Children of Edward Marvin & Mary Susie Rhoades

                         

Edward Marvin and Mary had five (5) children:

                                                                Born                            Died

1.  Alfred Edward Rhoades   01/15/1912                  10/23/1916

            2.  Bessie Lois Rhoades          11/24/1913                  11/22/1974

            3.  Henry Clarence Rhoades   06/16/1916                  01/31/1972

            4.  James Clyde Rhoades        11/01/1918                  Still living in 2004

            5.  William Chester Rhoades  02/14/1921                  03/19/1990

                                                                                               

                                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                                                  

                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alfred Edward Rhoades and Bessie Lois Rhoades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children of Edward Marvin & Susie Rhoades

(left to right)  Bessie, Clylde, and Clarence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Back – left to right) Clarence Rhoades, Bessie Lois Rhoades, Clyde Rhoades

(Front – left to right) Chester Rhoades, Annie Ellen Richier (daughter of Emil & Susie)

Photo was taken sometime around 1933

Alfred Edward Rhoades

 

Alfred Edward Rhoades was born on January 15, 1912.  When he was four years old he came down with diphtheria and died (See Death Certificates – Appendix VIII).  He is buried next to his father in the Lone Valley Cemetery south of Newport headed east on Highway 2127. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Alfred Edward Rhoades (son of Edward Marvin)

(01/15/1912-10/23/1916)

 

Bessie Lois (Rhoades) Murdock

 

Bessie Lois Rhoades was born on November 24, 1913 in Newport, Texas. 

 

 

 

 

Left to Right – Bessie Rhoades, Unknown Boy, Roxie Richier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bessie (Rhoades) Murdock

On October 13, 1929, at the age of 15, she married Otis Earl Murdock (06/14/1910-10/05/1998).  The couple was married in Walters, Oklahoma (Cotton County).

 

 

 

According to Annie Ellen (Richier) Lawyer, daughter of Emil and Susie Richier, the only one who knew that the two planned to get married was Susie.  When Otis and Bessie decided to leave they left a note in the sugar bowl.  According to Annie it was found when Emil Richier, sitting at the kitchen table, reached for some sugar.  Reading the contents of the note he was furious.  A nephew, who happened to be there that day, tried to calm the situation stating, “ Why, Uncle Emil, it just means one less mouth to feed.”  Needless to say, it did not have the desired affect.

 

There has been some question whether Bessie actually had the permission of her mother when she went to Oklahoma to marry Otis.  The below signatures show that Susie Richier did give her permission.  In addition, Annie Ellen Lawyer (in 2005) confirmed that this was indeed her mother’s signature.

 

The first signature is from the permission note Bessie provided the courthouse in Walters, Oklahoma:

The second is the signature of Susie Richier when she filed an application for a Social Security Card in 1956:

 

 

According to Annie Ellen Lawyer (daughter of Emil and Susie Richier) the two met at church through a friend of Otis (J. R. Inglis).  J. R. and his wife went with Otis and Bessie to Walters, Oklahoma where they got married.  J.R.’s signature is on the permission note from Susie, as well as a witness on the marriage license.

 

The story, as it was passed down to family members was that Otis and Bessie were married on the Red River Bridge.  This is true as evidenced by the entry at the bottom of their marriage license.  The minister who performed the marriage indicated that it occurred at the “north end of the Red River Bridge”. 

 

The only logical road for them to have driven to get to Walters, Oklahoma was through Wichita Falls, Texas and then across the Red River north to Walters.  Interstate 44 now heads north out of Wichita Falls and across the Red River.  The old bridge was probably replaced many years ago with the new one for the freeway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge similar to the one crossing the Red River where Otis and Bessie were married

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otis and Bessie (Rhoades) Murdock

At the Bridwell Ranch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                              Otis Murdock

 

Otis E. Murdock, born in Bluegrove, Texas on June 14, 1910, was listed in the 1920 Census.  He was living with his father, William L. Murdock and his mother, Maggie May Patterson.  Otis’ older brother, Elmer, and his wife were also living with the family.

