Mary Ann McMinamy

Notes:

1826-John Harpole marries for the second time, in Rutherford County, Tennessee. This county is next door to Wilson County on the southside. His wife, Mary Ann, is probably in ther late thirties based on the 1830 census. She is identified as Mary Ann McMinamy. She is not described as a widow.

(Lucas, Silas Emmett-compiler (1981) 35,000 Tennessee Marriage Records and Bonds 1783-1870)

Mary married John Harpole on 21 Sep 1826 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. John (son of Solomon Harpole and Anna Christina Dice) was born on 14 Jan 1792 in Virginia; died on 12 Feb 1861 in Obion County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following biographical details were compiled by Ken Harvey:

1827-Pamelia was born in March, possibly in Obion County, although her mother may have returned to the family home in Rutherford County for the birth of her first child. No record has been found of the event. The Obion County organization was created in 1832, and it is possible that early records were lost or never created in the first place. Pamelia's birthdate is recorded on her tombstone. The following is in HARPOLE COUSINS "Permelia E. Harpole (dau. of John and Elizabeth Swingley Harpole, page 368) b. March 20, 1820; d. May 13, 1847 m July 18, 1846 to James H. Chandler, Madison County, Tennessee." The date of birth appears to be incorrect, seven years to the day too early, and Pamela was born following the death of Elizabeth Swingley. Additionally, it was her first husband, James Chandler who probably died circa 1847. Lynell Cordell wrote to the authors of "Harpole Cousins" to ask about this and they could not tell her where they obtained the original information.The birth date in the book and the birth date on Pamelia's grave stone both show March 20, so they could very well be the same person, but that still leaves the year in doubt.

The 1830 and 1840 census records for the John Harpole family:

1830 census, Obion Co. TN pg. 159 Schedule: Male-Females, 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, then in increments of 10. Harpole, John, 012001-0100001 (The youngest female was 5-10 years old, born between 1820 and 1825)

1840 census, Obion Co. TN Schedule: Given and Surname of head of household and number of male/female. Males: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, etc until 13th number, which is over 100. Females are the 2nd group of numbers. 133. John Harpole, 0101201-00001001 (Youngest female was between 20-30, born between 1820 and 1830)

1846 - James H. Chandler married Permilia (sic) Harpool on July 19, 1846, Obion Co., Tennessee. Bond: J. H. Chandler and Thomas G. Jenkins. Officiant: Cage Hale, J.P. The marriage license was issued the previous day. [Gary, Grace D. & Stricklin, Carolyn W. (1978) OBION COUNTY TENNESSEE MARRIAGE RECORDS 1824-1877]. "Our" Pamelia would have been aged 19 at this time. It is probable that her husband James died a short time afterwards without children and Pamelia remarried soon after. James H. Chandler died in 1849, and his estate sold the following items to Albert C. Harpole, Pamelia's brother: "table cloth, 2 peased quilts & linens, chest, bedstead & cord, 3 bed quilts, cover lid, and blanket," for a total amount of $27.25. These items may have been bough for Pamelia. At that time, if there was no will, the wife did not inherit even the necessities. According to the book, Harpole Cousins, Albert's sister Permelia was already dead by this time.

Sometime prior to 1849, Pamelia married John Melton Gentry. The marriage was probably conducted by John's father, the Baptist preacher and J.P., William Gentry. He may well have forgotten to record the ceremony in the Obion Courthouse. No marriage record for John M. Gentry and Pamelia Harpool, or Chandler, has every been found. The early death of Pamelia's full brother, William Harpole, would not have helped in perpetuating her memory with the Harpole family who remained in Tennessee after Pamelia moved to Texas with the Gentry's.

1850-Pamelia was living in the Gentry household with John and his mother, Polly, and his siblings. Pamelia and John are both shown as age 23. The rest of the census records in Texas and Indian Territory shows Pamelia only 2 to 3 years older than John, or the same age.

Lynell contends that the supposition that Pamela is the daughter of John Harpole and Mary Ann McMimany is still far from proven. Her contention is that we are ignoring some things in "Harpole Cousins," such as the books dates for John and Elizabeth McSwigley Harpole's daughter, Permelia and yet take as a fact that *our* Pamelia is the daughter of John Harpole. And until the date of birth can be proven or disproven, we don't know whether her mother is Elizabeth Swigley or Mary Ann McMinamy.

1860 - It is very noticable that there are no Harpoles in this census of Tennessee. There are however quite a lot of Harpools. Had the name undergone further anglisation? None of the 1850 Harpoles can be identified in 1860.

1903 - Transcription of Pamela's Tombstone:

MRS P. C. GENTRY/ WIFE OF /J. M. /GENTRY/ BORN MAR.20.1827/ DIED/ JULY 18. 1903

The name was pronounced Pa-meal-ya but spelled like Pamela or Pamelia.

RECORDED SPELLINGS

Pamilia Harpole

Pamelia C Gentry

Permelia C. Gentry

E. Gentry

Pamela Harpool

Permelia Gentry

P. C. Gentry Could the middle initial "C", used in the census and tombstone inscription, have, in fact, been a poorly written "G" for Gertrude? A granddaughter of Pamelia was named Permelia Gertrude in 1877; presumably named after her. The strong argument against this is that the "C" does occur three times.

Puzzlingly, Permelia name was represented by the initial "E." in the 1870 census of Johnson County, Texas. Was this simply an enumerator's error? It certainly looks like it.

Ruth Pearl Gentry had (1980) a picture of Pamelia C. Harpole which is presumably now [1996] in the possession of one of her children. Scott Philip Hall is thought to have inherited the family photographs including the portrait of Pamelia Harpole. He left Pampa, Texas, and is living (1997) in either New Mexico or Arizona. Lynell Gentry has a large portrait of Pamelia with her husband.

In 1900 Permelia recorded on the census that she had had seven children of whom two were now dead. The children who did not survive were presumably Ellen and Sallie. They may have died without issue but we cannot be certain of this.

1903-Photographed in a family group photo in her home in Alma with her husband John and two children.

Fay Payne Yeager thinks that our Pamelia [Harpole] was Cherokee Indian but I (Kenneth Harvey) have never asked her why she thinks so. This is certainly not correct.

Pamelia married John Melton Gentry about 1850 in Tennessee. John (son of Preacher William G. Gentry and Mary "Polly" ???) was born on 19 Dec 1827 in Kentucky; died on 3 Mar 1904 in Alma, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; was buried in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following biography was written by Kenneth Charles Harvey.

The eldest child in his family, he was known as Will to his wife and Billie to his siblings. He was about eight years old when he was taken to Texas from Missouri, he remembered nothing of Tenessee. His eldest daughter, Grace, recalls his middle name instead as Melton. This is almost certainly incorrect.

He was never involved in the Civil War, according to Lewis Adair Payne.

He helped dismantle the frontier fort at Fort Worth, Texas by assisting in removing the pallisade. Presumably he was still living with his parents in Johnson Co. at this time. The date of this event needs to be established.

1870 - A Wm. M. Gentry married Lucy E. Smith on 25 Apr. 1870 in Collin Co. Texas. There is no family recollection of any such previous marital event but it is highly likely that Will's first wife died. Molly may have known of this but simply never mentioned in later life that she was in fact Will's second wife. She may have preferred to keep this information to herself.

Will, who was a physically very strong man, initially used his father-in-law's wedding present, of a team of horses and wagon, to haul whisky etc. as far west as the saloons in Pecos. It was possible to make more money with transporting whisky than hauling anything else. This was a dangerous activity at the time as the Commanche Indians were still hostile, and active, in the surrounding area. He himself evidently spoke a little Indian (probably Choctaw).

He was a talented carpenter although his work never really met his wife, Molly's, exacting standards. She didn't forget easily that her own father had been a cabinet maker level of carpenter.

1880 - The family were living in Wise Co., Texas, where Will (29) was farming. Mollie (23) was keeping house and looking after the children Carrie (5), Gertie (2) and baby Frank. The enumeration locality was 130 (possibly near Decatur). (Microfilm page 225).

Will's paternal grandfather was a Baptist preacher who started a church, probably in Hillsboro, Hill Co., Texas. The old man appears to have moved from there to Wise Co. at some point either prior to or after 1873. He must have been nearby to his grandson, Will Gentry, around this time as he used to borrow Will's horse team and wagon without asking. Presumably this occurred when young William was not around. He would just hitch the horses up and take them off without a word. This used to greatly annoy his granddaugher-in-law, Molly. It was, after all, her father who had given the team to the couple as a wedding present. The preacher would have been in his late seventies by then. The Trawick family was also in Wise County as of the 1880 census. They lived in Wise County until around 1887.

1887-They then moved north to Indian Territory. This relocation out of Texas was to what was later to become the state of Oklahoma. Will now purchased a 320 acre farm east of Duncan on Wild Horse Creek, Stephens Co. People were moving into this Territory as pioneers because the land was much cheaper. He also had a financial interest in a cotton gin while in Oklahoma. The house that he built there consisted of two stories. There were two rooms and an entrance hall on the ground floor with a stairs, aligned east/west, leading up to a small landing at the front with two bedrooms at either side. There was an additional single story dining room accessed from the downstairs hall with the kitchen at the end of this extension. The front of the house faced east and there was a well outside the kitchen door on the south side of the building.

1903-Will was photographed in a family group picture at his parent's home in Alma. Mollie was not in the picture. His parents were living in a small, one story wooden house.

