Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1930 US Census
Oklahoma, Grady County, Chickasha District 8
801 Ilinois Avenue
Patty, Walter E Head O $800 M W 34 M 21 Mo Mo Mo
Patty, Hollie M Wife F W 29 M 16 Tx Ga Tx
Patty, Leo R Son M w 8 S Ok Mo Tx
Patty, Leon D Son M W 5 S Ok Mo Tx
Patty, Donald J Son M W 1 ? S Ok Mo Tx

Walter married Agnes Ivy Strong after 1930 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. Agnes (daughter of Augustus Homer Strong and Mary Gertrude Gay) was born on 20 May 1907 in Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma; died on 27 Nov 1988 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Agnes lived with her grandparents at the time of the 1910 census, her parents in 1920, and with her Uncle Earl Strong at the time of the 1930 census. She was listed as a waitress at a hotel, and divorced. Her daughter, Patty, was four months old at the time.

During the Depression, a Captain in the Salvation Army sent Agnes to be interviewed by Walter Patty. He had a boarding house, and was widowed with several small children, and apparently could not keep housekeepers. The Salvation Army captain thought Agnes was well quailified despite her youth. She was hired, and she and her daughter Peggy moved into an apartment at the boarding house. Over a period of time, Walter and Agnes developed an affinity for each other and were married. He was a good husband, and good father to both his own children and to Peggy, who took his last name.

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Oklahoma. Comanche Couty, Strauss Twp
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD --- ED 62 Sheet 5A
56-56
Gay, William D Head M W 53 N2 25 Ga SC SC Farmer
Gay, Mela J Wf F W 44 m1 8/7 Miss NC SC Farm Wife
Gay, Getty R Son M W 17 S Tx Ga Miss Helsp on Farm
Gay, Bonnie B Dtr F W 15 S Tx Ga Miss Going School
Gay, Nellie G Dtr F W 11 S Ok Gs Miss
Gay, Effie F Dtr F W 9 S Ok Ga Miss
Gay, Alva M Son M W 5 S Ok Ga Miss
Strong, Agnes I Grddtr F W 3 S Ok Miss Miss

1930 Census
Oklahoma, Grady County, Chandler
Strong, Earl D. Head R 10 M W ww M 23 Ok Oh Tx Laborer Dairy
Strong, Willie J Wife H F w 29 M 19 Tx Ms Ill. None Strong, Joel F Son M w 10 S Ok Ok Tx
Strong, Lee E Son M W 8 S Ok Ok Tx
Strong, Zelma Daug F W 7 S Ok Ok Tx
Strong, Roland Son M W 4 S Ok Ok Tx
Strong, Velma Dau F W 1 3/12 Ok Ok TX
Strong, Agnes I Niece F w 22 D 21 Ok Tx Ms Waitress Hotel
Strong, Peggy L Grandniece F W 4/12 S Ok Ok Ok

Notes:

According to his enlistment records, Augustus was a Private in Co. G, 4th Texas Infantry during the Spanish American War. As he was only 19 years old at the time of his enlistment, R. B. Strong had to sign his consent. This consent was given at Sulphur Springs, Texas on the 5th of July, 1898. It was noted that he had been a resident of Sulphur Springs, Texas for 2 years. This was witnessed by Frank Bridgeman. At the time of his enrollment, Augustus was 19 years, 9 months old, 5'4 inches tall, and weighed 126 pounds stripped, light complexion, grey eyes, light hair. He had a scar above his left knee. He was born in Farmersville, Collin County, Texas. His occupation was listed as farmer. The Roll show that he mustered in on July 22, 1898 in Houston, Texas, presumably at Camp Tom Ball (in the Heights area of Houston).

According to the company muster rolls, he was present in Weatherford, Texas for the periods ending August 31, 1898; October, 1898; December, 1898, and he mustered out on March 10, 1899 in Camp Mosby, San Antonio, Texas. Camp Mosby was located at the Jockey Club grounds, a bicycle and horse race track, along River Avenue in San Antonio. The golf clubhouse at Brackenridge Park replaced the Jockey Club building in 1923. The camp was in the vicinity of the golf clubhouse.