 

  1920 Clay Co. Texas Federal Census

Justice Precinct 3                   March15, 1920

ED – 26                      SD – 13

Sheet – 4A                  Line 18

 

NAME                        REL   AGE  PoB   PoBF   PoBM   

Murdock, Wm L..         h       43       MS    MS      MS          Farmer            

Maggie M.                     w       42       TX    TN       TN

  Otis E.                          s         9       TX     MS      TX

  Elmer W.                      s        21        TX    MS      TX          Farmer

  Martha E.                    dl       17        OK    TX      TX          (Daughter-in-Law)

               

 

In the 1930 Census Otis and Bessie are listed living on their own.  Apparently Otis had a job working on a ranch in Clay County.

                                                                                                                       

  1930 Clay Co. Texas Federal Census                                                                    

Justice Precinct 3                   April 14, 1930                                                           

ED – 39-11                 SD – 3                                                                                    

Sheet – 8B                  Line - 89

 

NAME                        REL   AGE  PoB   PoBF   PoBM   

Murdock, Otis.               h       21       TX    US        US         Laborer – Stock Ranch 

   (Age First Marriage – 20)   

   Bessie                         w       14      TX    US         US

   (Age First Marriage – 14)

 

It appears that the census information may have been provided by someone other than Otis or Bessie – possibly someone at the ranch.  First, Bessie’s age is incorrect – she was 16 by this time and she was 15 when they were married.  Second, the place of birth for both parents is listed as “US” or United States.  Otis and Bessie would probably have known where their parents were born.  Another person providing this information probably would not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridwell Ranch Sign

On Highway 2581 Between Windthorst and Archer City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entrance Road to Bridwell Ranch Headquarters

Near Archer City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Bridwell Ranch

Lower Left – Ranch Headquarters

Upper Right – Bridwell River Ranch

                                                                                      

Otis worked for 7-8 years during the mid to late 30’s at the Bridwell Ranch.  When he left employment there he was the cattle boss (foreman).  He actually worked and lived at the Bridwell River Ranch.  The area where the ranch was located is now covered by much of Lake Arrowhead.

 

Much of the reason they left the Bridwell Ranch had to do with the cooking requirements imposed upon Bessie.  Also, by this time Emil Richier and Susie were living at the ranch with Otis and Bessie.  Bessie and Susie were forced to do all the cooking for the single ranch hands.  They were required to drive all the way into Scotland to do the shopping for the ranch hands.  Part of the Otis’ role as foremen probably required him to provide meals for the single hands.

 

The day came when Bessie finally put her foot down.  This might be part of Otis’ overall compensation but it certainly was not what she had signed up for.  Bessie was going to leave with or without Otis.  There was no other option for Otis other than finding other work.

 

During the time Otis was at the Bridwell Ranch Bessie’s brother Clarence Rhoades spent some time employed there.  Also, Emil Richier worked on the ranch.

 

Around 1940-41 Otis and his family lived for a short time on the old “Dauby” place around the corner from Grandmother Love.  The Loves lived on the corner at the end of Bugscuffle Lane as it headed east from Newport.

 

In 1949 Otis moved his family to the J R Parkey Ranch.  This was a very large ranch (22,000 acres) between Archer City and Megargel.  Otis worked at the Parkey Ranch as the overall ranch foreman until 1993 when he retired.  Clyde Rhoades worked for Otis on a couple of different occasions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J R Parkey Ranch

(Near Megargel, Texas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otis at Parkey Ranch

October, 1989

Otis and Bessie Murdock had three (3) children:

                                                                Born                      

1.  Bettie Lois Murdock          11/17/1934      Born in Clay County              

            2.  Patsy Jean Murdock           06/19/1936      Born in Clay County  

            3.  Janie Rue Murdock            11/20/1941      Born in Clay County              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otis and Bessie Murdock Family

(Left to Right) Otis, Bessie, Betty, Patsy, and Janie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archer City, Texas is about 60 miles west of Bowie, Texas

 

 

 

Map Showing Region Containing Archer County

(South of Wichita Falls)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     Texas Map Showing Location of Above Region

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                       Archer County Courthouse

                                                                                                            Archer City, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otis and Bessie (Rhoades) Murdock in Later Years

 

     Left to Right – Susie Richier, Bessie Murdock,  Bessie’s daughter Betty,

Betty’s daughter, Betty’s granddaughter – five generations.

