The Gibson Family Newsletter
Including the Pratt and Glore Families
Issue #5 October 16, 1997
Gena Gibson Davis, Editor
Hello Family!
Sit down and relax because I have a lot to tell you. Everyone
knew how excited I was about the trip to Missouri. My dad, Dan Gibson, was
the tour guide for Ripley Co. We drove up and down hills, across streams,
past houses and all the way Dad had a little story to tell about each place.
Each of these stories, put together, create a big picture of our family.
Dad knew the country like the back of his hand, each ridge and valley had a
name and even though he kept saying that it was 30 years since the last time
he was there, he recalled everything easily. "Cool Water Gene lived around
there. He was the man who covered his car in tar and painted it silver to
protect against an atomic bomb attack. Bruce Ollar lives there and over there
is Opha Ollar's house. Did you see the shed in back? They use to store feed
in it and one Fourth of July a bear broke in and ate. The bear disappeared
until the next Fourth and then he came back to dine once more on his holiday
feast."
I came home with rolls of film, a tiny pine tree from Big Barren (which is
flourishing in my front yard), and a stone from the hotel in Grandin where my
Grandma grew up but more than that, I came home feeling good. Thanks to
everyone who was kind enough to write in and advise me about where to go and
what to expect. And Dad, Thanks—we love you!
I have to take a moment to stop and thank you all for something else—the
material you're sending!! All I can say is "Wow! Keep it coming!"
Family Reunion
Yes, thanks to the inspiration and hard work of Wayne and Ruth Gibson, there
will be a family reunion next year in Ripley county! It's in the first phase
of planning but as soon as everything is finalized, they will tell us all
about it. Although it is a year away, I want to encourage everyone to prepare
to be there.
Betty Jo just returned from her Cutter Family Reunion which is in it's 45th year. As remarkable as that is, she brought up an important thought, kids have to be involved in order for these events to continue. So, even if you are unable to attend, please, encourage your children and grandchildren to come. For those of you who don't know, Ripley Co. is a beautiful area and offers many wonderful attractions to visitors. Come early and take time to wander around.
I want our subscribers to make a "donation" of sorts to this project. My thought is for all of us to put our heads together and make an "auto tour" of family sites. The idea is to make a handout with directions, pictures and old stories about special places that you feel everyone should visit. This will be greatly appreciated by the people who have never been to Ripley county or may have been but not in a long time.
I don't want to limit it to just Gibson places though, let's remember Glore, Pratt and all of our other ancestral sites as well. Try to give specific directions & a short story about why the location is important. If possible, send an old photo of the place during it's heyday, remember many of these places have felt the ravages of time and a picture will help the visitors understand why the site was chosen as important. I will let you all know how the project progresses. And again, Wayne and Ruth, THANK YOU!
To allow you to get the feel of what I mean, I want to include a section which will eventually be turned into our auto tour flyer. As I was preparing this part I dug out the directions I made during vacation and realized that I didn't note the exact location of where the sites are! I wrote down how to get there and what roads to take when leaving but not the precise location. If any of you can help me pinpoint these sites, please write to me! ~Thanks, Gena
Big Barren Cr was a familiar sight to our ancestors who lived in this area.
The Big Barren runs dry many months out of the year, leaving large pools of
water in which, according to SE Glore, many folks enjoyed fishing. SE Glore
ministered for years at the Big Barren Baptist Church, you will find many
relatives in the adjacent cemetery. It appears the church no longer holds
regular services but the doors remain open to us today. Step inside, sign
their registry and then wander out to the peaceful cemetery. This is an
excellent spot to take a lunch to and try to imagine the wonderful
dinners-on-the-ground held here after Sunday Services.
While in the neighborhood of the "Barrens" look for this special site at the verge of Little Barren Cr and Running Water Cr. From the writings of SE Glore we learn that this was the home site of WO and Mary Glore Gibson.
Directions: Hwy C->Right on Ripley Co. C10->Left on C-11->Left on C-10A->come out to sign on pavement GOOSENECK (Help me with these directions,please!)
