security National Bank, Lubbock, Texas 1965 to
date. West Texas Museum Association Trustee 1969.
Built home at 4610 20th Street, Lubbock and began occupancy
on September 8, 1964.
Interest: Family, religion, financial, books, sports, travel.
Married: December 29, 1959 to Joan Muriel Jacobs
Westminister Presbyterian Church, Corsicana, Texas
Minister officiating: Rev. Eugene Wood, pastor of
the Church
Wife: Joan Muriel Jacobs
Born Dec. 4, 1936 Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
Only child of Herbert Jacobs and George Aileen Cas-
te Haw Jacobs (Herbert Jacobs was born in Covington,
Kentucky; his wife in Corsicana, Texas)
Schools: Corsicana Public Schools, Corsicana, Texas 1943-1955.
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 1955-1959.
Degree: S M U B A degree in Social Science 1959
101
February 1959 to November 1959 worked at the Southland Life
Insurance Co. in Dallas, Texas in the Mortgage Loan
Department .
Children: Richard Norton Baker
Bom November 6, 1960 Corsicana,
Navarro County, Texas.
Memorial Hospital
Baptized: Westminister Presbyterian Church,
Corsicana, Texas, May 21, 1961.
Began attending Lubbock Public Schools in Septem-
ber 1966.
Elizabeth Jacobs Baker
Born October 11, 1963, Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
Methodist Hospital
Baptized: First Presbyterian Church, Lubbock, Texas,
January 12, 1964
Began attending Lubbock Public Schools in August 1970,
Written by Joan Baker
December 28, 1970
4610 20th Street
Lubbock, Texas
79407
102
Husband: Dorsey Lynn Baker
Boim: May 26, 1936 Plainview, Hale County, Texas
Schools: Lockney Public Schools, Lockney, Texas '42- '51.
New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, N. M. '51-'54.
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas '54- '55.
United States Military Academy, West Point, New York,
1955-59.
1959-62 He served in the Army and attained the rank
of 1st Lt.
1962-1964 He farmed at Lockney, Texas
January 1964 he enrolled at the University of Houston
Law School, Houston. September 1964 he transferred
to Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas where
he receive a LLB degree in August, 1966.
Since that time he has attended George Washington
Law School, Washington, D. C. (1966-67) and John Mar-
shall Law School, Chicago, Illinois (1967-70) where
he has completed most of the requirements towards a
Masters of Patent Law degree. September 1970 he was
accepted at the University of Chicago, Illinois, to
work toward a Masters of Business degree.
Married: June 5, 1965 to Charlyne Marie Brown
First Baptist Church, Lockney, Texas
September, 1966, he moved to Alexandria, Virginia and lived
there 15 months while working as a patent examiner at the U.S.
Patent Office, Washington, D. C.
December 1967 moved to Downers Grove, Illinois after accept-
ing a position as patent attorney with International Harvester,
Chicago, 111. June 13, 1967 moved into his first house located
at 28 W 340 Indian Knoll Trail, West Chicago, Illinois 60135
(1970).
Interests: Sports, mainly as a spectator in recent years but
enjoys a game of tennis when the schedule permits. Books
and learning in general occupy a great deal of his time but
when he has a free evening he enjoys spending it at home with
his family.
Wife: Charlyne Marie Brown
Born: October 9, 1939, Plainview, Hale County, Texas
Schools: Lockney Public Schools 1946 - 1958
Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas 1958-62
Here she received a B.S. degree in Home Economics and
an all level teaching certificate in art.
103
September 1962 - June 1965 taught school art at the Denver
Avenue Elementary School in Dallas, Texas
Interests: Art, cooking, reading, traveling. Currently she
is enjoying being a housewife and mother.
Children: Stacey Lynn Baker (girl) born June 19, 1968 in
Huns dale, DuPage County, Illinois
Kari Ann Baker (girl) bom July 20, 1969 in Huns-
dale, DuPage County, Illinois
This information written October 29, 1970 by
Charlyne Baker
28 W 340 Indian Knoll Trail
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
10. Joseph Lowrimore Baker m Ludie Agnes Kennemer
(Larry)
b b
104
d d
(deceased)
date of marriage 18 January 1930 Carter, Beckham Co. , Ok la.
2 sons
Lary Dean Baker
b 30 Oct. 1930 Carter, Beckham County, Oklahoma
d 24 June 1958, buried in Forrest Lawn Cemetery,
Glendale, California
James Deuon Baker, M.D. m Donna Frances Eubank
b 2 June 1936 Lubbock, b 21 July 1937 Lorenzo,
Lubbock County, Texas Crosby County, Texas
d d
Church of Christ
date of marriage 12 June 1959, Idalou, Lubbock County, Tex.
2 children
Gaeron Glenn Baker
b 23 Sept 1961, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Texas
d
Mary Brendell Baker
b 8 August 1963, Dallas
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
11. Mary Baker m James Melvin Phillips
b 22 May 1908, Lockney, b 29 May 1905 Holiday,
Floyd Co., Texas Benton County, Tennessee
d d
Newspaper reporter Cashier Church of Christ
date of marriage 28 September 1930
1 child (adopted)
#11 James Artemas Baker Family (Cont'd)
105
Sarah Helen Phillips m Charles David Schandua
b 30 March 1947, Des Moines b
Polk County, Iowa
d d
date of marriage 10 August, 1968, Port Lavaca, Calhoun
County, Texas
one daughter Judy Ann Schandua
b 31 December 1969, New Braunfels,
Comal County, Texas
12. Helen Gerald Baker
b 5 Feb. 1914 Lockney,
Floyd County, Texas
d
date of marriage
m Lewellen Edward Gross
b 19 Dec. 1914 Sherman County,
Nebraska
d
Methodist; Served in
United States Navy
one daughter
Elizabeth Alice Gross m
b 5 May 1938 Plainview,
Hale County, Texas
d September 1971
date of marriage
one adopted child, a son
David Edward Stokes
b 6 March 1964
d
Fred Marvin Stokes
b
III Francis Houston Baker m 1st Eulalie Crews
b 13 Dec 1861 Dallas b 28 Jan 1866 Cotton Hill,
County, Texas Georgia
d 3 Nov 1930 Hamilton, Texas d 16 Oct 1892, Hamilton,
Hamilton County, Texas
Served as postmaster at Ohio, and owned a grocery store
in Hamilton, Tex.
date of marriage 1 July 1885 Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
3 children
106
#111 Francis Houston Baker Family (Cont'd)
1. Infant Son Baker
b 28 Jan 1866, Ohio, Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 21 Feb 1866, Ohio, Hamilton Co., Tex.
2. Berta Baker m George Elam Walker
b 18 Dec. 1886, Ohio, b 27 June 1879 Williamson
Hamilton Co., Tex. Co., Tex.
d d 7 Sept 1956 Dallas,
Presbyterian Dallas Co., Tex.
date of marriage 14 Sept 1908, Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
one daughter
Mildred Walker m Bryan Calvin Henderson,
b 1 Sept 1912 Sonora Insurance
Sutton Co., Tex. b 6 Nov 1903, Hamilton Co.,
Tex.
d d
date of marriage 27 Dec. 1932, Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
Presbyterian
one daughter
Martha Kay Henderson m Jerry Edward Galloway
b 31 May 1953, Midland, b
Tex. d
d
date of marriage 31 Oct 1971, Midland, Texas
Memorial Christian Church
3. Helen (Lennie) Baker m Robert Bernard Miller
b 6 Jan 1889 Ohio, b 12 July 1890 Hamilton,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 5 Nov. 1971 d 2 Feb. 1967, Hamilton, Tex.
buried in Hamilton, Tex. Banker and Wholesale Oil
Methodist Agency
date of marriage 23 June 191A, Hamilton, Tex.
children Frances Helen Miller
b 13 April 1915 Hamilton, Tex.
d 24 April 1927 Hamilton, Tex.
Margaret Elizabeth Miller m Harold Truman Gunn,
b 16 Sept 1915, Hamilton, Firestone Bus.
Tex b 1 Oct 1908, Round Rock, Tex.
d d
Methodist
date of marriage 18 Sept. 1934
#111 Francis Houston Baker Family (Cont'd) 107
Children Robert Harold Gunn m Elizabeth Ann McBrine
b 16 July 1936 b 7 Nov. 1942
d d
Pharmicist and Bacteriologist
one daughter Christy Elizabeth Gunn
b 8 March 1965
d
Jerry Miller Gunn m Charlotte Ann Campbell
b b 4 Sept. 1942
d d
Athletic Coach
date of marriage
one son Curtis Scott Gunn
b 6 March 1965
d
Robert Bernard Miller, Jr. m Mavis Josephine McKinley
b 8 Feb. 1917 Hamilton, Tex b 9 Aug. 1921, Hamilton, Tec.
Owner of HAMILTON HERALD RECORD, Hamilton, Texas, Episcopalians
date of marriage 14 June 1941, Hamilton, Texas
in St. Mary's Church.
Children: Mary Lenn Miller
b 18 Sept 1947 Hamilton, Texas
d
graduated from University of Texas with highest honors,
now attending University of Wisconsin, has earned a Master's
Degree, and now working toward her Doctorate. She is a Phi
Beta Kappa. 1971-attending the Sorbonne, Paris, France.
Roger Paul Miller
b 19 July 1950 Hamilton, Texas
d
1971: attending Texas A & M College on a $5,000 scholarship.
Mavis Ann Miller
b 6 Oct 1954 Hamilton, Texas
d
#111 Francis Houston Baker Family (Cont'd) 108
Robert Kenneth Miller
b 30 Nov. 1955 Hamilton, Texas
d
Charlotte Eulalie Miller
b 17 July 1920 Hamilton, Texas
d 18 Sept. 1931 Hamilton, Texas
Martha Jean Miller
still bom 18 Nov 1923
Virginia Moss Miller m Douglas Thomas McLemore
b 12 Sept. 1928 Hamilton, Tex b 16 Feb. 1926
d d
teacher
date of marriage 16 July 1957, Hamilton, Texas
2 children Thomas Miller McLemore
b 14 Nov. 1958
d
Elizabeth McLemore
b 20 June 1960
Mary Otis Miller
b Jan 1933 Hamilton Texas
d 31 July 1942 Hamilton, Texas
Otis Crews Baker
b 3 December 1890 Hamilton, Texas
d 21 November 1907, Hamilton, Texas
Died of accidental gunshot wound.
109
III Francis Houston Baker m 2nd Elizabeth Martin
b 13 Dec 1861 Dallas Co. Tex b
d 3 Nov 1930 Hamilton, Tex d
Presbyterian
date of marriage
2 children
1. Leo Martin Baker m Lucile Ellsworth
b 1 Oct 1894, b 30 April 1893, Ottawa,
Hamilton, Tex LaSalle County, Illinois.
d 3 Oct 1963, Dallas, d
Dallas Co. , Tex.
buried 5 Oct 1963,
Irving, Dallas Co., Tex.
Salesmanager: Methodist
date of marriage 25 Oct 1915 Waco, McLennan Co., Tex.
4 children
Helen Lucile Baker m Harold W. Holloway, salesman
b 5 June 1917 Cleburne, b 25 May 1915 St Louis,
Johnson Co., Tex. St Louis County, Missouri
d d
Christian Church
Served in United States
Navy WW II
date of marriage 20 April 1940, St Louis, St Louis County,
Missouri
one daughter Peggy Lu Holloway
b 17 February 1955, Houston, Harris Co., Tex.
d
Overton Ellsworth Baker
b 2 August 1919 Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 19 Jan. 1922 Macon, Georgia, buried in Hamilton, Tex.
Leo Martin Baker Jr.
b 24 Hay 1927 Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Tex.
d 2 July 1950 Evanston, Cook County, 111., while attend-
ing Northwestern University. Buried 7 Oct 1953, Irving
Dallas Co. , Tex.
#111 Francis Houston Baker Family (Cont'd) 110
Betty Ann Baker m James Francis Kelleher
b 21 March 1935, St. Louis, b 5 Feb 1929, Waxahachie,
St. Louis Co., Missouri Ellis County, Texas
d d 4 Oct 1967, Irving, Dallas
Co., Texas. Buried 6 Oct
1967, Irving, Dallas Co., Tex.
date of marriage 12 August 1954, Irving, Dallas Co., Tex.
James Francis Kelleher was an Aero Engineer, Presbyterian.
3 children
Kraig David Kelleher
b 2 Oct 1955 Denton, Denton Co., Tex
•i
Karen Denise Kelleher
b 10 Aug 1960 Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
d
Amy Beth Kelleher
b 31 Aug 1965 Irving, Dallas Co., Tex.
d
2. Hazle Baker, social worker
b 27 June 1904 m 1st James (?) Crowley -
Hamilton, Tex. divorced
d (now deceased)
2nd Joe Todd Russell, Salesman
"h 18 Nov 1903, Vicksburg,
Warren Co., Mississippi
date of 2nd marriage 16 Dec 1935
Note: James Crowley was the father of Hazle 's two sons,
who were adopted by Joe Todd Russell.
2 sons and 1 daughter
James Baker Russell m Marie Bell
b 27 Nov 1926, Lubbock, ^
Lubbock Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 2 April 1951, Montebello, California.
2 sons
Ill
#111 Francis Houston Baker Family (Cont'd)
Stephen Maynard Russell
b 10 April 1953
d
Brant Baker Russell
b 17 July 1955
d
Leo Baker Russell m Ethel Gatzky
b 9 Feb 1929, Lubbock b
Lubbock Co . , Tex
d d
Served in the Korean War
date of marriage 20 July 1951
San Diego, San Diego County, California.
2 sons
Kim Russell
b 4 June 1958
d
Mark Russell
b 15 May 1960
d
Joleen Russell m Clifford Pitman
b 25 Feb 1939 Hamilton, b
Hamilton Co., Tex
d d
date of marriage 3 July 1959, Downey, California.
2 children
James Todd Pitman
b 27 Dec 1967
d
Kelly Corrine Pitman
b 30 Jan 1968
d
112
IV William Thatcher Baker,
M.D. m Nannie Key
b 9 Jan 1864 Lancaster, b 29 Sept. 1864, Palestine,
iex. Tex
d 19 Feb 1935 Dallas, Tex. d 16 Jan 1957 Arlington, Tex.
Members of Disciples of Christ (Christian Church)
date of marriage 13 June 1886, Jonesboro,
Hamilton Co. , Tex.
3 children
1. Otwell Scott Baker m Corine Holford
b 2 May 1887, Brownwood b
Brown Co. , Tex.
"^ n!if ^V^^^^?"' ^ deceased
Dallas Co., Tex. "
Both are buried in Laurel Land Cemetery, Dallas, Tex.
No children
£°Jq''m ^^^oL ^ 1st Turner S. Rollins, Jr.
b 29 Nov 1888 Hamilton, b
Hamilton Co., Tex. — -
^ . d April 21, 1910
date of 1st marriage 31 July 1909
date of 2nd marriage 28 June 1921 to Harry J. Williams,
Attorney
b "_
d J March 1967,
Dallas, Texas.
one daughter
rner Rolli
28 Aug 191
Dallas Co. , Tex.
Turner Rollins m Joseph Warren Dubois, Jr.,
b 28 Aug 1910, Dallas b Louisiana
d
one son (adopted) H, Carter Dubois
b 18 Jan 1949
d
Netta Baker
b 15 June 1892, Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 18 Jan 1919, Dallas, Texas, buried in Oak Cliff
Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
113
Jane Emily Baker m Ralph Piper Edgar, teacher
b 10 Dec. 1866, Hamilton b 29 April 1856, Ball Town,
Co., Tex. Mo.
d 7 Mar 1947, Hamilton, d 3 Aug 1939 Hamilton,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex
Disciples of Christ (Christian Church)
date of marriage 22 August 1883, Hamilton Co., Tex.
Children
1. John Oliver Edgar m De lores Delgado
b 24 Aug 1885 Hamilton b
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 2 Feb. 1951, San Antonio,
Bexar Co., Tex. d deceased
date of marriage 20 Feb. 1919 in San Antonio, Tex.
no children.
2. William Thatcher Edgar m Selma Olena Peterson
b 25 June 1888 Hamilton b 27 Nov 1892 Clifton,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Bosque Co., Tex.
d 9 Nov 1968 Dallas, Tex. d
Electrician
date of marriage 15 July 1915
one daughter
Jane Louise Edgar m Jacob Chandler Mathis
b 11 Nov 1919 Sugarland b 24 Sept 1911 Gilmer,
Fort Bend Co., Tex. Upshur Co., Tex.
d d
Secretary Dry Cleaning Business
date of marriage 11 May 1943, Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
2 children
James Chandler Mathis, graduate of Georgia Institute
b 13 June 1944 Salem, of Technology, Atlanta; worked
Oregon for 8*06 ing Aircraft 3 years;
now attending University of
Indiana, working toward a
Master's Degree.
114
#V Jane Emily Baker Edgar Family (Cont'd)
Selma Jane Mathis Graduate of University of
b 14 Jan 1947, Dallas, Texas, PE Major, presently
Dallas Co., Tex. teaching in the Houston
Public Schools
S.Ralph Piper Edgar, Jr.,
b 24 Nov 1891, Hamilton, Tex.
d 27 Nov 1908, Hamilton, Tex.
VI. Elizabeth Scythia Baker m David Bunch Holland
b 8 Feb 1869 Bear Creek b 20 March 1856, Steens Creek
near Lancaster, (Florence) Rankin Co., Miss,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d 28 Nov 1932 Midlothian, d 16 March 1948, Waxahachie,
Ellis Co., Tex. Ellis County, Texas.
Both buried in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas.
Dry Goods Store
date of marriage 24 Dec. 1885, Ohio, Hamilton Co., Tex.
11 children
1. William Mordica Holland
m Cleo Pope Cook
b 21 Nov 1886 , Ohio,
Hamilton Co., Tex. b
d 9 Sept 1958 Dallas,
Dallas Co., Tex. d
Salesman, and Insurance
Business
deceased
date of marriage 5 Oct. 1935, Dallas, Tex.
no children
2. James Harvey Holland m Euna Vaye Morgan
b 19 Dec 1888, Ohio b 18 Sept 1891, Midlothian,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Ellis Co., Tex.
d d
Show business, teacher, and salesman
date of marriage 9 March 1910
3 children
115
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
Aris Maxine Holland m Eugene Carroll Kenyon
b 7 March 1911, Midlothian, b 22 March 1908, Carthage,
Ellis Co., Tex. Jasper Co., Mo.,
d d 5 August 1969, Dallas, Tex,
date of marriage 2 June 1930
4 children
Charles Kenneth Kenyon m Jane lie Hull
b 22 Mar 1931 Carthage, b 7 June 1934, Cleburne,
Jasper Co., Mo. Johnson Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 24 Feb 1957.
