The Gibson Family Newsletter
Including the Pratt and Glore Families
Issue #7, July, 1998
Gena Gibson Davis, Editor
The reunion went beautifully! A few headcounts were taken early in the day but before we broke up, I’d say 80 people were welcomed as cousins. The atmosphere was very relaxed and casual, a lot of hand-shaking, laughing, eating, picture-taking. As soon as our pics are
developed and our thoughts composed, we’ll have more on the reuinion.
It’s been a long time since the last newsletter and because of my lack of diligence, I’ve really fallen
behind in my correspondence and have even lost some. Who knew the phrase “Another Cousin
Found” would become a buzz word but it has and nothing brightens me up more
than to see it in my e-mail box. I am amazed by the number of people who just stumble onto Betty
Jo Scott’s web site and then onto the Gibson Newsletter only to find there is a place for
them there—here in our family.
I want all our cousins to know that if I have lost their names, address or
notes to please contact me
again. I feel it is very important to recognize everyone in the newsletter.
Many of us received our new editions of Betty Jo’s wonderful creation “The
Gibson Family,
Descendants of Robert Gibson & Martha Belton”. The book has grown enormously
from it’s first
printing and because of that the price for new orders is $30. You’ll be
completely enthralled with
this new version. We cannot thank Betty Jo enough for this treasure.
Here is an interesting note from one of our Gilliam/Gillam cousins for those Civil War buffs
concerning Robert Gibson Jr. Further into the newsletter, you’ll see another
Civil War tidbit in regards to the in-laws of Robert’s brother Absolom, the Weger family.
If anyone does follow up on this information please share it with all of us!
Subj: Robert Gibson/Civil War, Date: 98-03-21, From: Jabney1@aol.com (John
Abney)
As to the information contained in the OMHS (Old Mines Historical Society) article, it's prefaced
by saying: "Following is the continuation of entries made by Dr. John B. Bell, commissioned as a surgeon for
the 32nd Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia (EMM), regarding "Examinzations for Exemption
Certificates." The column headings are Date, Name, Age, Cause of Disability. Dr. Bell has varied
from his original format by no longer listing the military company. The records were typed as
accurately as possible misspellings included."
On Sept 29, 1862 there is a listing for Robt. Gibson. It reads: Robt. Gibson, 36, Chronic Pleurit of the Left side.
Congratulations are in order for our very own Ronnie and Paula Warren, they have become first
time grandparents! Clayton Warren Miller—Welcome to the world!! We should also congratulate
Ronnie on the printing of his article on JR Pratt in the Febuary 25, 1998 issue of The Mountain
Echo, a newspaper from Ironton, MO. Mr. Warren has also agreed to write more articles for us in
the future—Thanks!
Clayton Warren Miller - 21 Jul 1998
PAGE 2
INTERNET MAIL
From: Lambert@clinton.afsc.k12.ar.us (Becky Lambert)
My line is: Jesse R. Pratt, Sr.
From: barbara-pigg@worldnet.att.net (Dick & Barbara Pigg)
“... my grandmother Ollye Francis Gibson Pig is the daughter of Lisbon Bruce
Gibson of the WO Gibson leg and ...Barbara & I ...were raised in Willow Springs, MO. From our
research my grandfather Geo Richard Pigg and grandmother Ollye Francis Gibson lived within
10 miles of each other in Ripley Co., MO, in a community called either Handy or Bennett or Pine
or Wilderness.”
Note: Dick & Barbara make their home in Jackson, TN.
Subj: Re: Wigger, Date: 98-04-24, From: Pgerboy@aol.com (Dave)
I just went through the Gibson site! Interesting to note that Jesse R. Gibson
was for the south during the civil war! Alice Wigger's people were all for the north here. They were
with the 50th Mo Vol and stationed at Fort Pilot Knob and were in the battle for the fort!The name
Wigger, Weger and Wegar were mostly the same in that area and no one knows just how come so many
spellings but point to the fact as to how those could who write wrote it down and most
rather than to admit they could not read or write (to bluff those who thought so ) just let them write
the name and ok it The means was well thought of but for those who are tracing their people it
doesn't help !
Alice Weger (Wigger) was the daughter of David Weger ( B) 1752 in ST.Giles Middlesex Co,
England. It is just outside London. He was one of 4 brothers that I know of. He came to the
Americas in approx 1765, he married a lady by the name of Sarah (unknown ) in Va in 1778 and
they had three children : William E. (B) 1780 Va, Elizabeth (B) 1783 Va and John (B) 1785 Va.