 

Otis and Bessie lived their final years in Archer City, Texas.  Bessie passed away on November 22, 1974 in Archer City, Texas just prior to her 61st birthday  (See Death Certificates - Appendix VIII).  She is buried in the Archer City Cemetery.  Otis passed away on October 5, 1998.  He is buried next to Bessie in the Archer City Cemetery.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Clarence Rhoades

 

Henry Clarence Rhoades was born on June 16, 1916. He married Ada Christine Jones.  She was the daughter of Elbert Britton Jones (04/27/1892 – 03/18/1979) and Harriet Gustin (01/15/1895 – 12/27/1975).  In the 1930 Clay County Census Ada Christine is listed with her parents:

 

Clay County                                      1930 Census                          April 10, 1930

Commissioner Precinct 4                  Enumeration District 39-16

Supervisor District   3                       Sheet   9B                   Line   83

NAME                        REL.   AGE    PoB,    PoBF,  PoBM             

Elbert Jones                    (h)     36        TX       TX       TX                   Farmer

         Age First Married - 21

    Harriet                        (w)    32        TX       TX       TX

       Age First Married - 17

       Viola                       (d)    16        TX       TX       TX

        Edna                       (d)    14        TX       TX       TX

        Christine                 (d)      9        TX       TX       TX      

        Otis W                    (s)       7        TX       TX       TX

        Niorria                    (d)      6        TX       TX       TX

        Billie D                   (d)    4 8/12  TX       TX       TX

        Abadine                 (d)    1 5/12  TX       TX       TX

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravesite of Elbert and Harriet Jones

Newport Cemetery

 

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Elbert Britton Jones                                                                                                       Harriet (Gustin) Jones

(04/27/1892 – 03/18/1979)                                                                                                           (01/15/1895 – 12/27/1975)

 

Clarence and Ada Christine had one daughter – Ada Joyce (born 01/09/1938).  Ada Christine developed kidney complications during the pregnancy and passed away on 01/12/1938.  She is buried at Newport Cemetery.  Some of the information on her headstone is incorrect, however:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the challenges of making a living and raising a newborn, Clarence relied on the help of his mother (Susie Richier) in raising Ada Joyce.  Ada Joyce spent her entire childhood living with her grandparents.  During this time Clarence sought out several forms of employment, including working at the Bridwell Ranch for his brother-in-law, Otis Murdock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarence Rhoades and daughter, Ada Joyce                                 Another photo of Clarence and Ada Joyce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ada Joyce Rhoades, Susie Richier, Emil Richier
When Ada Joyce was about 10 years old her father married Opal Lorene (Price) Boss (02/16/1918-12/26/1990).   Opal was the daughter of George Franklin Price (01/28/1886-09/20/1963) and Eva Gertrude Molone (01/14/1897-02/02/1970).  She was born in Gainesville, Texas.  Opal had one daughter (Eva Lorene Boss) from her previous marriage.  Eva Lorene Boss was born 01/20/1946.

 

Clarence and Opal had six (6) children:

                                                              Born                                               

1.  Doratha Sue                       05/04/1949                                           

            2.  Henry Marvin                     06/13/1950                                                

                3.  Betty Gertrude                   09/12/1951

            4.  Jerry Richard                      02/14/1953

            5.  Evelyn Jaunice                   06/27/1954

            6.  Opal Deloras                      04/02/1956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children of Clarence and Opal (L to R)  Eva Lorene Boss (holding baby), Opal Deloras (baby),

Doratha Sue, Henry Marvin, Betty Gertrude, Jerry Richard, and Evelyn Jaunice

 

Henry Clarence served in the military during World War II but it is not known what unit or the exact dates.  He later worked for the Bowie Fire Department and, finally, for the City of Bowie. 