3 children
Charles Kenneth Kenyon, Jr.
b 11 Dec. 1960 Fort Worth,
Tarrant Co. , Tex.
d
Robert Holland Kenyon
b 13 April 1964, Fort Worth,
Tarrant Co. , Tex.
d
Christine Jannelle Kenyon
b 27 July 1967 Fort Worth,
Tarrant Co. , Tex.
d ^
Carol Jeanine Kenyon m Hal C. Douglass, Jr., M.D.
b 24 July 1933 Carthage, b 19 Sept 1932 Mercedes,
Jasper Co., Mo. Hidalgo Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 12 July 1958
3 children ___
Carol Jeanine Douglass
b 25 July 1960, Houston
Harris Co. , Tex.
d
116
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
Kay Anne Douglass
b 17 July 1964 Houston
Harris Co. , Tex.
d
Janna Kathleen Douglass
b Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Robert David Kenyon m Peggy Ruth Herrin
b 30 Nov 1934 Midlothian, b 28 Aug 1934, Brandon,
Ellis Co., Tex. Hill Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 19 Nov 1966
Kathryn Sue Kenyon m Gilbert Lawrence Jentz, Jr.
b 2 Feb 1938 El Paso, b 27 Dec 1933
El Paso Co. , Tex.
d d
date of marriage 28 April 1956
2 children
Gilbert Lawrence Jentz III
b 18 July 1967 Port Arthur,
Jefferson Co., Tex.
d
Kathryn Sue Jentz
b 3 Oct 1969 Port Arthur,
Jefferson Co., Tex.
d
James Harvey Holland, Jr.
b 22 March 1919 m Betty Jo Howard
Midlothian, Ellis Co., b 6 Oct 1930, Beaumont,
Tex. Jefferson Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 24 Dec 1953.
3 children
117
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
Roger David Holland
b 29 Oct 1954
Dallas, Tex.
d
Richard Bruce Holland
b 26 Sept 1960
Dallas, Tex.
d
Betty Ann Holland
b 16 Aug 1960
Dallas, Tex.
d
Dina Sue Holland
b 17 April Irving,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Betty Jane Holland m James Alfred Taylor (Pete)
b 10 Oct 1929 Taylor, b 23 July 1929
Williamson Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage
2 children Steven Jay Taylor
b 12 June 1953, Wichita,
Sedgewick Co . , Kans .
Kathryn Vaye Taylor
b 29 May 1958, Fort Worth,
Tarrant Co. , Tex.
d
3. Davie B. died at birth
4. Charles Baker Holland
m Hazel Mae Crawford
b 27 Oct 1892, Ohio, b Arkansas
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d q Nqv 1QS1 d Oct 1962, Clarksville, Tex.
World War I Veteran buried in Clarksville, Tex.
date of marriage 1916
118
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
2 children
Martene Holland m Gavin Watson (a County Judge)
b 23 March 1923 Bristow, b
Creek Co. , Okla.
d d
date of marriage 4 June 1952 Clarksville, Red River
Co., Tex.
Charles Baker Holland, Jr.
m Maude Lowe
b 22 Dec 1925 Bristow, b
Creek Co. , Okla.
d d
date of marriage Norman, Oklahoma
Note: Gavin Watson was County Judge in Red River County,
Texas, at one time and was born there. No other
information on this family.
5. Herbert Monroe Holland
m Stella Mae Ellis
b 2 May 1894 Hamilton
Co., Tex
d 14 Nov. 1953
date of marriage 27 Sept 1935 no children
6. Loneta Holland m Charles B. Hackney
b 25 July 1897 Midlothian
Ellis Co., Tex.
d
date of marriage 9 January 1938
no children.
7. Ned Baker Holland m Pauline Phillips
b 27 May 1900 Midlothian, b 22 Oct Pecan Gap,
Ellis Co., Tex. Delta Co., Tex.
d d
Salesman
date of marriage 9 June 1923
2 daughters
119
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
Nedline Holland m Morris Carper.
Pilot in U.S. Air Force,
b 16 May 1924 Colonel
Midlothian, b
Ellis Co. , Tex.
d d
3 daughters
Gwen Frances Carper m David Wesley Smith
b 22 Jan 1945 Dallas, b
Dallas Co., Tex d
date of marriage
2 daughters
Lori Lyn Smith
b 31 Dec 1964 Mt Holly
Burlington Co., N. J.
d
Kelli Smith
b 27 Jan 1967, Mt . Holly,
Burlington Co., N. J.
d
Glenda Lynn Carper m Charle'^ Steven Kincade
b 5 July 1950 b
Biloxi, Harrison Co.,
Miss .
d d
date of marriage 26 May 1971
Martha Leanna Carpe r
b 22 Sept 1960 Mt Holly
Burlington, N. J.
d
Gwendlyn Holland m Tddo Lamoton Davis
b 27 Feb. 1926 b
Midlothian
Ellis Co. , Tex.
d d
date of marriage 25 January 1946 Episcopalians
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
3 children
Pamela Ann Davis m James Harry Cummins
b 11 Jan 1948, Jackson, b
120
Hinds Co. , Miss.
d d
date of marriage 19 Dec. 1969
Iddo Lampton Davis, Jr.
b 19 Oct 1951, Jackson,
Hinds Co. , Miss,
d
Barbara Nell Davis
b 26 March, Brookhaven,
Lincoln Co., Miss.
d
8. Moe Silverberg Holland
m Vivian Boyd
b 30 Oct 1901, Midlothian,
Ellis Co., Tex. b 13 May 1906
d d
Ladies Ready- to-Wear Salesman
date of marriage 14 Feb. 1938
1 son
Moe Silverberg Holland, Jr.m Terri Herrin
b 11 July 1942, Dallas, Tex. b
d d
date of marriage 19 Aug 1967
a daughter Amy Reni Holland
b Feb 1969 Waxahachie, Ellis
Co., Tex.
d
Berin U. Holland m Erma Robinson Barker
b 12 April 1904, b 12 Oct 1907 Moody,
Midlothian, McLennan Co., Tex.
Ellis Co. , Tex.
d 4 April 1967 Dallas, d
Tex.
date of marriage 19 April 1931
121
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
2 children -- twins
Conrad Foy Holland
b 20 Feb 1933 Dallas, Tex
d 22 Feb 1933 Dallas, Tex .«.
Constance Joy Holland m Willie Eugene Coleman
b 20 Feb 1933, b 23 Oct 1932 Pensacola,
Dallas, Tex. Baldwin Co., Fla.
d d
Dancing teacher
date of marriage 14 June 1952
2 children
William Eugene Coleman, Jr.
b 6 Jan 1954 Pensacola,
Baldwin Co. , Fla.
Connie Joy Coleman (Candy)
b 17 April 1964
Dallas, Tex.
d
10. David Bunch Holland, Jr. m Margaret Pardue
b 18 April 1909 Midlothian, b
Ellis Co. , Texas
d 28 July 1966 Dallas, Tex. d
Salesman
date of marriage 24 December 1936
2 children
Betty Jo Holland m James Albert Dorsey
b 3 June 1940 b 6 April 1939
Dallas, Tex. Dallas, Tex.
d d
date of marriage
3 daughters
Pamela Ann Dorsey
b 31 July 1965, Dallas, Tex.
d
122
#VI Elizabeth Scythia Baker Holland Family (Cont'd)
Paula Kay Dorsey
b 14 May 1968, Dallas, Tex.
d
Julie Beth Dorsey
b 28 Aug 1970, Dallas, Tex.
d
David Bunch Holland III m Stefani Maria Lobello
b 13 Aug 1943 Dallas, Tex b
d d ^;^^[;];;^;;;^^^[;]^[[[[;[;^;;^
date of marriage
2 children
Samuel David Holland
b 15 Oct 1965, Dallas, Tex.
d
Tracy Ann Holland
b 21 July 1970 Dallas, Tex.
d
11. The 11th child Max L. Holland never married
b 23 Oct 1913 Midlothian,
Ellis Co. , Tex.
d 19 Sept 1968 Midlothian, Tex.
VII Charles Curtis Baker, D.D.S.
m Bertha Alma Nicholson
b 30 Jan 1871, Dallas b 9 Feb 1876, Hamilton, Tex
Co., Tex.
d 21 Mar 1942 Hamilton, d 27 March 1958, Hamilton,
Tex Tex.
Both are buried in New I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hamilton, Tex.
In THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS
A History of Dentistry in Texas
by
Walter C. Stout, D.D.S. , F.A.C.D. 1969
Chairman Historical Committee
Texas Dental Association
On page 24: listed among Pioneer Texas Dentists
C. C. Baker joined Texas Dental
Association 1899.
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd) 123
On Page 160: Application for membership was made at
19th Annual Session of the Texas Dental
Association, May 16, 17, 18, Waco, Texas,
1899. The several applicants were voted
in unanimously.
On Page 236-E is a picture of one of the first diplomas
issued by Texas Dental College, to Dr.
Charles Curtis Baker, 1906, Courtesy of
Dr. Thomas R. Williams, Baylor Dental.
3 children
1. Kathryne Baker, m Milton Brents Witty, Merchant
b 6 Dec 1897i b 14 April 1896, Hico,
Hamilton, Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 5 June 1924 WWI - 2nd Lt. 16th Co.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Central Machine Gun
Hamilton, Tex. Officers Training School,
Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga.
4 children
Milton Brents Witty, Jr. , m Avis Clyde Gardner, Teacher
C.L.U.
b 11 Dec 1926 Hamilton, Tex. b 20 Sept 1927, Hamilton, Tex.
d d
Insurance Episcopalians
Served in Military during WW II
date of marriage 11 Aug 1951 in First Methodist Church,
Hamilton, Tex.
3 children
Kathleen Witty
b 27 June 1952, Monroe,
Ouachita Parish, La.
d
Milton Brents Witty, III
b 8 May 1956, Monroe,
Ouachita Parish, La.
d
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
124
William Watkins Nelson,
Architect
b 1 Dec 1926, Clinton,
Custer Co., Okla.
d
Served in United States Navy-
Michael Scott Witty
b 12 Oct 1965 Monroe,
Ouachita Parish, La.
Kathryne Witty, teacher m
b 31 August 1928,
Hamilton, Tex
Episcopalians
date of marriage 30 Aug 1950, St. Mary's Church,
Hamilton, Texas
4 children
Jane Nelson
b 26 Dec 195 2 Bethesda,
Montgomery Co. , Md.
d
Alexander Duncan Nelson III
b 26 Dec 1954 Corpus Christi
Nueces Co. , Tex
d
Sarah Nelson
b 9 Sept 1956 Corpus Christi,
Nueces Co. , Tex.
d
Martha Nelson
b 31 May 1958 Corpus Christi
Nueces Co. , Tex.
d
Anne Witty
b 6 Feb 1934
Hamilton, Tex
d
m
Episcopalians
William Drewry Olmsted
b 24 March 1932, Minneapolis,
Minn,
d
Engineer & Salesman
William D. Olmsted, Staff Sergeant U S Air Force,
607th Air Craft and Warning Control #16354229 Korean War
date of marriage 27 August 1956 Hamilton, Texas, in
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
4 children
125
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
William Drewry Olmsted, Jr.
b 11 Apr 1958 Milwaukee
Milwaukee Co., Wis.
d
Mary Kathryne Olmsted
b 4 Nov 1959, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Co., Wis.
d
Thomas Witty Olmsted
b 4 July 1962,
Milwaukee, Wis.
d
Brents Witty Olmsted
b 6 Nov 1964
Mi Iwauke e , Wis.
d
Charles Nicholson Witty m Jana Lee Pettett, secretary
b 12 Aug 1937 Hamilton, Tex. b 30 Oct 1939 Matoy, Okla.
d d
Business College - teacher
Served in US Army
date of marriage 5 June 1961 Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
Episcopalians
Charles Nicholson Witty (son of Kathryne Baker and Milton
Brents Witty) enlisted in the Artillery in Abilene, Texas,
November 15, 1956; was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas. Served
three years. After basic training he was designated as
an enlisted student.
Separation of Charles Nicholson Witty reads as follows:
Headquarters U.S. Army Aif Defense Center, Fort Bliss, Texas
November 9, 1959. S P - 4 (E4) Charles N. Witty RA 18503947
225.18 VIII US Army Corps. (Res) Austin 14, Texas (PFC E-3
Arty R A) 114 Baker St., Hamilton, Texas. P.E. Abilene,
Texas E.M. has completed 3 years Military Service.
For the Commander James M. Frisch
2nd Lt. A G C
126
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
2 sons (Charles Nicholson Witty)
Samuel Baker Witty
b 15 Jan 1962 Dallas, Tex
d
Joseph Stephen Witty
b 29 May 1967 Monroe,
Ouachita Parish, La.
d
2. Alma Baker, teacher (ret)
m Otto Newton Rea, rancher
b 16 Nov 1898, b 2 Feb 1895 Hamilton Co.,
Hamilton, Tex Tex.
d d
date of marriage 28 June 1926 in St. Mary's Episcopal
Church, Hamilton, Texas
Otto Newton Rea served in World War I, Sergeant, Comp-
any D, 348 Machine Gun Battalion, 91st Division in 3
major drives: Defensive Sector- St. Mihiel; Meuse-
Argonne; Ypres-Lys. American Expeditionary Forces 1918
2 children
Nancy Rea, teacher m Jack Robinson, Jr. ,
b 30 April 1927, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force,
Hamilton, Tex Retired 31 July 1969
b 26 Nov 1920 White Flat,
Motley County, Texas
d d
Episcopalians 1970 - teaching ROTC
date of marriage 8 July 1947 St. Paul's on the Plains
Episcopal Church, Lubbock, Lubbock
County, Tex.
3 children
Paul Shannon Robinson
b 7 Jan 1950 Lafayette,
Lafayette Parish, La.
d
127
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
Karen Robinson
b 15 April 1953 Lubbock,
Lubbock Co , , Tex
d
Susan Robinson
b 13 Mar 1956 Altus,
Jackson Co., Okla.
d
Peter Baker Rea m Jacquel3nni De lores Prause,
b 26 Feb 1929 Secretary
Hamilton, Tex b 10 May 1926
Colorado Co. , Tex.
d d
skilled machinist and welder
Military service of Peter Baker Rea: enlisted 17 Nov. 1950;
discharged 18 Aug 1953, Rank Corporal US 54 028 581;
Engineers: Army of the United States
date of marriage 21 July 1956 Trinity Lutheran Church,
Houston, Harris Co., Tex.
2 children -- 1 daughter and 1 son
Mindy Ann Rea
b 6 Dec 1958 Houston,
Harris Co. , Tex.
d
Kerry Baker Rea
b 6 March 1961 Houston,
Harris Co. , Tex.
, Charles Curtis Baker, Jr., D.D.S.
m Marjorie Katherine Duffie
b 5 March 1902 Hamilton, b 1 April 1904 Los Angeles,
Hamilton Co., Tex Los Angeles Co., Calif,
d d
Episcopalians Antique dealer
date of marriage 30 Oct 1926 Russellville, Pope Co., Ark.
3 children
Charles Curtis Baker III m Norma Lou Roberts
b 16 Feb 1930 Hamilton, b 28 July 1930, San Antonio
Hamilton Co., Tex. Bexar Co., Tex.
d d
Insurance Served in USAF Math Teacher
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
128
date of marriage 7 June 1952 San Antonio, Texas
members of St. Albans Episcopal Church, Arlington, Tex.
2 children
Charles Curtis Baker IV
b 8 July 1954 Mitchell Air Force Base
Hempstead, Long Island, N. Y.
d
Kathryn Baker
b 14 March 1962 Arlington,
Tarrant Co. , Tex.
d
Stella Gretchen Baker
(adopted)
b 16 Aug 1933 Hamilton,
Tex
d 24 May 1963 in airplane
crash in Arkansas
m
William Jackson Dean
b 21 Dec 1929 Louisiana
d 24 May 1963 in airplane
crash in Arkansas
date of marriage 26 Dec 1955 in St. Mary's Episcopal
Church, Hamilton, Tex.
Both are buried in the Baker Plot in New I.O.O.F. Cemetery,
Hamilton, Texas
2 children
William Jackson Dean
b 22 Jan 1960
Cassandra Dean
b 17 April 1962
d
(both children are members
of St. Albans Episcopal
Church, Arlington, Tex.)
These children are being reared by their legal guardians
Charles Curtis Baker III and wife Lou Roberts Baker
1213 Colonial Courts, Arlington, Texas.
John Duffie Baker
b 17 Jan 1937 Hamilton
Hamilton Co. , Tex.
d
m
Ella Kay Vaughan, Art Teacher
b 17 June 1941 Port Arthur,
Jefferson Co., Tex.
d
Sales - Mobile Homes
129
#VII Charles Curtis Baker Family (Cont'd)
2 children
Marjorie Kay Baker
b 16 March 1964 Dallas, Texas
d
John Duffie Baker, Jr.
b 18 Oct 1966 Dallas, Texas
d
Notes: The Charles Curtis Baker Family has been and still
is active in city and county projects, and the social life in
Hami 1 t on , Texas .
Dr. Baker, Sr. served on the school board and on the City
Council, and took an active part in politics. A member of
the Republican Party, he served as County Chairman; was a
State Executive Committeeman for twenty-six years; and attend-
ed several National Republican Conventions, the first one in
1908 in Chicago, Illinois.
Son Charles also served as State Committeeman for the 12th
Senatorial District of Texas, 1948 - 1966. Scouting has been
one of his interests.
Mrs. Baker, Senior, helped organize the public library in
Hamilton and served as its first president. She was active
in all phases of the work in St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
The elder daughter, Kathryne Baker Witty is most public-spir-
ited and has been responsible for the placing of Historical
Markers on all places of historical significance in Hamilton
County. At this writing she is Chairman of the Hamilton
County Historical Survey Committee and the annual Cleanup and
Beaut if icat ion Project in the City. She is a devoted member
of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. (March 1971)
The younger daughter. Alma Baker Rea, and family moved to
Lubbock, Texas in 1943 where she taught Social Studies for
twenty-one years, during which time she earned a Master's
Degree from Texas Tech University. Since retirement her
interests have been in things historical. Served five years
as president of the General James Smith Chapter, Daughters
130
of the Republic of Texas; and now is active in the Nancy
Anderson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion. Last but not least duties in St. Paul's on the Plains
Episcopal Church hold a major place in her activities.