Sally Gibson Hufstedler died February 29, 1976, after a serviceable life devoted to family, friends and the little white church she loved in the Riverton Community.
One of her last wishes was to complete the course in creative writing which she had started at the University of Missouri. She had a great desire to tell the story of the strong and independent people who live along the high ridges and among the wooded valleys of the Eleven Point River, a tumbling stream whose fresh waters nourish and shape the course of all who know and hold it dear as Sally did.
The account of Wildcat School is one of the lessons which rated her an "A", and one of the legacies she has left to those who follow her. It is printed with the permission of her family.
The Wildcat School manuscript is this week's Bicentennial Historical Contest winner. The writer's family receives $10 and a Bicentennial Patch, and the manuscript will be considered for the $50 grand prize for best entry of the Bicentennial Year. The award will be presented during the bicentennial activities next July.
Anyone may enter the contest by submitting a manuscript containing history of the county or a story of some human interest happening during the early days of the area. Mail your entry to The Prospect-News, P.O. Box 367, Doniphan, MO 63935.
There were those who wanted to call it the "Gibson" school, not only because 11 of the 21 pupils first enrolled here were Gibson children, but also because the parents of these children had spent so many hours planning and working on the idea of organizing a school here. But the Gibsons refused to let it be called by their name because they knew the school could never have become a reality without the help and cooperation of other parents and interested people.
When Agnes Gordon consented to be the first teacher a decision for a name had not yet been reached. Her mischievous younger brother Otto teasingly said' "Call it 'Wild Cat' because you've sure got a wild cat for a teacher!" and so it has always been called 'Wild Cat', not only because of what Otto said, but probably most of all because of the school's location in the hilly, wild woods three miles north of the village of Pine. Here was country in which wild cats, bob cats and panthers were sometimes seen, and many of frightening stories were told about them. Some people even then, and many others down through the years have never known that "Wild Cat" was only a nickname. As late as this year of 1975 some former pupils of Wild Cat School went to the Ripley County Courthouse for information from school records to be used in securing birth certificates and were told there were no record on file of a "Wild Cat" school. Evidently none of those involved were aware of the fact that Wild Cat was only a nickname, and that the real name was Oak Grove West.
I believe my father, Straud Gibson, must have had his first real vision of the possibility of a school really being established here some time before his first child, Norman, had reached school age in 1911. Neither he nor my mother, Lucy Driver Gibson, had been privileged to attend school much, but they could see there was a way of more abundant living for those who were better educated and they desperately wanted their own children and their neighbor's children to have this privilege.
Their little farm was located above Panther Cave and, I believe, was very near the borderlines of three school districts: Pine, three miles south; Running Water, about four miles north; and Bennett, five or six miles east. Their small home of three rooms and a porch across the front was in the Pine School district. My brother, Norman, did not like to go to school at Pine. He was a timid, home-loving boy and three miles was a long distance. The walk through the wooded, hilly area was long and lonely and more than a little frightening to a first grader. Noises he heard in the nearby woods were probably cattle, hogs, squirrels or other small animals rather than the wolves, wild cats or panthers he could imagine were lurking there waiting to pounce out upon him. He could have stayed with our widowed Grandma Driver, whose home was about 1/4-mile from Pine school house, but at the end of each day he had such a longing to be at home he didn't mind the three mile walk back. This was a constant worry to my parents. It made them heartsick to have to force him to leave for school so early each day. Then late in the day mother would keep looking down the road to see if he were in sight, sometimes even picking up the baby, (me), and walking to meet him. Sometimes on wintry days it would be nearly dark when he got home.
I was between seven and eight years old before I was allowed to go to school in 1917-18. I enjoyed staying with Grandma Driver and going to school. She was the only grandparent I ever had. The others had all died long before I was born. Grandma was one the best pals I ever had and I never thought of being homesick when I was staying with her. I hurried home to her at the end of each school day to show her what I had done learned and to read her my lesson for the next day. She always had time to listen to me and was a big inspiration and encouragement to me in my learning, even though she could neither read nor write. She told me when I learned to write well enough I could write her letters for her—which I later did and enjoyed it so much.