1910 - Will was listed as living in Park Township, in 1910, with his wife Molly and the youngest two of their children. Also living with them was 4 year old Louisa Payne, presumed to be the youngest daughter of Permelia Gertrude Gentry and Walter Payne. Permelia died shortly after Louisa was born. He was living on 320 acres which must have consisted of, in half, the 160 acres which was later legally described as "The East Half of the West Half of Section Four (4), Township One (1) South, Range Five (5) West, I(ndian) M(eridian)." [Payne, Grace Ellen (1948) Affidavit giving legal notice of intention to file suit in District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma. Ref: Book 414, page 344] Will had probably owned the whole western half, of section four as described.

1911 - Described as "of Arthur" on his son John's marriage in 1911 in Stephens Co., Oklahoma.

1920-Census record has not been found.

Will left his farm and house, having basically retired in about 1920, the elderly couple now moved to what was to become 721 Spruce Street, Duncan. Will had bought a block of land there, number sixty-seven, close to the city. He proceeded to break the block up into building lots which he then began to sell off as sites for homes. He built their own new house on one of these lots. His grandson Carl Payne and Tommy Payne purchased two other lots and built homes on them. Molly was never happy in the house as she felt it was not finished properly and the side was too close to the street. People could look in and see her eating as they walked along. The house was still standing in 1997.

Frank now took over the farm and the house on Wild Horse Creek his father had left there. Frank, in turn, rented part of the 320 acres to his brother Emory. Emory was considered the best farmer in the family. Sadly, the house Will had built was burnt down much later.

1923-Celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. This large family reunion started off at their own home in Spruce street and then moved the same day to son-in-law, Walter Winchell Payne's, ranch where there was presumably more space.

1929 -William M. Gentry died.

W. M. Gentry's gold watch was given, on his death, to grandson, Lewis Adair Payne. Sometime later the watch was "borrowed" by Lewis' elder brother, "Snort." At the time they all thought that the valuable heirloom was lost down the well. Later on there was a reconsideration. A neighbouring boy who had suggested that it had fallen down the well and who was playing with the children at the time probably stole it. Apparently he was known for his light fingers.

Lyn Cordell found both of the following, items:

First, a story by Sudie Thornton Sharp, born in 1877 in Texas. Her family moved to Indian Territory when her father "purchased the improvements on some Indian land, which comprised several hundred acres, near where the Arthur post office and store were located---about 10 miles northeast of Duncan." (Lyn noted that actually, Arthur is more straight east of Duncan. The Indian Base Line that my grandparent's lived on is Beech Street here in town. We live about 1/2 mile north of Beech now). Anyway, Mrs. Sharp continues to say, "After a short visit with my parents at Arthur I came to Duncan and soon had a music class, being Duncan's first music teacher. I went from house to house, giving lessons on organs and pianos. My first boarding home was with William Gentry and family. The Gentrys were the parents of Mrs. Marvin Payne and Ed Gentry." After she married Mr. Sharp they started a store in 1901 about 14 miles northwest of Duncan. In 1902 their store got a post office and it was named Nellie.

She also found the obituary of William Gentry, published in THE DUNCAN WEEKLY EAGLE, dated Thursday, Sept. 26, 1929:

County Pioneer Called By Death
W.M. Gentry, One of Oldest Citizens of County, Died Monday After Months of Suffering.

W.M. Gentry, a resident of this section for more than 39 years, died at the family home in Duncan at 9:40 o'clock Monday morning, following a lingering illness of several months duration. Mr. Gentry, who was 79 years old at the time of his death, moved to what is now Stephens county in 1890 and settled in the Arthur neighborhood, east of Duncan. He moved to Duncan some eight years ago. During his residence in the county Mr. Gentry saw the country develop from a wilderness to a great agricultural section, and played no small part in this development, for he was among the county's foremost citizens.

Funeral services were held at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the First Baptist church, conducted by Rev. J. J. Ward, a pioneer minister of this county, and the pastor, Rev. T. P. Haskins. Interment was in the Duncan cemetery, the arrangements being in charge of the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home.

Mr. Gentry was a native of Tenn., and moved in Indian Territory from the land of his nativity. Surviving him are his widow, five children and 27 grandchildren. The children are: Ed J. Gentry, Ft. Worth; John W. Gentry, Alpine, Tex.; Mrs. Marvin Payne, Duncan; E. H. Gentry, Oklahoma City; and Mrs. S. P. Hall, Roxanna, Tex. Two sisters, Mrs. Lum Parsons of Oklahoma City and Mrs. Jerry Williamson of Decatur, Tex., and two brothers, J. P. Gentry of Oklahoma City and J.E. Gentry of Arthur, also attended the funeral.

(Research):"Family Record-Parents' Names-Husband William Miller Gentry Born May 23rd 1851 Tenn. Wife Mary Evelyne Gentry Born Aug 27th 1856 W. Va. Married July 13 1873 at Grayson Co. Texas, lived in Texas 1873 to 189- Moved to Ind Ter." [Gentry, Ruth Pearl (1930) Family Genealogical Record Form (probably largely compiled by Ruth circa 1911-1930)-photocopy of the double spread torn pages in possession of Penny Ethlen Payne. Original with Scott Philip Hall?]

1900 census Chickasaw Nation IT (Stephens Co. OK) ED 166 pg. 40A
169/176
Gentry, William M., May 1852, 48, married 26, TN KY TN
Mollie E., Aug. 1856, 43, 8 children/7 living, VA VA VA
Frank M., son, May 1880, 20, TX
Edgar J., son, Dec. 1882, 17, TX
John W., son, Aug. 1885, 14, TX
Grace E., dau., Nov. 1888, 11, TX
Emory H., son, May 1893, 7, IT
Ruth P., dau., Dec. 1896, 3, IT
John M., father, Dec. 1827, Married 50, KY KY KY Pamelia C., mother, Mar. 1827, 7 children/5 living, TN TN VA

William married Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts on 12 Jul 1872 in Grayson County, Texas. Mary (daughter of William J. Mounts and Salinda Galloway) was born on 27 Aug 1857 in West Virginia; died on 10 Sep 1940 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On 1860 census but not 1870.

Lynell Gentry emailed, in April 2006, that Sallie was listed in "History of Johnson Co. TX" as one of the first students to attend the Oakland College, which was chartered Nov. 2, 1866. Unfortunately, Sallie became the first person buried in the new Oakland Cemetery next to the school. People who later canvassed the cemetery for the genealogical society were unable to read Sallie's death date but it was later posted as: GENTRY, Miss Sallie A. 29 Jul 1856 14 Sep 1876.

(Miltenberger's Report copied 1969)

A photo of this headstone is posted. The year of death is extremely difficult to verify, but it appears more likely to be either 1860, making Sallie only four at the time of her death. This would account for her absence at the time of the 1870 census, and would also mean that she was not the same Sallie Gentry who was a student at Oakland College. It could also be 1880, putting her age of death at 24.

Notes:

Known as Ginny. Later in life she had a large goiter or growth on her neck.

She believed that she was born in Missouri.

She recorded that she had six children, five of whom were still alive in 1910. As she only recorded five children in 1900, the sixth, who died, must have been born circa. 1895 when she would have been 36 years of age.

Virginia married Columbus "Lum" Parsons in 1878. Columbus was born on 3 Mar 1854 in Missouri; died on 16 Jun 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1862-His funeral record states place of birth as Hill Co., Texas, but he could actually have been born in Johnson Co. Maybe the information is correct and the family moved to Johnson Co. shortly after the birth.

1886-Was this marriage in Woodville, Tyler Co., as there is no Woodvine in Texas? Could Woodvine have been a town that disappeared? Maybe the son who supplied the information simply didn't know the name of the town.

1887, 12 Nov. - "Mr Price Gentry's little child died last week."

The Weekly Duncan Banner
July 28, 1905
"J.P. Gentry and family left for Loco yesterday to attend the 5th Sunday meeting, after which they will visit relatives and friends in Wyse county, Texas for a week or two." (Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

Stephens County Historical Society Interviews with Pioneers
Pioneer Memories

The R. B. Frensley Family History

Added Memories of the Frensley Family by Bob Frensley - (excerpt)

"One day in May 1908 there were eight tornadoes around Duncan in one afternoon. The first one hit out west of town around Oil City. Most of the others we could just see out on the prairie, but one did clip the edge of Duncan. It came through the south edge of town and tore up some stuff down at the oil mill on 7th and Bois d'arc. You could have done most anything in downtown Duncan that afternoon and nobody would have known it. Everyone was down in storm cellars. Fuqua Park used to be a big cotton patch. It belonged to a man named Price Gentry. Us kids used to take our sacks and go over there after school every afternoon to pick cotton. Some used regular cotton bags and others used tow or burlap sacks. There were kids of all ages and sizes. Worst mistake Mr. Gentry ever made was planting citron or pie melons along the rows one year. From then on, we kept the old man busy searching the sacks when he weighed them in. He'd have to hunt through each sack to be sure us kids didn't have a melon in there to be weighed."


Funeral home record from Duncan, Stephens Co. OK (Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

John Price Gentry died April 14, 1946 at Wichita Falls Clinic at Wichita Falls, Texas. Had been in ill health for a number of years, however, death was unexpected. Born March 29, 1862 at Hill County, Texas, son of John Milton and Pamelia Harpole Gentry. Was carpenter by trade. Married 1886 in Woodvine, Texas to Emma Green, now deceased. Was a member of Baptist Church and Odd Fellows Lodge. Surviving children; L.O. Gentry of Wichita Falls, Texas; Gerald H. Gentry of Okla. City, Oklahoma; Mrs. C.S. Kerr, Chula Vista, Calif. 1 brother, J.E. Gentry of Duncan Community.
Funeral will be at 2:30 Tuesday April 16 at Emanuel Baptist Church. Rev. J.C. Dodson officiating. Internment in Duncan Cemetery

Duncan Cemetery, Duncan, OK
(computerized cemetery records show name as John Pierce)
Section 3, Block 21, Lot 12, Spaces 5 & 6:
John Price Gentry 84 b. ? TX d. 14 APR 1946 Wichita Fall, TX. Died of Leukemia.
Mrs. Emma G. [Green] Gentry 71 b. ? TX d. 8 NOV 1939 Duncan, OK
Parent of Emma was James Green.
The South 1/2 of Lot 12 is owned by J. P. Gentry.