Sarah died sometime in 1792-93 and he remarried: Nancy Margaret McCormick in Green Co Tn
on July10, 1794.
David and Nancy had 8 children that I know of and maybe more. Philp (B) Tn 1780, Elizabeth (B)
1783 Tn, Hannah (B) 1803 Tn, Robert (B) 1807 Ill, Alice (B) 1814 in Ill, Sally Ann (Sary) (B) 1816 Ill, Harrison
(My gggg-grandfather) (B) Sept 8, 1819 Ill (D) Oct 27 1865 Mo and Hiram (B) 1820 Mo David WEGER
was a solder in the Rev War and is noted as so in the corner stone at the Potosi Court house that honored
the Rev soldiers. Some of the family came to Mo others stayed in Ill and went northeast and others just north.
That is just a little for now. If you need more please feel free to write and was glad I could clear up the connection for you!
Betty Jo’s cousins sight was neat!
Alice Weger was the wife of Absolom Gibson s/o Robert Gibson, Sr. There has been much debate
about her last name, Wiger versus Wiggins. Thanks to Dave for giving us the solution!
From: lrix@mo-net.com (Lonnie Nine)
I thought you might like to open this page for a look. www.tntindustries.com
The business is a sideline for our son, Patrick Nine. He is pictured on the
site. He lives in Carthage, Missouri and is employed at Precious Moments and is director of
purchasing. Lonnie is the husband of our own Willa Dean Nine who is descended from WO->JR->Williamson
Richardson Gibson.
PAGE 3
Subj: LEFLER, Date:6/18/98 9:15:55, From: Mike_Lefler@dbna.com (Mike Lefler)
My name is Mike Lefler son of Clyde Lefler , son of Joseph Robert Franklin Lefler, son of James
Robert Lefler son of Franklin Lefler. I am also related to the Gibson's, Gilliam's, Bays, and Beers.
I live in the area and know Huzzah quite well. If you look on a Missouri map between Davisvile
and Virbarnum you will see a river named Huzzah. Their was a post office called that where my
family got their mail etc located in what is now called Davisville. The Gibson's, Gilliam's, Lefler's,
Beers, Coplin's etc all live on what is called Big Shoal and Little Shoal Creek.
Franklin Lefler married Nancy Green Bays d/o James and Lucinda (Gibson) Bays.
James Lefler married Martha Gibson, his first cousin.
Subj: Randel distant relatives, Date:5/28/98, From: TheLinmans (Terri RandelLinman)
Greetings! I appear to be related to you all and have been throughly enjoying the web site and
stories. My aunt, Emily Jane Randel Needham, turned me to your site. My father
is Willie (Wilton) Lewis Randel, son of Elmer Folk and Edna Mae Glore Randel. Uncle Nace Randel,
whom you quote in your newsletter, was my grandfather's brother. We have so many
stories about him and his musical talent. He was the one who gave my dad his first fiddle. Willie is
still playing at age 68 and consistently places in western states competitions! All the other fiddlers
love to hear his renditions of the songs he learned on the farm outside Doniphan.
Subj: More relations to you, Date: 5/28/98, From: TheLinmans@aol.com (Terri Randel Linman)
Hi again, I was just reading again your newsletter and realized that Grandma Glore was my
grandma's grandmother. Edna Mae Lewis Randel (my Nana) was one daughter of Abigail (Abbi)
Lewis. I recognized the picture you have posted! Small world! It's exciting for me since I've only
been to that neck of the woods once in 1969, when I was 10. I do remember the Current River and
how strong the pull was for a novice swimmer!
Subj: Gibson Newsletter, Date:6/21/98, From: SRHuf@aol.com
I'm Ron Hufstedler, a grandson of S. E. Glore and a researcher of the following lines: Hufstedler,
Glore, Whitwell, Randel, Lewis, Moore, and others.
From: rhamm@netarrant.net (Dorothy Hamm)
My name is Dorothy Bridges Hamm. I live in Texas. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I
was when I found BJ's (Betty Jo’s) website and followed it to the Gibson newsletters. I am
descended from Andrew Johnson Bridges and Sarah Gibson through John Milbourne Bridges and
Ella Alice Rongey and their only son, Lester Bridges and Edith Cranford.
This lovely couple is Mark and Jen Gibson. Mark descends from “Curt”->“Slim”->Stephen->WO->Robert.
