I am searching for the parents of CALEB HARRIS SMITH, born about 1824, either in Tennessee or North Carolina. He died in 1915, Smith Co., Texas, after an illustrious career as a minister in North Texas.

Caleb married ELIZABETH WATKINS in 1849.

Caleb also served in the CSA during the Civil War. I have records on him serving as a 2nd Lt, Company E, Clark's Regiment of the Texas Infantry during 1862.

Children are unknown except for my ancestor, ALTONIA SMITH, who married JOHN WESLEY STEELE.

This also posted on GenForum today.

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I am searching for the parents of JOHN CARSON WILSON, who died ca. 1929 in Texas (likely, but not confirmed).

John married VINNIE LEE STEELE (1892-1979, born to John Wesley Steele, Altonia Smith), in May of 1913.

Children (all born in Texas):

• William Woodrow Wilson
• Marshall Elmer Wilson
• Milton Wilson
• Vinnie Juanita Wilson
• Violet Narzetta Wilson
• Allie Christine Wilson

This also posted on GenForum today.

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I am searching for the parents of GEORGE WASHINGTON STEELE, born about 1836 in Alabama.

George married Nancy Jane Harris

Children are unknown except for my ancestor, JOHN WESLEY STEELE, who married ALTONIA (aka Ella/Zelda) SMITH, daughter of Caleb Harris Smith, the circuit-ridin' preacher of Northeast Texas.

This also posted on GenForum today.

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The document is basically a list of the things we know or infer about these folks from then-available sources. The full text of the document is linked below.

1. We know John Mansfield Morgan (JMM). Several sources show his birthday as Dec 1856. from St. Clair Co., AL.

2. My grandfather has a brother, Freeman Mansfield Morgan, presumably named after grandfather John Mansfield Morgan.

3. JMM had several children with Mary Jane Pyles, notably Mary Arminda Colene Morgan. Mary Jane's sister was named Arminda, and her mother and grandmother were both named "Mary".

4. In 1870 AL census for the Branchville PO district, the Pyles lived near Mary C Morgan and her 5 children, which includes a John. I propose that this "John" is our JMM. His ages in the census fit this birthdate. Nailing down the exact date that each census was taken woud help narrow the following estimates:

Read the whole thing

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The imprint at bottom left reads "YOUNG'S STUDIO MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS"

My great-grandfather, William Streater Green was in Woodmen of the World. Streater is in the front row, second from right, sporting a large axe. I'd guess this photo was probably taken during the 1910-1925 period. A little more research would probably show me when Streater moved between Texas and Oklahoma. He lived in Oklahoma around 1921 when my grandfather was born there, but was born and died in North Texas.

Here's a history of the Woodmen.

Streater married Elma Brown and served in the US Army during WWI for a short time, although he was nearly 30 years old at the time.

There is confusion about the correct spelling of his middle name, "Streator" (delayed birth certificate, filed 1942) vs. "Streater" (military records and obituary) vs "Streeter" (death certificate). I am going to go with the "Streater" version since the miltary used it and since published obituaries use it. Presumedly, the obituaries would have used information provided by the family, who should know how to spell it.

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Catherine Ann and George Marshall Clark
Ca. 1890's

The following was written by J.D. Jackson, Baptist Minister. Catherine Clark died 14 May 1911.

"In Memoriam
Catherine Ann Hilterbrand Clark

I was summoned to take part in conducting the funeral service of Mrs. Katy Clark, wife of our dearly beloved Geo. M. Clark. Deceased had been a good and useful member since organization of the Methodist Church of Smith Springs. During nearly a quarter of century I have lived almost in sight of the smoke of the chimney of the family. I have worked in Mr. Clark's fields, have eaten at his table, and slept in his home, and can speak advisedly of the Christian life of the deceased. She was in deed and in truth salt of the earth. And in her death the Church neighborhood, her husband, and her children have met with a loss which cannot be expressed in words.

Their home was a home of charity. It has been an adage in the community that no one ever went to the Clark house for a favor and was turned away. In these graces husband and his wife were equally matched. Their hearts were open doors through which the needy and distressed found entrance and relief. Both have walked the rugged path of life, hand in hand and heart in heart performing God's required duties six days in the week of doing religion. But, alas, the end has come and God has said to Sister Clark, "Come up higher, your work is ended."

I will say to my dear friend Geo. M. Clark, "You carry with you in this saddest hour of your life, the sympathy of the multitudes of friends who mingle their tears with yours as you journey on until God shall call you up to the home of the beloved."

Deceased was 51 years old, was mother of eleven children some of whom preceded her to Celestial regions above. - J.D. Jackson "

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Wedding Photo	Shopping in Shreveport

59 years ago, May 14, 1945, my grandparents, Ray Green and Jane Mae Cottrell were married in Great Bend, Kansas. They were married by the Methodist minister, J.S. Ploughe.

Jane was the daughter of Paul and Martha (Cameron) Cottrell. Ray was the eldest son of William And Elma (Brown) Green.

Ray served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the war as an aircraft mechanic, he would stay in the Army for a while longer, eventually being stationed in Shreveport, LA, at Barksdale. Jane was a telephone operator (a "hello girl") during the war.

After the war, they became parents to two beautiful daughters, and finally settled in Lufkin, TX.

Ray died in 2000 in Lufkin. Jane continues to go strong even today, at age 80.

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