(Research):Census Information:
(Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

1910 census Comanche Co. OK
Cache Twp., ED 38 Pg. 10B
142/144
Gentry, John P. 48, Married for 24 yrs., TX KY TN
Emma, 41, M 1, 24, 8 children/3 children living, TX TN TX
Witherspoon, Mable E., dau., 18, M 1, 2 yrs. 1/1 children
, OK TX TX
Gentry, Luther J., son 16 OK TX TX
Gentry, Gerald J. son, 1, OK TX TX
Witherspoon, Ruth H., g-dau., 4/12, OK MO OK

1920 census Stephens Co. OK
ED 248 Pg. 1A
7/
Gentry, J.P., 58, cotton buyer, TX TN TN
Emma, 51, TX US US
Gerald, son, 12 OK TX TX
Kerff (?), L.G., son-in-law, 27, NY NY NY (can't read last name)
Mable, daughter, 26, OK TX TX
Louis W., grandson, 2 6/12, OK NY OK
Witherspoon, Hazel, granddaughter, 10, AZ AZ OK

1930 census
Oklahoma County, OK ED 55-62 Pg. 162A
Oklahoma City
North Central - House # 1223
202/290
Smith, Samuel T., head, MW, 53, M, age when first married 37, KY KY KY
Maude E., wife, FW, 45, M, age when first married 29, TX MS TX
Gentry, John P., lodger, MW, 68, M, age when first married 24, TX KY TN
Emma, lodger, FW, 61, M, age when first married 17, TX TN TN
Austin, Willard, lodger, MW, 24, S, MO IL MO

John married Emma Green on 29 Nov 1886 in Woodbine, Cooke County, Texas. Emma was born between 1868 and 1869 in Texas; died on 9 Nov 1939 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her children were listed by Ruth Pearl Gentry and given to Lewis Adair Payne in about 1969.

One of Lou's boys may have had a middle name "Gerald" that he was known by and referred to as. This could have been Doyle Williamson i.e. he would have been Doyle Gerald Williamson.

Lewis Adair Payne remembers a Gerald Williamson saying to him "Take a fool's advise and never join the cavalry." He also vividly remembers him recounting to him that while he was in the cavalry he used to attempt to cut pillows in half with the sabre and the secret was to draw the highly sharpened blade across the falling pillow as it was being slashed. Apparently they used to hold competitions about this.

Lou married Jeremiah M. "Jerry" Williamson on 2 Nov 1884 in Wise County, Texas. Jeremiah was born on 3 Apr 1858 in Cooper County, Missouri; died on 8 Aug 1960 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas; was buried in Cottonwood Cemetery, Wise County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lynell Gentry notes that her father, the youngest son of James and Zada Gentry, "talked about living in Wise Co. Texas, when he was a youngster. That was probably between Dera's birth in 1899 and Elmer's in 1901. Bessie told Anna Laura that they came across the Red River to Oklahoma on New Year's Day 1900 and lived in Grady Co. before settling in Stephens Co. Although on the 1900 census they are at Township 2SR3W, the same as Zada's mother and unmarried siblings. That location is around Alma, Oklahoma, where my Dad [Delbert] said he was born in 1893. Zada's father died there in 1899 and is buried near John M. and Pamelia Gentry in the Alma Cemetery."

Ken Harvey notes that in 1900 "We find four young unidentified Gentrys '[second] cousins [of Ed & Zada's children?]' living with Ed and Zada during the census of Indian Territory in 1900 and as a result they had to be enumerated there. They were presumably not on vacation as they were very young-perhaps their parents were starting to homestead in Indian Territory and were building their house having been there a few years. These youngsters were presumably the grandchildren of either James, Michael, Wesley or Abram-the sons of Preacher William Gentry.

We only know for certain that Wesley and Abram emigrated to Texas with the family. They could easily have been Wesley or Abram's grandchildren. They are Mollie, Stephen, Cubie and Addie. Assuming they are all siblings their unknown Gentry father was born in Texas and their mother was born in Kansas. In addition there was an unidentified fourteen year old nephew, Mayfield Ladd b. Mar. 1886 TX, who was presumably on a working vacation."

There were some Todd's in the area in 1900 but no Ladd's were found so it is not certain which name is correct.

In 1919 the couple bought about 160 acres of Stephens Co. land from Ed's nephew Franklin Melton Gentry and his wife. This was on Nov. 22nd. and the lands legal description was Sec. 4 1S 5W. (Book 103, Page 139, Stephens County Courthouse).

They sold this land to Bill Kirk in 1946 and moved to 2nd Street in Duncan.

J.E. Gentry's obituary, from THE DUNCAN EAGLE dated 19 January 1950 reads as follows:

"60 Year Resident of County, J.E. Gentry, Dies After Long Illness" Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for James E. Gentry, 80, 704 North 2nd, who died in a local hospital Monday night after a long illness. Gentry had been a resident of this county for the past 60 years, having moved to Alma in 1889. He was born in Wise County, Texas [Lynell thinks this is an error*] in March, 1869. G. W. McCollum, Minister, conducted the rites as the West Main Church of Christ with Rev. Roy V. Harp of the First Christian Church assisting. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of Rangley-Holden Funeral Home.

Bearers were Bruce Ridley, V. K. McMasters, Jake Kirby, Gaylord Clark, M.E. Hitt and Bill Groppenbacher. Survivors include the widow Zada, five sons, A.L. of Duncan, Delbert of Duncan Route 3, Elmer and Jess of Duncan and Lloyd of Oklahoma City, three daughters, Ruth Gentry of the home address, Mrs. Bessie Payne of Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Dera Goodwin of Bell, California.

*Lynell noted that the 1860 and 1870 census records were in Johnson County, Texas, and she believes he was born there.

Ken Harvey further noted that he was known as Ed. He was a slow moving person.

(Research):Census Listings:

1900 census
Chickasaw Nation IT (Stephens Co. OK) ED 167 pg. 15 240/244
Jentry, J.E., Mar. 1869, 31, married 9, TX KY TN Farmer
Zadie, wife, Jan. 1875, 25, 6 children/6 living, KS TN KS
Arthur, son, Jun 1893, 7, IT
Delbert, son, Mar. 1894, 6, IT
Bessie, dau., Apr. 1896, 4, IT
Jesse, son, Apr. 1897, 3, IT
Deria, dau., Apr. 1899, 1, IT
Jentry, Mollie, cus., May 1896, 4, IT TX KS
Stephen, cus., Feb. 1897, 3, IT TX KS Cubie, cus, female, M
ar. 1897, 3, TX TX KS
Addie, cus., Feb. 1898, 2, IT, TX KS
Ladd?/Todd?, Mayfield, neph., Mar. 1886, 14, TX TN KS

1910 census
Grady Co. OK, Amber twn.,
ED 90 pg. 11 B
137/138
Jentry, James E., 41, married 20, TX KY KY
Elzada, 39, 7 children/7 living, KS TN TN
Arthur, son, 17, OK Delbert, son, 16, OK Bessie, dau., 14, OK Jesse, son, 13, OK
Dera, dau., 11, OK Elmer, son, 8, OK
Loyd, son, 1, OK

1920 census,
Stephens Co. OK, Parks twp.,
ED 250 pg. 14B.
Gentry, James E., 50, TX TN TN
Zada, 49, KS TN TN
Delbert, son, 25, OK
Dera, dau. 20, OK
Elmer, son, 18, OK
Lloyd R., son, 9, OK
Ruth, dau., 7, OK

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK Parks Twp.,
ED 69-21 Sheet 3A
34/38
Gentry, James E., MW 61 M 21 TX TN TN
Zada, wife FW 59 M 19 KS MS MS
Jess N., son MW 33 S OK TX KS
Lloyd, son MW 21 S OK TX KS
Ruth, dau. FW 17 S OK TX KS

James married Elzada Trawick about 1891. Elzada (daughter of James Jackson Trawick and Elizabeth Lucinda Adams) was born on 6 Jan 1871 in Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas; died on 23 Jan 1951 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name may have been Cary Lee Gentry.

1887, 31st. Dec. - "The following is the report of Cottonwood School, No. 44, for the month ending Dec. 23, 1887 .... .... Roll of honor; ... ... Carrie Gentry ... .... " Could this have been her, she would have been twelve years old at the time?

Died in childbirth.

Carrie married Thomas Condren on 13 Feb 1896 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Thomas was born in Mar 1873 in Arkansas; died in 1909. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gertie, as she was known, died following the birth of her sixth or seventh child. The baby girl, Louise, who survived, was not expected to live.