Mark has treated his big sister Lori Kim Harris, to a subscription of this newsletter and on behalf of all the
cousins we welcome them all!! You will notice some great photos of the Joshua “Slim” Gibson family on
page 81 & 82 of “The Gibson Family, Descendants of Robert Gibson & Martha Belton”. These photos were
donated by Mark Gibson and we want to thank him for sharing his treasures with the rest of us.
MARK & JENNIFER GIBSON
PAGE 4
WILLIAM MORTON GLORE
By Doris J. Grace
April 1, 1998
Born on 26 August 1837, William Morton Glore lived his whole life in Missouri. He was born in Washington
County, in Ebo, near Potosi. The community of Ebo is only a memory except in the minds of oldsters and in
local history books, but there remains a little rural church called "Soule's Chapel", where William probably
worshiped as a child and young man.
William's father, Lisbon Alexander Glore, was born in Kentucky but his forebears came from Madison
County, Virginia where his ancestors worked in the mines. Peter Klor, our first immigrant to the New World,
came from Germany in 1717.
It was probably the vocation of mining which brought the Glore family to Missouri to work in the lead and
tiff mines of Washington County. Tiff evidently was a lead by-product. On William Morton's enlistment
papers into the Civil War, his occupation is listed as "miner."
William Morton's Mother was Catherine "Kate" Wells who was a native Virginian.
William Morton served in the Union Army as a Private during the Civil War. He was drafted in the latter part
of the war and enrolled at Ironton, Washington County, MO on 20 Sept 1864. He served with Company H of
the l5th Missouri Infantry. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee l6 June 1865. According to his son
Samuel Ernest, he was never in a battle but drew a pension after the war just the same.
His military records reveal that William Morton was a small man, 5 feet 2-l/2 inches tall, black hair, grey eyes
and dark complexion. He was mild-mannered, quiet, but possessed a wonderful sense of humor.
He and Nancy Jane Jackson were married in Old Mines, Washington County on 8 Nov 1862. Their children
were: Emily Frances, Ada Cora, Susan Catherine "Suzie", Albert Preston, Abbie May and Samuel Ernest.
Albert and Abbie were twins.
Early in the year l884 William and Nancy were looking afield for another place to settle. William Morton's
sister, Mary Frances Glore, had married a man named William "Bill" Gibson and this couple had moved to
Ripley County in Southern Missouri. They painted a rosy picture of the climate in Ripley County, asserting
that one's livestock could feed off the land in the wintertime because of the supposed mildness of the climate.
So they departed to the south from Washington County, taking a covered wagon with a team of horses and a
cow tied on behind the wagon. Traveling with them in another covered wagon was a daughter and her
family, Emily and Tom House and their son Ernest. The journey took five days and nights.
William Morton and Nancy Jane's youngest son, Samuel Ernest, remembered many things about the trip even
though he was a young boy of ten years. He related hearing wolves howling at night. The first night they
camped at the north prong of the Little Black River where the horses got into quicksand. The last night was
spent in a camp at Van Buren on the Current River. There was no bridge across the Current so they had to
cross by ferry, tying the cow behind the wagon. She had to be dragged onto the ferry because of her fear.
Ernest recorded in later years that his father bought a 25 pound sack of flour at Van Buren. They crossed a
ridge into Little Barren and there met a man tracking a bear. The hunter urged them to sleep in his house that
night for fear of being attacked by the bear; they accepted his hospitality.
William Morton and Nancy settled on some land bordered by Little Barren Creek that brother-in-law William
"Bill" Gibson (a minister!) sold them. They later found that the land had not been his to sell. They arrived in
time to plant corn and harvest same. The corn William Morton harvested on this land was taken clear over to
the Eleven Point River to a mill to get it ground into cornmeal. Eleven Point River runs in the western part
of the county and is some distance from Little Barren Creek.
Ernest recalls living in a rough lumber cabin in "abject poverty." They often had nothing to eat but molasses
and cornbread. The daughters "fried" the molasses and mother Nancy Jane finally made them stop because
the molasses cooked down to a thicker consistency and was eaten in larger quantities. Ernest related that he
loved to go over to Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary's because they had biscuits for breakfast; quite a treat for him
at that time in his life.
After learning that their land wasn't rightfully theirs, they relocated to Pine community in the wintertime,
moving in deep snow. William Morton subsequently had a falling out with Pete Camp, the landlord from
whom they rented the land, over a division of crops, and eventually moved back south (still in Ripley County)
and settled on the south prong of Buffalo Creek in a house with a wooden chimney. Little Ernest recalled
many fires in the wooden chimney that would have to be put out.