The house where he lived with his family is located next to the Bowie Fire Department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowie Fire Department

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowie City Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House in which Clarence Rhoades and Family Lived

 

 

Clarence passed away January 31, 1972 and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie, Texas (See Death Certificates - Appendix VIII).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elmwood Cemetery

Bowie, Texas

 

Opal Lorene passed away on December 26, 1990.  She is buried next to Henry Clarence in Elmwood Cemetery.  Her parents are buried nearby.

 

 

The Bowie News-Times

 

Bowie, Texas – Mrs. Opal Rhoades, 72, passed away Wednesday in the Bowie Hospital.

 

Services were Thursday at Burgess-Fry Funeral Chapel with Rev. Paul A. Henderson, pastor of Central Baptist Church, and the Rev. Jerry Pittman, associate pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery under the direction of Burgess-Fry Funeral Home

.

Mrs. Rhoades was born February 6, 1918, in Bowie and was a 60 year Bowie resident.  She and Henry Clarence Rhoades were married September 11, 1946 in Bowie and she was a Baptist.

 

Survivors include three sons, Marvin Rhoades of Palmer, Texas, Richard Rhoades of Arlington and Bill Hankins of Roxton, Texas;  six daughters, Mrs. Jaunice Ripley, Mrs. Deloras Miller, Mrs. Lorene Gray, and Mrs. Joyce White, all of Bowie, Mrs. Dorotha Patterson of Wichita Falls, and Mrs. Betty Hardwick of San Angelo, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Johnnie Mae McLaughlin of Bowie; a brother, Thurman Price of Sunset; 25 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

 

Pallbearers were Jim Lawyer, Melton Rhoades, Bill Weinger, Johnny Austin McLaughlin, Herbert Reaves and Loyd Rhoades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elmwood Cemetery

Bowie, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravesite of George Frank and Gertrude E. Price

(Parents of Opal Lorene Rhoades

Elmwood Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Clyde Rhoades

 

James Clyde Rhoades was born on September 8, 1918.  He married Rildea Pauline Posey (born April 8, 1923). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Ellen Richier (left) and Pauline Posey (right)

Before Pauline ever met Clyde Rhoades

 

Clyde and Pauline had three children:

                                                              Born            

1.  Shirley Sue                         10/21/1942      Born – Howard County

2.  Clyde Milton                      11/26/1944      Born – Montague County                  

            3.  Appie Patricia                    07/25/1947      Born – Montague County

 

Clyde spent most of his life as a ranch hand working numerous ranches in Texas and New Mexico.  Some were as large as 35 miles square.  On one ranch he worked as the well man.

He was responsible for the inspection and upkeep of over 75 windmills. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                       

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

                               

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                     

 

 

Clyde and Pauline Rhoades

 

 

 

                    

         Clyde Rhoades                                                           Home of Clyde Rhoades – Highway FM1758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appie Patricia died of acute Leukemia on July 30, 1961 (See Death Certificates Appendix VII).  She is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Stoneburg – 10 m out of Bowie on 81- right 3 mi.

 

Pauline passed away on August 21, 2004 and is buried next to her daughter at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Stoneburg.  Clyde lives on the Solona Highway (FM1758) north of Bowie, Texas east of Highway 59.

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                       Oak Hill Cemetery

                    Stoneburg, Texas                                                     Monument at Oak Hill Cemetery in Stoneburg

        (2 miles East of Stoneburg on Highway 1806)

 

 

 

 

Cylde indicated that he, along with his other brothers, his sister, and step-sisters attended at Bugscuffle School.  The school is now long gone and all that remains is an arbor along with a monument dedicated to the teachers of Bugscuffle School.