Marlow Review
Friday, Sept. 14, 1906
Mrs. Gertie Payne: Wife of Walter Payne of Arthur, I. T. died Tuesday morning and was laid to rest in the city cemetery Wednesday. Rev. Burgess conducted religious services. She leaves a husband and several small children. Mr. Payne is a brother of Mr. W. H. Payne of this place. The funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives from Arthur and Duncan. To all the sorrowing ones we extend our sympathy.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Permelia married Walter Winkle Payne about 1894 in Stephens County, Indian Territory. Walter (son of Thomas Hamilton Payne and Martha Jane Marshall) was born in Mar 1867 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 26 Mar 1929 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 29 Mar 1929 in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is listed as living with Ada his wife and their two children in Parks township, Stephens Co., in 1910. Ref: DWL 88/Family 88

He later inherited from his father and he farmed the family land east of Duncan.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Frank Melton Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 24 May 1880
Race: White
Roll: 1852128
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 38
Occupation: Farming
Nearest Relative: Ada Gentry, Arthur, Stephens Co. OK
Height/Build: Medium/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Blue/Black

Duncan Eagle, June 14, 1928, Page 7 Frank Gentry Laid to Rest County Resident for 38 Years Passed Away at Age of 48. Services Wednesday. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon for Frank M. Gentry, who had passed away at 6 o'clock Monday evening, a victim of pneumonia. Arrangements were made by the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home, and services were held in the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Elmer Ridgeway officiating. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery. Born in Texas on May 24, 1880, Mr. Gentry came to this section at an early age, and had resided in Stephens County for 38 years. His home was 12 1/2 miles east of Duncan. His long residence here had made him widely and favorably known throughout this section. Surviving are the widow; three sons, Rene, John and Freeland; and two daughters, Frankie and June. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Gentry, live at 721 Spruce Avenue. There are also two sisters and three brothers.

Ken Harvey related a story about Frank and his wife decided to replace all their living room furniture so he headed to town with a bale of cotton to sell. The old furniture was meanwhile presented to the neighbours. Unfortunately instead bought an Edison record player with records and put it in his wagon and took it home.

The family heard him singing as he arrived home late at night and Ada was none too pleased to discover what their money had been spent on. They now had a bare room with a phonograph. This was the old ground floor bedroom on the south side of the house.

His son Glen really enjoyed the new machine as he was a fun loving young man and liked to dance to the music played on the Edison. One of the records was "The Irish Washer Woman" and Glen was able to do a jig to that!

Franklin married Ada Carol Jones on 17 Sep 1905 in Arthur, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Ada was born in 1880 in Texas; died on 23 Apr 1929; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Edgar Jeffery Gentry
City: Cruce
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 26 Dec 1882
Race: White
Roll: 1852128
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 35
Occupation: Farming for self
Nearest Relative: Frances Gentry, Curce, OK
Height/Build: Medium/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/brown

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

5 Jan 1967 THE DUNCAN EAGLE

Edgar J. Gentry, Cattleman and Ex-Teacher, Dies Edgar J. (Ed) Gentry, 802 Sycamore, cattleman and farmer in Stephens County for nearly half a century, died at his home at 2 a.m. today. Gentry, 84, had been in poor health for several months. He was born at Decatur, Tex., Dec. 26, 1882 and moved to this county as a child. Gentry was a graduate of Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Ind. He taught school at Alma as a young man. He retired a few years ago from active farming and ranching. Survivors are his wife, Frances, whom he married at Arthur in eastern Stephens County, Sept. 26, 1909; a son, W. T. Gentry, 1116 Elm; a daughter, Mrs. J. T. Callahan, 1327 Normandy Rd.; two brothers, John Gentry of Alpine, Tex., and Emory Gentry of Oklahoma City; a sister, Mrs. S. P. Hall of Pampa, Tex., and a grandson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Grantham Funeral Home chapel. The Rev. T. Hollis Epton, pastor of the First Baptist church here of which Gentry was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery. Bearers will be Murl Kincannon, Pat Peck, Riley Coates, Earl Lee, Roy Steigleder and Lester Allen. Honorary bearers will be L.L. Humphreys, L. L. Gatlin, Nat Gatlin, Earl Russell, Clarence Callaway, Dr. E. C. Lindley, J. F. Lewis, the Rev. W. Lowder, Roy Patton, A.S. Moore, and members of the Men's Brotherhood Class of the First Baptist Church.

Listed as living alone with Frances in the Duncan area (King township), Stephens Co., in 1910. Ref: DWL 112/Family 117

(Research):Census Information:

1930 census Stephens Co. OK East 1/2 of King Twp., ED 69-1
0 Sheet 3B 46/51 Gentry, Edgar J., MW 49 M 29 TX MS IL
Frances, wife FW 38 M 18 OK TX TX
William T., son MW 19 S OK TX OK
Mary T., dau. FW 18 S OK TX OK
John V., nephew MW 15 OK TX OK

Edgar married Sarah Frances "Fannie" Kincannon on 26 Sep 1909 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Sarah (daughter of Jessie Thomas Kincannon and Sidney Georgina Hart) was born on 26 Nov 1887 in Oklahoma; died in Feb 1976 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that "As a boy he always carried some string in his pocket. He had ever afterwards taken very seriously the jocular semi-critical comment, 'every boy carries a piece of string in his pocket' made by some dissapointed adult who had urgently wanted a piece for some reason. He studied in Vincinnes, Indiana and spoke Spanish. Ken also heard that when his first wife was sick, he chartered a train to take her to Oklahoma City. This doesn't seem likely from her death certificate though. They were still living in Dougherty at the time, and she died in Ardmore, Oklahoma of appendicitis that evidenced itself four days prior to her death.

WWI Draft Registration - 1918
Name: John William Gentry
City: Alpine
County: Brewster
State: Texas
Birth Date: 9 Aug 1885
Race: White
Roll: 1927370
DraftBoard: 0
Occupation: Pharmacist
Employer: Walter Garnett, Alpine, Brewster Co. TX
Nearest relative: Mrs. Julia Ann Gentry (wife)
Height/Build: Medium/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Lt. ?/ Lt. Brown

John lived in Brewster County, Texas from about 1918 until his death.


SSDI JOHN GENTRY 09 Aug 1885 Oct 1972 79830 (Alpine, Brewster, TX) (none specified) 449-09-8198 Texas

TX Death Record Gentry John W SR 10-20-1972 BREWSTER M SINGLE


Brewster Co. Cemetery book, Elm Grove Cemetery, Alpine, TX. Lot #1, Block 6-A John William Gentry August 9, 1885 October 6, 1972 Julia Zumwalt Gentry March 14, 1892 March 13, 1981 Peggy Kirby Gentry November 3, 1933 March 17, 1973 Julia Gentry Chessman May 18, 1918 July 27, 1949 Mark Sale Chessman , Infant Son, July 15 - 17, 1949

(Courtesy of Lucy Anderson Lowrie)

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 census
Grady Co. OK ED 97 Pg. 157B
Chickasha city
127/150
Temple, James A., head, MW, 59, M 34yrs., Alderman-city, MO MO KY
Carrie J., wife, FW, 52, M 34yrs., 5/4 children, IN IN IN
James W., son, MW, 25, Book keeper-Lumber yard, CO MO IN
Gentry, John W., roomer, MW, 24, S, Prescription clerk-Drug store, OK unk unk

1920 census
Brewster Co. TX
Prect. 1 Alpine Twn.
218/223
Gentry, John Head Own M W 34 M TX TN VA pharmacist - drug store
Gentry, Julia Wife F W 27 M TX TX TX
Gentry, Julia dau F W 1 S TX TX TX

John married Rena W. Bunch on 15 Jun 1911 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Rena was born on 5 Feb 1890 in Texas; died on 17 Dec 1911 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Comanche, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Julia Zumwalt between 1912 and 1917. Julia (daughter of Robert Dowling Zumwalt and Amanda Ann Floyd) was born on 14 Mar 1892 in Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas; died on 13 Mar 1981 in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Possibly lived in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas at some point. This town was sometimes referred to by Grace Ellen Gentry.

Died at 2010 Admiral Road, Stillwater, OK.

She had a strong dislike of all things Texan.

Photograph at 140 lbs (usually 125lbs) Norvelle Studio, Chickasha, Oklahoma, circa 1923. She disliked the picture as a result.

1927-She was instrumental in organizing the Payne/Gentry family reunion in 1927. The event took place at the home of Annie O'Neill's home in Duncan.

1934-On the sixth of April 1934, Mary E. Gentry, widow, sells to Grace Payne (her daughter) for one dollar and love and affection the west half of lot six (6) in block sixty-seven (67) together with all improvements thereon, in the City of Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Grace and Marvin had just lost their farm being unable to pay the mortgage. Molly continued to live for another six years but this house on 8th and Spruce Street was also lost for the same reasons. Molly continued to live with her daughter and her family until she died.

1948-Grace Payne (nee Gentry) notified "To Whom it May Concern" on the 21st of June that she, E.J. Gentry, J.W. Gentry, Pearl Hall, E.H. Gentry, Carl H. Payne, J.E. Payne, Vera Young, Virginia Hardin, Louise Birnie, Mary Ethel Jones and Jeanne Turner, all heirs of W.M. Gentry, claimed to own the mineral rights of their father's old property and intended to have the matter determined by the Court. [Payne, Grace Ellen (1948) Affidavit giving legal notice of intention to file suit in District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma, Ref: Book 414, page 344] It is not clear who this claim was directed at. Frank and Emory had continued the farn between them. Frank had died in 1928, and John Vernon Gentry continues the connection with his grandfather's land to this day (1997).

Grace Gentry was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). She claimed membership under her grandfather, W.J. Gentry. It was actually her grandfather John Melton Gentry, whose name Grace confused, who served in the Confederate Army. Grace was determined to get into the UDC and it was known she was not going to let anything, such as her other grandfather William J. Mounts' service in the Union Army, to get in her way. An incomplete draft of her application, remaining in the family, lists her parents as William Melton (sic) Gentry (born 1851 TN, died Sept. 1829 Duncan, OK) and his wife as Mary Evelyn Mounts (born Aug 1857, Died Aug 10, 1940 Duncan, OK). She went on to list her grandfather as William John Gentry (of Darnells, TX born in TN) and his wife as Pamela Harpoole (also born in TN).

Grace married Marvin Walter Payne on 22 Jan 1907 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Marvin (son of Samuel Marshall Payne and Olivia McClanahan) was born on 17 Jan 1881 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas; died on 4 Jan 1948 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emory was issued a delayed certificate of birth. The supporting evidence was his application for employment with the Oklahoma Railway company and the birth certificate of his daughter, Ruth Hazel Gentry. The informant for his death certificate was Lillie R. Gentry of 3409 Campbell.