VIII Norton Amos Baker,
merchant m Gay Miller
b 9 Sept. 1873 Dallas b 28 Sept 1874
Co., Tex.
d 17 May 1943, Dallas, Tex d
Methodist
date of marriage 11 Sept 1895 Hamilton, Texas.
1 daughter
1. Erma Baker m E. Carl Pat ton, merchant
b 23 Dec 1896, Hamilton b 21 June 1891, Ethel,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Grayson Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 23 Oct 1917 Spur, Texas
Children of Erma Baker Patton -- 2 sons
Carl Baker Patton m Betty Bogue, Investments
(with Lockheed)
b 29 Oct 1919 Sherman, b 22 Feb. 1921, Los Angeles
Denison Co., Tex. Los Angeles Co., Calif,
d d
1st Lt. Air Corps, WW II
date of marriage 29 March 1946, Ocean Side, Calif,
2 children
Bradley Patton
b 7 Oct 1949 Torrance,
California
d
Penny Patton
b 17 July 1951, Santa Monica,
Calif,
d
131
#VIII Norton Amos Baker Family (Cont'd)
Ned Baker Patton,
Educator m Patricia Bark
b 12 Dec 1933 Cisco, b 13 June 1928, Manhattan
Eastland Co., Tex. Beach, Calif,
d d
1st Lt. Inftry WW II
date of marriage 10 Sept 1950, Hermosa Beach, Calif,
2 daughters of Ned Baker Patton
Roxanne Patton
b 26 Aug 1950
San Pedro, Calif.
d
Shelly Patton
b 9 Oct 1951
San Pedro, Calif
d
Stacy Mari Patton
b 6 Nov 1956
San Pedro, Los Angeles Co.,
Calif,
d
Note: Patricia Bark Patton is employed by Republican
Party Organization. June 1971.
IX John (Erskine) Beeman Baker
druggist m Amma Pinkerton
b 20 Oct 1876, Lancaster b 9 Apr 1878, Carlton,
Dallas Co., Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 18 March 1955, Dallas, d 24 July 1965, Dallas,
Dallas Co., Tex. Dallas Co., Tex.
date of marriage 22 Aug 1899 Hico, Hamilton Co., Tex.
2 daughters
1. Mable Minier Baker,
secretary m Rex Benton DeSpain
b 31 July 1902 Haskell b 23 Feb 1901
Haskell Co. , Tex.
d d 21 June 1932, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
date of marriage 23 Dec 1922, Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
#IX John (Erskine) Beeman Baker Family (Cont'd)
132
one daughter
Barbara Jean De Spain m
b 2 Feb 1929, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
4 children
Rex Charles Cade
b 28 June 1949, Austin,
Travis Co. , Tex.
d
Sharon Ruth Cade m
b 15 Sept 1951, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
date of marriage June 1970
Randall Lee Cade
b 5 Sept 1953, Dallas, Tex.
Colin Ray Cade
b 3 Nov 1956, Dallas, Tex.
d
2 . Amma Hortenz Baker
b 27 Aug 1911, Haskell,
Haskell Co. , Tex.
d
m
Charlie Brut on Cade, M.D.
b 15 May 1927, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Joe Swans ey
b
d
Blumer W. Bradshaw, Jr.
b 27 June 1911 Seymour,
Baylor Co. , Tex.
d
date of marriage 6 April 1942, Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
2 sons
Robert Dorman Bradshaw, Senior at Vanderbilt University,
b 8 March 1949, Dallas, 1970.
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Roger Brian Bradshaw, Sophomore at Southern Methodist
b 24 Sept 1951, Dallas University, 1970
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
133
Margaret May Baker m 1st John Lynn, Methodist
b 2 July 1878, Hamilton, Minister
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d 18 July 1955 Eastern Star Home,
Arlington, Tarrant Co. , Texas
m 2nd Cash Mathis, retired
no children
Methodist Minister
XI Mary Oconasta Baker m Malcolm Alvah Boone, M.D.
b 7 July 1880, Hamilton b 1 June 1875, Lafayette
Hamilton Co., Tex. Springs, Miss.
d 5 July 1963, d 23 Nov 1956,
Dallas, Tex. Dallas, Tex.
date of marriage 2 Feb 1903, Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
6 children
1. Emily Elizabeth Boone m George Travis Lackey, 1st
b 12 Nov 1903 Jonesboro, b 3 Nov. 1908, Wellington,
Coryell Co., Tex. Collingsworth Co., Tex.
d d 27 April 1958, Boulder,
Boulder Co., Colo.
date of marriage 9 March 1929, Grace Methodist Church,
Dallas, Texas
one daughter
iry Margaret
4 March 19:
Dallas, Tex.
Mary Margaret Lackey m Jackson Grover Akin, Jr. 1st
b 4 March 1931, b 23 April 1918
d
Attorney; divorced
date of marriage 22 Nov 1953, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Co., N.M.
2 children of Mary Margaret Lackey Akin
Emily Ann Akin
b 23 April 1954, Albuquerque,
Bernalillo Co. , N. M.
d
134
#XI Mary Oconasta Baker Boone Family (Cont'd)
Stephen Jackson Akin
b 15 Nov 1955 Albuquerque,
Bernalillo Co., N, M.
d
Mary Margaret Lackey Akin m 2nd John Marshall Rhodes,
b March 1926, Oakland, Calif,
d
Professor in College
date of 2nd marriage 11 March 1967, Albuquerque,
Bernalillo Co., N. M.
Emily Elizabeth Boone Lackey m a 2nd time to
William Silas Henson
date of marriage 8 Sept 1945 in b 3 Sept 1892, Danville,
Church of Incarnation Boyle Co., Ky.
Episcopal, Dallas, Tex. d 9 Dec 1954, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
2. Malcolm Brown Boone m Margaret Owen Forrester
b 29 April 1905 Jonesboro, b 18 June 1905, Dallas,
Coryell Co., Tex. Dallas Co., Tex.
d d
Insurance
date of marriage 29 Nov. 1929, Dallas, Tex.
one son
Malcolm Owen Boone m Shirley Marie Stritesky
b 2 Dec 1931, Dallas, b 30 Jan 1932, Chicago, 111.
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d d
date of marriage 29 Dec 1956 Cicero, 111.
Children of Malcolm Owen Boone
Catherine Louise Boone
b 21 Nov 1957, Dallas, Tex.
d
Susan Marie Boone
b 23 March 1959, Dallas, Tex.
d
XI Mary Oconasta Baker Boone Family (Cont'd)
135
Janice Ann Boone
b 29 June 1960
Oklahoma City, Ok la.
d
Margaret Frances Boone
b 24 Nov 1961
Dallas, Texas,
d
Margaret Boone,
Home Economics m
Teacher
b 12 Dec. 1906, Jonesboro
Coryell Co. , Tex.
d
Gilbert Evan Ackerman,
Col. in U. S. Army, Ret.
b 26 Feb 1894, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
d
date of marriage 20 July 1946 in the Family Home,
4301 Windsor Parkway, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
4. Mildred Boone
b 11 Oct 1908, Jonesboro,
Coryell Co. , Tex.
d
Teacher and Librarian
m Joel Watkins Haden,
Salesman and Farmer
b 8 Sept 1904, Atlanta,
Cass Co. , Tex.
d 18 Oct 1958, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
Judy Carol Harp
b 28 May 1946, Amarillo,
Potter-Randall Co., Tex.
d
one son
Joel Watkins Haden, Jr. m
b 31 Dec 1940, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d ___^
teacher
date of marriage 17 June 1967, First Christian Church,
Amarillo, Texas.
one son
Joel Watkins Haden III
b 21 February 1971, Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
5. William Bascomb Boone m Mary Eleanor Wilie
Elementary School Principal b 3 Sept 1918, Austin,
b 8 Nov. 1910, Jonesboro, Travis Co., Tex.
Coryell Co. , Tex. d
d
136
#XI Mary Oconasta Baker Boone Family (Cont'd)
date of marriage 30 Oct 1941, Grace Methodist Church,
Dallas, Tex.
2 daughters
Anita Carol Boone m Joe E. Jones III
b 15 Sept 1948, Dallas, b 6 Oct 1946,
Dallas Co., Tex. Little Rock, Ark.
d d
date of marriage 6 Feb 1970, Highland Park Methodist Church,
Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
Janice Lynn Boone
b 11 March 1952 Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
d 10 Oct 1958 Dallas, Dallas Co., Tex.
6. Sybil Boone m James Franklin Crews,
Geologist
b 12 Sept 1913, Hamilton b 12 Aug. 1913, Waxahachie,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Ellis Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 3 April 1938, First Christian Church,
Houston, Harris Co., Tex.
Children -- twin girls
Marcia Ann Crews m Charles Lewis Tait
b 26 April 1943, Dallas, b 13 July 1942, New Orleans
Dallas Co., Tex. St. Charles Parish, La.,
d d
date of marriage Aug 21, 1965, Houston, Tex.
one daughter Shannon Tait
b 2 February 1970, Houston,
Harris Co. , Tex.
d
Marian Ruth Crews m Joel Arthur Newsome III
b 26 April 1943 Dallas, b 10 Aug 1943, Houston,
Tex. Harris Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 24 November 1965
137
XII Angeline Alice Baker m Jacob Forrest Nicholson
b 26 Feb. 1883, Hamilton, b 7 Nov. 1878, Hamilton,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex.
d d 6 Oct 1960, Hamilton, Tex.
Lumber Salesman
Post Office Civil Service Clerk
Member of Disciples of Christ
(First Christian Church)
date of marriage 23 June 1908, Hamilton, Tex.
5 children
1. Angeline Nicholson m Robert Lee Fulcher
b 17 May 1909 Hamilton, b 2 July 1903, San Saba,
Hamilton Co., Tex. San Saba Co., Tex.
d d
Pharmacist & Property Owner
date of marriage 11 August 1936, Blanco, Blanco Co., Tex.
one daughter Sarah Angeline Fulcher, singer
b 15 Oct. 1940, Blanco, Blanco Co., Tex.
d
2. Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Jr.
m Lucille Lawler
b 9 Oct 1910 Hamilton, b
Hamilton Co., Tex. d
d
Divorced
Railroad Mail Clerk
date of marriage
one son
Jacob Forrest Nicholson, III
IBM Salesman; B. S. m Catherine Morris
and M.A. degrees from b 8 Nov. 1943, Roswell,
Texas A & M Chaves Co., N. M.
b 22 Oct 1941, Amarillo,
Tex.
d d
date of marriage 25 January 1965, Amarillo, Texas
Children
138
#XII Angelina Alice Baker Nicholson Family (Cont'd)
Barry Wayne Nicholson
b 15 May 1962 Dallas,
Dallas Co. , Tex.
d
Melinda Carol Nicholson
b 2 January 1964
Amarillo, Tex.
d
Angeline Nicholson
b 28 Dec 1967 Bryan,
Brazos Co. , Tex.
d
Catherine's 1st husband Jerald A. Morris, now deceased;
her maiden name was Catherine Diane Patterson.
Jacob legally adopted Barry and Melinda in 1968.
3. James Baker Nicholson m Wayne Boler
b 27 Feb 1914, Hamilton, b 9 Jan 1913, Indian Gap,
Hamilton Co., Tex. Hamilton Co., Tex.
d d
Served in U. S. Air Force
date of marriage 20 May 1938
one son
Kenneth Boler Nicholson m Renate Eckeesberger
Air Traffic Instructor b 29 Aug 1946
b 24 Jan 1940, Hamilton, Ezelsdorf, Germany
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d d
date of marriage 14 May 1964, Nueremburg, Gennany;
1 -i \ri no- i n rjprmflnv 1 Q7 1 .
living in Germany 1971.
two daughters
Michaela Ingrid Nicholson
b 23 Oct 1965, Nueremburg, Germany
d
#XII Angelina Alice Baker Nicholson Family (Cont'd)
139
Aretha Wayne Nicholson
b 12 Oct 1970 Nueremburg, Germany
d
Eunice Nicholson
b 17 Feb 1917 Hamilton,
Hamilton Co., Tex.
d
date of marriage
two daughters
Teresa Caserta
b 25 July 1952, Piqua,
Miami Co. , Ohio
d
Anita Caserta
b 18 Sept 1953, Piqua,
Miami Co. , Ohio.
m Anthony Caserta
b 28 Nov 1916 Piqua,
Miami County, Ohio
d
Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio,
William Lynn Nicholson
b 10 June 1922 Hamilton,
Tex.
d
m Frances Joan Stocks
b 2 Jan 1930, Hamilton,
Tex.
d
Served in U S Air Force
WW II. Rural Route Mail Carrier
date of marriage 17 Dec. 1948, Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Tex.
two daughters
Alice Ann Nicholson
b 31 Jan 1953, Temple,
Bell Co. , Tex.
d
Frances Blanche Nicholson
b 27 June 1955, Temple,
Bell Co. , Tex.
d
APPENDIX #9
140
TWIN OAKS historical marker dedicated March 14, 1968.
From left, Alma Baker Rea (Mrs. Otto Newton Rea) , Charles Curtis
Baker, Jr., and Kathryne Baker Witty (Mrs. Milton
Brents Witty)
Note: Two markers are on this wrought iron fence enclosing
the residence, which read as follows:
TWIN OAKS NAMED FOR HISTORIC TREES. Built by Dr. Charles Cur-
tis Baker (1871-1942) City's first resident dentist, descendant
of the Beemans, one of Dallas' founding families; graduate of
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Republican State Execu-
tive Committeeman for 26 years. Dr. Baker built "Twin Oaks"
with ball and billiard rooms unique in Hamilton. At death of
widow. Alma Nicholson Baker, 1958, the home was sold to Andrew
Campbell. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1968.
TWIN OAKS. Between these trees William Willis took refuge on
Dec. 24, 1866, but was shot fatally by Indians.
He was riding a mule to a dance when attacked.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
Address of this residence, "Twin Oaks", today is Campbell
Lane at East Baker Street, Hamilton, Texas.
141
From THE HAMILTON HERALD-NEWS, Thursday, June 11, 1970
Hamilton, Texas
HISTORICAL MARKER FOR GRAVE OF W. T. BAKER
More than 50 descendants of Texas pioneer William
Thatcher Baker joined a group of Hamilton County citizens
for dedication of a Texas State Historical Marker at his
grave in the New I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hamilton Sunday after-
noon at 2 o'clock. The Baker family met in Hamilton for
their annual reunion at the Hamilton Youth Center.
Lynn Nicholson, a grandson of the pioneer, read a his-
tory of his pioneering activities in Hamilton and Dallas
counties. Baker was originally buried near Ohio in Hamil-
ton County, a community which he served as postmaster and
to which he gave its name.
Mrs. Forrest (Angeline Baker) Nicholson of Hamilton
attended the Baker reunion and dedication service. She is
the only surviving child of William Thatcher Baker and the
former Emily Beeman. There were six sons and six daughters
in the family.
The history was compiled by Mrs. M. Brents Witty of
Hamilton, another grandchild of the pioneer.
Members of the Baker family attending the reunion were:
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Mathis, Mrs. William Thatcher Ed-
gar, Mr. and Mrs. Ned Baker Holland, Ma^s. Charles B. Hackney,
Col. and Mrs. Gilbert Ackerman, and Mrs. Hal Douglass, Carol,
Kay and Janna, all of Dallas:
Mr. and Mrs. Harve Holland, Mrs. Maxine Holland Kenyon,
and Robert Kenyon, all of Irving;
142
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Curtis Baker III, Kathryne, Cas-
sandra, and Wilson Dean, Lt. Col. and Mrs. Jack Robinson, Kar-
en and Paul, all of Arlington;
Mr. and Mrs. Otto N. Rea, Lubbock; Mrs. Robert Fulcher,
Blanco; Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Jr., Amarillo; Mrs. Clyde
Smith and Mrs. Irene Herring Gilliland of Austin; Mr. and
Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson III, Barry, Melinda and Angel-
ine, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Baker Rea, Mindy and Kerry, all
of Houston;
Mr. and Mrs. M. Brents Witty Jr., Kathleen, Milton and
Scott, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Witty, Samuel and Stephen,
all of Monroe, Louisiana; Mr. and Mrs. William W. Nelson,
Jane, Alex, Sarah and Martha of Comfort;
And Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Sr. , Mrs. R. B. Mil-
ler, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. M. Brents Witty, Dr. and Mrs. Charles
Curtis Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Nicholson, Ann and Blanche,
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Miller, Roger, Ann and Kenneth, all of Hamil-
ton.
Special guests, friends of the family, were Mrs. John
Stocks, Hamilton; Mrs. Marion Roberts, San Antonio; and Mrs.
Ella May Faulkner, Dallas.
Note: The first William Thatcher Baker Family Reunion was
held on May 29, 1912, in the home of the mother, Emily
Elvira Beeman Baker, in Hamilton, Texas. All twelve
children were present. Glen Rose, Texas, was the meet-
ing place for several years and was changed to Hamil-
ton, where the most of the family lived, and now, 1971,
the only surviving member, Angelina Alice Baker Nichol-
son, lives.
143
HISTORICAL MARKER -- William Thatcher Baker, Oct. 10, 1830-
August 12, 1884; Farmer, Rancher, Merchant, and Ginner,
born in Ohio. In 1850 he moved to Pleasant Run, Dallas
County, Texas. Married Miss Emily Elvira Beeman, the
daughter of James Jackson Beeman, Dallas Pioneer. Al-
though a Unionist, as a loyal Texan he made shoes for
Confederacy in the Civil War, 1861-1865. Later he ran
ferry 1% miles below Dowdy's Ferry on Trinity River.
Moved (1879) to Plum Creek Farm, Hamilton County. Es-
tablished post office named "Ohio" there on May 4, 1882.
Recorded 1970.
.-* 'Tt^'lci 'X'.
Angelina Alice Baker Nicholson (Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson)
Baker Reunion June 7, 1970, Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas,
I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Large Baker monument erected by Charles
Curtis Baker, D.D.S. seventh child of William Thatcher Baker
and Emily Elvira Beeman Baker.
144
From THE HAMILTON HERALD-NEWS, Thursday, June 10, 1971
BAKER REUNION FEATURES GRAVE MARKER DEDICATION
Descendants of the six sons and six daughters of William
Thatcher Baker and wife, Emily Elvira Beeman Baker, met at the
Lions Club Youth Center in Hamilton Sunday, June 6.
This was the 51st meeting since the 1912 family reunion
at Emily's home which she had built two years before at 522
East Leslie in Hamilton.