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All that remains at the site of the Bugscuffle School southeast of Newport, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monument to Bugscuffle School Teachers

(notice that the last teacher was Mrs. Ora Posey Hanson – sister to Clyde’s wife, Pauline)

The Posey Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Posey Family

Christmas at Appie Gee Posey’s home at 203 Rock Street Bowie, Texas.

There were forty four family members present for Christmas in 1947.

Every child was present with their families except Leonia Posey Burk who

was ill and could not attend.

 

First Row: Jewel Dean Kennedy, Appie Gee Posey, Appie Josephine Posey Capps

Second Row: Vera Posey Riley, Ora Mae Posey Hanson, Ola Fae Posey Burk, Rilda Pauline Posey Rhoades

Third Row: Robert Malone Posey, Jessie Benton Posey, Jr., H. B. Posey

Back Row: Troy Leonard Posey

 

The following write-up by Margaret Parker was taken from a book in the Bowie Library highlighting many of the well-known Bowie families.  This book was published a number of years ago (sometime around 1985) and some of the family members mentioned may, by now, have passed away.

 

The Posey family of Montague County dates back prior to the turn of the century.  Albert Washington and February Hazel Posey lived in Benton County, Alabama.  Their son, John Wesley (a twin) was born there.  John Wesley moved to Shelby County, Texas where he married Mary Melissa Choate and had eleven children.  They moved to Wise County, Texas in 1893.  In 1914 John Wesley and Mary Choate Posey moved to Montague County.  The Poseys came from a long line of farmers and traders.

 

Jessie Benton Posey, born 1880 was the sixth child of John Wesley and Mary Choate Posey.  He met and later married Appie Melvina Gee (a twin) in 1901.  Jessie and Appie made a trip to Tennessee in a wagon on their honeymoon to visit her grandparents.  On their return they ran the Wagon Yard, a hotel in Bowie, Texas.  Shortly after they moved to what is now the Sunset area.  Three of their children were born there.

 

Jessie Benton and Appie Gee Posey were honest and hard working people.  Jessie was a self-educated man, an excellent farmer and stock trader.  In about 1905 Jessie and Appie Gee Posey bought a half section of land eight miles north of Bowie on the Belcherville road.  The rest of their children were born there.  They farmed 160 acres and raised stock on the rest.  The family worked very hard to make a success of their farm.  They raised cotton to sell and corn and hay for the animals.  The family raised all the vegetables they ate, butchered hogs, made lye soap, canned everything possible and cut wood for fuel.  The wagon was the only way of going to town for staples and for traders day.  Jessie bought and sold cattle and horses at these times.  He bought the first family car shortly before his death of a heart attack in 1940 at the age of sixty.

 

Jessie and Appie had fifteen children and twelve lived and made their homes in various parts of Texas.  They also reared three grandchildren, Novie, Wilburn and Margaret. 

 

The Posey family celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter at the Posey home place.  This continued until Appie Gee Posey’s death in 1956.  Some eighty family members celebrated Christmas in 1954.  The family continues to gather for Easter and the family reunion the last week of May.

 

Appie continued to live in the family home until about 1944 when oil was discovered.  She then moved to Bowie where she lived until 1952.  She was no longer able to live alone so moved back to the family farm where she lived with her son H. B. and his family until her death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


There are some two hundred and ninety two descendants of Jessie Benton and Appie Gee Posey.  There are only three sets of twins in the entire family.  Alesia Fay, teacher at Bowie Junior High School and Teresa Day Burk Covington, housewife, born in 1957 are the first twins in the Posey family.  Morgan Renee and Jacob Tyler York, born 1984, are the second set.  Colby Lee and Clifton James Covington, born 1985, are the third set.  There are eight generations of Posey’s to date and includes teachers, accountants, veterinarians, traders, and many other occupations.  Ethel Harvill, granddaughter of Leonia Posey Burk is a teacher, an artist who works in oil, and a sculptress who works in wood, metal and stone.