According to the 1928 Duncan City Directory, Emory and Lilly lived at 101 Elm Street.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Emory Howell Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Oklahoma;United States of America
Birth Date: 26 May 1893
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Farming
Next of kin: Wife and 2 children
Height/Build: Medium/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Gray/Brown
(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Emory married Lillie Letticia Rowe on 22 Dec 1912 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Lillie (daughter of James Allen Taylor Rowe and Angie Cordelia Green) was born on 21 Dec 1896 in Coalgate, Coal County, Oklahoma; died on 16 Oct 1978 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Grady County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as Pearl. Ruth Pearl Gentry had a picture of her grandmother Pamelia Harpole. As a child she was very close to her cousin Harry Carl Payne. They were about the same age. Died at the age of 91. This needs confirmation.

Ruth married Scott Phillip Hall on 3 Jun 1918 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Scott was born on 19 Oct 1896 in McKinney, Collin County, Texas; died on 15 Nov 1976 in Pampa, Gray County, Texas; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lynell writes that his middle name is uncertain. He might be either Charles Ralph or Charles W. She found the family listed as follows in 1910:

1910 census Grady Co. OK ED 75 Pg 123A
Chicksha twp. 1126 So. 9th St.
163/166
Parsons, Charles W., head, MW, 29 M1 6, TX MO MO
Mattie L., wife, FW, 23, M1 6, SC SC SC
Lucille, dau., FW, 5, TX TX SC

Charles married Mattie Lou Jones on 5 Jun 1904 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Mattie was born on 22 Jan 1887; died on 12 Nov 1977 in Oklahoma; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Unsure this is William Hardy.
1910 census Grady Co. OK ED 90 Pg. 28B
Amber twp.
173/175 Powel, Sarah, head, FW, 56, AR - TX Boarding house
Walter, son, MW, 2?, OK MO AR
Minnie, dau., FW, 18, OK MO AR
Ava, dau., FW, 16, OK MO AR
?b?Parsons, Hardy, boarder, MW, 25, S, MO - -
Early or Easly, ?, boarder, MW, 39, S, MS OH MO
Headrick, Joe, boarder, MW, 25, S, KS NB, IA
No idea if this is the same person in 1918 but the birth date is about the same.
WWI Draft Registration - 1918
Name: Hardy Parsons
City: Oklahoma City
County: Oklahoma
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 07 Jan 1884
Race: White
Roll: 1851895
DraftBoard: 2
Occupation: Brakeman for Frisco RR, Oklahoma City, OK
Next of kin: Mrs. Della Parsons, 719 1/2 Cal, Oklahoma City, OK
Brown eyes, black hair





1920 Census Oklahoma Co. OK ED 153 Pg. 9B
Prect. 14 - Oklahoma City
719 1/2 West California
74/195 Parsons, Hardy, head, MW, 36, M, MO MO TX
Della B., wife, FW, 26, M. OK TN TN
Evelyn E., dau., FW, 8, OK MO OK
Elizabeth E., dau., FW, 6 3/12, OK MO OK
(Above courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Notes:

Duncan Weekly Banner - September 2, 1910 News of the death of Malcolm Parsons, at Amber, Okla., after an illness of only five days with typhoid fever, was received in this city this week. He was a son of Lum Parsons, a former citizen of Velma, this county. Malcolm was a big stout young fellow, aged twenty-three years and esteemed by all who knew him. Announcement of his death was received here with genuine regret.

(Transcription courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Notes:

Known as Roy. Lynell Cordell found the information copied below:

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Edgar Ray Parsons
City: Chickasha
County: Grady
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Ashley, Missouri; United States of America
Birth Date: 28 Sep 1887
Race: A huge letter C is on top of this line (Colored? Caucasian?)
Occupation: Produce Truck Driver for Morrison Parsons Produce, Chickasha, OK
Dependents: Wife and Baby
Tall height, Medium build
Brown eyes, black hair
Roll: 1851777
DraftBoard: 1
~~~~~~~~~~~
This may be Roy and Maggie in 1930:
1930 census Oklahoma Co. OK ED 55-154 Pg. 165A
3300 Prospect St.
32/34 Parsons, Ray E., head, MW, 43, M, age when first married 19, MO MO TX
Margaret A ., wife, 37, M, age when first married 19, AR TX AR
~~~~~~~~~
SSDI - EDGAR PARSONS 28 Sep 1887 Jan 1976 73107 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK) (none specified) 441-01-0222 Oklahoma

Edgar married Maggie Wright Seibert on 5 Jun 1912. Maggie was born about 1893 in Arkansas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was known as George. Lynell Cordell supplied the information below:

