Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Charles R. Strong of Edinburg called his uncle Barney on March 24, 2005 to ask him what his given name was. Barney said it was "Something strange" that he had never liked much, so he had always gone by Barney. Both Robert Strong and Viola Weaver confirmed this. In his mother's obiturary, he was listed as "Branyard," so he presumably was named Brainerd in honor of his grandfather, Ralph Brainerd and great-grandfather David Brainerd. He was a veteran of World War II, later working as a welder.

BARNEY FRANK STRONG

Funeral services for Barney Frank Strong, 96, of Gainesville are set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 at the Grand Avenue Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Black officiating.

Burial will follow with military honors in Fairview Cemetery, under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Barney went to be with the Lord Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 at his residence.

Barney was born in Prague, Okla. to Walter and Bessie (sic) Strong. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served in the Burma India Theater during World War II and then was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Violet Stanley on Jan. 27, 1946 in Lawton, Okla. and then moved to Gainesville in 1951. Barney was the owner of Strong's Welding Service for many years and a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years. He loved to play golf, fish and most of all play dominoes at the Stanford House.

Barney is survived by his daughter, Jeanie and her husband Harry Gootas; son, Benny and his wife Pam Strong; grandchildren, Chris and his wife Amy Kuhn, Todd and his wife Julianne Kuhn, Juli and her husband Phil Metzler, Jennifer Barna, Alyssa Strong and Amber Strong; 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Barney was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Homer, Jack and Bob Strong, Cecil Lewis and Roy West and sister, Viola Weaver.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Chris and Todd Kuhn and Phil Metzler; great-grandson, Ty Kuhn and nephews, Charles and Tommy Lewis.

The family will receive friends and loved ones this evening, Jan. 5, 2011 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County.

Barney married Violet Evaline Stanley on 27 Jan 1946 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. Violet was born on 6 Feb 1921 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 14 Oct 2004 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Gainsville, Cooke County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

VIOLET E. (Evaline Stanley) STRONG

Services for Violet E. Strong, 83, of Gainesville, are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Grand Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Black officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mrs. Strong died Oct. 14, 2004, at her residence.

She was born Feb. 22 (sic), 1921, in Duncan (sic, actually she was born in Arthur, east of Duncan, in Stephens County), Okla., to Marion and Zona Peoples Stanley. On Jan. 27, 1946 she married Barney F. Strong in Lawton, Okla. Violet Strong was a homemaker and a member of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church. During her working life, she was employed at Street Pharmacy, J.C. Penney, and at Sunbelt Savings.

Survivors include her husband, Barney F. Strong of Gainesville; daughter, Jeanie Gootas; son and daughter-in-law, Bennie (sic) F. and Pam Strong; grandchildren, Chris and Todd Kuhn, Juli Metzler, Jennifer Barna, and Alyssa and Amber Strong; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Chance Kuhn, Dalton, Luke and Jake Metzler, Bailey and Addey Kuhn, and Sydney and Megan Barna; sisters, Winell Gaidaroff, Willie Mae Landis, and Edna Lee Richardson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, M.C. Stanley; and sister, Florence Thompson.

Pallbearers are: Chris and Todd Kuhn, Fred and Steve Stanley, and Tommy and Charles Lewis.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today.

From the Gainesville, Texas Daily Register, Friday, October 15, 2004

Notes:

Walter's middle name, Winfield, does not appear to be a family name. It is assumed that he was named in honor of General Winfield Scott.

In 1907, Walter was living in Comanche County, Oklahoma (Source: Estate Settlement of Mash & Eliza J. Hall). As he and Tessie Soukup were married sometime before 1908, this is presumably where they met.

According to the June 18, 1908 WALTERS (Oklahoma) JOURNAL, "Walter Strong who worked at the barber trade last fall, but who for some time has been in Lawton and Temple has returned to Walters and is at work for E.J. Blair, proprietor of Modern Barber Shop." Walter was mentioned again in the April 1, 1909 issue of THE NEW ERA, "Walter Strong and family left here about two weeks ago to visit relatives in Prague, Oklahoma. They have decided to locate there." Charles Strong located the family in the 1910 Prague, Oklahoma telephone directory, published March 24, 1910. The residential phone number of Walter Strong was 89. It appears that there were 148 phone numbers assigned to both residents and businesses at the time.

At the time of the 1910 Federal Census, he and Tessie were living at 13th and Broadway, Creek Township, Prague City, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.

Tessie died when she was only 29 of what her family called "kidney poisoning." It may have been complication from the birth of her twin sons five months earlier.

After Tessie died, Walter moved to Iowa City, Wichita County, Texas. Iowa City was west of Wichita Falls, and on the Burlington Northern Rail line. He was living in a boarding house, on Block M, owned by Dale and Vivian Pierce from Iowa. Many of the lodgers in the house worked as Oil Field Laborers. Walter's occupation was listed as Barber. Presumably he had more customers, and could make more money, near Wichita Falls than he could have made by remaining in Lawton. He was listed on the 1920 Federal Census, enumerated in January 1920, as Walter Strawn (sic), Lodger, M W, 38, Wd, Texas, Ohio, Missouri Barber Barber Shop. He was listed immediately following a 19 year old Roy D. West, born in Mississippi, who was a bookkeeper at a bank. This does not appear to be his future step-son, as the age and place of birth are different. Also living in the boarding home with him was 24 year old John R. McLEMORE. In an amazing coincidence, meaning absolutely nothing, Walter's great grandson, Tom STRONG, would some sixty years later marry Roy McLemore's half first cousin, twice removed, Melinda McLEMORE.

