Donald Ray Holt

Troy married Mildred Josephine Strong. Mildred (daughter of Burt Rodney Strong and Lucy Alice Brannan) was born on 25 Jun 1918 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma; died in Nov 1982 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burt was listed as Berthodne on the 1900 Texas census. His descendants were unfamiliar with the origin or accuracy of that name, having always known him simply as Burt. Burt lived in Duncan at the time of his father's death in 1929.

While examining records in Collin County, Texas, Charles Strong located probate records of R.B. Strong, Guardian, Estate of Burton R. Strong, et al. It was in Vol A3, P656-666. The records indicate that "R.B. Strong, guardian of the estate of Burton R. Strong, Claud E. Strong, Raleigh J. Strong, Earl E. Strong, Ernest R. Strong, would respectfully show to the court that it is necessary to sell the real estate of said wards for the education and maintenance of said minors, for this that all of the personal property belonging to said estate has been sold, and the proceeds thereof, and insufficient there for, and he refers to the sworn exhibit hereto attached and made part of this application. He further show that the real estate desired to be sold belonging to each minor is described as follows; the one-eighty eighth (1/88) undivided interest of each of said minors in and to the following tracts of land-----situated in Collin County Texas part of the L.B. Outlaw survey-----First tract---part of that portion set apart to and known as the widows share in the N.E. Corner of the 1000 acre tract sold by S.M. & W.H. Horton to A.K., J.L., and M.B. Morrow and described as follows....Second tract---Being also a part of said 1000 acre tract out of the L.B. Outlaw survey...." R.B. (Ralph) had applied for the Letters, Guardinship on 3 October 1908.

The guardianship detailed above pertained just to the minor children of R.B. Strong, and did not include Augustus, Walter, or Lee. Presumably they were above the age 18 and inherited their 1/88 share of land outright. Additional land records located by Charles Strong show that the land in question appears to have been originally purchased by Mash and Eliza Hall in 1862 in Collin County.

I was not able to locate him at the time of the 1910 Census.

At the time of the 1920 Census, he was living with his wife and daughter in the 167 District of Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma.

The 1930 Census for Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma, King Township, lists the family as follows:

216-232
Strong, Burt Head Rents $15/monthly Not on Farm M W 39 Married age 26 Texas Ohio Texas Mechanic Employed Not a veteran
____, Lucy wife F W 31 M 18 Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee
____, Mildred daughter F W 11 S In School Oklahoma Texas Tennessee

He was a neighbor of Marvin and Grace Payne.

(Research):Census Listings:

1920 Census1920 Census
Oklahoma, Grady County, Chickasha
Enumerated 26 Jan 1920
SD 64 ED 167 Sheet 9A
315 North Ninth Street
424-428
Strong, B. R. Hd M W 30 M Tx Oh Mo Machinist Railroad Shop
Strong, Lucy Wf F W 21 M Tn Tn Tn
Strong, Mildred Dtr F W 1 9/12 S Ok Tx Tn

(Medical):Corpulmonale & arteriosclerotic heart disease (2 years); bronchial asthma and emphysema

Burt married Lucy Alice Brannan. Lucy (daughter of Albert Brannan and Manerva "Nervia" Josephine Henley) was born on 8 Jun 1898 in Franklin County, Tennessee; died on 12 Sep 1989 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Strong Lucy Alice 09-12-1989 DALLAS

Note of Thanks, Published September 12, 1989

We thank Rev. BUCKHOLT of Dallas for the beautiful message at the service for Lucy STRONG and for the food and flowers from our friends and loved ones. She will be greatly missed by all you knew her in her 91 years of life. Bud and Toy BRANNAN, Evalean, Mae and Daisy and grandsons Jerrell and Kenneth HOLT

(Courtesy of Jerrell HOLT)

Notes:

For many years, it was assumed by his descendants that Ralph's middle name was pronounced Bernard. However, on Ralph's death certificate, filed by son Walter, his middle name was listed as "Brenard." Walter also named one of his sons after his father. Although the exact spelling he intended is not clear, his son's name was pronounced "Branyard." It appears, therefore, that Ralph shared his middle name with his father "Brainerd," a name that was apparently common in New England, but rare in rural Texas and Oklahoma.

1860 OHIO Census, Trumbull County Bristol Township Enumerated on 24 August 1860 With his parents, David Brainerd and Leonora (Sherman) Strong as a 2 year old

There was another Ralph Strong, age 4, on the 1860 Ohio census, the son of Samuel Strong of nearby Lake County, However, his death certificate shows that he was the son of Samuel STRONG and Sarah SCHRAM, and was born in July 1, 1856.

1870 NEBRASKA Census, Johnson County Todd Creek Township
Living with his Uncle, Hezekiah Strong, and listed as R.B. Strong, age 12, born in Ohio, Farm Laborer

Ralph and Mary Ella Hall were married in 1878 in Hunt County, Texas. They were living west of Hunt in 1880, in Collin County, Texas. Mary's parents, Mash and Eliza Hall lived in Collin County as well. By 1900, they had relocated to Hopkins County, Texas.