My first school teacher was James Cullison. I loved him dearly. He was so kind and helpful to me. He let me go ahead of my class and promoted me to the second grade soon after the school had started. This was possible because my parents had taught me at home many of the things required of first graders at that time, including A, B, C's, some simple words, writing my name and counting to 100.
While Norman and I were going to Pine school our father was busy making his dream become a reality by planning and working out the things that had to be done in organizing a new school district. Among those who faithfully and earnestly helped him was his older brother, John Gibson. Uncle John was so sure the school would become a reality he built a cabin in the Panther Cave hollow and quickly moved his family into it so his three school age children could be counted in the required enrollment for establishing a new school. Also helpful was a nephew of my father and Uncle John, Bird Gibson who lived near Hodo Spring on Running Water Creek. He had five school age children. Cooperation was good among all parents and neighbors. C. N. Pennington was County Superintendent of Schools at that time and was understanding and helpful also.
After conferring with school officials in these border line districts of Pine, Bennett and Running Water and acquiring land for the new district No. 80 the next big steps were constructing a building, outside toilets and digging a cistern.
Today, November 7, 1975, I have had a nice conference with 80 year old Wesley Miller at his home at Pine. I am very thankful for his vivid memory. He and his older brother, Harve, helped their father, John Ross Miller to build the school house. He said they did it as inexpensively as possible because they were so thankful to at last have a school here in their home community. He said, "Timber for the building came from the old Lucas place, but the saw mill was set up on the Uncle Geo Miller place. The sawmill owners and operators were Jerb Rackley, Steve Woodring and Wylace Landis. They had their own planter and dressed tongue-and-grooved the lumber right there at the mill."
He remembered hauling the tin roofing from Doniphan, 25 miles away on his father's wagon. Sam Story in another wagon had gone along to help haul back a ton of cotton seeds to be used for cow feed. The tin roofing was loaded on top of the bulk cotton seed.
Mr. Miller is pretty sure the land on which the building was placed came from the Missouri Tie and Timber Company. The building was one room, 20 by 30 feet.
The Miller carpenters did not stop when they finished the buildings. They also made the seats and desks. Each was long enough to accommodate four pupils. Evidently there were only six of these, because school records list seating capacity of the building as 24. A long "recitation" bench was in front of the teacher's desk. A shelf near the door in the back for the water bucket were for hanging individual drinking cups, but as I remember those early days we all used the same dipper to drink from, like we did at home. It was easier and more natural that way.
A row of nails in the wall on the other side of the door were used for hanging coats, caps and hats, etc.
I was not sure who dug the cistern, but Mr. Miller said, "It was your dad (Straud Gibson) and Uncle John made the cistern. I remember them coming to our house to borrow my dad's windlass with the big 2-inch diameter rope for pulling the dirt up out of the hole."
The first term of school at Wild Cat began on November 24, 1919. Because of a shortage of funds it was only a three month term. The teacher's salary was $50.00 a month. There was also a shortage of books, but we were fortunate in having as a teacher, Miss Agnes Gordon, who had a pioneering spirit and a heart full of love for each of her 21 pupils—12 girls and 9 boys. From the three Gibson families came Ranny, Frank, Norman, Loyd, Elbert, Noel, Zelpha, Jewel, Sally, Nettie and Della; from the two Miller families were: Ervin, Maggie, Hazel and Glea; the Hills were: Carl, Beulah and Mollie; and from the Will Wallace home came George and Mae and their cousin Ida Mae Tipton.
Miss Agnes' love and enthusiasm were contagious, it seemed, and there was never a dull moment as she led us through this exciting time in our lives. We worked hard during work hours, commonly called "books" and played just as hard during recess and noon and she was with us "all the way".