After the noonday meal, most of those present drove to
Lampasas to dedicate the historical grave marker of James
Jackson Beeman, father of Emily.
Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson, nee Angelina Alice Baker,
is his only living grandchild in Hamilton.
After dedication of the marker which was co-sponsored
by the Lampasas and Hamilton County historical survey commit-
tees, Mrs. Alfred Bullion, secretary of the Lampasas County
Committee, entertained the group at her home in Lampasas with
refreshments.
The grave of James Jackson Beeman is located in the Lam-
pasas Cemetery on Porter Street in the western portion of the
city. The inscription on the historical marker is:
"JAMES JACKSON BEEMAN (December 21, 1816 - December 7,
1888). One of the first settlers in Dallas and Weatherford.
Born in Madison County, 111.; came to Texas 1840. He helped
cut first road in Trinity Bottoms, named Turtle Creek (1841)
and Plat City of Dallas, 1842. He guided Texas President Sam
Houston to Indian parley, 1843; joined California Gold Rush,
1849; pioneered Parker County, 1854; aided in rescue of Com-
anche captive Cynthia Ann Parker, 1860; returned to Dallas
145
to live, 1864. Died in Lampasas."
Lucius M. Stephens of Lometa, chairman of the Lampasas
County Historical Survey Committee, was master of ceremonies.
The invocation was delivered by the Rev. William Anthony of
St. Mary's (Lampasas) Episcopal Church. Fred Cotton of Wea-
therford gave the address. Charles Curtis Baker, III, of Ar-
lington gave the dedication. Samuel Baker Witty of Monroe,
Louisiana, unveiled the marker.
Attending the Baker reunion and dedication were:
From Hamilton, Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Mr. and
Mrs. Lynn Nicholson, Ann and Blanche, Dr. and Mrs. Charles
Curtis Baker; Mr. and Mrs. M. Brents Witty; Mrs. Clyde Gard-
ner; Mrs. John Stocks.
From Blanco, Mrs. Robert Fulcher.
From Lubbock Mr. and Mrs. Otto Newton Rea.
From Arlington, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Curtis Baker III,
Charles IV and Kathryn; Cassandra and Wilson Dean, and Mike
Burch; Lisa Prine and Kevin Meier; Lt. Col. and Mrs. Jack
Robinson and Paul.
From Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. John Duffie Baker, Marjorie Kay
and John Duffie Baker, Jr.
From Dallas, Col. and Mrs. Gilbert Ackerman, Mr. and
Mrs. Moe S. Holland, and Mrs. Thatcher Edgar.
From Pecos, Mr. and Mrs. Artie Baker.
From Monroe, La., Mr. and Mrs. M. Brents Witty, Jr.,
Kathleen, Milton and Scott; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nicholson
Witty, Samuel and Stephen.
And the following from various points: Mr. and Mrs.
James M. Phillips, Port Lavaca; Mrs. Clyde Smith and Mrs. J. A.
Gilliland, Austin, Mrs. Marion Roberts, San Antonio; and Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Cotton, Weather ford.
146
■^^rx
■■''«^-«i^v
William Lynn Nicholson, Speaker for Dedication of Historical
Marker placed on grave of William Thatcher Baker, June 7, 1970,
in the New I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas.
In background of picture are relatives and descendants. From
left to right standing are Mrs. Clyde Smith of Austin, Texas,
Avis Gardner Witty, Kathryne Baker Witty, Jacquelyn Prause Rea,
Peter Baker Rea, Mindy Ann Rea, Kerry Baker Rea, Nancy Rea
Robinson, Kathryn Baker, and Jane Louise Edgar Mathis.
Baker Reunion held June 7, 1970.
147
James Jackson Beeman, father of Emily Elvira Beeman, copy of
a tin type picture, made in the 1850' s. The suit was probably
made by his third wife, Elizabeth Baker. Note the Masonic
apron and white gloves.
Note: See new book Famous Trees of Texas , page 169, which
describes THE DISTRICT COUin OAK near where James Jackson
Beeman 's cabin was built. Beeman *s Fort as it was known
locally, was a welcome stop to weary travelers along the
Old Fort Worth-Belknap Stageline Road in 1842, five
miles north of the present town of Weatherford.
In 1936 the State of Texas erected a red granite marker
near the above named tree, designating the site of the
first county court in Parker County.
148
5|:i;'thE J.A;^.fiAKER STORE -V^
PjbffEKfD A69t: ORlE 6f THE' TEXfSy
J.'^OUJH FtAHvlV OLDEST MERCANTtCR;^
Jftji^UStS STILi OWNfD ftY 'FOUWDlf(G/ji
,^',f A-SilLvl ' AM E S ■ A R T E M A S -ia'ARi R 'O^'s'f :'^4
■•pj?} . 'f oflMpER OF tHl,S ■ STORE '.■■aMK-I
tobi-Wj^iVfef- loGKijreV: -WAS BOR'NvwyAf^*?;
■■'bAltAS AND tJVED IM HAlWl'lT^'iiii-
.■FROW(Ei7? TO *«l,lr.-18V0. WHEK'-HEn^
AjMGVED:;H£fet_;. ACTING- PQSTwvAStE"(t-;'!w ;
X*?:93..VVNO,si«y,iNe''B.y. ■Ap;!S)(NTW:5^N^
i,'')'894-19bl.' HE FflEIGHTfd AMD.. WITH ^
rH€iP Of HIS WIFE ALfCf*. RA^ 'tHli.
S'T6ft'£;.SE,cf.(NG HARD*AR£;^SlfHi3RieS. •■
pRY'.GObtS, GROCERIES. TOWN ALSO '
t(ii'\ii) On. bakers STORf sa«,
FOR BANKHvIG in THE EARtr Di<T^^-.;
..■■■AFTER FRAME BUILDING BURMe6, -
?TM« Structure was erected fJM.
i. A. BAKER
Honoring
Our
Founders
ALICE BAKER
BAKER STORE SINCE '94
The marker reads:
THE J. A. BAKER STORE
OPENED 1894, ONE OF THE TEXAS SOUTH PLAINS' OLDEST MERCANTILE
HOUSES STILL OWNED BY FOUNDING FAMILY. JAMES ARTEMAS BAKER
(1859-1917). FOUNDER OF THIS STORE AND TOWN OF LOCKNEY, WAS
BORN NEAR DALLAS AND LIVED IN HAMILTON FROM 1879 to JULY 1890,
WHEN HE MOVED HERE. ACTING POSTMASTER IN 1893, AND SERVING
BY APPOINTMENT 1894-1901. HE FREIGHTED AND WITH HELP OF HIS
WIFE ALICE, RAN THIS STORE, SELLING HARDWARE, SUNDRIES, DRY
GOODS, GROCERIES. TOWN ALSO RELIED ON BAKER STORE SAFE FOR
BANKING IN THE EARLY DAYS. AFTER FRAME BUILDING BURNED, THIS
STRUCTURE WAS ERECTED 1914.
(1971)
149
PRESS COVERAGE OF DEDICATION OF TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL MARKER
FOR J. A. BAKER STORE, LOCKNEY, TEXAS, MAY 14, 1971
AMARILLO DAILY NEWS, May 15, 1971
STORE AT LOCKNEY GOING STRONG AFTER 77 BUSY YEARS
By Bob Davis, Staff Writer
Lockney - Residents of this South Plains community paused
for an hour Friday afternoon to reflect on the town's history
and to commemorate one of the Panhandle-Plains ' earliest mer-
cantile establishments with a Texas Historical Society plaque.
The 77-year old J. A. Baker Store once served as a bank,
a general store, and post office for pioneer residents of Floyd
County and was the first business in Lockney.
In his dedication address. Dr. Kline Nail, an English
professor at Texas Tech University, said, "The years of this
store's existence have been the times of the greatest changes
of all history in speed, in morals, in manners, in economics;
but through those years this store has remained constant".
Dr. Nail, a former Lockney resident, told an estimated
300 persons gathered in front of the store, that the family
honored by the placing of the marker typifies the pioneer
plains family in its hardiness and willingness to work.
It was a nostalgic occasion. Oldtimers nearing the cen-
tury mark clasped hands and recalled the early days. A few
were around when James Baker set up his all-purpose store,
laid out the town's streets and planted the first trees on
what was then nothing more than a sea of grass.
By the time former Floyd County District Attorney John
B. Stapleton, who served as master of ceremonies, introduced
150
Dr. Nail, the crowd had grown to the extent that Lockney pol-
ice cordoned off one block of Main Street until the ceremonies
were finished.
Baker's Store is currently operated by Mrs. Dimple Baker
McGavock, one of the six daughters of James and Alice Baker
and the store's original proprietors. Baker died in 1917 and
his wife died 50 years later at the age of 100, (lacking three
months ) .
In addition to Mrs. McGavock, several of the other Baker
children were on hand to observe the occasion.
The second of the Baker's 13 children, Mrs. Nell Deaven-
port, 88, of Boulder, Colo., was six when her father parked
their covered wagon on a 160 acre tract of prairie land des-
tined to become Lockney.
"We lived in that covered wagon for six weeks," recalled
Mrs. Deavenport, "while Father went to Amarillo to get some
Ixomber to build the house and store."
Mrs. Deavenport has no problem remembering those early
days when "one dollar would buy a 50-pound sack of flour or
eight pounds of "coffee" and when her mother declared she would
never sell a dozen eggs for more than a nickle.
"The medium of exchange back then", she recalled, "was
fence posts or mules more often than dollars."
In 1914 the original building was destroyed by fire and
Baker rebuilt the present structure. Following her husband's
death in 1917, Mrs. Baker continued to add on to the brick
store until by the 1930 's the whole block of Main Street was
a series of Baker businesses; a dry goods store, a hardware
151
store, an implement store, a grocery store, a furniture
store and a bank.
Only the dry goods store is in business now, the others
have long since been disposed of.
A third daughter present for the ceremonies, Mrs. J. M.
Phillips of Port Lavaca, said her mother was in Kansas City
once at market when another person questioned a suggestion as
non-bus ines s 1 ike .
"Mother told him, 'You don't do business with business.
You do business with people-- if you are smart.' That was
Mother's code," said Mrs. Phillips.
When asked the importance of Friday's ceremonies Mrs.
Phillips expressed eloquently what most of the old timers felt,
"We are here to share memories with my mother and daddy of the
good years, the bad years, the years of peace and plenty, the
drought and the war years -- their lives as they lived it,
here."
152
From LUBBOCK AVALANCHE -JOURNAL May 24, 1971
Front page
BAKER ESTABLISHMENT AT LOCKNEY STORE BOASTS 7 7 -YEAR TENURE
By Tanner Laine
Reposing in the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech Uni-
versity are an estimated 83,000 pieces of history, all dealing
with one general store.
This is a collection of the papers of the J. A. Baker
Store at Lockney. It fills 91 boxes and separately-bound
books .
An historical marker recently was affixed to this store,
which is one of the oldest (1894) business concerns on the
Plains still operating under one family ownership.
Dr. Kline A. Nail of Texas Tech, who made the dedicatory
address at ceremonies for the marker, sponsored by the Floyd
County Historical Survey Committee, said about his research
for the address; "I have not had time to become really well
acquainted with these papers."
He offered this letter as an example of the undergirding
principle of this store and aciomen of the family behind it;
Lockney, Texas, Oct. 22, 1915
Mr. J. A. Baker
Dear Sir: Please send me a bottle of Garrett Snuff on the
mail tomorrow.
Respt. Yours,
J. R. Mahaffey
Dr. Nail said: "Mahaffey never douted that he would get his
snuff and the Bakers never doubted that he would pay for it
sometime when he came into town."
"Maybe one of the reasons why the Bakers kept their
records and correspondence was that letters meant a great
deal in those early years. There were no telephone, no radio,
or television and newspapers and magazines were scarce and
usually much out of date."
The dedication speaker continued: " I wonder if Mrs.
Baker, who actually ran the store, did not have posterity in
mind from an early time, as she carried these documents down
to the basement year after year."
Some scholar, some day will find a ready-made chronicle
of merchandising and business as conducted on the South Plains
of Texas before the turn of the 20th Century.
And he will find, as well, the story of the courage of
pioneer store's operators-- a family dedicated to serving the
community in which it was located.
Because in 1894, this store provided a post office,
groceries, hardware, drygoods, and even fence posts. It be-
came a focal point for all the community. Moreover, it be-
came a clearing house for the sale of crops, cattle and poul-
try. It was a temporary bank of honesty and integrity.
At one time, the store, before 1914, had a millinery
shop noted for hats for brides.
The Baker Store had off shoots. A very important one
was the Lockney Coal & Grain Co.
Very early, the store acquired a safe and since no bank
was in the town, the people frequently asked the Bakers to
keep money for them.
The Baker menfolk, as pioneers often did, dreamed big,
and sometimes they plunged. Always in the background, Mrs.
154
Baker and the daughters held the store together.
That feminine strength still counts. For it was Mrs.
Dimple Baker McGavock who opened the Baker Store doors this
very morning.
The Baker Store is a tremendous story of one business
institution that stood the test of time for 77 years and still
is operating. More, it also is a story of a family of hus-
band, wife and 13 children, (A Baker's dozen, mind you). Only
one of the children died before reaching maturity and rearing
his own family. One family member, France Baker, lives in
Lubbock today.
The early "Shingle" read: "J. A. Baker, a Small Con-
cern, Doing a Big Business."
The fierce pride and loyalty of Family members, so terse-
ly expressed in 1894, continues today and the historical mark-
er on the up-to-now version seems truly appropriate.
155
APPENDIX 10
REMINISCENSES OF MY PARENTS
Mr. and Mrs. James Artemas Baker
and
Early days in Lockney,
Floyd County, Texas
by
Genella (Nell) Baker Deavenport
Boulder, Colorado
156
JAMES ARTEMAS BAKER
Date of Birth:
September 22, 1859
in Dallas County, Texas
Date of Death:
October 16, 1917
at Lockney, Texas
SARAH ALICE BAKER
Date of Birth:
August 26, 1867
in Van Zandt County,
Texas
Date of Death:
June 2, 1967
at Lockney, Texas
157
My mother, Sarah Alice Ratliff, was born August 26,
1867, in Van Zandt County, Texas. She was the daughter of
Nancy and Stephen Ratliff. Her father died when she was a
baby. Later her mother married a Mr. Basham. His father,
a former slave owner, gave them a large home in Arkansas.
The house was above a river. The family there was sick with
chills, so her mother and Mr. Basham moved back to Eastland
County, Texas. Alice remembered living there with the good
fruit they had to eat, and also the trips there and back that
they had in a covered wagon. At the age of eight years, she
was taken by her grandfather. Dr. Smith, to the home of her
mother's sister, Ella, and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. William
Sparkman in Hamilton, Texas, where she attended school. They
had two little girls younger than Alice. Her Aunt Ella was
sick much of the time, so Alice helped with the housework and
attended school until she was eighteen. She spent the summers
with her mother and her family in Eastland County, Texas.
Papa's mother's parents were on their way from Illinois to
Texas and she was bom in a covered wagon.
His father, William Thatcher Baker, and his mother, Emily
Elvira Beeman, were married in Parker County, Texas then went
to Dallas County, Texas to make their home where James Artemas
Baker was born September 22, 1859.
On January 1, 1885, Alice married James Artemas Baker,
who was postmaster in the small town of Ohio in Hamilton Coun-
ty, completing the term of his deceased father. They lived
with his widowed mother on the Baker farm in the Ohio commun-
ity. Their first child, Meda, was born March 21, 1886. The
following year my mother taught school at Live Oak, a small
community in Hamilton County. She rode a horse with a side
158
saddle about a mile each day and held Meda in her lap. Her
young sisters-in-law, Margaret, Mary, and Angle, rode behind
the saddle and attended school. Aunt Angle, who is still liv-
ing at Hamilton, gave me these facts.
As soon as my father could, he bought some land and
built a little cabin near the Baker farm where they made their
home. Here I was bom October 28, 1888. My brother, France,
was born in 1890.
In the sxommer of 1889 Papa drove his team of mules
with a wagon to Wichita Falls, Texas. While there he earned
$5.00 a day for himself and team working in the wheat harvest.
When harvest ended he followed the Fort Worth and Denver Rail-
way to Amarillo, Texas, where he bought a small tract of land,
just where I do not know. Someone told him to go see the land
south of Amarillo. Going there, he came to a small settlement
called Lockney, named after a Mr. Lockney. He filed on six
hundred and forty acres of land south of Lockney, and then
returned to Hamilton County, Texas.
In the spring of 1890 he was Tax Assessor for Hamilton
County. Preparations were made to move his family to the Plains
of Texas .
It was the first part of July when we began the trip trav-
elling in two covered wagons. One wagon was fixed with a bed
in one end for the family and carried our essentials for the
trip. The other wagon was loaded with furniture, plows, tools,
and feed for the horses and two mules that we took. Papa's
brother, Norton, age seventeen, drove a team of horses with
one of the wagons. We went by Mama's mother's home in East-
land County to visit with her and her family.
On this trip we met another family, Mr. and Mrs. Hall
159
and son, Claude, who were also travelling to Floydada. Later
Claude published the first newspaper in Floydada known as the
Hesperian. One day, shortly before completing the trip, we
ran out of food, and it rained slowly all day. Mama had a
big, black ;ambrella which one never sees at this day and
time, which she braced with rocks over a fire on the ground
so as to bake sour dough biscuits in her dutch oven. We car-
ried firewood and water in the wagon. Another day we saw a
stray chicken, and Uncle Norton and Mama thought that we might
catch it and have chicken for supper. They were chasing it
around when a man stuck his head seemingly out of a hole in
the ground and said, "Leave my chicken alone." They had not
noticed a dugout there where the man was living.
Our journey to Floyd County took seventeen days. After
spending a night in Floydada, we went on the remaining twelve
miles to Old Lockney where we received mail from home. Mr.
Davis, the Postmaster in Old Lockney, lived with his family
in a three-room house. He kept a few groceries and had the
Post Office in one room, and they lived in the other two rooms.
He told Papa that he could set his covered wagon bed inside
the yard near the windmill, and lent him a cow so that there
would be milk for his family. Mama and we three children
lived in the covered wagon bed in Mr. Davis* yard while Papa
and Uncle Norton hauled the liomber from Amarillo one hundred
miles away to build our first home on the section of land that
Papa had filed on four miles south of Lockney.