 

 

The Posey Children and Grandchildren

 

Bertha Leonia Posey (1903-1983) married R. C. Burk in 1920.  They made their home in the Saint Jo area.  They had five children: Lola, Clinton, Thomas, Glen, and Lily.  Clinton, the surviving child, made his home in Bowie.  He was a retired oil field worker and a coon and wolf hunter.

 

Cedac Layman Posey, born and died in 1904 and was buried in Crafton, Texas.

 

Troy Leonard Posey (1905-1956) married Allie Burchett in 1924.  They moved to the Stanton, Midland area and reared six children: Delois, Margieree, Arthur, Helen, Charles, and Patsy.  Troy worked at the cotton gin in Stanton and later for the city of Midland.  His family moved to the Graham area following his death.

 

James Bradley Posey (1906-1918) died at the age of twelve of Bright’s Disease and is buried in the Oakhill Cemetery.

 

Marker in Oakhill Cemetery

For

James Bradley Posey

Vera Posey (1910-1981) married James K. Riley in 1925.  They moved to California for several years before returning to Bowie.  They owned a small neighborhood grocery store and a lunchroom for school children close to what is now the Bowie Junior High School Building.  Vera had six children: Vera Mae, James Loyd, Emma Fae, Jessie Day, Ronnie Lee, and Billy Ray.

 


                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                Harry L. Kidwell           

                                      (Second Husband of Vera Posey)

 

 

 

 

Baby Sister Posey, born and died in 1912 and buried in Crafton, Texas.

 

Ora Mae Posey (1913-1984) married Thomas F. Hanson in 1930.  Two children were born -   Posey Joe, who died in 1983 and Melba Dean, who died at age three months.  Ora rode the bus with Posey Joe to Stoneburg where she finished high school in about 1939.  They later moved to the Newport community and she attended the Denton College for Women and received here degree for teaching.  Ora was the only Posey child to finish high school and college.  She taught in Newport and Bugscuffle for several years.  In 1951 she became postmistress at Newport where she worked for twenty-nine years.  She returned in 1980 and lived in Bowie until her death.  Ora touched many lives and always worked to help young people.  She influenced her grandchildren, nieces and nephews to make a good home life for their families, go to church, and do everything to the best of their abilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Robert Malone Posey (1915-1980) married Nannie Barnett in 1935.  They lived in the Bowie area and then moved to California with their family.  They returned to the family farm and then later moved to Sunset where they made their home.  Robert bought and sold stock for his living and was a dealer for many years.  Robert had four children: Acie, Doyle, Donald, and Betty Lou.  Doyle lives in Stoneburg and is a retired car dealer.  He also sells stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vida Cornelia Posey (1917-1937) married Joseph Ernest Booher in 1931 at the age of fourteen.  They made their home in Bowie where Vida was a housewife.  Vida had three children: Novie, Wilburn and Margaret.  Vida died at age twenty following surgery.  Novie lived to be fourteen and died of Bulbar Polio.  Wilburn and Margaret were reared by their grandmother Posey.  Wilburn is a retired teacher and lives in the Houston area with his wife Mona.  They have three children and four grandchildren.  Margaret has lived and worked in Bowie for the past thirty years.  She has three children and three grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Joseph E Booher

(Husband of Vida Posey)

 

 

 

 

H. B. Posey (1919-1984) married Mildred Morris in 1938.  While H. B. served in World War II his family lived in the Bowie area.  H. B. returned in 1946 and moved to the family farm and later drove a bus for Stoneburg Schools and sold stock for several years.  In about 1958 they moved to Bowie where he went to work for the Chevrolet house as a car salesman.  H. B. then went into the cattle business for about ten years.  In 1969 he became a used car dealer and stayed in business until he retired due to bad health.  H. B. had three children: Cleo, Steve (deceased 1961), and Dixie.  Cleo lived in the Bowie area with her family and worked in the Bowie schools.  Dixie lives with her family in Clifton, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

Ola Fae Posey (1921-1978) married R. B. Burk in 1939 and lived in the Dye Mound area.  They had one son, Jerry Robert.  In 1948 Ola married T. S. Cable, Jr. and lived in the Saint Jo community. They had two girls: Lavoeda and Stella.  Ola was a retired seamstress and a housewife at the time of her death.