As I remember it, each day before classes we repeated the Lord's Prayer and spent a few minutes singing familiar hymns and folk songs. It was a very satisfying way to begin the day as we all enjoyed singing together before starting our work at books. Then, beginning with the primer or first grade class the teacher would say, "Primer class may rise," and pause until they were all standing then continue, "pass". They would go to the front and be seated on the recitation bench where they would recite the lessons to her. This procedure would continue until the next recess or noon and the teacher would have heard a lesson by each of the 8 grades. This was repeated during each period throughout the day. I wonder now how she ever did it! It was very hard to concentrate on studying. It was more interesting and we often learned more from listening to the other classes' recitations and discussions than if we tried to study. Older brothers and sisters could often be helpful with younger brothers and sisters as a result of listening to them recite their lessons.
The short term of school and the shortage of books made it impossible for Miss Agnes to follow the plan work outline in the state board of Study Course book, but she found interesting and educational things to do to keep us both busy and happy. She helped us to work up a good Christmas program. which we proudly shared with our parents and neighbors on Friday afternoon before Christmas.
Miss Agnes boarded at our house and I slept with her. I remember how she would squeal each night as she crept between the cold bedcovers. Her feet were often icy cold as she tucked them in close to me. She called me her "heating stove". It only made me love her more as I sleepily snuggled close to her.
The saddest day of this short term at Wild Cat and no doubt the saddest day
in its whole history was February 21, 1920 which was the last day with Miss
Agnes and the last day of the three month term. Many pupils were tearful as
they came to school that morning before the day was over it seemed that
everyone was crying—including Miss Agnes. In her teacher's annual report to
her successor she wrote:
1. Steps should be taken to improve tardy attendance.
2. School needs more books—desperately—including supplementary books.
3. Pupils have good singing voices—suggest some singing each morning.
4. Term was too short to follow state board of study and no promotions could
be made.
Here's hoping my successor will find as much pleasure as I have in working
with these dear pupils of Oak Grove West No. 80.
~signed Agnes Gordon
In those first early years of Wild Cat school there was no playground equipment. We made our own balls for playing softball. We used rags and a darning needle with heavy string to fasten the foundation together, then wound a good layer of string around it and through with the darning needle. Sometimes we wanted to play ball but couldn't because these balls would wear out and fall apart so soon.
Our teachers and older pupils could come up with some very interesting games which needed no equipment. Many of these, like the ball games required two captains to choose sides and involved every child in school. Some I remember as favorites were: Dare Base, New Orleans, Sheep in my Pen, Drown the Duck, Hide and Seek, and Drop the Handkerchief.
On many Friday afternoons the last period would be used for spelling or arithmetic matches. Captains were quickly chosen and took their places on opposite sides of the room to choose up. Then the teacher would begin to give out simple spelling words to the lower grades, using harder words for the older ones. When a pupil missed a word he had to sit down and the next one in line on the opposite side was given a chance to spell it. This continued until all sides were down.
The blackboard was used in the arithmetic match, contestants working simultaneously problems which the teacher would give them. The one who got the correct answer first remained at the board for another problem with the next in line on the opposite side. This match also began with the first graders—sometimes they would write numbers to 10 or might be allowed to see who could make the fastest number of marks before the teacher or a timekeeper called "stop". If visitors were present as they often were on Friday afternoons they too were chosen and had a part in the activities if they wanted to.
Another of my favorite teachers was Miss Stella Ollar. She was 16 and I was 10 when she came to be the teacher in our second year of school in 1920-21. She too boarded with us. At school she was my teacher, but at home she was like a big sister to me. I had three brothers and no sisters.
I am thinking now of an autumn afternoon when we got home from school we were, as usual, hungry. We went to the old safe in Mom's little lean-to kitchen and got us each a piece of leftover corn bread, fried pork and some onion. As we ate it we went for a walk down the lane to look for wild grapes. We found some good ones high up in a tree. She had climbed up the tree to pick them when we heard horses approaching. She said. "Be still and maybe they won't see us." But they did. They were directors of the Running Water School and she had been planning to apply for the position as teacher of their school for the next year. Now, climbing trees in those days was strictly for boys—nice girls didn't. Neither did nice girls wear men's clothes. Miss Stella was a nice girl wearing a dress, but was up a tree with these men on horses underneath. She was embarrassed, but talked to them from her perch as though she weren't. She taught their school the next year.