It appears Augustus was never sent outside of the country. On November 30, 1901 in Acme, Texas, he received an additional $8.84 for compensation for being mustered into the United States service for the war with Spain.

At the time of the 1900 Census, Augustus was living in the 81st District of Duke Township, Greer County, Oklahoma, with 22 year old John Garren of Missouri, a Farmer. 21 year old Augustus was listed as John's "Partner," presumably a co-owner of the farm. Henry Garren, age 45 and John's father, was listed as a Farm Laborer. He was married to Mary Gertrude Gay in nearby Cotton County in 1906.

In 1910, Augustus was listed as a "Hired Man" in the home of A.G. Gowan in the 61st District of Beaver Township, Comanche County, Oklahoma. He was listed as age 30, Married, and born in the United States. His wife, 23 year old Mary Strong, was a Patient in the Oklahoma Hospital for the Insane in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. She was listed as the mother of one child, still living. Their three year old daughter, Agnes, was living with her grandparents in the 62 District of Straws Twp, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

By 1920, Augustus and Mary were living together again, with their daughter Agnes. They were in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. The family was listed as follows: 1022 Penn. Avenue Strong, A.H. Head M W 41 M Tx Tx Tx Boiler Maker Railroad Shop Strong, Mary Wife F w 32 M Mississippi Alabama Mississippi Strong, Agnes Dau F w 12 S Ok Tx Miss

The house listed immediately preceding theirs was that of his brother, Claude.

After Gus was divorced, he lived with Rolla Strong in Portales, New Mexico around December, 1925. He and Rolla later moved to Clovis, New Mexico.

In 1930, Augustus could not be located on the census index. He was likely in New Mexico or Colorada, where he and Rolla had a ranch near Craig. Mary was listed as a patient at the Oklahoma State Hospital in Woodward, Oklahoma. Agnes, a waitress, and her four-month old daughter, Peggy, were living with her Uncle Earl in Chandler, Grady, Oklahoma.

By 1942, Gus and Rolla had moved to Porterville, California, where they lived nearby their brother Earl Strong.



From the California Death Index:

STRONG AUGUSTUS HOMER 10/09/1878 HALL STRONG M TEXAS ALAMEDA(01) 08/10/1958 79 yrs

His death certificate indicates that he was a self employed rancher, a veteran of the Spanish American War, and a widower. He died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Livermore, Alameda County, and had been in Alameda County for 185 days prior to his death, presumably a resident of the Veterans Hospital. He had lived in California for two years prior to his death, and his last usual address was 395 Elta Vista Dr in Porterville. He was buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.

(Medical):Pulmonary Emphysema

Augustus married Mary Gertrude Gay on 10 May 1906 in Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma. Mary (daughter of William Gay and Amelia J. "Melia" Counts) was born in Oct 1886 in Water Valley, Yalobusha County, Mississippi; died in 1955 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The oldest of Wiliam GAY and Amelia COUNTS seven children. Mary Gertrude was born in Mississippi, but her parents moved to Texas and then to the Indian Territories when she was quite young.

Notes:

Married:
Per the May 11, 1906 newspaper, THE NEW ERA, "Miss Mary Gertrude Gay and Guy (sic) Gus Strong of Lincoln Valley Community were married May 10, 1906." (From Personals compiled by Linda Garrison of Walters, Oklahoma.)

Married by Joseph William Jordan, Minister of the M.E. Church South of Walters, Oklahoma in Comanche County. Witnesses were Lee Strong and Jimmy Lucas.

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:

Mark Tracey Gay, on "The Mark Gay Ancestry Page" updated September 6, 2000, writes that:

William David Gay born March 11, 1857. He couldn't really remember
his birthday. I wrote down what was on his grave. He died March 17,
1931. He married Mary Morgan in MS. January 17, 1878. She died after
falling off a horse. She was pregnant at the time and the baby also
died. He then married Amelia Jane Counts December 25, 1885 [12/24/1882] in MS.
His parents were William Gay (c 1828 - 1864) born in GA and Rose Anna
Murray(c 1832 - ????) born in GA.

He also has the following fragment of his obituary, supplied by Rhodene Frederick:

I have a very old and damaged obit for William [David] Gay (1857-1931). - Rhodene

[???]could do was done but nothing could relieve the suffering.