WWI Draft Registration - 1917
Name: Arthur George Persons
City: Chickasha
County: Grady
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Pike Co. Missouri
Birth Date: 19 Nov 1891
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1851777
DraftBoard: 1
Occupation: Salesman of ?
Employer: J.P. Wolverton(?), Chickasha, OK
Dependent: Wife
Do you claim exemption from draft: Ruptured and ? eye
Brown eyes, dark hair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1920 census Grady Co. OK ED 172 Pg. 9B
Chicksha City, 1609 Minnesota Ave.
908/908/ Parsons, George, Head, MW, 28, M, MO MO TX
Pearl, wife, FW, 24, M, MO MO MO
George, Jr., son, MW, 1 6/12, OK MO MO
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1925 City Directory Page 563
Parsons, A. Geo. (Eunice) parts dept. Fred Jones-Ford Dealer r. 1209 W. Park pl
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1930 census Oklahoma Co. OK ED 55-84 Pg. 272 A
Oklahoma City
1209 West Park Place
105/134 Parsons, George, head, MW, 37, M, age when first married 23, MO MO MO
Pearl, wife, FW, 33, M, age when first married 19, MO MO MO
George, Jr., son, MW, 12, OK MO MO
Bobby, son, MW, 3 ?/12, OK MO MO
~~~~~~~~~~~~
SSDI - ARTHUR PARSONS 19 Nov 1891 Jul 1966 73112 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK) (none specified) 440-05-0991 Oklahoma
SSDI - PEARL PARSONS 05 Nov 1895 Jan 1987 71295 (Winnsboro, Franklin, LA) (none specified) 442-64-8761 Oklahoma


He was living, with his wife and young son, on Minnesota Avenue, Grady County, Oklahoma in 1920.

1920 census in Grady Co. OK - Pg. 9B 908/908

Parsons, George 28, MO MO TX Pearl, 24, MO MO MO George Jr., 1 6/12, OK

Per the SSDI:

ARTHUR PARSONS 19 Nov 1891 Jul 1966 73112 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK) (none specified) 440-05-0991 Oklahoma

Arthur married Eunice Pearl Bain about 1917. Eunice was born on 5 Nov 1895 in Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri; died in Jan 1987 in Franklin Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Could this have been the Mabel E. Gentry (18) of Duncan who married James J. Haymaker (21) of Duncan on 9 Jul 1908? It certainly seems possible. Unfortunately the parents were not given in this entry. How could she have married twice in the same year-maybe her first husband, James Haymaker, died shortly after the wedding. That would have given five months. May have divorced by 1910.

She was recorded as living in her parental home.

Mabel was referred to in a list of the surviving children of John Price Gentry as "Mrs. C. S. Kerr - [of] Chula Vista, Calif."

Mabel married William R. Witherspoon on 24 Dec 1908 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. William was born about 1880; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mabel married C. S. Kerr after 1909. C. was born before 1891. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Luther was referred to in a list of the surviving children of John Price Gentry as " L. O. Gentry of Wichita Falls [Texas]".

Did he have an infant son who was born 9 July 1929 in Wichita County, Texas?

Lynell Cordell found the following information:

WWI Draft Registration - 1917
Name: Luther Gentry
City: Duncan
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Duncan, Oklahoma; United States of America
Birth Date: 05 Feb 1894
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Married or single: Single
Brown eyes, dark hair
(couldn't read occupation)
1930 census Wichita Co. TX ED
11/11 Gentry, Luther J., head, MW, 35, Age when 1st married 29, OK US US
Verma, wife, FW, 35, Age when 1st married 29, KS KS IL
Collier, Emma, mother-in-law, FW, 56, Wd., KS PA OH
Arnold, Hollie, sister-in-law, FW, 34, WD. KS IL KS
Bernadine, niece, FW, 12, KS KS KS
Living in Wichita Falls, TX at time of his father's death, 1946.
SSDI
LUTHER GENTRY 05 Feb 1894 Feb 1968 76301 (Wichita Falls, Wichita, TX) (none specified) 455-09-0220 Texas
TX Death Record
Gentry Luther Owen 02-01-1968 WICHITA M SINGLE

Family/Spouse: Verma Collier. Verma was born on 30 Jun 1894 in Kansas; died on 5 Apr 1984 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas; was buried in Crestview Memorial Park Mausoleum, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gerald was referred to in a list of the surviving children of John Price Gentry as "Gerald H. [Gentry] of Oklahoma City".

Ken Harvey writes that he joined the cavalry, and noted, "Take a fool's advice and never join the cavalry"

Lynell Cordell found the following:

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Gerald H Gentry
Birth Year: 1908
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Oklahoma
State: Oklahoma
County or City: Oklahoma
Enlistment Date: 21 Nov 1945
Enlistment State: Oklahoma
Enlistment City: Oklahoma City
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Staff Sergeant
Grade Code: Staff Sergeant
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for Hawaiian Department
Component: Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Cook
Marital Status: Married
Height: 98
Weight: 244

Gerald was living in Oklahoma City, OK at the time of his father's death in 1946.

SSDI
GERALD GENTRY 03 May 1908 Dec 1984 73109 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK) (none specified) 441-28-3181 Oklahoma

Sunnylane Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Section 10 Block 2 Row 1-8
10 2 4 85 GENTRY, Gerald H. May 3 1908 - Nov 21 1984 M Sgt US Air Force WWII

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census

1930 census Laramie Co. WY ED 11-15 Pg. 218B
Military Reservation in Dist. 3
Fort Francis E. Warren
Randall Avenue
Gentry, Gerald H., private, MW, 27, S, OK TX TX, Soldier, U
S Army

Gerald married Elma Lee Davis on 8 Mar 1939 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Elma was born on 21 Apr 1922 in Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma; died on 14 Mar 2007 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mattie married Ora Albert King on 10 Jul 1904 in Wise County, Texas. Ora was born about 1886 in Missouri; died about 1965. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lynell Cordell found the following family in Federal Census records, and thinks maybe this is Claude Lee Williamson in 1930. It's really hard to read and she didn't find them in 1920.

1930 census Crosby Co. TX ED 54-7 Pg. 230B (extra hard to read)
Lorenzo town - Second Street
17/17 Williamson, Claud L., head, MW, 43, M, age when first married 26, TX MO MO
Irene M., wife, FW, 42, M, age when first married 26, TX KY TX
Hazel(?), dau., FW, 16, TX TX TX
Namie L., dau., FW, 14, TX TX TX
C. L. Jr., son, MW, 12, TX TX TX
Jack, son, MW, 9, TX TX TX
Joe, son, MW, 8, TX TX TX
Bobbie L., son, MW, 6, TX TX TX
Dorothy L., dau, FW, 6, TX TX TX
Can't read, dau., FW, 4, TX TX TX
Another family is in this house but I can't read the names.

Lynell also pointed out that Juanita Rainey had corresponded with a Dr. W. Joe Williamson, the son of Claude, and grandson of Jerry. The 8 year old Joe in the above family makes this a likely fit.

Family/Spouse: Irene Fugate. Irene was born about 1888 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Homer Williamson obit-
Wise Co. newspaper - March 1963

J.H. Williamson Buried March 16

James Homer Williamson, 74, died March 14 in a local hospital following a short illness. He was a native of Greenwood, a lifetime resident of Texas, a member of the Methodist church and a retired mail carrier. He moved back to Decatur four months ago after having lived in Lubbock the past 18 years.
He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Ruth Taylor; two sons, Taylor Williamson of Lubbock and Guinn T. Williamson of Tulsa, Okla.; one daughter Mrs. Dorcell Young of Denton; six brothers, C. L. Williamson of Amarillo, J. C. Williamson of Lubbock, Elmer Williamson of Alvord, Luther Williamson of Ardmore, Okla., C. W. Williamson of McAllen and Irvin Williamson of Lawton, Okla.; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services were held March 16 in the First Methodist Church with Rev. Raymond Corrigan, pastor, and Dr. R. E. Bell officiating. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were R. N. Gregg and W. H. Finley of Decatur, J. L. McClung of Bridgeport, J. D. McElhanney of Chico, Willard Howell and Ben J. Fox of Alvord and John G. Loftin of-----(transcription of undated, unreferenced clipping, courtesy of Lynell Cordell. She notes that the bottom of the article was cut off)

Lynell also shared his Funeral Record, which lists the full name of his parents and his wife. His father was shown as born in Missouri, and his mother in Texas.

(Research):

Census Listings:


Federal Census
1930 census
Texas, Briscoe County, Silverton
ED 23-1 Pg. 243B
Silverton Town
13/152
Williamson, John (sic) H., head, O $4000 M W, 41, M 28 TX TX TN US Mail Carrier
Ruth, wife, F W, 42, M 29 TX TX TN
Ann, dau., F W, 4 1/12,S TX TX TX
Guen, son, M W, 3 3/12 (sic), S TX TX TX
Taylor, son, M W, 1 1/2 (sic) S TX TX TX

Family/Spouse: Sarah Ruth Taylor. Sarah was born on 20 Aug 1887 in Wise County, Texas; died on 19 Sep 1978 in Denton County, Texas; was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Wise County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

1930 Census
Texas, Jones County, JP 6
Enumerated April 15, 1930
ED 127-16 SD 8 Sheet 6B
Anson Road
124-126
Williamson, Jason C Head M W 38 m 27 Tx Tx Tx Teacher School
Williamson, Nora M Wf F W 30 M 19 Tx Va Va
Williamson, Louise A Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Williamson, Thelma M Dtr F W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Williamson, Windol W Son M W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Williamson, Virginia M Dtr F W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Williamson, Robert C Son M W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Williamson, Roy S Son M W 3 1/12 S Tx Tx Tx

Jason married Nora Mae Manire on 19 Jan 1919 in Wise County, Texas. Nora (daughter of Arthur C. Manire and Willie May Hodges) was born on 26 Dec 1899 in Montague, Montague County, Texas; died on 25 Nov 1997 in Lubbock County, Texas; was buried in Resthaven Memorial Park, Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Wise Co. Messenger -- Aug. 1964

Services Held for Elmer Williamson

Elmer Williamson, 72, a lifelong resident of Wise County, died July 30 in a Decatur hospital. Funeral services were held August 1 in Alvord Church of Christ with J.E. Doggett officiating. Burial was in Alvord. Mr. Williamson was born at Greenwood March 8, 1892. He taught school for 25 years at Prarie Point, Roe, Greenwood and Rush Creek and served with the U.S. Post Office for 1928 to 1961. Survivors include his widow; one son, Delwin Williamson of Denton; two daughters, Mrs. Weldon McNeely of Shreveport and Mrs. Ray Helms of Dallas; four brothers, Luther Williamson of Ardmore, Jayson Williamson of Lubbock, Weaver Williamson of Pharr and Irvin Williamson of Lawton, Oklahoma and eight grandsons.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J6MJ-8Y7
name: Elmer Williamson
death date: 30 Jul 1964
death place: Decatur, Wise, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 72 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 08 Mar 1892
birthplace: Greenwood, Texas
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: Jerry Williamson
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Lou Gentry
mother's birthplace:
occupation: Retired Postal Service
place of residence: Alvord, Wise, Texas
cemetery: Alvord
burial place: Alvord, Texas
burial date: 01 Aug 1964
additional relatives: X
film number: 2117595
digital film number: 4028380
image number: 1819
reference number: CN 47289
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Elmer Williamson, 1964


(Research):Census Listings:

1930 census Wise Co. TX

ED 249-15 Sheet 15B
County road in Greenwood 328/344

Williamson Elmer, MW 38 M 24 TX MO MO