While talking recently with George Wallace, one of my early classmates at Wild Cat, he told me this story: "One afternoon in 1920 as we were on our way home from school your younger brother, Noel and I had a fight. We were really punching when your oldest brother, Norman, came upon us, laid me firmly down on the ground and put a big pole across my neck and went off and left me. I got up and picked up a rock and whizzed it at him. It cut a gash in his head. Next day Miss Stella gave Noel and me a good "talking to". She didn't whip us, though. She didn't have to. Her talking did more good than anybody's whippings ever could. She was the best teacher I ever had."
The Wild Cat schoolhouse became a community gathering place. Mr. Schmidt, a God-loving, people-loving man who had moved his family from Germany lived in the Handy community six or eight miles from Wild Cat came walking to our community one spring day to see about starting a Sunday School in our new schoolhouse. He was a well educated man, but we had trouble understanding his English. He was never discouraged about it and continued coming back till he got our Sunday School going. He always came walking, but never seemed tired, always smiling and happy. At Christmas time he would come carrying a big bundle of clothing, books and sometimes simple toys for us children. These would have been sent to him by his far away Christian friends.
Sometimes preachers would come to hold services in the schoolhouse. One of them was Grandpa Wallace; another James Sconce.
There were also programs and pie suppers to raise money for school supplies. It was always good to have community gatherings of any kind. It was our only means of social life except for the occasional trips in the wagon to the once-a-month meeting days of the Missionary Baptist Church at Running Water or Bennett. In late summer of 1921 when Miss Pauline Roberts was our teacher she led us in preparing a children's day program. This involved the Sunday School more than the school, but using the same children, of course, and was educational as well as inspirational.
The schoolhouse was too small for this type of program, so a platform stage was built under the trees behind the schoolhouse. The older boys built an archway at the front of the platform and we children happily gathered enough wild flowers to completely cover it. There were also bouquets of flowers for decoration. Crude benches were made for seats between the trees in front of the platform.
Miss Pauline's father, W. O. Roberts, brought their pedal organ from their home in Bennett where he operated a store and was postmaster. It was the first time we ever ad any kind of accompaniment for our singing. It was the most exciting time I had ever had in all my life. Everybody was all dressed up and we had a big dinner at noon.
Other teachers we had at Wild Cat before we moved away in 1926 were Edna Lee Hilton, Willa Anderson and Ella Johnson.
I graduated from the eighth grade when Willa Anderson was teacher in 1925. This may also have been the first year there were eighth grade graduation exercises for rural graduates in Ripley County. This was another exciting time in my life. Marie Hilton (who was my schoolmate at Pine and whose sister, Eda Lee, had been my seventh grade teacher, and their father S.W Hilton, M.D. was our family doctor) invited me to go with her to Doniphan to the graduation. It was 25 miles, but her brother, Earl, would drive us in their brand new (Baby Overland) car. It was thrilling, but as I watched the speedometer on the car get up to 40 and 45 as we whizzed down the new state highway I was scared to death. We were the last two to arrive at the high school and crowded into a small classroom near the auditorium with all the other graduates. Because we were the last ones there and were crowded into the entrance of the door, we were first in line to lead the procession to our seats into the auditorium which started almost as soon as we arrived. Everything was so big and strange and frightening to me, but as Xeta Mae Finch, a Doniphan school eight grade graduate began to play the piano processional Marie and I had to start it. My knees felt trembly and my heart was pounding way up in my throat. I had been so proud of my new organdy dress Mom made me, but now I wondered if it was all right. I was in such a daze I can remember very little about the program. It was almost too much for a country kid, all in one day, but I will always be thankful to the Hiltons who were kind and thoughtful enough to take me with them
Like many other country schools there is nothing left of "Wild Cat" except memories. The buildings are all gone and it certainly looks like wild cat country around there now.