 

Rilda Pauline Posey (1923 - 2004) married Clyde Rhoades in 1941.  They lived in the Newport community where Pauline was an assistant postmistress for ten years.  Pauline had three children:  Shirley, Melton, who lives in Bowie, and Patricia, who died of leukemia in 1961.  Pauline is a retired seamstress and makes her home in Bowie.

 

Jewel Dean Posey (11/12/1924-11/19/1990) married Buck Kennedy in 1940.  They moved to the Nocona area where Jewel worked for over twenty years in a leather goods factory.  She retired when the factory closed and later went to work for the Saint Jo Schools.  Jewel has three children: Jimmy who lives in Nocona and is in the car and stock business.  Coleen who lives in Gainesville with her family is a retired beauty consultant for the Gainesville College.  The youngest son, Joe Boy, is an electrician in Nocona and lives with his family there.  Joe is a great hunter and fisherman.

 

Jessie Benton Posey (1926-1952) was killed between Nocona and Saint Jo and is buried in the Oakhill Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Appie Josephine Posey (1923 -    ) married Troy B. Capps in 1944.  While her husband was serving in World War II Josephine lived in Bowie.  When he returned they moved to California with their family for several years.  They returned to Bowie and later moved to Cleburne, Texas.  Josephine has five children: Glenda, Darmon, Joyce, Ava, and Roy.  Josephine works for the Home Health Care Center and is a housewife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


NOTE:  All photos of Posey Family Tombstones Taken

at Oakhill Cemetery about 2 miles East of Stoneburg

On Highway 1806


John Wesley (Doc) Posey and Mary Melissa (Choate) Posey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


In 1914, when John Wesley “Doc” Posey was 65 years old, he and his 64 year-old wife, Mary Melissa Choate, came to Bowie, Montague County, Texas.  Arriving with them was their youngest son, Mitt Leake, 21.

 

John Posey was born in Benton County, Alabama, (in 1858 the county name was changed from Benton to Calhoun).  John Posey’s parents married about 1842 in Benton County and four children are known to have been born: James (born 1844), Martha (born 1846), and twins, John Wesley and William (born 1849).

 

When John Posey was less than 20 years old, he moved from Alabama to Texas and settled at Center in Shelby County.  There he married Mary Melissa Choate in 1868.

 

Their first ten children were born in Shelby County.  Between 1890 and 1893 they moved to Crafton in Wise County where their eleventh child was born.  Their children were:

James Redmond, born 1869, married Sarah Jane “Sallie” Coates

Fannie, born 1870, married Perk Dupree

Sarah Aline, born 1872, married James Anthiones Hogland

Albert B., born 1875, married Lida Lucilee Edwards

John W., born 1877, married Edith Johnson

Jessie Benton, born 1880, married Appie Melvina Gee

Lucious “Leush” Emery, born 1882, married Francis “Fannie” Lee Evins

Vesta L., born 1884, married Ike Gee

J. E., born 1866, died young

Katie Pearl, born 1890, married Claude Paine

Mitt Leake, born 1893, married Flossie Mae Lewis

 

While some of these individuals remained in Shelby and Wise Counties, those who lived most of their lives in Montague County were Sarah, John, Jessie, Lucious, Katie, and Mitt.

 

Thus, in a span of about 46 years, these early pioneers migrated from Alabama to Texas and lived in Shelby County, Wise County, and finally Montague County.  Neither John nor Mary Posey were educated, but they were honest, worked hard, and raised their family thus paving the way for future generations. 