Homer, Viola and Barney were temporarily cared for by a woman they called "Grandma Dominic." As far as anyone knows, she was not a relative. They can be found in her home, listed as boarders, at the time of the 1920 census.

Walter's youngest son, Jack, was very ill after his mother died, and was taken in by Walter's Aunt, Rosetta Hall.

Walter apparently moved back to Oklahoma shortly after the 1920 census, as he an Stella Crouch were married in Grady county in June 1920. Stella had two sons from previous marriages, Roy WEST and Cecil Afton LEWIS.

Barney remembers going to first grade in Bison, Garfield County, Oklahoma shortly after his father remarried Stella. There is a picture of Viola, Homer, Barney, Cecil and Roy, in the possession of both the Lewis and Strong families, that was taken in Bison. All the boys are in ties except Homer. Cecil obviously borrowed an adult's tie, and Barney remembers his tie being tucked in. Barney also remembers playing baseball in Bison, and scarring his leg badly on a broken snuff jar after one game. Homer recalls also living the city of Waukomis, near Bison.

Stella and Walter later had another son, Robert Henry Strong. They lived on a farm near Wellston.

At the time of the 1930 census, the family was living in the 2nd Ward, King Township, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

(Research):

Census Information:

1910 Census
Oklahoma, Lincoln County, Prague
#12-13
Strong, Walter Head M W 29 M1 4 Texas Ohio Mo Eng Laborer
Strong, Terrisha WIfe F W 24 M1 4 Nebrasak Aust Aust Eng Mo
ther of 3 children, 2 of whom were still living
Strong, Homer son M w 2 Ok Tx Neb
Strong, Viola dau F w 9/12 Ok Tx Neb
Strong, Richard (sic) M w 15 S Tx Oh Mo Eng Laborer<---Walter's brother Rolla
Johns, Mary ??? F w 15 Ark Ark Ark Eng servant

1920 Census
Oklahoma, Comanche County, Lawton Township, Ward 5, Precinct 1 310
Park Avenue #113-125
Dominick, Agnes Head F W 51 Dv 1872 Nat. England England England
Dominick, Edna Mae Dau F W 24 Single Texas New York England Clerk Dept Store
Clift, W.H. Boarder M W 48 Wd Ark Tenn Tenn Gen. Man. City
Clift, Charles H Boarder M W 16 S Okl Ark TN
Strong, Homer Boarder M W 11 S Ok Unknown/US Unknown/US
Strong, Viola Mae Boarder F W 9 S Ok Unknown/US Unknown/US
Strong, Brunurd Boarder M W 6 S Ok Uknown/US Unknown/US
Williamson, Maria Boarder F W 29 Illinois Iowa Illinois
Williamson, Lucille Boarder F W 7 Illinois England Illinois
Note: Walter was working in Wichita County, Texas, and boarding there. Youngest son Jack was living with his great-aunt, Rosetta Neill in Harmon County, Oklahoma.

1930 Census
Oklahoma, Stephens County, Duncan, King Twp, 2nd Ward
1509 Cedar
#6-6 Strong, Walter W Head Rents $15 month no radio M W 48 Married age 37 Texas Ohio Texas Barber Barbershop Employed not a veteran
--------- , Stella Wife F W 36 Married age 26 Texas Texas Texas
West, Roy N Step-son M W 19 S Oklahoma TX TX Painter General Building
Lewis, Cecil E Step-son M W 17 S Oklahoma TX TX Waiter Cafe
Strong, Robert H son M W 5 S Oklahoma TX TX
Crouch, Henry J father-in-law M W 73 Widower TX South Carolina TX

(Medical):artherio sclerostic heart disease (5 years)

Walter married Terezie Rose "Tessie" Soukup on 4 Aug 1907 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. Terezie (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" M. Soukup and Anna Beznoska) was born on 4 Jun 1886 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 3 Jun 1916 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma; was buried in Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her first name may actually have been Tereza/Theresa.

The information below was acquired by Charles Strong September 1999. This information is from the Lawton, Oklahoma Genealogy Library located in the public library.

Article from Lawton Constitution June 5, 1916

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR Mrs. Strong

Funeral services for Mrs. Watler (sic) Strong, age 29 years, who died Saturday afternoon at the hospital at 4 o'clock, were held yesterday afternoon at the Beal Heights Presbyterian church, Rev. J. W. Moseley, pastor of the church officiating. Interment was made in the Lawton cemetery.

The deceased is survived by a husband and four children, Homer, 8; Viola May 6; Branyard, 2; and Jack, 5 months; a father, Frank Socket (sic) of Junction City; 2 sisters, Mrs. Geo. Errett (sic), of Prague, Okla. And Mrs. Anna Hooker of Tinney, Okla.; four brothers in Milligan, Neb., one at Prague and one at Junction City.

Notes:

Married:
Married by Oliver R. Land, Minister of the first Congregational Church of Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. Witnesses were Harry Soukup and Mrs. S.G. Royl. She was listed as Tessa on the marriage license.

Rhodene Frederick found the following burial records for Highland Cemetery in Lawton:

Strong, Tessie R., b. 1886, d. Jun 3, 1916, 30y, NE-Frank Sankeans (sic)
Strong, Walter W., b. 1881, d. Apr 4, 1961, 80y, TN-Ralph Strong