The old vacant house at Pine where Dr. Hilton raised his family is still there but the little office building near the house is gone. The old Pine schoolhouse has been converted into a dwelling but looks much the same on the outside as when I went to school there. The cemetery just across the road from the old Pine School where my parents are buried is well kept. As I think of those who have gone on, I am humbly grateful for the Christian heritage and the early educational privileges that were made possible by these, my relatives and friends.
After walking through the decaying cemetery where names like Isgrig, Pratt, Kimberlin(g) and one Gibson were found, we headed back to the paved road and crossed the Brazil Creek bridge. Brazil is pronounced Bray-zeel, after a family that once lived there. Right after the bridge we stopped at a small store called "Gilliam's Anthonie's Mill Store". Mr. Gilliam told us that he was not part of our Gilliam cousins but did help us with directions to Huzzah. Now, I had never heard anyone say the word Huzzah before and so I asked him where Ha-zah was located. He sat, scratching his head and finally asked if I meant Who-zaw. It took me a moment or two before I decided that yes, I was!
We headed down some very winding, steep and rugged gravel roads to the Brown's place. The Browns were nice people who seemed to enjoy helping us out. They looked at our maps and listened to our story and finally decided we were looking for the town of Huzzah, not Huzzah Valley which is part of the national forest. They told us to drive through Courtois which according to them was the French pronunciation for Cord-a-way. I have been calling it Court-toys all this time.
At Curtois the pavement unexpectedly ran out and we had to stop several more times for directions. In this place the friendly people were replaced with suspicious questions like "why do you want to go there?" , "Who are you trying to find?" and finally someone just came out and asked if we had a lien against the place! After we convinced the folks we were simply on a genealogy hunt they warmed up quick and eventually we made it to the Huzzah Baptist Church Cemetery, the sign posted read "Skaggs Cemetery". The church is now on a paved road because it was moved but the cemetery is down another one of those outrageous gravel roads.
James and Lucy (Gibson) Bays were there surrounded by many familiar names, some of whom we might later learn our connection. Their stone is new and there were fresh flowers on the graves. Someone has been taking good care of them. Thankfully, this was the case with all the cemeteries we visited, with exception only to the Isgrig Cem. After the Huzzah cemetery, we went a few miles up the same road to the Shoal Creek Baptist Church and cemetery. Here we found many Gibsons and other relatives. The church was in good shape and it appears there are still services held there.
By the time we finished at Shoal Creek it was getting dark and we decided to drive straight through to Wappapello. All in all, it was a good trip. We hope to go back soon, get in some research and spend a little time wandering around.
From: krulik@fidnet.com (Don Krulik)
My wife was GILLIAM. Most of her relatives are buried in Sanders Cemetery which is probably the one you are looking for. There are Gilliams and Gillams (related but say they aren't) all over Crawford and Washington counties. Maybe a hundred or more . We have been to a lot of cemeteries already. Call me at Krulik@fidnet.com Also our long lost cousin at bobbie@prairieweb.com They have a whole bunch on Gilliams, Bays and others. Also Brittons are in there.
***
Subject: Shaver
Date: 97-08-30,
From: eliphanz@aol.com (Chester Davis)
My 4th grandmother was Cynthia SHAVER m. Charles Crow DAVIS, 1819 Randolph Co., AR, had a son Abijah Davis m. Melissa McDonald, 1841. Abijah died 1852. Melissa died 1858. Where are they buried and was James McDonald, Jr. her brother? He named two of his children Abijah and Melissa McDonald.
***
Subj:Yarbrough,
Date: 97-09-01,
From: cslooney@mozark1.com (Steve Looney)
It's nice to hear from someone interested in the Yarbrough/Yarborough/Yarber clan.This is my GrandMother's line. The following was provided by Mr. Johnny C. Cates, who is the great-grandson of John Yarbrough (whom I believe to be your John H. Yarbrough). Here's a word-by-word transcription of the part of his letter that may be of use to you.