John Posey died July 4, 1919 and Mary Posey died August 6, 1937.  Both are buried at the Oakhill Cemetery in Montague County.  Many of their descendants presently live in the Bowie area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John W Posey

(Son of J. W. & Mary Posey)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                   Luscious E. Posey

               (Son of J. W. and Mary Posey)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Fannie Lee (Evins) Posey

(Wife of Luscious E. Posey)

 

 William Chester Rhoades

 

William Chester Rhoades was born on February 14, 1921.  He married Leona Mae Scroggins (07/30/1920-08/31/1985) on June 8, 1940.  They had four (4) children:

 

                                                              Born            

1.  Charles Franklin                 09/28/1940                 

            2.  William Loyd                     09/06/1943

            3.  Margaret Ann

            4.  Otis

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Chester and Mae Rhoades

Charles (left) and Loyd (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret Ann Rhoades

 

 

William Chester and Mae eventually divorced.  William Chester re-married two more times and had two additional children:  Albert Ray and Lois Ann.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above SS Card Application is of interest because William Chester started to write Emil Richier for the name of his father.  He was probably told he needed to indicate the name of his true father.  William Chester was only one year old when his father (Edward Marvin Rhoades) passed away.  This would explain the entry of “(Unknown) Rhoades”.

 

 

 

Mae and William Chester Rhoades

(Probably just prior to his departure for Europe)

 

 

William Chester served in the military during World War II as a TEC 4.  He served in the 36th Engineer Group.  In November of 1945 he signed a power of attorney appointing his wife to handle all his legal affairs.  William Chester spent time overseas during the war.  He signed a Power of Attorney in Diessen, Germany in 1945 (Appendix X). 

 

Just after the surrender of Germany, William Chester and a fellow soldier encountered a German officer one day while walking down the road.  The officer, not wanting to be taken prisoner, pulled his Lugar and shot William Chester.  Luckily the bullet passed through his coat just between his arm and body. 

 

Neither of the Americans was armed at the time.  Another American soldier, seeing what had just happened, immediately brought his rifle to bear and shot down the German officer killing him.  The American soldiers did not report the incident fearing disciplinary action since the shooting occurred after the surrender.

 

According to family members William Chester spent some time working on a ranch.  He then took to mechanic work which he did for many years.  William Chester Rhoades passed away March 19, 1990 and is buried at Newport Cemetery south of Newport on Highway 2127.  He is buried near his mother Mary Susie (Rhoades) Richier. 

The Bowie News

Sunday, March 25, 1990

 

Bowie, Texas –Mr. Chester Rhoades, 69, passed away Monday, March 19, in the Bowie Hospital.

 

Services were Wednesday, March 21 at Burgess-Fry Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Carl Flippin, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Bellevue, officiating.  Burial was in Newport Cemetery under the direction of Burgess-Fry Funeral Home.

Mr. Rhoades was born February 14, 1921, in Newport.  He was a mechanic and had been a 12 year Bowie resident.

 

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Darlene Rhoades of Bowie; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Brock of Bellevue, and Miss Lois Ann Margaret Rhoades of Bowie; four sons, Albert Ray Rhoades of Bowie, Charles Rhoades of Weatherford, Loyd Rhoades of Bluegrove, Texas, and Otis Rhoades of Vashti; four sisters, Mrs. Ann Lawyer and Mrs. Roxie Lawson, both of Bowie, Mrs. Mary Arnold of Henrietta, and Mrs. Ella Harris of Fort Worth; a brother, Clyde Rhoades of Bowie; fourteen grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

 

Serving as pallbearers were Carl Bullinger, Chris Patterson, Milton Rhoades, Larry Start, Eddie Loftis, and Jimmy Love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Chester Rhoades

Newport Cemetery

 

 

 

 

Leona Mae (Scroggins) Rhoades is buried in the cemetery at Bellevue, Texas next to her brother and just behind her parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


A.C.  (11/20/1856-09/12/1935) and Catherin Scroggins (04/15/1854-06/15/1925)

(Leona Mae Rhoades is behind and on the right side of this photo)