PAGE 5
While living in the house with the wooden chimney, daughter Abbie May was married to her schoolteacher,
James Hale Lewis, 26 December 1886. When James Hale came to the Glore home to reveal his intention to
marry Abbie, rather than asking for her father's permission, Jim said: "Mr. Glore, I am going to marry your
daughter Abbie. What are you going to do about it?" Abbie was l5 years old and Jim was 25. No wonder
that Abbie's little brother Samuel Ernest had a negative impression of his brother-in-law and never really liked
James Hale.
William had a tragic logging accident on 2 Aug 1890 while living on Buffalo Creek and lost his left leg below
the knee. "69 Years ago in the Prospect News (August 2, 1890). Last Friday morning while William Glore, living on
Buffalo, was engaged in hauling saw logs, he had the misfortune to fall from his loaded wagon. His left leg
was caught under the wheels and his ankle and the bones of the foot and the smaller leg bone were horribly
crushed, part of the bones protruding through the flesh. Dr. Sam Proctor of this place was sent for and went
up at once and, assisted by Dr. Miller of Buffalo, amputated the leg just below the fracture."
Ernest, the youngest child, wrote of this accident 70 years later:
"The operation was performed in the home. While the Dr. sawed the bone Daddy
Glore, under the influence of chloroform, was talking, using the same language I presume he used when he
was lying on the ground with a crushed foot. After his foot was removed Ab Ponder and I took it out and
buried it in the garden."
Ernest was 16 years old.
While living on the south prong of Buffalo, the family attended the Hardshell
Baptist Church below Bennett. William Whitwell was the pastor of this church during these years.
William Morton later purchased some property called the "Sink Hole Place." It
had two houses on the land but only one well. Later, William Morton decided to move to Big Barren and
sold this property to his youngest son, Samuel Ernest, after the young man was married in l897.
Edna Mae Lewis, a granddaughter, remembers her grandparents when they lived across the field from
her home on Big Barren Creek. The grandparents' home was a simple wood structure
with a commanding fireplace in the living room, one bedroom, a lean-to kitchen with cellar underneath.
The cellar was accessed by a trap door in the kitchen floor. There was also "the room" (as they
called it) off the front porch that was used as storage. As was typical in many tiny homes during that period, the
living room contained a bed as part of the furnishings. Outbuildings included a barn and a fine log cabin
used for hay and/or corn storage. The house and outbuildings, though vacant, still stand today.
Granddaughter Edna Mae would often cross the field to see Grandma and Grandpa
Glore. By the time of her remembrance they were fairly advanced in age and little Edna Mae was expected
to help them out with writing letters and perhaps helping in the kitchen. Nancy Jane would
dictate to Edna: "Now set this down...." William Morton played the fiddle.
Zelma Lewis Henderson, Edna's youngest sister has vivid memories of running across the field to
Grandma and Grandpa Glore's with her fingers stopping up her ears so she wouldn't hear
snakes rattling in the grass. She remembers getting a special treat of one or two cookies from a tin box
which had been shipped from St. Louis. Zelma would watch for a good chance to help herself to a couple more
of those forbidden treats.
Zelma also remembers that William Morton and Nancy Jane feuded more than a
little bit. Nancy was a very strong-willed woman and extremely sober and she often would get disgusted with
William's laughter and good times. Nancy's sister Catherine "Kit" would come to visit often and she
was a very funny lady. On one such visit when Kit and William Morton were laughing and joking and enjoying
one another's company, Nancy Jane lost her temper and in a somewhat jealous rage remarked: "Well,
why don't you two just get together and get out of here!"
Zelma remembers on more than one occasion watching Nancy Jane help peg-legged William Morton up on
his horse, "Old Nell". She would lift up a large old split hickory basket filled with eggs and he would ride off
down the lane to take the eggs to Bennett to the general store to exchange for staples. As he left Nancy Jane
would say: "Well, joy go with him and peace stay behind."
William Morton died in Doniphan, MO 29 January 1931, at the age of 93 years and 5 months.
PAGE 6
From: DDGrace@aol.com (Doris Randel Grace)
I got my "Uncle Bill" information from a taped interview of Samuel Ernest Glore taken by my
Aunt Zelma Henderson in Doniphan. The land deal also came from that same
tape. There was evidently no hard feelings, though, because the family remained best
of friends and close relations.