There was one other Strong family in Collin County in 1880, however, it does not appear that they were related to Ralph as they were from Tennessee.

In April, 1894, Henry A. Strong of Trumbull County, Ohio served as the administrator of the estate of his step-mother, Leanora A. (Sherman) STRONG. He filed a petition to sell lands. In his petition, he filed an affidavit for service by publication on Ralph Strong. The index page to the Estate shows he tried to send the statutorily required "notice to non residents" to Ralph in both Baird, Callihan (sic) County, Texas and in Blue, Indian Territory, apparently with no response. Blue is due North of Hunt County, where Ralph and Ella were married. Baird is in southwest of Collin County, near Abilene, in Callahan County. Ralph and his family apparently next move to the northeast of Collin County, as by 1896 the family was in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas. At the time of the 1900 Federal Census, they were still in Hopkins County.

The 1900 census also indicated that Mary was the mother of nine children, eight of whom were living. According to Viola Strong Weaver's Bible, presented to her by her parents in August, 1950, the ninth child was apparently a son named Harry. He appears to have died young, as neither his birth or death date is recorded in the Bible.

Ralph next moved his family North, to the Oklahoma Terrotory, where Mary Ella died in 1905.

Ralph moved even further westward, where he is listed on the 1910 Roosevelt County, New Mexico Territory Census, Precinct No 12, Dora, with his second wife, Mary Stockbridge, and youngest son Ernest.

This census is notable as it shows Ralph's father as being born in New York instead of Ohio. Charles Strong read the Roosevelt County, New Mexico census for the year of 1920, but was not able to locate the family. Nor was he able to locate the family on the soundex for New Mexico.

Homer Strong reported that in additona to farming his grandfather, Ralph, had worked both as a jockey and a plainclothes policeman. Ralph's great-granddaughter, Peggy Patty, reports that Ralph actually was a bounty hunter, as was his oldest son Augustus (her grandfather). Plainclothes policeman was simply the more polite term the family used to describe this work, of which they were not proud.

On April 15, 1929, about 10 days before his death, Ralph and Mary entered into a warranty deed with Mrs. C. E. MITCHELL. They apparently sold her approximately 160 acres of land for $2,400. Mrs. MITCHELL also became responsible for the mortgage of $500. This land was situated in the Southwest Quarter of Section 24, Township 5 South, Range 34, East of the New Mexico Meriden in the County of Roosevelt, State of New Mexico. They sold it to her "reserving...the use of three (3) acres...the dwelling house, out-buildings, garden and orchards for a home as long as (either or both) of them shall live." On January 16, 1924, they had mortgaged this same 160 acres of land to Beulah H. Gibson for $500. Mary's sister, Celia Stockbridge, was married to a Frank MITCHELL.

In late April, 1929, the following article was published in the DUNCAN BANNER

SONS BRING FATHER HERE FOR TREATMENT

"R.B. Strong, father of Burt and W.W. Strong of Duncan, is being brought here from Partalas (sic), N.M. in a Beeson Grantham ambulance. Burt Strong left with the ambulance Tuesday to get his father, who had been in ill health for some time. They are expected here Thursday morning. Mr. Strong has been at Partalas for several months."

Ralph was moved into the home of his son Burt after being brought to Duncan. However, Burt and his father soon had a tremendous fight, and he moved Ralph to Walter's home. Barney remembers his parents living on the 700 block of Stephens about this time, although the obituary below lists this as the 700 block of 8th street. It is not known which of these addresses is correct. Barney also recalls that Burt and Ralph reconciled immediately before Ralph died.

Ralph's obituary was published in the Duncan (Oklahoma) Eagle Weekly on Thursday, April 25, 1929:

RALPH B. STRONG TAKEN BY DEATH

"Ralph B. Strong, 71 years of age, passed away here at 3:15 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the home of Walter W. Strong, 705 S. 8th Street. Cancer was the cause of his death. Funeral services were held at the Beeson Grantham Chapel at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon with Rev. T.P. Haskins of the Baptist Church officiating. Burial was at the Lawton Cemetery.

The deceased was a pioneer resident of New Mexico. He had homesteaded there 22 years ago and lived at Portales. He was brought to the home of his son here in Grantham Ambulance about three weeks ago, when his illness became more serious.

Surviving are the wife, seven sons, seventeen grandchildren, and three brothers. [Note: The surviving brothers would have been Frank, Fred and EITHER Charles or George.] The sons are Walter W. and Burt of Duncan, Claude and Earl of Cement, R.J. and A.H. of Tintino (sic), New Mexico, and Earnest of Toledo, Oregon."

On the death certificate, Walter W. Strong was the informant. He indicated that the parents of Ralph Brenard Strong were not known.