Williamson, Ivon, FW 34 M 20 TN TN TN
Williamson, Lourine, dau. FW 12 TX TX TN
Williamson, Delwin, son MW 10 TX TX TN
Williamson, Doris, dau. FW 8 TX TX TN

Family/Spouse: Ivan Coleman. Ivan was born on 21 Sep 1897 in Martin, Weakley County, Tennessee; died on 24 Jan 1966 in Denton County, Texas; was buried in Alvord Cemetery, Wise County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alvis Milton Williamson
The 1900 census has this person named John H., born Jan. 1894, age 6 but the 1910 census shows him as Alvis M. age 15.

Wise Co. TX Marriages
Williamson, Alvis - Rice, Miss Ada Dec 1, 1915 Book 8 Page 161

WWI Draft Registration - June 5, 1917
Name: Alvis Milton Williamson
City: Greenwood
County: Wise
State: Texas
Birthplace: Greenwood, Texas
Birth Date: Jan 28 1894
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1983875
DraftBoard: 0
Occupation: Farming
Next of kin: Wife and child
Gray eyes, black hair

(Research):Census Information:

1920 census Montague Co. TX ED43 Pg. 67A
Prect. 3
Alvord Road
Fm/4/4 Williamson, Alvis M., head, MW, 25, M, TX TX TX
Ada O., wife, FW, 21, M, TX MO TX
Mildred O., dau., FW, 3, TX TX TX
J.J., son, MW, 1 1/12, TX TX TX

1930 census Haskell Co. TX ED 104-1 Pg. 23A
Haskell city
545/639 Williamson, Alvis, head, MW, 36, M, age when firs
t married 21, TX MO TX
Ada, wife, FW, 31, M, age when first married 17, TX MO TX
Odell M., dau., FW, 13, TX TX TX
J.J., son, MW, 11, TX TX TX
Alvis L., son, MW, 3, TX TX TX
Gerald J., son, MW, 1, TX TX TX

Alvis married Ada Rice on 1 Dec 1915 in Wise County, Texas. Ada was born about 1899 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Luther Williamson and his cousin Grace Ellen Gentry were fond of one another and used to correspond.

He married (1) Edna Beatrice ??? b. 4 Sept 1905 d. 28 Dec 1987 (2) Ilma C. ??? b. 22 Dec 1904 d. 10 Dec 1959 and (3) Beulah ??? b. 12 Apr 1905 d. 22 May 1983. He is buried next to Ilma in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Carter County, Oklahoma. His grave marker shows: FS Texas, Pfc., Co B, 359 Inf. -- WWI

?b?In April, 2006, Lynell Gentry sent the following email about Luther Williamson: "Luther is confusing because of the Ardmore City Directories showing him with Edna in 1935 thru 1955 or so. He's listed as a postal worker and that matches with his obit. But, in 1957 he's listed with llma and then she died in 1959 so he's alone the next years and then Beulah is listed in 1968. Looks to me that Ilma should be there in the early years if they married in Wise Co. in 1919. Unless.....Ilma (don't know if those are L's or I's (eyes) but maybe it sounds like Edna?

WWI Draft Registration - 1917
Name: Luther Williamson
City: Rt. 1 Greenwood
County: Wise
State: Texas
Birthplace: Greenwood, Texas;United States of America
Birth Date: Dec 29 1895
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1983875
Occupation: Farmer
Married or Single: Single
Black eyes, brown hair

Wise Co. TX Marriages
Williamson, Luther - Dodge, Miss Ilnia July 29, 1919 Book 8 Page 554

1930 census Carter Co. OK ED 10-27 Pg. 84B
Morgan Twp.
235/246 Williamson, Luther, head, MW, 34, M, age when first married 23, TX TX TX
Ilma, wife, FW, 31, M, age when first married 20, TX OH AL
Dena M., dau., FW, 3, OK TX TX

Daily Ardmorite Monday, Jan. 10, 1972 Luther Williamson

Services for Luther Williamson, 76, will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Harvey Chapel conducted by Rev. J. Cullis Smith, First Orthodox Baptist Church and Rev. Joe Wiggins, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Williamson, 1106 Third Ave. SW, died Sunday night in Ardmore after a three-month illness. Born Dec. 29, 1895 at Greenwood, Tex., he had been a resident of Ardmore for 50 years, coming here from Decatur, Tex.. He married Beulah Green Sept. 15, 1967 in Ardmore. A retired postal worker, he was a veteran of World War I. Williamson was a member of the First Orthodox Baptist Church, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the "40 et 8".

Survivors include his wife, Beulah, of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Frank Cummings, Jr., Gainesville, Tex.; a step-daughter, Mrs. T. M. Taylor, Burkburnett, Tex.; two brothers, I.D., Lawton, and C. Weaver, Pharr, Tex.; a grandson; and three great grandsons.

Pallbearers will be Bill Blalock, I.D. Copenhaver, Charles Grad, Ben Layne, J.T. Salyer, and L.K. Vann. Harvey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Notes:

Wise County Messenger Page 17 11 Nov 1976

Calvin Weaver Williamson, Sr., 78, died Saturday at his home, west of Decatur. Services were Monday at Christian Funeral Chapel. Frank Briscoe and the Rev. Terry Atkinson officiated with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Calvin Williamson III, Rodney Wilson, Bob Nowell, Curt and Carl Williamson and Jerry Rasbury.

Williamson, born Sept. 2 1898 in Greenwood, was a retired deputy collector of United States Customs. He married Iva Mae Walker July 30, 1921.

Survivors include his wife; son Calvin Williamson, Jr. of Decatur; brother Ervin Williamson; and five grandchildren.

His funeral record shows he was a veteran of World War I, gives the full names of his wife and parents, and also his cause of death.

Calvin married Iva Mae Walker on 30 Jul 1921 in Texas. Iva was born on 7 Nov 1899 in Texas; died on 15 Nov 1996 in Wise County, Texas; was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Decatur, Wise County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name: Stewart Doyle Williamson
Death date: 16 Dec 1954
Death place: Haskell, Haskell, Texas
Gender: Male
Race or color (on document): White
Age at death: 53 years 1 month 29 days
Estimated birth year:
Birth date: 17 Oct 1901
Birth place: Wise Co., Texas
Marital status: Married
Spouse name:
Father name: Jerry Williamson
Father birth place: Missouri
Mother name: Lou Emma Gentry
Mother birth place: Texas
Occupation: Farming
Residence: Haskell, Haskell, Texas
Cemetery name: Willow
Burial place: Haskell, Texas
Burial date: 17 Dec 1954
Additional relatives:
Film number: 2114328
Digital GS number: 4165412
Image number: 2276
Reference number: cn 61361
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Notes:

He worked for Marvin Payne at the Chickashaw Cottonseed oil mill for a while. He lived with Marvin and his cousin Grace for about two months.

Index of 19,202 Birth Records Recorded in Wise County, Texas 1860's - 1930's
WILLIAMSON Jerry GENTRY Lou - Irving Dale 9/20/04 M Greenwood 1209 & 1209a & 1209b

Social Security Death Index
Name: Irving Williamson
SSN: 519-24-5373
Last Residence: 73505 Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma, United States of America
Born: 20 Sep 1904
Died: Dec 1986
State (Year) SSN issued: Idaho (Before 1951 )

Notes:

Cemetery Records: DOB 9-21-1907 DOD 7/30/1960

COKER FUNERAL HOME RECORDS ? Wise Co. TX

Williamson, Ellen F., Death date- July 30, 1930, - Birth date- Sept 21, 1897, Cottonwood Cem., single, Parents: Jerry Williamson, Lou Emma Gentry, Farm girl - Tuberculosis - 8 brothers were pall bearers (Note: Differs from the Cemetery records, above)

Juanita is really on top of things! She noticed that the 1930 census shows Ellen as 22 years old. Then I noticed that Ellen is not on the 1900 census. So, we've decided that maybe both the cemetery record and the funeral home record may be right and wrong. What do you think of the dates 9/21/1907 - 7/30/1930? Lynell

Notes:

Arthur was called "Al" by a lot of people in Duncan because of his initials A.L. Lyn Cordell writes that on his World War I Draft registration, his middle name is listed as Lemoyne. Arthur lived at 305 South 7th. in Duncan for years. He taught at the Arthur School, east of Duncan and then started work at the Duncan Post Office. He became Assistant Postmaster by his retirement. He didn't live for too long after his retirement and died just after they moved to a new house.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Arthur Lemoyne Gentry
City: Duncan
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Oklahoma;United States of America
Birth Date: 03 Aug 1892
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Postal Clerk, Duncan Post Office
Nearest Relative: wife and one child
Height/Build: Tall/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/brown
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Delbert Gentry
City: Arthur, OK
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Alma, Oklahoma; United States of America
Birth Date: 05 Oct 1893
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Farming
Married or Single: Single
Height/Build: Tall/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Gray/light
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Jess Newton Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Alma, Oklahoma; United States of America
Birth Date: 07 Sep 1896
Roll: 1852128
Next of Kin: James Edwin Gentry, father. Arthur, OK
Height/Build: Tall/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/Brown




The Duncan Eagle-Jan. 5, 1961 Al Gentry Dies Here Monday

A familiar face will be missing from the scene at the Duncan Post Office following the death of assistant Postmaster Arthur L. (Al) Gentry, 305 South 7th, early Monday morning in a local hospital. Death came following two heart attacks last week. He suffered his first attack early Saturday morning after reporting to work on his 46th anniversary of employment with the Post Office Department. His condition became critical after a second attack Saturday afternoon. The service was held Wednesday at the First Christian Church. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery by the Brooks Funeral Home. Gentry was born in Alma, August 3, 1892 and later taught school there. He served as assistant postmaster since January 12, 1957.Gentry held every office in the local Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge and several appointive offices in the grand lodge. He also was an elder in the First Christian Church. Survivors are the widow, Myrtis Burch Gentry of the home, who he married April 15, 1913 at Velma. Also a son, James E. Gentry of Wichita Falls, Tex.; three daughters, Mrs. Robert P. Sanders of Pasadena, Tex.; Mrs Roy L. Winters of Ada and Mrs. James Eldridge of Ruston, La. Also four brothers, Loyd R. Gentry of Oklahoma City, Delbert Gentry, 516 Pine; Jess Gentry, 802 Sycamore, and Elmer Gentry, who lives on West Main in Duncan. Also two sisters, Mrs. Richard Meeks, 704 North 2nd, and Mrs. T. N. Goodwin of Belle, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

(Research):
Census Information:

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK 305 So. 7th
187/210
Gentry, A.L., MW 37 M 20 OK TX TN
Myrtis, wife FW 34 M 17 TX AR MS
James, son MW 14 S OK OK TX
Marie, dau. FW 12 S OK OK TX
Mary H., dau. FW 10 S OK OK TX
Dorothy, dau. FW 6 OK OK TX

Arthur married Myrtis Burch on 15 Apr 1913 in Velma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Myrtis was born on 19 Jul 1895 in Garland, Dallas County, Texas; died on 22 Apr 1998 in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1930 census Stephens Co. OK Parks Twp., ED 69-21 Sheet 3A 33/37 Gentry, Delbert, MW 36 M 31 OK TX KS
Eva, wife FW 22 M 17 TX TX TX
Harold, son MW 1 11/12 OK OK TX
Blue, Elizabeth, mother-in-law FW 54 Wd 16 TX TX TX

Duncan Banner-July 1974 Gentry Funeral Set Thursday--Bud Gentry, 80, 516 Pine, died at 6 p.m. Tuesday after a short illness. Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Northside Church of Christ conducted by John Cannon. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery under direction of the Brooks Funeral Home. Gentry was born Oct. 5, 1893 at Alma. He was a life-long resident of Stephens County, moving to Duncan in 1950 from Velma. He married Eva Blue on March 5, 1925 in Duncan. He was a veteran of World War I and was a retired Halliburton Services employee. He was a member of the Northside Church of Christ. Survivors are his wife of the home; a son, Harold Gentry, 911 N. C.; two daughters, Mrs Mansel (Betty) Daniels, Duncan Rt. 3, and Mrs Glen (Lynell) Cordell, Duncan Rt. 4; a brother, Elmer Gentry, 2104 Birch; two sisters, Mrs. Tolbert Goodwin, Bell, Calif., and Mrs Richard Meeks, 704 N. 2nd, and six grandchildren.

(Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

Delbert married Eva Leona Blue on 5 Mar 1925 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Eva was born on 30 Apr 1907 in Van Zandt County, Texas; died on 17 Aug 1993 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When Bessie's husband vanished in the late 1920's, she was left as the sole supporter of their five children. She worked as a housekeeper and seamstress for various families in Duncan, including the Ederington's, who owned the local service station, and for the parish priest. She also had to rely on her and Tom's family for financial assistance. One person who was especially helpful was Tom's first cousin, Annie O'Neill Sparks. Annie was able to help Bessie enroll her older children in nearby Catholic Boarding Academies. These academies had been set up to service the needs of impoverished Native American children. But because Tom was enrolled in the Chickasaw Nation, and Annie was well known in her parish, she was able to help make this happen. Patty Gay, the youngest child, remained with her mother. She was a sickly child, with a congenetial heart defect that led to her early death.

Lynn Moroney told Charles that although Bessie received help from some of her kin, at times was resentful of being the object of their charity. Lynn also related a story that her mother Fay had told her, concerning a different type of charity. Bessie and her children lived for a while in a duplex in Duncan. This duplex had adjoining closets which actually allowed you access to your neighbors living quarters. Bessie's neighbor explained it would be of great service to her if Bessie could "keep her beans from burning" while she was at work each day. She would have a large pot of beans or stew simmering on the stove all day long, and each day Bessie would take one of her children through the closet with her "to stir the beans." She would give the child a small sample of the hot food every time they helped her to stir them, and admonish them to keep this a secret from the other children. The neighbor was fully aware of this, and both she and Bessie kept up the pretense that it was Bessie helping her, and that it wasn't the other way around. The girls compared stories years later, and were each surprised they weren't the only one whose meager lunch was supplemented by hot beans or stew.

After her daughters were grown, Bessie lived with each of them for a time. Charles recalls when she lived with his family in Duncan. He recalls that she was shy to the point of being reculsive, and fearful of many things, most especially of inclement weather. Whenever a storm even threatened, Charles was dispatched to take her to the storm celler, and to remain with her until it was all clear. His younger brother Bill soon discovered Bessie's almost obsessive attention to detail, and took delight in secretly tormenting her. He would turn the telephone in the wrong direction, or slightly tilt pictures and doilies in their home. Bessie would immediately fix things back to way they should be. When she would walk through the room again a few hours later, she would be upset to find everything slightly out of order again, and worriedly set about put things back in order.

Charles Strong reports that as a youngster, he on occasion thought he heard a Payne relation let slip a reference to how "Uncle Tommy" was doing, and immediately change the subject when they realized he was in the room. He suspects that Tom may have been in touch with one of more of his relations back home. If this was so, however, no one shared this information with Bessie or her daughters.

Bessie had an ulcer on her leg that never healed, and after several unsuccessful skin grafts she eventually had to have it amputated, and was give a wooden prosthetic. Her grandchildren were both scared and fascinated by the leg, and hid it from Bessie occasionally to tease her. Charles heard that the leg infection started when she was a young girl, helping her parents in the fields. She would scratch mosquito bites until her legs were raw and ragged. One of the sores became infected with ragweed, and never properly healed. Charles is not sure as to the veracity of this story, and suspects that a genetic skin condition may have contributed to this. He and several of his children and grandchildren also suffer from severe skin allergies which may be related.

FUNERAL IS HELD FOR MRS. BESSIE PAYNE

A native of Alma, Mrs. Bessie Payne, 63, died in a local hospital early Saturday after a two week illness, following a stroke. She had lived in Oklahoma City the past 15 years. Funeral was in the Church of the Assumption Monday morning with Rev. Ferdinand Strasser officiating. Rosary was in Grantham Funeral Home Chapel Sunday afternoon. Burial was in Duncan Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Homer Strong, 1806 Birch, and Mrs. Fay Pierce and Mrs. Jim Hanna, both of Oklahoma City; a son, Thomas of Newport Beach, California; two sisters, Mrs. Richard Meeks, 704 No. 2nd, and Mrs. T.M. Goodwin, Belle, California. Five brothers, Al Gentry, 305 South 7th; Delbert Gentry, 516 Pine; Elmer Gentry, west of Duncan; Jess Gentry, Duncan and Lloyd Gentry, Oklahoma City and 13 grandchildren. Bearers were Lucien Haas, I. G. Imming, L.W. Jennings, Eldon Pickrell, Louis Scott and Robert Walter.

(Research):Census Information:

1930 census Stephens Co. OK
King Twp. Duncan city, ED 69-4 Sheet 19A 17 ? No. 7th - Hot
el 396/435C

Payne, Bessie B., FW 35 M 18 OK TX TX
Patty G., dau. FW 2 2/12 S OK OK OK

Bessie married Thomas Hamilton Payne, II on 27 Dec 1912 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Thomas (son of Thomas Bunker Payne and Mary T. "Mollie" Hardwick) was born on 20 Mar 1893 in Marlow, Indian Territory; died on 12 Dec 1957 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon; was buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jesse [Newton] Gentry (b.1896), was listed in the 1920 census as a boarder with Thomas H. and Bessie Payne, his elder sister, in Parks Township, Stephens Co. He was twenty three years old.

The Duncan Eagle-Nov. 11, 1963 Death Takes Jess Gentry Rites were pending today for 67-year-old Jess Newton Gentry, a retired farmer, who died Sunday night in his home at 407 1/2 Pine. Gentry, a native of Alma, died of an apparent heart attack. He was born Sept. 7, 1896 and had lived most of his life in Stephens County. Gentry left here in 1951 and lived in California until 1956. He was a member of the Church of Christ and a veteran of World War I. Brooks Funeral Home will announce arrangements. Survivors include three brothers, Elmer Gentry, West Main Street; Lloyd Gentry, Oklahoma City, and Delbert Gentry, 516 Pine. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Richard Meeks, 704 N. 2nd, and Mrs. T. N. Goodwin, Bell, Calif., and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Al Gentry, 1315 Beech.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Notes:

On her marriage she was described as "of Arthur, Oklahoma." They were married by L. G. Maynard

Dera married Tolbert Newton Goodwin on 28 Dec 1920 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Tolbert was born on 13 Sep 1897 in Indian Territory; died on 30 May 1972 in Bell, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On his marriage he was described as "of Arthur, Stephens Co., Oklahoma."

He loved music and played both the piano and the fiddle.

The Duncan Banner-Mar. 30, 1984 Elmer Fred Gentry, 82, 2104 Birch, died Friday, March 30, at Duncan Regional Hospital after a sudden illness. Service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Westside Church of Christ with Jon Hosch officiating. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of the Don Grantham Funeral Home. Born Nov. 6, 1901, in Stephens County, Gentry was a longtime resident of Duncan. He was a farmer, worked at Tinker Air Force Base during World War II and retired from Ridley Packing in 1967. He had been an elder for the Westside Church of Christ for 31 years. Gentry married Hazel Truitt on Sept. 22, 1928. Survivors include his wife, Hazel of the home: a daughter, Juanell Leard of Oklahoma City; a son, Don Gentry of Phoenix; two sisters, Ruth Meeks of Duncan, and Dera Goodwin of California; and seven grandchildren. Bearers will be Alfred Lewis, Sam Stovall, Don Douglas, Charles Bently, Kenneth Nunley and Loyd Cowan. Honorary bearers will be the elders and deacons of the Westside Church of Christ.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

(Research):Census Listings:

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK King Twp. Duncan city, ED 69-28 Sheet 10B 8
06 Cherry
253/259 Gentry, Elmer F., MW 28 M 26 OK OK OK
Hazel, wife FW 18 M 16 OK TX OK
Juanell L., dau. FW 9/12 S OK OK OK

Elmer married Hazel Truitt on 22 Sep 1928 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Hazel was born on 14 Jul 1912 in Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 4 Jan 1985 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lloyd was very interested in photography and took a lot of pictures. He had an early amateur movie camera. His daughter Pat sent a copy of some of these movies to Lynell Gentry.

His garage in Oklahoma City was full of ham radio equipment and electronics.

His niece, Anna Laura, also reported that he sang and played the guitar beautifully. She remembers him sitting on the porch at sundown, his music entrancing his young nieces and nephews. He was too shy to sing in public however.

The Daily Oklahoman-July 24, 1967 Lloyd Gentry Dies, Rites Are Tuesday Lloyd R. Gentry, 57, of 4605 NW 11th, husband of Mrs. Esther Gentry, cafeteria manager at The Daily Oklahoman and Oklahoman City Times, died Sunday at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Smith & Kernke Funeral Home with burial pending. Gentry was born in Duncan and had lived in Oklahoma City for 25 years. He was an instrument specialist at Tinker Air Force Base and a member of Downtown Baptist Church. He was also music director for Southside Mission. Survivors include, in addition to his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Patricia Ann Lawson, of 4108 Nicklas; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Meeks, Duncan, and Mrs. Dera Goodwin, Bell, Calif., and two brothers, Delbert and Elmer, both of Duncan.

(Lloyd's daughter Pat gave her father's birth place as Amber, Grady Co., not Duncan as stated in the obituary.)

Lloyd married Esther Mae Ray on 22 Oct 1938 in Sherman, Grayson County, Texas. Esther was born on 24 Dec 1914 in Winder, Barrow County, Georgia; died on 3 Dec 1992 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the Mederian Nursing Home (1996), south of Duncan, Oklahoma.

The Duncan Banner-Mar. 29, 1998 Ruth C. Meeks Meridian -- Ruth C. Meeks, 85, of Meridian died Saturday, March 28, 1998, in a Meridian nursing home. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Duncan Cemetery with Ron Stough officiating under the direction of Carter-Smart Funeral Home. Mrs. Meeks was born April 29, 1912 in Alma to James E. and Zada (Trawick) Gentry. On April 7, 1951, she married Richard Meeks in Duncan. A lifelong resident of the Duncan area she was a member of Eastside Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 30, 1993. Survivors include several nieces and nephews.

Ruth married Richard "Red" Meeks on 7 Apr 1951 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Richard was born on 22 Nov 1913 in Oklahoma; died on 30 May 1993 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]