Doris Grace has been kind enough to share with us the William Morton Glore article that
is based on this taped interview as well as her other research material. Uncle Bill was
Willamson O. Gibson and some may raise their eyebrows at what SE Glore has to say
about his family purchasing land from WO. Before we go jumping to conclusions we need
to focus on the fact that the article stated the Glore and Gibson families continued to be
good friends. This most likely means that WO sold the land with the belief that it was his
to sell. Whatever the case, this certainly is an interesting twist and good reading.
Corrections
Thanks to the kindness and attention of our relatives, I have these corrections to offer to you:
I noticed from one of the Klor/Clore/Glore generational articles (was it yours?) that
Samuel Ernest Glore's father is incorrectly named. He was William Morton Glore who
was my great-grandfather. ~Doris Randel Grace
* * * *
I'm writing to set the record straight about some minor typos(?) on pg.5 in the March 12th
article about Nancy Jane Jackson-Glore, my gr-grandmother. At the end of the article, Nancy Jane's surviving children are listed. They
were:
1) Samuel Ernest Glore, m. (1) Mary Eudora Horner-Glore, m. (2) Irene Lucille Smith-Hathcoat-Glore
2) Abbie May Glore-Lewis, m. James Hale Lewis
3) Ada Cora Glore-Ertle, m. Felix A. Ertle
~Best wishes, Ron Hufstedler
Greetings, Cousins!
We mentioned earlier Lorie Kim Harris, you can reach her or her brother, Mark
Gibson, via his address: Mark and Jennifer Gibson, 1324 86th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
We met the Rev. Elbert Merle Gibson of Memphis, TN at our reunion. He is descended
through James M. Gibson s/o WO and Taletha. Also joining us is his mother Isabell who
you can reach at: Isabell Gibson, 429 63d Street NW, Albuqerque, NM 87112
++++++++++
Bloom where you are planted.
++++++++++
Return to GIBSON
Go To BJ's PLACE
Note: Dick & Barbara make their home in Jackson, TN.
Subj: Re: Wigger, Date: 98-04-24, From: Pgerboy@aol.com (Dave)
I just went through the Gibson site! Interesting to note that Jesse R. Gibson
was for the south during the civil war! Alice Wigger's people were all for the north here. They were
with the 50th Mo Vol and stationed at Fort Pilot Knob and were in the battle for the fort!The name
Wigger, Weger and Wegar were mostly the same in that area and no one knows just how come so many
spellings but point to the fact as to how those could who write wrote it down and most
rather than to admit they could not read or write (to bluff those who thought so ) just let them write
the name and ok it The means was well thought of but for those who are tracing their people it
doesn't help !
Alice Weger (Wigger) was the daughter of David Weger ( B) 1752 in ST.Giles Middlesex Co,
England. It is just outside London. He was one of 4 brothers that I know of. He came to the
Americas in approx 1765, he married a lady by the name of Sarah (unknown ) in Va in 1778 and
they had three children : William E. (B) 1780 Va, Elizabeth (B) 1783 Va and John (B) 1785 Va.
Sarah died sometime in 1792-93 and he remarried: Nancy Margaret McCormick in Green Co Tn
on July10, 1794.
David and Nancy had 8 children that I know of and maybe more. Philp (B) Tn 1780, Elizabeth (B)
1783 Tn, Hannah (B) 1803 Tn, Robert (B) 1807 Ill, Alice (B) 1814 in Ill, Sally Ann (Sary) (B) 1816 Ill, Harrison
(My gggg-grandfather) (B) Sept 8, 1819 Ill (D) Oct 27 1865 Mo and Hiram (B) 1820 Mo David WEGER
was a solder in the Rev War and is noted as so in the corner stone at the Potosi Court house that honored
the Rev soldiers. Some of the family came to Mo others stayed in Ill and went northeast and others just north.
That is just a little for now. If you need more please feel free to write and was glad I could clear up the connection for you!
Betty Jo’s cousins sight was neat!
Alice Weger was the wife of Absolom Gibson s/o Robert Gibson, Sr. There has been much debate
about her last name, Wiger versus Wiggins. Thanks to Dave for giving us the solution!
From: lrix@mo-net.com (Lonnie Nine) I thought you might like to open this page for a look. www.tntindustries.com The business is a sideline for our son, Patrick Nine. He is pictured on the site. He lives in Carthage, Missouri and is employed at Precious Moments and is director of purchasing. Lonnie is the husband of our own Willa Dean Nine who is descended from WO->JR->Williamson Richardson Gibson.