Floyd County, Texas, was organized in May, 1890, and we
arrived in late July of that same year. The report that the
Baker family camped on the lawn of the Floydada Courthouse is
incorrect. Mama told me several times that we lived near the
Davis home in a wagon bed and cooked with a dutch oven. On
160
the Plains there were no trees, creeks, hills, rocks, or fences
between settlers' homes -- just grass and sky as far as one
could see. Roads were staked on the grass to travel by until
a path was worn down. One dark night Papa got lost while
returning from Floydada, so he plowed a furrow with a walking
plow for about eight miles to our new home, turning the grass
sod one way so that if he or anyone else got lost after dark
he could follow the furrow home from Floydada, placing a lan-
tern on the wagon tongue -- keeping it straddled the furrow.
In the spring of 1891 the crops were planted by Papa and
harvested in the fall. Then he started freighting to Amarillo
and Childress to make a living. On these trips Papa would be
away from home a week or longer. At times Mama would see no
one until he returned.
There wasn't much that we could do isolated as we were
from the few people there on the Plains. There would be times
when we could see someone passing in the distance either in
a wagon or on horseback. I remember standing with Mama and
Meda and watching the traveler as long as he could be seen.
Mama sewed our clothing by hand. Later Papa traded one
of his plows for an Eldridge sewing machine. He built us a
small hen house and we started raising chickens and getting
eggs which was a big help in making a living. Papa also set
out some fruit trees, broke sod land for a garden which we
planted and raised vegetables in, and planted some flowers
near our house and dugout. Mama read the Bible a lot of the
time as she had time on her hands. But when we moved to the
Davis place in Old Lockney where she took up the Post Office
job and store work she had plenty of work to do.
Once we wanted to visit the J. Q. Johnsons, our closest
161
neighbors, some three miles to the west, so Mama put Meda on
Ole Mollie, a trusted and gentle mare. France and I rode in
a little wagon with a long rope tied around Ole Mollie 's neck.
Mama walked and led Ole Mollie, and we went to visit the John-
son family.
Because of the high wind which was always with us, and
sometimes blew very hard. Mama was afraid that our little new
two room house might blow over. So, on account of such high
winds and Papa being gone so much of the time, Mama persuaded
Papa to build us a dugout. He dug a two room dugout, and it
happened that he had enough lumber to floor one of the rooms
and put lumber on the walls of the same room, so that one of
the rooms would be completely covered with lumber. Now the
other room was left natural, and/or "of nature", just Mother
Earth floors and walls. It also happened that there was a hole
or crack of Mother Earth in the room that was left natural
which we used as a store room. That hole was used by Mama to
empty her wash water all along, but it never would fill up.
That was a great convenience to her. Papa fixed some windows
in the other room up next to the ceiling of the dugout which
gave us plenty of light.
One day Mama brought home a little china doll about
eight inches long. Holding it up she said, "Look, Nell." I
reached for it but she said, "No, you can't have it until you
quit sucking your thumb." That night, after we had gone to
bed, Mama came to cover us up and saw both of my arms locked
above my head. She said, "Nell, put your arms under the cov-
ers or you will be cold," I said, "I am afraid I will suck
my thxjmb." I quickly broke the habit and was given the doll.
One day a Mrs. White came to see us. She noticed a
new grey calico dress hanging on the wall, and asked Mama to
give the dress to her, saying that she needed one. As it was
162
Mama's nature to help everyone, she gave her the dress.
Papa's brother, Norton, who drove one team and wagon
to the Plains, stayed with us for two years helping us to get
started, then he wanted to return home. We took him to Chil-
dress, Texas, by wagon so that he could take the train to Ham-
ilton. I remember this trip. We camped near Childress. It
was about dark when we were eating supper by the side of our
wagon that we heard a loud whistle and noise that the train
was coming. That was the first and last train I saw until I
was grown.
In April of 1892, my brother Norton was born, who was
named after my Uncle Norton, on the section of land four miles
south of Lockney.
The grasshoppers and drouth came in 1892-93. There were
no crops, so everyone who could left the country. Even the
postmaster at Old Lockney wanted to leave. He told Papa that
if he would come and take over the Post Office, we could live
in his house at Old Lockney for a year without paying rent.
We later moved there. Mama kept the Post Office while Papa
freighted from Amarillo and Childress, each about 100 miles
from Lockney.
There was a public school building about a mile west
of the Lockney post office. Meda went to school there. Mama
let me go with her one day as a visitor. When the bell rang
we all went inside taking seats. Soon the teacher came and
asked me what my name was. I was so timid and frightened
that I burst into tears. He left me but later came and tried
to talk to me again, and I cried again. When I got home I told
Mama that I was never going to school again. That fall, 1894,
we had moved into the back of the store that Papa had built
for the post office and store. School was to begin and I didn't
163
want to go. Mama said, "Nell, you don't have to go to school,
but if you will go until your birthday, I'll bake a cake for
you and cook a good dinner and you can invite your teacher
and some little girls for dinner." I went to school and
when my birthday came the last of October, ^y teacher and
little friends came home with me. We enjoyed the good din-
ner and I wanted to keep going to school.
Papa inherited some money from his father's estate and
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile west of the
Old Lockney Post Office. He gave ten acres for the townsite
of Lockney. He hauled lumber from Amarillo and erected a new
building for the Post Office and store. In 1894 he was appoint-
ed Postmaster for Lockney and held this appointment for seven
years. Various merchandise was purchased in Amarillo; then he
opened the store for business in April, 1894. Hence the slogan,
"Baker's store since '94."
After we moved from the house with the dugout to go to
the Davis home, Mr. Donaldson and family moved into the house.
He had a flock of sheep and farmed the land. A prairie fire
came and frightened the sheep. They ran to a basin where the
grass and weeds were tall, and all burned to death. The Don-
aldsons then moved to Lockney. He freighted with Papa, and
Mrs. Donaldson taught music lessons as a few people had pump
organs. She also taught sewing lessons and owned a chart to
teach women how to cut dress patterns. The Donaldsons had
come from Canada. Papa soon sold the section of land to Mr.
William Kelley.
The Post Office was placed in one comer near the front
of the building, and on the same side groceries were near the
back. On the other side of the building were the drygoods
with the show cases near the front of the building. The kitchen
was in a room at the back. Two large rooms upstairs were the
bedrooms. A large round stove was placed in the center of the
164
building for heating. We burned wood from the breaks and cow
chips, and also boxes that goods were shipped in which the
boys chopped into kindling. In later years coal was available,
and it was a great help.
Groceries were much cheaper then than now. Flour sold
for $1.00 for a fifty pound bag, sugar sixteen pounds for $1.00,
calico 5 cents yard, gingham 7 cents to 15 cents a yard, lad-
ies* shoes $1.25 to $3.50 pair, and men's shoes $1.75 to $4.00
pair, coffee (Arbuckle) eight pounds for $1.00, butter was 15
cents a pound, and eggs 5 cents a dozen. All the children
helped in the store as we grew up, learning as we could.
A farmer came in barefooted one day and asked if he could
buy some shoes for his children to wear to school in Lockney.
He said that he could go without himself but didn't want his
children to if he could get some shoes on time. Mama told
him to bring them in and she would fit them all. When the
children had their new shoes. Mama gave the man a pair of sox
and said, "Now get yourself a pair of shoes, too." He found
a pair that fit and was very grateful saying that if and when
the crops were gathered and sold he would pay for all, which
he did. He was a good customer for years and years.
Another time a young man came to Mama saying that he
had no money and couldn't find a job anywhere. The soles of
his shoes were completely worn through. Mama fitted him with
a pair of shoes. Later he returned and paid for them. He
stayed in Lockney and was married to one of the local girls.
They were both good customers for years. Later they moved
away. Many years later, as an old man, he returned to attend
a funeral and said that he wanted to come to Mrs. Baker's
store again. I was there on a visit when he told me the above
story which I shall never forget. He was so thankful for
165
Mama's kindness. People were good to pay their bills although
a few failed, but neither Mama nor Papa ever cried about those
small losses which they had.
Papa freighted for other towns too, hauling grain, dried
beans, hides, bones, other produce and cedar posts for people
who were putting up fences. He told how people were afraid
to use barb wire at first thinking that the cattle and horses
would cut themselves badly, but they used it anyway and there
was no problem.
For years and years when animals died they were left on
the prairie, and in time their bones were bleached white.
There were cattle and buffalo bones scattered all over the
plains. People picked them up to sell, and Papa hauled many
wagon loads of bones to Amarillo. I never heard what they
were used for.
In time Papa owned several wagons and teams. From the
time France was five years old, Papa began to take him on
trips to Amarillo during the stammer , France would drive a gen-
tle team with a loaded wagon and follow Papa. Later Norton
would go with Papa and France stayed home. Papa took one of
the boys with him for years.
It amuses me even now to remember those little boys har-
nessing their teams. They would lead the horse or mule up to
the wagon, climb in, pick up a bridle, jxomp on the horse's
back and hold on to his mane, reach up to put the bridle over
his head and ears, reach down and put the bit into the horse's
mouth, climb back and jump into the wagon to get the heavy
collar, place it around his neck, then jump to the ground,
fasten the buckle of the collar, fasten the tugs to the sing-
letree, throw the lines in the wagon, climb in, take the lines
in his hands and drive off. I think our little boys now would
like this.
166
As t^ > rolled on more people came to Floyd County. As
. ir store ^ w we not onl ran the , ost office, but had groc-
= ries, some rygoods and 1 ardware w>'ich almost everj'one,
farmers and ranchers alike, bought on an annual, twelve-month
credit.
After the crops were harvested and sold, the people paid
their bills. The cowboys and ranchers used the store as a
bank. One day a man asked Mama if she would cash a check for
him. She asked how much. He said, "a 25", so she counted out
twenty-five dollars and gave it to him. She sent the check to
a bank in Amarillo. It came back as twenty-five cents. After
this Mama made sure that she checked the amount on the checks.
When Papa was expected home, she went to meet him, telling how
she gave away twenty-five dollars. He said, "Well, no use wor-
rying about the past now."
When my younger brother Robin was a little fellow he
climbed the stairs and fell out the window. Someone brought
him to Mama. She laid him on the bed and put a wet cloth on
his head and rubbed him with camphor. He lay as though dead.
Someone came for his mail. Mama waited on him and others who
came into the store. Finally she went to see her baby Robin.
He had awakened and gone out to play as if nothing had hap-
pened.
Uncle Jesse Bryant, an old man, came in one day and said,
"Mrs. Baker, one of your little boys is on top of the store."
Mama went out, looked up and said, "Norton, I told you boys
not to get up there." Norton replied, "You said not to get
on the banisters."
Uncle Jesse said, "Providence is taking care of Mrs.
Baker's children as no one else is."
Later, another instance of Providence's care: Larry,
167
another younger brother, was a little boy when we moved into
the new home. He found some matches and made a fire in the
woodbox near the heating stove upstairs. It was blazing.
Just at that time Robin happened to go back home from the
store and he saw what Larry had done. He picked up the box
and carefully carried it downstairs and outdoors to put out
the fire.
Some twenty miles east of Lockney were some canyons
called the Breaks. Firewood was brought from there by wagons.
The people would go to the Breaks to get wild plums and grapes.
These gave a variety to our food supply. Almost everyone
planted fruit trees, grapes, goose berries and vegetables as
soon as possible.
Before a hotel was built Mama gave free lodging with
food for the people and their teams when they had no place to
stay over-night. One cold winter night two drummers were in
town, so Mama gave them a bed and put gunny sacks on the floor
for us children to sleep on.
The George Brewster family came to town in 1895 or '96.
Mrs. Brewster began to let travelers stay at her place; then
she built a rooming and boarding house which she operated for
years .
Smallpox struck our town in 1898. Almost every family
had it except two -- the Morris and Baker families.
Papa bought a small house and moised it across the street
on the site where the present store building is now. He added
more rooms and we lived there until the town was assured the
railroad would come. In 1899 Papa's mother, who had been a
widow for ten years, was married to a Methodist preacher.
They and her two daughters, Mary and Angle, came in a covered
168
wagon from Hamilton. They were the first relatives to visit
us.
In 1901 Mama took Baby Lee and went to Hamilton for a
visit. She went by mail hack or stage to Estellene to take
the train there. She returned by Dallas to buy merchandise
for the store. In later years she made other trips to Dallas,
Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo. to buy merchandise.
In the Slammer of 1902 Papa and Meda went to Hamilton on
a visit. A day or so after they had left, Norton took sick
with typhoid fever. Since this was Papa's first visit to see
his mother and old home, Mama did not write to him about Nor-
ton. She and I nursed Norton alone. I stayed at his bedside
much of the time putting cold, wet rags on his forehead and
arms to keep down the fever. Mama worked in the store but
came often to see him. We thought that he would die as the
fever continued for days and days while we continued giving
him medicine and water. The fever finally left. Norton was
very thin and weak.
A Mr. Robbs had moved to Floyd County some years before
and bought a relinquishment and later an outright Quitclaim
Deed on a section of land north of Lockney. He and his son,
Stokes, were going to Wichita Falls in a wagon and taking
some horses to sell there. They asked Mama if Norton could
go along, and since he was feeling so much better, Mama let
him go. They camped out at night, of course, and cooked their
meals over a camp fire. It seems that they were gone for a
long time. When Norton returned, he was much improved in
health.
Brothers S. W. and C. W. Smith and others wanted to
start a Bible School in Lockney. They began to inquire about
169
where lumber could be bought on credit as there was li cle
money. No lumber yard would sell on credit. Papa fou d a
lumber company in Gainesville, Texas that would sell to him
alone, but they did not want to deal with a committee. The
lumber was sent to Estellene by train, and Papa, with some
other men, hauled the lumber from Estellene in their wagons
over the hills, creekbeds and rocks up the Cap Rock to Lock-
ney. Now there is a nice paved road over this area. Soon
the carpenters began to build a two-story building. It was
here that the Lockney Christian College began in 1895 and con-
tinued for sixteen years. It drew students from many parts of
Texas, New Mexico, Tennessee and Florida. Many outstanding
teachers, preachers, doctors, lawyers and scientists attended
this school.
Once they were going to have to close the school for lack
of money to pay the teachers. The younger children were sent
home. France told Mama, and she left the post office and hur-
ried to the school, arriving before the teachers were dismissed.
She said that it was a disgrace to close the school, that it
was not good for the children and bad for the town, and that
if they would continue she would pay the teachers their sal-
aries.
Thirty or forty years later, a stranger came up to France
and asked him if he was Mr. Baker from Lockney, Texas. France
answered, "Yes, sir." The man said that he was going to school
there when they were going to close for lack of money, but Mrs.
Baker came and told them to continue an^ she would pay the sal-
aries for the teachers. He said, "Had the school closed, I
likely would never have gone on to school." This boy, son of
a man from Denmark, came with others and settled in Crosby
County, Texas. The children were sent to school in Lockney.
Later a larger building was built of cement blocks.
170
Mama often said, "God must have saved this land for us."
It surely was a land of opportunity with its wide, open spaces,
fresh air, good water and rich soil that lay waiting to be
tilled and lived on.
As Lockney grew and more settlers arrived, Papa built
a larger store building north of the other one. He purchased
more merchandise and grocieries, and hired a clerk or two to
handle the trade. All of the children helped in the store
through the years .
Once, when something went wrong while I was in my early
teens, I said, "Gee whiz." Papa heard me and kindly said,
"Nell, we don't need any words like that around here." I
didn't say it again.
Papa bought another section of land seven miles south
of town. It was already fenced and had a windmill. Year-
lings, colts, and cows that were acquired in exchange for
merchandise or in collecting bills were put on this land.
France and Norton, ten and twelve years of age, were sent
with plows and teams to cultivate and plant feed crops to
feed the animals in winter. They slept in a wagon bed. Most
of the food was cooked by us at home in Lockney and put in a
grub box. At times they cooked sow belly bacon, eggs, and
potatoes, canned beans, or com on the open fire when they
stayed on this farm.
One Sunday afternoon Papa hired a hack from the Livery
Stable in Lockney and took the entire family to the farm. We
brought home several kinds of vegetables the boys had planted
and raised. As time came for the yearlings, calves and
horses to be branded, dehorned and castrated, Papa, Norton,
France, and Zeff Mickey (our neighbor) prepared to do the work.
171
When Papa asked each time if "all is ready," Zeff said "Yes,"
so the dehorning knife was let down and Zeff cried, "Oh, you
cut off my thumb." Papa wrapped his thumb and hand in a hand-
kerchief, helped him onto a horse to go seven miles to a doc-
tor, and then home. The thumb healed all okay.
In 1909 the Santa Fe railroad came through Lockney on
its way from Plainview to Floydada. When the train was a
few miles from town many people went to meet it, riding in
buggies or wagons, on horseback or just walking. An old man,
wearing a long black coat, was over- seeing the work. It was
interesting to see the engine rolling over the roadbed letting
the ties and rails fall. Then workmen drove the spikes down.
The train arrived at the depot at midnight on 4:he date set,
just as agreed upon.
In the fall of 1910 a fire destroyed the east side of
the main block of town. A gasoline iron exploded in a tailor
shop on the west side of town setting fire to other stores.
We began to move everything from our store to the back alley
and into an empty house. Thanks to our friends and neighbors
all merchandise was saved, but we lost two buildings and a
warehouse. No insurance. Papa moved the merchandise into a
large building that he bought and business continued as usual.
Later he built two brick buildings for the business that was
expanding. The section of land, seven miles south of Lockney,
was sold and my parents built a nice large home with an orchard,
garden, etc. My sister. Dimple, owns the home and lives there
now. She also owns and operates the Baker Store.
After the railroad came to Lockney there were no more
long, wagon-freighting trips for Papa -- facing the hot dusty
winds, sleeping on the ground, with the cold northers blowing
over him, or waking up covered with snow, maybe walking all
day to keep warm while driving his teams. Yet no one ever
172
heard him complain in the twenty years of freighting. I do
not remember that Papa was ever sick. The wagon wheel ran
over his foot once, and he was kind of crippled for a few
days. He never used liquor or tobacco in any form, nor did
he even drink coffee. Occasionally he drank a cup of tea.
Papa kept the mules and wagons to haul freight from the depot
to the store and to plow his orchard and garden.
A neighbor man in the country asked to have Jack, one
of the mules, to take his children to school. When school
ended the man sold Jack to someone (horse trader) who mis-
treated the mule, so Papa bought him, paying $30.00 cash.
Then the mule had the best of care until he died at the age
of thirty-three years.
In 1907 Mama went to Dallas to buy goods for the store.