"Johnny Yarbrough was a Baptist Preacher. He came from Georgia, of English decent. He married a woman named Lucinda Harden (or Harding). This is the woman referred to by my Mother and others, as 'Big Mother'. Why? I don't know. Preacher Johnny and 'Big Mother' had 3 children that I know of (I have seen all 3 of them). Ellen, who was married to Bud Holt, Slaught, who was the wife of Tom Russell. And John Amon, whom was my grandfather. Young Johnny was also a preacher, United Baptist. He helped to organize several churches, including New Home. He married Frances Lucinda Smith (Fanny).'Old' Johnny and his wife 'Big Mother' are buried in the Mud Creek Cemetery, south of Warm Springs, Arkansas."
Gena, I would say the genealogy looks like this:
1---John Yarbrough -- (John H. Yarbrough)
Lucinda Harden/Harding -- (Big Mother)
2---Margaret S. Yarbrough -- (Slaught)
Thomas B. Russell
John Yarbrough (John H. Yarbrough) would be my Great-Great-Grandfather John
Amon Yarber (Yarbrough) is my Great Grandfather. Zilpha Yarbrough-Coe is my
Grandmother. Audean Coe-Looney is my Mother. A note of interest concerning
John H.Yarbrough's wife--Lucinda Harden/Harding: My Mother (Audean) and one
of my Aunts (Juanita) believe that Lucinda was known as 'Big Mother' because
she was a Native American (possibly full-blood or half-blood. No guess as to
tribe). I have other records (Land ownership in Arkansas) which shows several
Yarbrough gentleman with lands assigned to them by previous owners with
Native American names. One of these is a John H. Yarbrough (in Logan county)
in 1860. Another is Jesse Yarbrough (in Little River county) in 1860. My
guess is that several of these Yarbroughs were brothers or cousins, and many
married Native American women. As I say, I have little hard facts on the
Yarbroughs at this point. I've only just completed the LOONEY side of the
family. Yarbrough/Coe connections are next. Hope this information is of some
use to you.
The above Thomas B. Russell was the son of Isom and Rudy Easter (Mock)
Russell.
***
Subj: Glore,
Date: 97-09-17,
From: mdockery@sprynet.com (MARGE DOCKERY)
My husband descends from Wm Glore, brother of Mary Glore Gibson. I will
definitely visit Betty Jo's site! My address: Marge Dockery, 3359 W. Wayland,
Springfield, MO 65807-8110
***
Subj: Fox/Gibson/Pratt,
Date: 97-08-22,
From: BBrock1945@aol.com (Brenda)
I have been unsuccessful in finding anything out on Jesse R. Pratt's parents
or where he lived, previous to his moving to Iron and Reynolds (neighboring
counties) counties. His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Pratt is my gr gr
grandmother. She married ELVIS HARRISON, gr. father of my grandmother Tressie
Harrison. I don't know what information you have on my connection to Jesse R. or where
you got my connection and email. I have no information on Frankie Fox
either, except her date of death. Do you have info. on Jesse and Frankie,
such as where they met, marrieage date, children, etc.?
***
Subj: Shaver,
Date: 97-09-07,
From: phein@worldaccessnet.com (Peggy Hein)
Your Leah and my John Shaver Jr. were brother and sister.Mary Blackwelder was
the grandmother of my Susan Shaver . I have lots of info on both families.
Susan's mother was Rebecca Claxton, I have nothing on her.
My address is: Peggy Hein 2381 N. "M" ST. Washougal Wa. 98671
***
Subj: Robert Gibson, Jr.,
Date: 97-10-22,
From: niehaus@ldd.net
I believe Robert had a daughter named Elizabeth who married Noah Eye. If this
is true Elizabeth is my great grandmother. I have information on this family.