PAGE 3
Subj: LEFLER, Date:6/18/98 9:15:55, From: Mike_Lefler@dbna.com (Mike Lefler)
My name is Mike Lefler son of Clyde Lefler , son of Joseph Robert Franklin Lefler, son of James
Robert Lefler son of Franklin Lefler. I am also related to the Gibson's, Gilliam's, Bays, and Beers.
I live in the area and know Huzzah quite well. If you look on a Missouri map between Davisvile
and Virbarnum you will see a river named Huzzah. Their was a post office called that where my
family got their mail etc located in what is now called Davisville. The Gibson's, Gilliam's, Lefler's,
Beers, Coplin's etc all live on what is called Big Shoal and Little Shoal Creek.
Franklin Lefler married Nancy Green Bays d/o James and Lucinda (Gibson) Bays.
James Lefler married Martha Gibson, his first cousin.
Subj: Randel distant relatives, Date:5/28/98, From: TheLinmans (Terri RandelLinman)
Greetings! I appear to be related to you all and have been throughly enjoying the web site and
stories. My aunt, Emily Jane Randel Needham, turned me to your site. My father
is Willie (Wilton) Lewis Randel, son of Elmer Folk and Edna Mae Glore Randel. Uncle Nace Randel,
whom you quote in your newsletter, was my grandfather's brother. We have so many
stories about him and his musical talent. He was the one who gave my dad his first fiddle. Willie is
still playing at age 68 and consistently places in western states competitions! All the other fiddlers
love to hear his renditions of the songs he learned on the farm outside Doniphan.
Subj: More relations to you, Date: 5/28/98, From: TheLinmans@aol.com (Terri Randel Linman)
Hi again, I was just reading again your newsletter and realized that Grandma Glore was my
grandma's grandmother. Edna Mae Lewis Randel (my Nana) was one daughter of Abigail (Abbi)
Lewis. I recognized the picture you have posted! Small world! It's exciting for me since I've only
been to that neck of the woods once in 1969, when I was 10. I do remember the Current River and
how strong the pull was for a novice swimmer!
Subj: Gibson Newsletter, Date:6/21/98, From: SRHuf@aol.com
I'm Ron Hufstedler, a grandson of S. E. Glore and a researcher of the following lines: Hufstedler,
Glore, Whitwell, Randel, Lewis, Moore, and others.
From: rhamm@netarrant.net (Dorothy Hamm)
My name is Dorothy Bridges Hamm. I live in Texas. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I
was when I found BJ's (Betty Jo’s) website and followed it to the Gibson newsletters. I am
descended from Andrew Johnson Bridges and Sarah Gibson through John Milbourne Bridges and
Ella Alice Rongey and their only son, Lester Bridges and Edith Cranford.
This lovely couple is Mark and Jen Gibson. Mark descends from “Curt”->“Slim”->Stephen->WO->Robert. Mark has treated his big sister Lori Kim Harris, to a subscription of this newsletter and on behalf of all the cousins we welcome them all!! You will notice some great photos of the Joshua “Slim” Gibson family on page 81 & 82 of “The Gibson Family, Descendants of Robert Gibson & Martha Belton”. These photos were donated by Mark Gibson and we want to thank him for sharing his treasures with the rest of us.
MARK & JENNIFER GIBSON
PAGE 4
By Doris J. Grace
April 1, 1998
Born on 26 August 1837, William Morton Glore lived his whole life in Missouri. He was born in Washington County, in Ebo, near Potosi. The community of Ebo is only a memory except in the minds of oldsters and in local history books, but there remains a little rural church called "Soule's Chapel", where William probably worshiped as a child and young man.
William's father, Lisbon Alexander Glore, was born in Kentucky but his forebears came from Madison County, Virginia where his ancestors worked in the mines. Peter Klor, our first immigrant to the New World, came from Germany in 1717.
It was probably the vocation of mining which brought the Glore family to Missouri to work in the lead and tiff mines of Washington County. Tiff evidently was a lead by-product. On William Morton's enlistment papers into the Civil War, his occupation is listed as "miner."
William Morton's Mother was Catherine "Kate" Wells who was a native Virginian.
William Morton served in the Union Army as a Private during the Civil War. He was drafted in the latter part of the war and enrolled at Ironton, Washington County, MO on 20 Sept 1864. He served with Company H of the l5th Missouri Infantry. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee l6 June 1865. According to his son Samuel Ernest, he was never in a battle but drew a pension after the war just the same.