Grandma and Aunt Angle met her and came to Lockney for a visit.
We had a covered wagon excursion to Blanco Canyon south
of Floydada to fish. Mr. and Mrs. C. R. McCulliom went in their
wagon; Meda and Lester Honea and children went in their buggy.
Enough fish were caught and cooked for one meal, and we went
to the rock house of Hank Smith in the canyon. It rained the
second night, so all those sleeping on the ground had to go
inside the wagons. Next day we returned home to Lockney.
Papa and I took Grandma and Aunt Angle in a covered wagon
to Haskell, Texas, to visit Uncle John Baker and his family
there. The trip took five days each way. Now one can make
it in a few hours by car.
The town and county were growing with more and better
homes, more schools and church buildings, more stores, a bank,
deep wells for irrigation, electricity, and telephone. I
think that Baker's store had the first delivery service.
Housewives would telephone for their needs. Six-year-old
173
Dorsey, my brother, drove the mule, Jack hitched to a light
wagon loaded with groceries. When he would arrive at a per-
son's house to make his delivery, he would call, "Come and
get your groceries."
Everyone in our little town seemed happy as all were
busy. We looked forward to the 4th of July celebration each
year. An arbor was built, meat was cooked over an open pit
all night, so there was plenty of barbecued meat, bread, pick-
les, lots of home-cooked foods and a big wash boiler of coffee.
Someone made a patriotic speech. There was a hall for square
dancing, and a merry-go-round for the children that was run
by a gentle old horse walking around in a circle.
The Mollie Bailey Circus came each summer with a parade
through the streets. On Sundays we went to church in the
morning and usually again in the evening; then to Prayer
Meeting on Wednesday evenings. If there were no Sunday eve-
ning services, the young people would take their song books
and gather at someone's home and sing for a couple of hours.
In the early days of radio a popular program came over the
air from some eastern city where people met and sang hymns.
Their voices and words were beautiful. I think it was the
"Seth Parker" program.
The churches held their revivals and meetings every
summer and sometimes there would be a friendly debate about
some religious subject. These meetings and debates were
always well attended.
In the spring of 1910 Mama's Aunt Ella and Uncle William
Sparkman came to visit us. Uncle William, a nurseryman, went
home and sent us trees and shrubs to landscape the yard, which
was a big improvement to our home.
174
In the svunmer of 1917 Papa's five brothers came to visit,
and they were surprised at the development and rich lands of
the Plains. Papa predicted that Amarillo and Lubbock would
become the big cities of the Plains.
That fall, while chopping wood, Papa was struck on the
throat by a small piece of kindling. Blood poison set in and
three days later he passed away -- October 16, 1917, at the
age of 58 years.
At home after the funeral someone remarked, "Baker
freighted with all kinds of men, but no one ever heard him
utter a swear word or tell an off-color story." He was a
real pioneer and builder, helping everyone through the years.
Mama was left to carry on with the problems of an expanding
business, educating the six younger children from her family
of twelve, going through the depression, two World Wars, and
the dry and black, dusty years of the thirties.
In the spring of 1919 Mama and little Helen came to
visit us in Boulder, Colorado -- where we had been living
since moving there from Lockney in 19 lA.
Her other daughters, Lee and Meda, and other clerks
helped in the store through the years.
The anniversary of the opening of the store was cele-
brated on April 23, 1958, at a reception in the American Leg-
ion Home. More than 400 people from twenty communities were
present, ; ome being old-timers.
On her 90th birthday, her children, grandchildren,
and great-grandchildren came to see her. She was active
daily until about 1961. The last few years she spent in a
rest home in Lockney. She died June 2, 1967, at the age of
99 years, 9 months, and 7 days. She was buried in Lockney
beside her husband, J. A. Baker, in Lockney Cemetery.
175
SUPPLEMENT TO REMINISCENCES by Genella Baker Deavenport
After my family read the story of our early days some
were asking questions about those days, and one said she cried
just thinking of the hard times we had. I said that no one
ever thought of them being hard times for all were busy build-
ing their homes and doing what had to be done.
Now times and things are so different. I think that my
grand children and especially my great grand children will
find it interesting to read more about how people lived in
the pioneer days of the late eighteen hundreds and early nine-
teen hundreds that I remember so clearly on the plains of Tex-
as.
With all the modem conveniences, electric appliances
at our finger tips, and the new perma press materials, regular
housework is nothing compared to what we had to do in those
days. Now the homes have beautiful bathrooms with large porce-
lain bathtubs and showers. There is plenty of hot and cold
water on tap. Each child has his own room and bed.
In those days all watet had to be carried in, used,
then carried out. Water was heated on the kitchen stove. We
used a big zinc washtub to bathe in. It was a regular Satur-
day night custom to have a bath with clean under clothes.
Sponge baths were taken at times, and in warm weather when
we children went barefooted it was a must that we wash our
feet before going to bed at night.
Water for washing our clothes was heated in a big boiler
on the stove. We used home made soap. Each garment was
rubbed on a rub board and all white clothes boiled in the
boiler, rinsed in two waters and hung on the line to dry.
176
The women and girls from sixteen years old wore their
dresses with two petticoats almost to the floor. The petti-
coats, with ruffles, were starched and ironed. Ironing was
done with a sad iron like the above picture, and that was an
appropriate name for it.
177
At Christmas we hung our stockings on chairs and bed
posts for Santa Claus to put something in them. We received
a gift or toy such as a doll, knife or ball and apple, orange,
candy and nuts. It seems that we were as happy as children
now with so many gifts.
Later, Cedar trees were brought from the brakes and
we had a public Christmas tree for all. Candles were put in
little tin holders that snapped on the branches, and kerosene
lamps were in brackets high up on the walls for lights.
Papa planted several kinds of fruit trees, early and
late peaches, wild and tame plum and apple trees, two rows of
concord grapes and a vegetable garden.
Mama made preserves, jelly, chow chow and kraut, using
two-gallon stone jars to keep it. She used quart and two-
quart glass jars too. She prepared and cooked these at night
and early in the mornings before going to the store.
A popular brand of shoes had a living trademark- Buster
Brown, a four- foot two- inch midget who traveled on the road
for twenty-seven years appearing before children all over the
country. Our store brought him to Lockney. There was a plat-
form with a ladder built on the side of the store. Here Bus-
ter Brown with his dog, Tige, climbed up and talked to people.
He answered questions and put his dog through some tricks.
After this every child had to have a pair of those shoes. I
read in the paper that he is still living - 82 years old.
My parents helped others when they could. When Papa laid
out the town site for Lockney he said he would give every other
lot to any one that would put up a store for business. It
178
wasn't long till other stores were added - a drug store, a
store that sold more items of hardware, a dry goods store,
a bank and a small building where our weekly newspaper was
printed, then called THE LOCKNEY LEDGER, and a blacksmith
shop. And so the town grew, the business that began on the
prairie is still operated by one in the family.
Note: In a conversation between Sarah Alice Ratliff Baker and
daughter Mary, Alice said:
"My mother was Nancy Virginia Schmidt, daughter of Dr.
John Peter Schmidt and Matilda Schmidt. They are bur-
ied in a cemetery in Coryell County. My grandfather
Schmidt graduated from the University of the South in
Sewanee, Tennessee. He was a general practitioner,
practicing before the Civil War. He had an office in
Evant, in Coryell County, Texas. Their children were
Ella, Sally, Nancy (my mother) and a son Boley. They
lived in Edom, Van Zandt County, Texas." 18 March 1960,
179
APPENDIX 11
A BRIEF OUTLINE
OF
LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF KATHRYNE BAKER WITTY
Graduate of Hamilton High School, attended Randolph-
Macon Women's College, Lynchburg, Virginia two years, then
University of Texas, University of Colorado, and graduated
from University of Missouri with B.A. Degree; member of Pi
Beta Phi. Taught six years, married Milton Brents Witty,
merchant and cotton buyer, in 1924. They had two sons and
two daughters . Returned to teaching in 1948 and taught
until retirement in 1968. Member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She
was charter member and one of the organizers of the Hamilton
Garden Club; one of the organizers of the Heart of Texas Coun-
cil of Garden Clubs (later called District V of Texas Garden
Clubs, Inc.), and its president 1945-1947; Republican County
Chairman 1942-1949, vice-Chairman since 1949. Charter member
and one of the organizers of the 20th Century Study Club;
active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and served three
terms on the Executive Board of the Women's Work of the Dio-
cese of Dallas. First president of Hamilton Council of Camp
Fire Girls, 1955-1959; Chairman of Hamilton County Historical
Survey Committee since its beginning January 1, 1963; Member
of Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American
Revolution, and Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
180
APPENDIX 12
BAKER
AVAILABLE ADDRESSES FOR 1971
Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Evan Ackerman (Margaret Boone)
6466 Glendora
Dallas, Texas 75230
Mrs. Ada Babin (Sanford Shannon's daughter)
1023 Indian Road
Glenview, Illinois 60025
Artie Baker (James Artemas)
Box 1128
Pecos, Texas 79772
Charles Curtis Baker, D.D.S.
Hamilton, Texas P Box 472 76531
Charles Curtis Baker III
1213 Colonial Court
Arlington, Texas 76010
France Baker and sons
Lennis Baker
James Baker
1301 13th Street
Lubbock, Texas
Dr. James Deuon Baker
5511 30th Street
Lubbock, Texas
John Duffie Baker
531 Cedar Street
Hurst, Texas 76053
Dorsey Baker
Lockney, Texas 79241
P Box 265
Kevin Baker
5408 39th Street
Lubbock, Texas
181
Mrs. Leo Martin Baker (Lucile)
1624 Alden
Irving, Texas 75060
Norton Baker
Amarillo, Texas Box 1516
William Norton Baker & Family
4610 20th Street
Lubbock, Texas 79407
Dorsey Lynn Baker & Family
28 W 340 Indian Knoll Trail
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
Mrs. B. M. Bradshaw, Jr., (Amma Hortenz Baker)
6414 Meadow Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Caserta (Eunice Nicholson)
1022 Curzon Circle
Troy, Ohio 45373
Mrs. Gene 11a Baker Deavenport
1880 Bluebell Ave.
Boulder, Colo. 80320
Mrs. Hal Douglass (Harvey Holland's grand daughter)
4500 Bellclair
Dallas, Texas 71301
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Dubois, Jr.
Santa Fe, New Mexico Box 1041
Mrs. Rex B. DeSpain (Minier Baker) daughter - Barbara Cade)
4562 Arcady
Dallas, Texas 71301
Mary Alice Baker Gonzales (Artie Baker's daughter)
3313 38th Street
Lubbock, Texas
Mrs. William Thatcher Edgar
701 Parkview Zone 23
Dallas, Texas 75223
Mrs. Robert Fulcher (Angeline Nicholson)
Blanco, Texas 78606
182
Mrs. Thomas Stratton Gil lis (Mabel Shannon)
4141 South Graeswood, Bayou Manor
Houston, Texas 77025
Thomas Stratton Gillis, Jr.
540 Strey Lane
Houston, Texas 77024
Helen Baker Gross
P Box 618
Port LaVaca, Texas
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Truman Gunn (have 2 married sons)
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mildred Boone Haden
9033 Villa Park Circle
Dallas, Texas 75225
Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Henderson (Mildred Walker)
3200 Illinois
Midland, Texas 79701
Charles Baker Holland, Jr.
Norman, Oklahoma P Box 541
James Harvey Holland
2319 Harrison
Fort Worth, Texas
Mr. & Mrs. Ned Baker Holland
4518 Weldon
Dallas, Texas 75204
Meda Baker Honea
Lockney, Texas P Box 896
79241
Mrs. James Kelleher (Betty Baker)
1207 Woodleigh
Irving, Texas 75060
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas McLemore
1505 Douglas Drive
Odessa, Texas 79760
Dimple Baker McGavock
P Box 115
Lockney, Texas 79241
183
Mrs. Robert Bernard Miller (died 5 Nov 1971)
Hi Here St Nursing Home
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bernard Miller, Jr.
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mrs. Jacob Forrest Nicholson
510 East Whitney
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Jacob Forrest Nicholson, Jr.
Y M C A Amarillo, Texas
Jacob Forrest Nicholson III
7303 Belle Park Drive
Houston, Texas 77072
James Baker Nicholson and wife Wayne
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mrs. J. F. Nicholson
510 East Whitney
Mr. & Mrs. William Lynn Nicholson
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mr. & Mrs. William Watkins Nelson (Kathryne Witty)
Box 506
Comfort, Texas 78013
Coleta Baker Marshall
2223 Van Bur en
Amarillo, Texas 79109 (daughter of Norton Baker of
Amarillo, Texas)
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Chandler Mathis (Jane Louise Edgar, grand-
6540 Woodcrest Lane daughter of Jane Emily Baker Edgar)
Dallas, Texas 75200
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Drewry Olmsted (Anne Witty)
925 N 70th Street
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53216
Erma Baker Patton
501 Esplanade Apt 124
Redondo Beach, Calif. 90277
Carl Baker Patton
2722 Strand
Manhattan Beach, Calif. C-90266
184
Ned Baker Patton
2904 Strand
Manhattan Beach, Calif C-90266
Mary Baker Phillips
P Box 142
Port LaVaca, Texas 77979
Mr. & Mrs. Otto Newton Rea (Alma Baker)
3515 22nd Street
Lubbock, Texas 79410
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Baker Rea
5407 Laurel Creek Way
Houston, Texas 77017
Martha Porter Ritchey (daughter of Effie Shannon)
3013 18th Street Apt B
Metairie, Louisiana 70002
Lt. Col. Jack Robinson, and wife Nancy Rea
3104 Cambridge Drive
Arlington, Texas 76010
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Todd Russell (Hazle Baker)
9798 Beach Street
Fontana, Calif. 92335
Eula Lee Baker Seaman
Lockney, Texas 79241
Mrs. Jean A. Shelton
6246 Winone
San Diego, California 92120
Mrs. George Elam Walker
2602 A Mariana
Midland, Texas 79701
Mrs. Garvin Watson, Jr. (daughter of Charles Baker Holland)
P Box 612
Clarksville, Texas 75426
Mrs. Harry Williams (Coleta Baker)
1329 Canterbury Court
Dallas, Texas 75208
185
Mr. & Mrs. Milton Brents Witty (Kathryne Baker)
P Box 867 114 East Baker St.
Hamilton, Texas 76531
Mr. & Mrs. Milton Brents Witty, Jr.
2616 Indian Mound Boulevard
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Nicholson Witty
1511 Sunset Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Charles Steven Kincade and Glendalynn Carper (August 1971)
P Box 2853
Jackson, Miss 39207
SUPPLEMENT
James Jackson Beeman Family History
FOOTPRINTS OF JAMES JACKSON BEEMAN
1816-1888
Just 20 years after Stephen F. Austin's first settlers came
to Texas and 4 years after the famous battle of the Alamo and 5
years after Texas became the Republic of Texas (1835-1845),
James Jackson Eeemxan (20 years old), with his wife and baby
and his older one-half brother, John, with his large family,
came to Texas from Missouri in a covered wagon. (Dec. 5,
1840). They probably came as a result of the widespread adver-
tising the Republic of Texas did to get colonists to settle in this
part of Texas which was known as "The Three Forks of the Trin-
ity. " It was a complete wilderness and the plains were alive with
deer, antelope, wild horses, wolves, buffalo, bears, wild turkeys,
and savage Indians roaming over them. The Peters Colony (head-
quarters, Louisville, Kentucky) had just been granted land for a
colony in this section. Thousands of families had poured into
Texas in the past 20 years "because the Republic of Texas was
giving away land". G. T. T. (Gone to Texas) was the familiar
sign on boarded up buildings and homes throughout the U. S.
The Beemans played an important and prominent part in the
early history of Dallas County and City of Dallas. John Neely Bryen
(who later married John Beeman's daughter Margaret) started the
city of Dallas by building a log hut near the present court house in
November, 1841. About that same time, fall of 1841, John and
James J. Beeman, Hamp Rattan and Mabel Gilbert moved their
families to a small log stockade and a blockhouse fort called Bird's
Fort, 22 miles west of the present city of Dallas on the West Fork
of the Trinity, 7 miles above present Arlington, Texas. On April
8, 1842, John and James J. Beeman left the fort and mioved to
Dallas County. Mabel Gilbert came too, floating his belongings, in
2 canoes, 30 miles down the Trinity, while John Beeman and James
J. Beeman and families came by wagon. Of the first four families
to settle in Dallas, two of them were Beemans, Records at the
Dallas County Courthouse show 180 real estate transactions in
Dallas County for the Beemans prior to 1880. Of these 21 were
transacted by James J. After the third brother Samuel came to
Dallas in 1846, the three brothers had 24 children who either
came or were born in Texas.
The following is a brief chronological sketch of the life of
our grandfather, James Jackson Beeman, Every statement and
date has been verified by an actual court record, letter, dairy,
or printed book as shown in the Bibliography at the end of this
article.
Dec. 21, 1816 -- Born Madison County (Calhoun Co. not formed
until 1825), Illinois Territory, " . . .at the
head of American Bottom in Madison County
about 3 miles below the city of Alton, about
one mile below St. Louis and Alton Crossing on
Ward River . . . was partly raised in Greene
Co., and partly in Calhoun Co. on Illinois River
opposite mouth of Apple Creek".
(From letter of C. A. Beeman, dated 8 June
1938, in Mrs. Angle Baker Nicholson's posses-
sion. )
Sept. 16, 1836- Married Sarah Crawford in St. Charles, Missouri.
July 1837 -- John Beeman (and probably James J. but cannot
verify) bought Toby Script #358 for 2 different
parcels of land of 320 acres each at 15 cts. per
acre from a sub- agent of Thomas Toby, who was
the purchasing agent of Republic of Texas to sell
land throughout the U. S. to help finance the Texas
Army and Navy. (Wee article "Toby and Brother
Company" Handbook of Texas. ) John B. bought
this before coming to Texas.
Sept. 27, 1837- Son William C. born to J. J. and Sarah in Green
County, 111.
Mar. 3, 1839 - Daughter Mary Jane born in Illinois. (Calhoun Co. )
Aug. 5, 1840 - Son Wm. Crawford died. Green Co., 111.
Dec. 6, 1840 - Arrived in Texas in a covered wagon. Reached
Bowie County where all of the Beemans stayed
approximately one year. They stayed at "Old
Crossroads Camping Ground, near Old Boston
and Dalby Springs. "
Jan. 4, 1841 - J. J. received a third class certificate for 640
acres of land from the Board of Land Commis-
sioners of Lamar County, which certificate was
located in Dallas County, January 2, 1847, and
which was patented Dec. 3, 1850. (All land in
Peters Colony grants were in dispute and the
state of Texas finally resolved the difficulties
and granted clear titles to many land holders
on this date.