Rhodene Frederick found the following records relating to Ralphs burial at the Highland Cemetery in Lawton (Section 3276):

Strong, Ralph B., b. 1857, d. Apr 20, 1929, 72y, Ohio

His first wife, Mary Ella Hall, two of his sons (Leon and Walter), a daughter-in-law (Tessie Soukup) and grandson (Jake Strong) were buried in the same section.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Collin County
Strong, Ralf B,W, M, 23, Head, Ohio, Ohio, Ohio, Farmer
Strong, Mary E, W, F, 22, Wife, MO, TN,TN, Keeping House, No RW
Strong, Augustus,1,Son,TX,OH,MO

1900 Census
Texas, Hopkins County
Strong, Ralph,43,May 1857, OH, OH, OH, Farmer Married 23 Years, RW
Strong, Mary E,43, Apr 1861, MR, VA, TN,Married 23 Years, No RW
Strong, Leon S, 16, Apr 1864, TX, OH, MR, Laborer, No RW
Strong, Berthodne, 9 Oct 1880, TX, OH, MR, Laborer, No RW
Strong, Claudie E, 7 Oct 1892, TX, OH, MR, No RW
Strong, Raughley J, 6 Oct 1894, TX, OH, MR, No RW
Strong, Earl J, 3 Mar 1897, TX, OH, MR Strong, Earnest, 1 Apr 1899, TX, OH, MR

1910 Census
New Mexico Territory, Roosevelt County, Precinct No 12
Strong, Ralph B, Head, M, W, 53, M2, 3 Years,Ohio,New York, Ohio,English,Farmer, RW, O/F/F
Strong, Mary J, Wife, F,W,50, M1, 3 Years,Virginia,Maine, Tennessee, English,RW
Strong, Ernest R., Son,M,W,10,Texas,Ohio,Missouri,English, Farm Laborer,Reads

1920 Census
Not located

(Medical):Y DNA
R1B1

A direct male descendant volunteered to have his DNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #Y2NVJ

Determined to be a high resolution match to other documented descendants of Elder John Strong, an early Puritan settler in New England.

Ralph married Mary Ella Hall on 4 May 1878 in Hunt County, Texas. Mary (daughter of Mashack Hall and Eliza Jane Neil) was born about 1858 in Missouri; died on 27 Sep 1905 in Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory; was buried in Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Registry of Funerals, Walters Oklahoma, Page 1. Mary Ella Strong, age 49 died September 27, 1905 of Consumption. Reported by Walter Strong. Noted burial in Lawton Oklahoma.

Rhodene Frederick found the following burial record for Highland Cemetery in Lawton (Section 3276):

Strong, Mary E., b. 1858, d. 1905, 47y

Notes:

Married:
Ralph and Mary Ella (Hall) Strong were the parents of nine sons. They were married in 1878 in Hunt County, Texas. According to a transcription of Hunt County Marriages, R.B. Strong married Ella "Wall." Charles Strong examined the actual marriage certificate, and noted that the last name of the bride was clearly HALL. The compiler of "Hunt County, Texas, Marriages 1847-1911" either misread the original, or made an error while transcribing the record. The license was issued on 4 October 1877, the marriage was on 4 May 1878, and the license was filed on 21 May 1878. Ralph and Mary Ella can be found in neighboring Collin County at the time of the 1880 Federal census.

There were several other Strong bride and grooms listed in the transcription of Hunt County Marriages. R.B. Strong's marriage was the earliest however. It does not appear that any of the other Strong's were related to Ralph. Nor did there appear to be any other Strong families living in Hunt County at the time of the 1880 census,

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Tennessee, Franklin, Ninth Civil District
Enumerated 1 Jun 1900
SD 3 ED 27 Sheet 1B
11-11
Brannan, Albert Head W M July 1873 26 M Tn Tn Tn Farmer
Brannan, Manervy Wf W F Feb 1881 19 M 3 2/2 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Lucy Dtr W F Jun 1898 1 S Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Daisy Dtr W F Mar 1900 2/12 S Tn Tn Tn

1910 Census
Oklahoma, Grady County, Chickasaw Ward 2, Chickasha City
Enumerated 20 Apr 1910
SD 5 ED 97 Sheet 4A Stamped 154
North Twelfth Street
305-62-76
Brannan, Albert Head m W 32 M1 14 Tn Tn Tn Own Transfer Wagon
Brannan, Manervia Wf F W 29 M1 14 6/6 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Lucy Dtr F W 11 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Daisy Dtr F W 10 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Roy Son M 8 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Ivy Son M 6 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, May Dtr F W 2 Tn Tn Tn
Brannan, Summner Son M W 2 Tn Tn Tn

1920 Census
Oklahoma, Grady County, Chickasha Twp
Enumerated 26 Feb 1920
SD 6 ED 173 Sheet 27A
8-8
Brannan, Albert Head M W 46 M Tenn Tenn Tenn Farmer
Brannan, Nerva Wf F W 38 M Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, Dacie Dtr F W 19 S Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, Roy Son M W 18 S Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, Toy Son M W 16 S Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, May Dtr F W 14 S Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, Summer Son M W 12 S Tenn Tenn Tenn
Brannan, Evaline Dtr F W 7 S Okla Tenn Tenn

Albert married Manerva "Nervia" Josephine Henley about 1897 in Tennessee. Manerva was born in Feb 1881 in Tennessee; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]