His military records reveal that William Morton was a small man, 5 feet 2-l/2 inches tall, black hair, grey eyes and dark complexion. He was mild-mannered, quiet, but possessed a wonderful sense of humor.
He and Nancy Jane Jackson were married in Old Mines, Washington County on 8 Nov 1862. Their children were: Emily Frances, Ada Cora, Susan Catherine "Suzie", Albert Preston, Abbie May and Samuel Ernest. Albert and Abbie were twins.
Early in the year l884 William and Nancy were looking afield for another place to settle. William Morton's sister, Mary Frances Glore, had married a man named William "Bill" Gibson and this couple had moved to Ripley County in Southern Missouri. They painted a rosy picture of the climate in Ripley County, asserting that one's livestock could feed off the land in the wintertime because of the supposed mildness of the climate.
So they departed to the south from Washington County, taking a covered wagon with a team of horses and a cow tied on behind the wagon. Traveling with them in another covered wagon was a daughter and her family, Emily and Tom House and their son Ernest. The journey took five days and nights.
William Morton and Nancy Jane's youngest son, Samuel Ernest, remembered many things about the trip even though he was a young boy of ten years. He related hearing wolves howling at night. The first night they camped at the north prong of the Little Black River where the horses got into quicksand. The last night was spent in a camp at Van Buren on the Current River. There was no bridge across the Current so they had to cross by ferry, tying the cow behind the wagon. She had to be dragged onto the ferry because of her fear. Ernest recorded in later years that his father bought a 25 pound sack of flour at Van Buren. They crossed a ridge into Little Barren and there met a man tracking a bear. The hunter urged them to sleep in his house that night for fear of being attacked by the bear; they accepted his hospitality.
William Morton and Nancy settled on some land bordered by Little Barren Creek that brother-in-law William "Bill" Gibson (a minister!) sold them. They later found that the land had not been his to sell. They arrived in time to plant corn and harvest same. The corn William Morton harvested on this land was taken clear over to the Eleven Point River to a mill to get it ground into cornmeal. Eleven Point River runs in the western part of the county and is some distance from Little Barren Creek.
Ernest recalls living in a rough lumber cabin in "abject poverty." They often had nothing to eat but molasses and cornbread. The daughters "fried" the molasses and mother Nancy Jane finally made them stop because the molasses cooked down to a thicker consistency and was eaten in larger quantities. Ernest related that he loved to go over to Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary's because they had biscuits for breakfast; quite a treat for him at that time in his life.
After learning that their land wasn't rightfully theirs, they relocated to Pine community in the wintertime, moving in deep snow. William Morton subsequently had a falling out with Pete Camp, the landlord from whom they rented the land, over a division of crops, and eventually moved back south (still in Ripley County) and settled on the south prong of Buffalo Creek in a house with a wooden chimney. Little Ernest recalled many fires in the wooden chimney that would have to be put out.
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While living in the house with the wooden chimney, daughter Abbie May was married to her schoolteacher, James Hale Lewis, 26 December 1886. When James Hale came to the Glore home to reveal his intention to marry Abbie, rather than asking for her father's permission, Jim said: "Mr. Glore, I am going to marry your daughter Abbie. What are you going to do about it?" Abbie was l5 years old and Jim was 25. No wonder that Abbie's little brother Samuel Ernest had a negative impression of his brother-in-law and never really liked James Hale.
William had a tragic logging accident on 2 Aug 1890 while living on Buffalo Creek and lost his left leg below the knee. "69 Years ago in the Prospect News (August 2, 1890). Last Friday morning while William Glore, living on Buffalo, was engaged in hauling saw logs, he had the misfortune to fall from his loaded wagon. His left leg was caught under the wheels and his ankle and the bones of the foot and the smaller leg bone were horribly crushed, part of the bones protruding through the flesh. Dr. Sam Proctor of this place was sent for and went up at once and, assisted by Dr. Miller of Buffalo, amputated the leg just below the fracture."
Ernest, the youngest child, wrote of this accident 70 years later:
"The operation was performed in the home. While the Dr. sawed the bone Daddy Glore, under the influence of chloroform, was talking, using the same language I presume he used when he was lying on the ground with a crushed foot. After his foot was removed Ab Ponder and I took it out and buried it in the garden."
Ernest was 16 years old.
While living on the south prong of Buffalo, the family attended the Hardshell Baptist Church below Bennett. William Whitwell was the pastor of this church during these years.