Jan. 8, 1841 - Daughter Emily Elvira (Our Grandmother) was
born at Dalby Springs, Bowie Co. , Texas.
Fall of 1841 - John and Jajnes J. Beeman families, Hamp
Rattan and Mabel Gilbert familes moved to
Bird's Fort as "Three Months Rangers" to
"create a settlement and fight Indians. " They
started to the fort, with their wives and child-
ren, in a caravan of several horses, an ox team
and one wagon which belonged to the Beemans.
This wagon was the first to ever roll over the
prairie in the country of the "Three Forks" of
the Trinity and the party was forced to make
its own road as it went along.
April 7, 1842 - John and James J. and Mabel Gilbert abandoned
Bird's Fort and came to Dallas County where John
settled in Sec. 22 east of White Rock. He built
a block house here as a defense against the Indians.
William, son of John planted the first corn crop
ever grown in Dallas Co. James J. probably lived
with John for a while before settling on his section
of land adjacent to John's. This blockhouse was
located on what is now the S. E. Corner of South
Haskell and Dolphin Road, Dallas.
1842 -- The families of Thomas Keenan, Preston Witt,
Alexander W. Webb, and John Cox arrived in
Dallas County later in 1842.
Aug. 1843 -- Sam Houston and his party came through on their
way to Bird's Fort for a meeting with the Indians
Chiefs of the Northern Tribes to make a treaty
with them to stop molesting settlers in this section
of Texas. He stopped at the Beemans and "was
regaled with an acceptable and plentiful supply of
buttermilk. " In this party was an Englishman
named E. Parkinson who kept a dairy. Parkin-
son's horse was lame, so he spent the night with
the Beemans. This dairy is still in existence at
Dallas.
Nov. 28, 1844 - Son Francis M. born, DaUas County, Tex.
Nov. 1846 -- Brother Samuel Beeman and family came from
Calhoun Co., 111. to Dallas County.
Nov. 19, 1846- Daughter Melissa Anice born, Dallas Co.
July 13, 1846 - In first election of Dallas County, James J. Beeman
was elected justice 1st precinct, his sureties being
J. P. Redden and Em. Pruitt.
March 8, 1848- Wife Sarah (Crawford) died. Buried in Pleasant
Mound Cemetery (Dallas Co. ) near White Rock.
It is thought that a highway runs over her grave
now at about the intersection of the present Scyene
Road and Buckner Blvd. (Dallas)
March 20, 1848-Acts of the Second Legislature (State of Texas)
appointed among others, James J. Beeman as
commissioner to lay out ground and sell lots, etc,
for the county seat of Dallas.
Jan. 11, 1849. - Married Catherine Napper. This marriage lasted
only a short while. Catherine was a member of a
family who was apparently coming through Dallas
on its way to California. When her family left,
she left with them. It is said that James J. fol-
lowed the family three days trying to get her to
return with him.
1849 -- Case #111 in District Court, Dallas County. Vol. A,
Page 258 shows a divorce granted James J. Beeman
versus Catherine Beeman. O. M. Roberts, Judge.
1849 & early 1850 -- James J. went to California. . Gold Rush. Very
little is known about this unsuccessful venture. He
apparently returned to Dallas in 1851 or late 1850.
1850 -- Dallas County Census shows his children, Mary
Jane, age 10, Emily Elvira, age 8; Francis M. age
5, and Anice, age 3, all living in the home of John
Neely Bryan. They were left in the care of Margaret
Beeman Bryan and thus lived in the little log cabin
which now stands on the Dallas County Court house
lawn. It was said that a Negro woman was engaged
to help look after the children.
Dec. 3, 1850 -- Headrights (640) acres of John, James J. and John
Smelser Beeman (son of Samuel) were patented by
State of Texas.
July 15, 1851 - Sold Lot 6, Block 1, City of Dallas to Jessie Kelly
et al for $200. 00.
Nov. 29, 1851 - Married Elizabeth Baker (sister of his future son-
in-law, William Thatcher Baker. Married by Rev.
Wm. Rawlins, Elder Christian Church.
April 6, 1852 - Sold Lot #3 and #4, Block 34 to Nathan Atteberry
for $100. 00. There are many other real estate
deals listed in the Index at Dallas County Courthouse.
Jan. 29, 1853 - Baby daughter Lydia died. (Dallas Co. )
Jan. 24, 1854- Son Charles A. born to J. J. and Elizabeth.
June 2, 1856 - First County Court of Parker County was held in
the post oak grove of J. J. Beeman about 5 miles
N. E. of Weatherford. This place is located on
Fort Worth-Belknap Road. In 1936 the Texas Cen-
tennial Commission erected a stone to commemorate
this event.
1855 - - In an interview F. M. Cockrell had with Scott
Beeman (1927) Scott states "Uncle Jimmie Bee-
man exchanged his headrights here in Dallas for
merchandise and moved to Weatherford. "
Sept. 8, 1850 - Wm. Thatcher Baker married daughter Emily-
Elvira in Weatherford probably at the above home,
Feb. 17, 1858 - He moved his store into town of Weatherford and
became its Postmaster.
Mar. 9, 1857 - Daughter Sarah born to James J. and Elizabeth
(Parker Co. )
Aug. 19, 1859 --160 acres in Parker County (Settlers Claim) Pat-
ented to J. J. Beeman.
Feb. 27, 1861 - Daughter Melissa Anice died (Parker Co. Tex. )
1864 - - Moved back to Dallas County.
1861-65 -- Civil War. Very little known about him during
this period.
June 4, 1868 -- James J. Beeman's name (one of 157) on a petition
asking the Constitutional Convention in session at
Austin for permission for the Chief of Police to
collect taxes from citizens of Dallas to the amount
of $5, 000. 00 "to remove the obstruction in Trinity
River from Dallas to E. Fork" so the Trinity could
be navigated.
1880 or 1882 - Apparently James J. and wife Elizabeth went to
live with son Charles and daughter Sarah who both
lived at Lampasas, Texas.
Aug. 12, 1884 - Wm. Thatcher Baker died on homeplace, 10 miles
S. of Hamilton, in Hamilton County, Texas.
Dec. 7, 1888 -- James Jackson Beeman died at Lampasas, Texas,
at home of son Charles and was buried at Lampasas.
The epitaph on his tombstone reads "A resident of
Texas since 1840. " "The sweet remembrance of
the just shall flourish when they sleep in dust. "
Dec. 15, 1898 - Elizabeth Baker Beeman died, Waco, Texas.
Bibliography:
Brown, John H. History of Da.llas Count y, Texas, Fro m 183 8- 1887 .
Dallas, 1887.
Dallas County Court and Marriage Records. Courthouse, Dallas, Tex.
Jackson, George C., Sixty Years in Texas. (Privately Printed)
Kimball, J. F., Our City DaUas. Dallas, 1927.
Rogers, JohnW. , The Lusty Tex ans of Dallas, New York, 1951.
Trent, Lucy Critz, John Neely Bryan, Founder of Dallas^ Dallas, 1936.
Texas W.P.A. Writers Project. Dallas Guide and History (Xerox copy,
Dallas Public Library. )
U. S. Census for Dallas County for 1850 and 1860 (Copy in Dallas
Public Library)
Texas State Historical Association, Handbook of Texa s, 1952.
James Jackson Beeman's parents were
John Beeman who married Margaret Hunter 19 May 1767. His will
is dated 8 September 1819, and is found in Rowan County, North
Carolina, Will s, 1805-1826, Vol. I, P. 11, and his children are
given as
James Beeman (our great grandfather), Mary Beeman Moore
Thomas Beeman, Joseph Beeman, Elizabeth Beeman.
Nancy Beeman, Charles Beeman, William Beeman, and
Samuel Beeman.
FOOTP RINTS OF JAMES JACKSON BEEMAN found by Mildred Boone
Haden, his great grand- daughter, and this was copied by
Alma Baker Rea (another great grand- daughter)
November 3, 1966
8
MEMOIRS of JAMES J. BEEMAN
(Written December 24, 1886)
I was born in the state of Illinois, on the 21st day of December
1816, at the head of the American Bottom in Madison County, about
three miles below the city of Alton, about one mile below St. Louis
and Alton crossing on Wood River. My father, James Beeman, was
raised in North Carolina, Rowan County. He went to Illinois about
the year 1800. He moved to Greene County when I was quite small.
I was partly raised in Greene County and partly in Calhoun County
on the Illinois River, opposite the mouth of Apple Creek. I was
married to Sarah Crawford, daughter of James Crawford, in the
year 1836, September 15th. We lived in Calhoun County, and had
two children, a son and a daughter. The boy died in Calhoun County,
he being the oldest. I left Illinois for Texas September 1840, cross-
ing the boundry line between the U. S. and Texas the 6th of December
1840. A brother and a nephew, John S. Beeman, came with me.
We stopped and rented land in Bowie County on what was known as
the Stearling Smith farm about three miles east of the town of Dalby
Springs.
In the spring of 1841, the Indians had been depredating on the
settlements in the upper counties. A company was raised and went
in pursuit of them. General E. H. Tarrant, hearing of the expedi-
tion, mounted his horse and went and headed it. They went to an
Indian village on Village Creek in what is now Tarrant County, and
attacked the Indians. In this fight Col. John B. Denton was killed,
and Captain Henry Stout was wounded. After the fight the company
returned to the settlements taking the dead body of Col. Denton to
Denton Creek where he was buried. About six years afterwards
Captain Stout went and found the grave, dug up his remains and took
them away. I do not know where. The 2nd of March 1841, General
Tarrant was the Brigadier General of the District composed of the
counties of Bowie, Red River, Lamar and Fannin, with their terri-
tories. After the return of this company from the fight. General
Tarrant issued an order for the raising of some 400 volunteers to
go out on the waters of the Trinity River against the Indians, and
that said volunteers rendezvous at Fort Inglish in Fannin County
on the 15th of July 1841. Each man to furnish himself with a horse,
gun, ammunition and rations. Each of the above mentioned counties
had to furnish a certain number of men and organize in due time
to be at the rendezvous. The Bowie County men met at the town
of DeKalb on the 5th of July 1841 and organized by electing David
P. Key, Captain, (who, at this writing lives in Menard County,
Texas. ) Alexander Booth was elected Orderly Sergeant. I do
not remember the names of the other officers of the company.
We then disbanded to meet at Fort Inglish on the 15th where we
elected Battalion officers, whom I do not consider it of sufficient
importance to mention except General Tarrant was Commander-
in-Chief, and Jonathan Bird was Sergeant- Major. We immediately
were on the march for the Indian Village Creek. When we got
there the Indians had left. We found a good deal of signs, as they
would come back for such of their crops as were still growing.
There was corn, pumpkins and beans. Perhaps here I should
relate an incident that began before we left Fort Inglish - which
is as follows:
An old man living near Fort Inglish by the name of Cox, had
a little boy and a grandson near the same size, who were in the
habit of both mounting a pony and driving the cows up of evenings.
It was late for the cows as usual, and while out, the Indians came
on them and captured them and their pony, and carried them off.
They were ransomed in the fall of the same year (1841) and they
told us that the Indians kept far enough ahead of us to be out of
danger, and watched our movements. They told the boys that in
case of an attack by us, they would kill them. Poor little fellows,
they suffered a great deal as the Indians whipped them severely.
I dare say if they are still living, they have the marks on their
bodies to this day (December the first 1886. )
On our arrival in the Village we encamped on their fields
and helped ourselves to their corn, beans, etc. One of our men
made a grater out of an old coffee pot, on which we grated corn
and baked it into bread. The first bread I had tasted in a good
while. We called it "Bready", as bread was not good enough a
name. Up to this time, our rations consisted of flour, bacon and
coffee. We waited three or four days for General Tom I. Smith,
who was to meet us at the Village. As he had not come up to this
time, we continued our march. The first day, while we were
nooning, some of our horses stampeeded and ran back to the
Village, and those who went after them, found General Smith
and command occupying the same ground we had left in the morn-
ing. This stampeed was on Sycamore Creek, about two miles
east of Ft. Worth. On the return of the men with the horses.
10
they reported the arrival of General Smith and that he wished General
Tarrant to go back and see him, which he did. He got some beef cat-
tle from Smith. We then continued up the West Fork. On the next
day we stopped in a grove to noon and found a pile of wood ready for
a fire. This the little boys said they had prepared when the Indian
spies came in and reported our coming. Whereupon they left in
haste. The brothers of the boys put fire to the pile and cooked
dinner. We continued our march up to a large spring in the upper
Cross Timbers. Here Cook had some time before camped on his
way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Not finding the Indians as we expected,
we lay by and sent out spies. When they came back, they reported no
Indians. By this time our supplies of provisions were nearly exhaust-
ed, and the beeves took murrain and died so fast we were afraid to
eat the beef. This spring is where Carterville is located in Parker
County. So the only alternative was for us to go back to the settle-
ments. We had enlisted for three months service. The time not
being out when we got back. Major Johnathan Bird got permission
from General Tarrant to raise a company out of the furlowed soldiers
and go back to the West Fork and build a fort near the Village. He
raised the company, and as I had seen the country, my brother, John,
also wished to see the country, so he took my place. They went and
built the fort on the North side of West Fork of the Trinity River,
about seven or eight miles from the Village, and about the same dis-
tance from Birdville. The Fort was named, "Bird's Fort" for the
Major. After this fort was b'oilt my brother returned to Bowie County,
where we were living. It was not long before we had our crops gath-
ered and sold, ready to move to the fort. We got to the Fort some
time in November 1841, with our families. We had with us the follow-
ing named families: A. W. Webb, who was our Captain; Solomon
Silkwood; Henry Hahn; John Beeman; John S. Beeman; myself and
family (J. J. Beeman); also some single men. After our arrival
at the fort, we built more houses so as to make comfortable quarters
for our families. My cousin, W. H. Rattan, took his family there on
the first expedition, also one other family went at the same time, by
the name of Bogard. On Christmas Day 1841 Captain Webb, Solomon
Silkwood and W. H. Rattan left the Fort and went over on Elm Fork
to cut another road below the mouth of Denton Creek, so as to avoid
the crossing of both streams, which the present road did. They got
on Elm Fork the same day they left the Fort and camped on the
opposite side. That night it snowed and continued snowing the next
11
day and was very cloudy. This was the 26th of December, 1841.
While they were going up the river looking for a suitable place to
make a ford, they came on a bear track and found it had gone up
a big Cottonwood tree and had not come down. They concluded
they would cut the tree down and have a bear fight between it
and the dogs they had with them. They began chopping the tree,
and thinking it dinner time, they ate their dinner. After dinner
Hamp Rattan, we called him "Hamp", went to chopping, but did
not hit many licks until the Indians who were watching them,
shot three times at them, the first killing Hamp. After consult-
ing together they deemed it best to leave, as Hamp was now dead.
But before starting, Silkwood shot at what he took to be an Indian
head. This ended the fight, and they made their way to the Fort
without any further trouble with the Indians. On their arrival about
10 o'clock at night, they imposed the task of informing his wife of
his death on me. It was hard but I went in the house where she
and my wife were both talking and laughing. I said, "Polly, give
me your boy", and said I had bad news to tell her. She asked,
"What is it?" I said that Webb and Silkwood had come back and
the Indians had killed Hamp. It was so shocking it seemed that she
would go crazy. Shocking indeed! The next day a detail of men
was sent to meet wagons that had gone into the settlements after
provisions, and to bring the body of Hamp Rattan to the Fort for
burial. It was the purpose of them to find and cut a road, dig the
river banks down and notify those with the wagons where to come
to cross the river on their return. But this tragedy put an end to
making the new road. The detail had to go so far before they met
the wagons, so as to put them on their guard against an Indian
attack, that from the time Hamp was killed it was nine days before
he was buried. When the men found the body, it was guarded by
his dog, who had stayed by him and kept the buzzards or anything
else from bothering it.
They said the dog was frantic with joy to see them. All the
other dogs had left and gone back to the Fort. But poor old Watch
died the next summer in Lamar County, near Paris, and Polly
with the help of Dow Brown, Hamp's little nephew, dug a grave
and buried him, as a last rite for the faithfulness of the good old
dog This detail consisted of John S. Beeman, Henry Hahn and
Heath. Hamp was buried on the hiU about 400 yards from the
Fort to the North. The Fort was on the banks of a lake shaped
12
like a horse- shoe. A convenient shape for protection from the
Indians. About one mile from the West Fork. There was a
man died at the Fort after Hamp was buried, by the name of
Long. I don't know his given name. He was also buried at the
same place. I suppose their bones are still there. Long had a
brother, but after his death the brother went back to one of the
counties on Red River.
Some time during the month of January (1842) Col. John
Neely Bryan came to the Fort and told us he had found a place
a short distance below where the West Fork and Elm Fork came
together. There was a high bluff on the river which he had
located and called it "Dallas", and would lay off a town for
the head of navigation. He was very anxious for us to move
down, as it was a better country than where we were. Captain
Mabel Gilbert and my brother John, went down with Colonel
Bryan to look at the country, and were so well pleased they
determined to move down. By this time it was February. Cap-
tain Gilbert thought he would go by water, (as he was an old
steamboat captain), so he hired me and another man. We went
into the West Fork bottom and cut down two big cottonwood trees,
out of which we dug two large canoes. When done they were
launched and lashed together and made quite a boat on which he
put his household effects and his old lady, (for such she was) and
Jackoo - the parrot. He hired a hand to go with him to help nav-
igate the West Fork. They weighed anchor and off they went for
Dallas and landed safely. I have not the date, but think it was
not far from the first of March 1842. By this time, we at the fort
had been notified that a colony grant had been given by the Congress
of the Republic of Texas to W. S. Peters and Company, beginning
on Red River and extending south which embraced the Fort, and
that we had better get out. The same Congress granted us at the
Fort, six miles square, embracing the Fort, but General Sam
Houston, who was President of Texas vetoed the act. It was
about the first of April, we loaded our wagons and started for
Dallas. We were about three days making the trip, and landed
at the edge of White Rock Bottom, on the fourth day. Coming
down we nooned at what we called "Turtle Creek". We gave it
13
the name for having seen and caughr, a large soft- shelled ".urtle;
which name it still bears until this day. We moved from there
down the old Indian '■.rail to a post oak grove in the Prairie,
which was about one-ha\f mile northwest from where Captain
Jefferson Peak built his brick house on the middle branch.