A sweet peaceful smile settled on the worn face and the soul seemed to float out
to eternity with the sweet calm that goes with a christian soul.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Walters. Rev. Geo C.
Hutto said a fitting tribute to ?????? the services at the church the Masons
took charge of the body but owing to the down pour of rain the services were
omitted at the cemetery.

In 1884 [12-24-1882] he was married to Miss Amelia Counts of Bannie [Banner] Miss.
To this union eight children were born. Six of which [???? were still alive at the time of ???] his death.

Mr. Gay professed faith in Christ, in August 1893 and united with the Methodist
church. In 1910 he joined the Baptist church. He was also a charter member of
the Emerson Baptist church of which he remained a member until his death. Not
only being a charter member of the little country church of his community but
was also a charter member of the Masonic lodge of Walters. In 1929 he was made
honorary member of the lodge.

He also participated in the laying of the corner stone of the Walters High
school building.

He came to this country [Cotton County, Okla(Indian Territory)] in 1901 and settled
on a claim northwest of Walters in the Elm Grove district.
He was well and favorably known in and around Walters.
He was a true Christian character, a loving and devoted husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather.

One Less at Home

One less at home,
The charmed circle broken, a dear
face missed day by day from its
accustomed place;
But cleansed and saved and perfected
by grace.
One more in Heaven!


Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors who so kindly helped us during
the sickness and death of our loving husband and devoted father, grandfather and
great grandfather also the beautiful flowers. Thanks to the Masons for their
loyalty. Mrs. W. D. Gay, Mrs. J. A. Ellis and family, Mr. Z. R. Gay and
children, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. DeSpain, Mrs. Effie Williams and son, Mr. and Mrs.
A. M. Gay and family.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Indian Territory, Chickasaw Nation, Township 2 North Range 4 East
SD 73 ED 133 Sheet 20B
280-306
Gay, William Head W M Mch 1857 43 M15 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
Gay, Melia Wf W F Nov 1866 ?3 M 15 6/5 Miss NC SC
Gay, Mary G Dtr W F Oct 1886 13 S Miss Ga Miss
Gay, Minnie G Dtr W f May 1889 11 S Miss Ga Miss
Gay, Zetta R Son W M Jul 1891 8 S Tx Ga Miss
Gay, Bonnie D Dtr W F May 1893 7 S IT Ga Miss
Gay, Nellie G Dtr W F Jun 1898 1 S IT Ga Miss

1910 Census
Oklahoma. Comanche Couty, Strauss Twp
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD --- ED 62 Sheet 5A
56-56
Gay, William D Head M W 53 N2 25 Ga SC SC Farmer
Gay, Mela J Wf F W 44 m1 8/7 Miss NC SC Farm Wife
Gay, Getty R Son M W 17 S Tx Ga Miss Helsp on Farm
Gay, Bonnie B Dtr F W 15 S Tx Ga Miss Going School
Gay, Nellie G Dtr F W 11 S Ok Gs Miss
Gay, Effie F Dtr F W 9 S Ok Ga Miss
Gay, Alva M Son M W 5 S Ok Ga Miss
Strong, Agnes I Grddtr F W 3 S Ok Miss Miss

William married Amelia J. "Melia" Counts about 1885. Amelia was born in Nov 1866 in Mississippi; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mark Tracey Gay, on "The Mark Gay Ancestry Page" updated September 6, 2000, had the following notes for Amelia Counts:

Mrs. W.D. Gay died Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Effie Williams in Walters. She was born Sept. 11, 1864 in Banner,
Miss., and was married Dec. 24, 1882. Two of her children preceded
her. She was a charter member of the Emerson church. She is
survived by Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Fred DeSpain and Alvie of Walters,
Mrs. Ed Cason and Mrs. Bernice King of Frederick and Mrs.
Willie Clarkson of Vernon, Tex. Services were held at Walters.
The Walters Herald Mar. 19, 1936

Notes:

Married:
The 1900 Census shows they had been married 15 years, and that Amelia was the mother of 6 children, 5 of whom were living. By 1910, it was shown she had 8 children, 7 of whom were living.