William Morton later purchased some property called the "Sink Hole Place." It had two houses on the land but only one well. Later, William Morton decided to move to Big Barren and sold this property to his youngest son, Samuel Ernest, after the young man was married in l897.
Edna Mae Lewis, a granddaughter, remembers her grandparents when they lived across the field from her home on Big Barren Creek. The grandparents' home was a simple wood structure with a commanding fireplace in the living room, one bedroom, a lean-to kitchen with cellar underneath. The cellar was accessed by a trap door in the kitchen floor. There was also "the room" (as they called it) off the front porch that was used as storage. As was typical in many tiny homes during that period, the living room contained a bed as part of the furnishings. Outbuildings included a barn and a fine log cabin used for hay and/or corn storage. The house and outbuildings, though vacant, still stand today.
Granddaughter Edna Mae would often cross the field to see Grandma and Grandpa Glore. By the time of her remembrance they were fairly advanced in age and little Edna Mae was expected to help them out with writing letters and perhaps helping in the kitchen. Nancy Jane would dictate to Edna: "Now set this down...." William Morton played the fiddle.
Zelma Lewis Henderson, Edna's youngest sister has vivid memories of running across the field to Grandma and Grandpa Glore's with her fingers stopping up her ears so she wouldn't hear snakes rattling in the grass. She remembers getting a special treat of one or two cookies from a tin box which had been shipped from St. Louis. Zelma would watch for a good chance to help herself to a couple more of those forbidden treats.
Zelma also remembers that William Morton and Nancy Jane feuded more than a little bit. Nancy was a very strong-willed woman and extremely sober and she often would get disgusted with William's laughter and good times. Nancy's sister Catherine "Kit" would come to visit often and she was a very funny lady. On one such visit when Kit and William Morton were laughing and joking and enjoying one another's company, Nancy Jane lost her temper and in a somewhat jealous rage remarked: "Well, why don't you two just get together and get out of here!"
Zelma remembers on more than one occasion watching Nancy Jane help peg-legged William Morton up on his horse, "Old Nell". She would lift up a large old split hickory basket filled with eggs and he would ride off down the lane to take the eggs to Bennett to the general store to exchange for staples. As he left Nancy Jane would say: "Well, joy go with him and peace stay behind."
William Morton died in Doniphan, MO 29 January 1931, at the age of 93 years and 5 months.
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From: DDGrace@aol.com (Doris Randel Grace) I got my "Uncle Bill" information from a taped interview of Samuel Ernest Glore taken by my Aunt Zelma Henderson in Doniphan. The land deal also came from that same tape. There was evidently no hard feelings, though, because the family remained best of friends and close relations.
Doris Grace has been kind enough to share with us the William Morton Glore article that is based on this taped interview as well as her other research material. Uncle Bill was Willamson O. Gibson and some may raise their eyebrows at what SE Glore has to say about his family purchasing land from WO. Before we go jumping to conclusions we need to focus on the fact that the article stated the Glore and Gibson families continued to be good friends. This most likely means that WO sold the land with the belief that it was his to sell. Whatever the case, this certainly is an interesting twist and good reading.
Corrections
Thanks to the kindness and attention of our relatives, I have these corrections to offer to you: I noticed from one of the Klor/Clore/Glore generational articles (was it yours?) that Samuel Ernest Glore's father is incorrectly named. He was William Morton Glore who was my great-grandfather. ~Doris Randel Grace * * * * I'm writing to set the record straight about some minor typos(?) on pg.5 in the March 12th article about Nancy Jane Jackson-Glore, my gr-grandmother. At the end of the article, Nancy Jane's surviving children are listed. They were: 1) Samuel Ernest Glore, m. (1) Mary Eudora Horner-Glore, m. (2) Irene Lucille Smith-Hathcoat-Glore 2) Abbie May Glore-Lewis, m. James Hale Lewis 3) Ada Cora Glore-Ertle, m. Felix A. Ertle ~Best wishes, Ron Hufstedler
Greetings, Cousins!
We mentioned earlier Lorie Kim Harris, you can reach her or her brother, Mark Gibson, via his address: Mark and Jennifer Gibson, 1324 86th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
We met the Rev. Elbert Merle Gibson of Memphis, TN at our reunion. He is descended through James M. Gibson s/o WO and Taletha. Also joining us is his mother Isabell who you can reach at: Isabell Gibson, 429 63d Street NW, Albuqerque, NM 87112
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