This grove has long since been cut down. In this grove we
camped "or the night. While there some of the boys put Sam
Beeman on a yearling, and it pitched with him and threw him,
breaking his collar bone. The next morning we moved to the
edge of°White Rock bottom, the fourth day of April, 1842. Here
we^began work. Some of the boys soon cut a tree and began to
make boards to cover a house. Perhaps, here I should tell of
whom our company consisted; which is as follows: John Beeman
and his wife, Em.ily and their children, Elizabeth, Margaret,
William- H., Samuel H. , Isaac H. , James H. , Clarissa, Nancy,
John Scott Win'ield, Sarah Ann and Caroline; John S. Beeman
and wife. Isabella, their children, Alexander W. and Samuel;
myself (J. J. ) and wife, Sarah, and children, Mary Jane and
Emily E. ; Landen Walker and wife, (have not her name) and
children, Henderson, Henson, Minerva and another son whose
name I have forgotten. Single men, James F. Roddin, Thomas
P. Rattan, John H. Cox, Geo. W. Cox. Those are all I now
remember. There may have been others that I don't remember.
By this time the Colony line had been run and it ran through
the town of Da\las and included where the courthouse now stands,
and a short distance east. This was the eastern boundary of the
Colony. So we thought we were out of its limits, but on the 22nd
day of July following, it was extended twelve miles further east.
The next day after our arrival on White Rock, the 5th of April.
John Beeman went up on Elm Fork to see the Colony agent.
Major Browning, and get some letters he had brought from the
post office at Fort Inglish. The post office was 80 miles from
us, the letters were from Illinois. As he was coming back in
the evening, and just as he was crossing the half-way branch,
he looked down the branch and saw about fifteen Indians ride
out of the thicket in a run to head him off, but his horse was
too fast for them, and he outran the Indians. We in camp heard
his horse running. Soon he was in sight, bareheaded. When he
got within speaking distance, he called out, "Get your guns.
14
boys, the Indians are coming. " Such a bustle as we had I never
wish to see again. We looked but could not see them. Some
went up on the hill and said they saw them going south towards
the timber, through the Elm Grove, about one-half mile west
of the camp. I had been sick several days and was not able to
be up but a little at a time, but those who were able stood guard
that night. They had put the wagons in position for protection
in case of attack, by setting up the boards and bolts which were
on the ground, making quite a breastwork. All night, at inter-
vals, the cattle would come running up to camp as if scared.
We were satisfied the Indians were prowling around to find out
our position and strength. I think the fuss the boys kept up had
the effect of making them believe we were better prepared for
them than we really were. As night was cool the boys kept up
a big fire all night. The next morning came bright and clear,
and no Indians to be seen. As we had but one horse they did
not think it worth while to risk their lives for him, and left us
unmolested. One of the boys mounted the horse and went back
on hunt for John's hat and the letters. He soon found them and
brought them in. These letters were read with much interest,
as they were from kinfolks in Illinois. In those days it was very
difficult to get letters from the States. I think the postage was
one dollar a letter. I remember that a letter carried as far as
it was from Illinois to Texas, to the state line, the postage in
the U. S. is 25 cents at the time of which I write. Besides our
company, there was only Colonel Bryan and Captail Gilbert and
wife at Dallas, in all that country; for when we left Bird's Fort,
all had left and those not with us went back to the settlements,
and deserted the Fort. Captain Gilbert had a yoke of oxen and
a log chain which Colonel Bryan drove at the time Gilbert de-
scended the West Ford in his boat. As soon as they all got to
the proposed city of Dallas, and the head of navigation, they
began chopping down trees for house logs, and dragging them
with their oxen. They put up a house about 14 feet square, of
post oak logs in which they lived.
Now back to White Rock, the next day, after our watching
for the Indians all night, was renewed. Some sawing board tim-
ber, some tiving boards and some cutting logs, while others
drove the teams and went to hauling. So very soon we had a
block house up, about 15 feet square, the lower part. The upper
part projected some two feet all around. This was to keep the
15
Indians from scaling the walls, also to give us a fair chance to
shoot in case of an attack. After the house was completed, we
moved in. We also broke some land and planted corn, pump-
kins, peas, etc.
Shortly after this, I think about the first of May, my cousin,
Polly Rattan, came out from the settlements. King S. Custer
came with her. King came to Texas from CarroUton, Illinois,
with Hamp Rattan and made his home with them, as he was a
single man, until after Hamp's death. Their business was to
care for Hamp's grave and as the cedar timber was fine and
plenty of it at Dallas, so King and myself took a wagon and yoke
of oxen and went to where Dallas was to be, after cedar timber
to make paling for the grave. Up to this time there had never
been a wagon there, not even a road cut through the timber. So
I cut the road and King drove the oxen after me. This is why
I have said and still say that I took the first wagon into Dallas.
Colonel Bryan told us to go to the branch north of the cabin
about one- half mile and we would find plenty of cedars. An-
other road had been cut, so we went to the branch about where
the first road ran to the Cedar Springs, which was road No. 2.
We got the timber and hauled it to the block house and made
pailings. King took it up to the Fort where Hamp was buried,
but did not put it up, so I learned afterwards, for they thought
it would give the Indians the location and they might dig up the
remains to get his scalp.
By this time, which was the first of May, our provisions
began to get short. Brother John went to the settlement with
cousin Polly and her crowd. I don't remember who all of them
were, but it was deemed unsafe to travel without quite a number
in the company, as the Indians were continually committing dep-
redations on the exposed settlers, who had by this time begun
to settle on the East Fork of the Trinity River. In fact, the
Indians were worse there than on we who were further out on
the frontier. One reason was that they had horses and we did
not. The Indians would prowl around and steal the horses and
kill all that came in their way before leaving a settlement,
knowing the whites could not follow them. All of a sudden
Brother John came back without bringing any provisions. He
16
had heard such big stories of what the Indians were doing and
going to do to us, and we must flee for our lives. He was so
excited that he feared that we could not more than make our
escape. What could we do but go, as our supplies were so
nearly exhausted that we had a scanty supply on which to live
until we reached the settlements. So the only thing we could
do was to pull up, which we did and did not stop until we
reached Pin Hook, where Paris now is in Lamar County.
After getting back to the settlements, the first thing
was to find somebody who would let us have work to pay for
provisions, as for money we did not have any. A man by the
name of Ty Paul, who had married a cousin of mine, Minerva
Rattan, the youngest child of my uncle, Richard, was going to
clear off a yard and make brick for the first courthouse to be
built in Paris. He hired me and my nephew, John S. Beeman,
to help him at $20. 00 a mon'-.h, each, which he paid in pro-
visions. I worked for him about a month. Brother John,
about this time wanted to go back to the Trinity country to
meet some surveyors who were expected, and get them to sur-
vey our land. So I got into an ox wagon with John H. Cox and
T. P. Rattan, my cousin, and made the trip. When we got to
the block house, there were no surveyors nor no word from
them, but we found the country full of buffalo. It was grand to
see them, for as far as we could see, from White Rock across
the timber east of Dallas, as well as far north as we co'uld see
was a solid mass of moving buffalo going north. We stayed
there only a short time as our trip proved to be futile, so we
went back to our families. After marking and collecting a sup-
ply of provisions, and an old steel mill to grind our corn with
to get meal for bread, I paid $6, 00 for it, which was a very
big price, in fact, he knew how to charge, and after making
other arrangements, I put my wife and children in a two horse
wagon with our supplies and started for the block house, and
landed there the last day of August 1842. I had two yoke of oxen
to the wagon. The day before I got there, to the block house,
one of my oxen took the murrain and died very suddenly. But
I continued on to my journey's end in the night. The buffalo
were still there. I turned the other three oxen loose, but they
soon ran away, not liking to be in the same range with the buf-
falo. I got three men to accompany us on this trip; William
17
Larner, who settled on Elm Fork in the Farmers Branch neigh-
borhood and the other two were from Arkansas, whose names I
have forgotten, both nice men and a good friend to me.
When we got back to the Block House, there was not a half
dozen men in the country. Colonel Bryan and a Captain Gilbert
were in Dallas, all others, what few there were, were transients
looking at the country and going back. I had notified John that
my oxen were gone, and he came to help me hunt for them, but
no!; finding them, he came on out to where I was. And as it so
happened there was a yoke of oxen to be taken into the settle-
ments. We got them and hitched them to the wagon and went
back for John's family. This was about the last of September.
We got started back and got about six miles from home and
stopped to camp on the road of what we afterwards called the
McDermett Branch. We chained the oxen to a wagon wheel.
In the night they must have gotten scared at buffalo, they broke
the wheel. We then had to go back and mend it, which we did
and then made another start. This trip cost me a great deal of
uneasiness as I had to leave my wife and two children with only
one man to stay with them in day time and Colonel Bryan at
night. This man's name was John Pulliam. It took three weeks
to make the trip. When I got back home my wife told me that as
soon as Pulliam got his breakfast of a morning he would take his
gun and go hunting and leave her and the two children alone until
night a good deal of the time. But when I got back and found all
well, and that they had not been molested by the Indians, I was
truly thankful, as I knew they had been protected by God's Provi-
dence. My wife told me that Bryan never failed to be with them
at night, but would leave every morning, as he had told me he
would do. I thought Pulliam treated me badly as he had promised
he would stay with them all of the time, but after finding no dam-
age had been done, I said nothing about it. We left brother John
in Lamar County. He stayed until the next summer, then came
back. Henry Harter brought his herd of cattle out on this trip.
Quite a number of them died with murrain on the way, but he
got out with about 100 head. John and I were to take care of them
for him. Those were the first cattle brought except work oxen.
The range in the river and creek bottoms was all one's heart
could wish for. The wild rye was thick and plenty, and green
as the finest wheat fields could be all winter. John's family and
mine lived in the block house until we built another house close by.
I had selected me a place about a mile southwest of the block
house and built a house in the timber where there was a fine pool
of water with plenty of fish in it. By this time we had become
somewhat careless and would venture further than we had before,
so in order to be convenient to my work I built a camp and moved
on the place before I built the house.
We had a great deal of rain that winter, 1842-43. One day it
rained all day, so I could neither work nor hunt, for if we had any
meat I had to kill it in the woods. At this time we had none. We
had been living on corn bread, corn coffee and hominy with nothing
to season it with, but salt, for several days. On this occasion we
had been laying up all day, it rained so hard that we had no dinner
on account of the rain. About sunset it slackened up and my wife
stepped out behind the camp to get a vessel to get dinner with,
when she said, "Run Jimmy, - which she always called me, -
there is a deer right out yonder", I got my gun and shot it. Hen-
ry Long, who was living with us helped me set the dogs on its trail.
They ran it about 300 yards and caught it. We brought it to the
camp and in less time than it takes me to tell this we had its hide
off and the wife had the pot ready and soon we were feasting on fine
venison, hominy, corn dodger and coffee made of the same mater-
ial. The deer had two fauns with her. The next morning Long
went out and killed one of them, so we had meat at our house. Of
course, we divided with Brother John's family. We made our corn
meal by grinding it on the steel mill I just told you about buying,
or we beat it in a wooden mortar with a spring pole. We did not
have any seasoning except salt. My wife sifted the first out for
bread and the rest was grits which she boiled for hominy. The
bran was browned for coffee, on which we lived many days at a
time. The only meat we had was what I killed in the woods, and
often I failed to get any. The deer were very wild and very little
other game, except some time a turkey or a stray buffalo, too
poor to be good to eat, with an occasional oppossum. I went ahead
and laid the foundation for my house, and put in a floor made of
puncheons out of the post oak that I split and hewed. After I got
the floor laid I built the house, or rather, raised it and hewed the
logs, - walls - down inside and out. I then lined the cracks with
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clapboards by fastening them on the cracks with wooden pegs and
wedges. I would drive a chisel into the logs and then drive the
wedge after the chisel. Such a thing as nails was not be had in
those days. When we covered a house, we used what we called
"ribs" and "weight poles". By now, as well as I can remember,
it was January 1843. After building the house I cleared a piece
of ground on which to raise a crop. And, I grew a fine crop of
corn and some garden truck.
Another incident I may relate here is, while my wife and
children were sleeping one morning, I got up very early and took
my gun and slipped out and went hunting, as we were out of meat.
I got about a mile from home and saw a deer busy feeding, I drew
on it and at the fire of the gun, it fell dead. There was a faun fol-
lowing it and before I went to the dead deer, I shot three times at
the faun before I killed it. As soon as I killed it I gathered it up
and started home, but did not get far until 1 met my wife carrying
one of the children and leading the other, coming to meet me to
see if the Indians had killed me. Hearing the shots so often made
her think I was in a fight with them. We went back to the house
and got breakfast. Then she went back with me to help me bring
the deer home, as it was more than 1 could carry. I have said
that Henry Harter brought his cattle out when brother John moved.
He got John and myself to attend to them. The cattle ranged in
White Rock bottom. We would drive them home every few days,
and as the time went on, they would graze a little farther from
home, possibly three or four miles up the creek. I often amused
myself after getting the bell cow started, by hiding behind a tree
and waiting for some of the young ones to come along, so I could
jump out and scare them as they passed, or throw my hat at them.
This was fun for me and I would laugh heartily while not knowing
that at the same time an Indian might dart an arrow through me.
I think the first Sunday after we came to White Rock, brother John
and nephew, John S. Beeman, and we went over the creek to look
at the country, for a crossing. We took the Indian trail through
the bottom, and while going along we discovered a moccasin track
in the trail as it had rained the night before, and while we were
parleying about it, we heard what we took to be an old musket snap
at us. We then moved on, watching, but we did not see any more
20
tracks. We went out to the prairie and continued our walk for some
two miles, when we came to a post oak grove and found a gang of
deer. I killed one, and after looking a little more, we took our
deer and went back home. This grove is now known as the home
of G. W. Glover. By the time we killed the deer, we had about
forgotten about any Indian signs, the ones we saw in the morning.
We got back all right, and had a good appetite for venison.
In the summer of 1843, some emigrants came in and settled
about in different parts of the county. Among them was John Hewit
and Jeff Tilley at Cedar Springs. William Cochran on Farmers
Branch, also Thomas Keenan, and others in the same neighbor-
hood. William Coombes and a Mr. Leonard with their families
on the west side of the river in the neighborhood of Captain
Gilbert, who had previously settled there. In the spring of 1843,
General Sam Houston, who was at this time President of the Repub-
lic of Texas, came out to meet the Indians at Bird's Fort to make
a treaty of peace with them, as they were still hostile. He wanted
me to go as a guide to the Fort, which I did. He had about thirty
men with him as a guard, among them was John H. Reagan.
Reagan was taken sick at White Rock so was left at my brother
John Beeman's. As soon as he was able to travel he went back
to his home in East Texas.
The Indians refused to meet at the Fort, fearing there was a
trap set for them, so they moved down on Elm Fork where the
Indians met the commission that Houston appointed to treaty with
them. Houston having official business at the seat of Government.
A treaty was effected, after which we began to feel much safer,
but not entirely so for awhile at least.
All this time we saw very hard times in the way of living.
I still had to depend upon my gun for the most of our meat, also
for wearing apparel. I dressed in deer skin pants, hunting shirts
and moccasins. My wife carding, spinning and weaving cotton for
shirts. I would sit up of nights and finger and pick the seed out
of the cotton for her to spin the next day, and she would sit and
card rolls for spinning the next day. While the buffalo continued
to come into the country I could kill one once in a while and had
21
tolerable fair living but this was rather uncertain. I would use the
upper part of their hides to sole my moccasins. We called it "bro-
gan". It was done by cutting a sole out of the raw hide and sewing
it on the bottom of the moccasin. This was quite an advantage,
as the soles would last quite a while in dry weather. In wet weath-
er they would stretch out of shape.
In July 1842 the colony grant was extended by an extension of
twelve miles further east, including us, but we Beemans remained
where we were on our claims, got our lands surveyed by the county
surveyor, A. C. Walker, and by a special act of the Legislature of
1850 got our patents. I could give names of first settlers who came
to the county after 1845, but I think this will be done by some one
else who will be more competent to do it than I am. As to the his-
tory of the organization of the county, there are others who will
do that also.
In the year 1843, John S. Beeman came back from Lamar County,
and that fall he and myself moved across White Rock and began our
settlements. I had found that my first improvements were on an old
survey. For awhile both of us lived together in the house we built
for him, and worked together, after which we built a house for me.
We settled on sections 22 and 21, which was patented to us. I was
on 22 and continued to live on it until in 1854 when I went to Parker
County, and was there when the county was organized. Lived there
nine years. On my Dallas County place I planted the first peach
orchard that was planted in that part of the county, and had an abun-
dance of peaches so my neighbors could get all they wanted, and we
had plenty for our own use. On this place my wife died the 8th day
of March 1848, and was buried on the northeast corner of my land.
She had borne to me six children, four girls and two boys. In the
spring of 1848 I went to California, and returned in 1850. I had then
only four living children. Had lost the first, a son, in Illinois. The
second, a girl, died a few days after she was born. On my return
from California I went on my place with the children and kept house
with them until the 29th day of November 1851, when I and Elizabeth
Baker, who was teaching school in the neighborhood, were married.
After our marriage she had three children, two girls and one boy.
I will now give the names of the first six children: William Crawford
22
Beeman, who died in Illinois. He was born the 28th day of September
1837. Mary Jane, born in Illinois, was the baby when we came to
Texas, born on the 3rd day of March 1839. Emily Elvira was born
in Bowie County, Texas, the 8th day of January 1841. The infant
that died so young was born October 1843 in Dallas County, Texas.
We named it Genett. Francis Marion was born November 1844 in
Dallas County, Texas. Melissa Anice was born November 15th,
1846 and died February 26, 1861, in Parker County, Texas. By
my second wife, the first child was a girl named Lydia Angeline,
born in Dallas County, Texas, November 13, 1852, and died Jan-
uary 29, 1853. Charles Artemas was born in Dallas County, also,
January 24th 1854. Sarah Elizabeth born in Parker County, Texas,
March 9th, 1857. These are the names and number of all of my
children. Up to the present date, the number of grandchildren is
34, and great-grandchildren are 14. On this the 24th of December,
1886, only four of my own children now are living - to wit, Emily
E. Baker, Francis Marion, Charles Artemas, and Sarah E. Sweet.
The number of grandchildren now living is 26 and great-grandchildren
six.
Signed - James J. Beeman
Lampasas, Texas
December 24, 1886
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