My address is: Thelma Niehaus, Rt#1 Box 609, Bismark, MO 63624
***
Subj: Cousin,
Date: 97-10-02,
From: norm_gibson@wazoo.com
Greetings Cousin; I'm "Norm" R. Gibson and I live in Alamogordo, NM. I'm
Betty Jo's nephew. Wayne Wm Gibson was my daddy. Betty Jo is a real blessing
with the effort that she has put into the Gibson family tree that has helped
me learn more about my background since I did not know who was who and with
my own family ranging from 2 to 24 it will help them know their roots. I have
enjoyed your newsletters that Betty Jo has posted on her web site. Please
keep up the good work.
(Thanks for the kind words and I'll try to be a little
faster~Gena)
http://www.harvestcomm.net/personal/bjsbytes/gibson.htm
When you visit, click on the Gibson link. There you'll see the link for the newlsletter. She is continually building this site and has included pages on Glore, Pratt, Russell, Hodo & many more family names. Thanks Betty Jo!
***
This is another must see spot by our cousin and author, Dennis Hodo:
http://grunt.space.swri.edu/DHbio.htm
Here you will find his collection of poetry and short stories based on his experiences in Vietnam. Dennis put a lot of thought into his writing and I'm sure you will find it as moving as I do.
Leah SHAVER b. 1773-1827, Mecklenburg Co., NC; m. 29-JUN-1803, Carbarrus Co.,
NC to Matthias MOCK 1779-1842. The couple settled on Mud Cr, Randolph Co., AR
in 1815. Leah died in Lawrence Co., AR. Thier children:
Robert Burton m. Mariah Louisa PLOTT
Thomas Jeffferson m. Margaret MOORE
Rudy Easter m. Isham (Isom) Russell
Matilda m. Minetree CARTER
Griffith Carroll m. Margaret Jane FOSTER
Isham John m. Mary JARRETT
Isham & Rudy Easter Russell were the parents of:
Parnesa A.
William J. m. Margaret ALLEN
Edmond D. "Dock"
Robert John died in the Civil War
Martha Matilda b. 1-FEB-1846; m. Robert Gibson PRATT s/o JR and Elisabeth
Gibson Pratt, both buried Mud Cr Cem.
Rudy Louisa b. 31-JAN-1848; m. JR GIBSON 20-MAY-1869; d. 06-MAR-1920, both
are buried at Johnson's Chapel. My aunt Judy Guilliams has their marriage
certificate which is now 128 yrs old.
FYI: Leah Shaver and Peter Shaver were siblings, children of John Shaver and Margaret Blackwelder. Apparently my mom's family descends from Peter Shaver>James Shaver>AC Shaver> Ada Geneva Shaver m. Ike Kidd.
***
Matthias Mock's parents were Thomas Mock, Sr. and Mary Weinkauff and for more
history we thank Ida Boyce for the following:
Subj: Mock
Date: 97-10-10,
From: ida@atlcom.net (Ida Boyce)
Wolfgang, Bartholomew, THOMAS and Christina [Mock] arrived in Savannah, GA in
1751 on the Ship Antelope from Germany. According to records at the GA State
Archives, they came from ULM Germany near Langenau on the Danube River.
Thomas married Mary Weinkauff in Effingham Co., GA 06 APR 1765. They remained
in Effingham Co., GA until the late 1760s when they moved
to Mecklenburg/Cabarrus Co., with Mary's parents, Michael & Margaret
Weinkauff. Thomas is buried at Cold Water Lutheran Church in Concord, NC and
Mary is buried at China Grove, NC.
***
In the last newsletter I gave the wrong address for Marcella Gordon. Thanks to Sylvia Brewer for catching and correcting the mistake! Marcella Gordon, 211 18th Street NE, Guymon, OK 73824
As always, contact me at: Gena Davis, 5904 Horseshoe Bend, Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
219-482-2131 or coft@aol.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY ANN!
If you cannot get rid of a family skeleton,
you may as well make it dance!
~Geo Bernard Shaw
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Return to GIBSON
Go To BJ's PLACE
| Return to GIBSON | Go To BJ's PLACE |