Biography: Captain Willis Chamberlin (his name is variously written as Chamberlin or Chamberlain) was (from a census taker note on the 1850 Bexar County census) a quartermaster in Company A at San Antonio. I have a copy of the 1850 Bexar Census. (He had previously served in the Seminole war in Florida and received an 80 acre land grant which he later sold at Indianola, Texas.) The 1850 census has for his occupation " Farrier Qr Master Dy','Married within yr' Co "A" ."

He married a German emigrant Hanna (Foelke, or Folk, or Volk) Henry in San Antonio on 24 Jan 1850. She had come over from Germany on the Ship Leo in 1846 under the Castro Colony group. (I have the Leo passenger list.) Her family name was actually Henrichs but Americanized to "Henry." and this Willis & Hannah family is a certified member of "First Families of Bexar County.

Laura Lavina Chamberlain, daughter of Willis Chamberlain, always claimed she was born in Parker County on 7 Nov 1856 which is on her Texas death certificate. No other documentation has been found.

According to Laura Lavine Chamberlin's oral history to her granddaughters, her father Willis Chamberlin, was killed by the Indians in Parker County around EST 1857. Our intense family researches and queries, after Laura's death, have been unable to verify the Willis Chamberlin death date, or where his body is buried (if it was), or exactly where he was killed, or if he was a civilian or a military man at the time.

Laura's widow mother Hannah Henry Chamberlain remarried about 2 years later on 1 May 1859 to a Mr. James M. Jenkins in Caldwell County. (I have a copy of the marriage and a listing from Caldwell's Plum Creek Almanac.) She had probably gone to Caldwell to be with her sister Alice Henry.
Submitted by: John

Chamberlain, Laura Lavina
Born: 7 Nov. 1856 Parker Co., TX
Married:
Spouse:
Date of Death:
Burial:

Laura Lavina Chamberlain, daughter of Willis Chamberlain, always claimed she was born in Parker County on 7 Nov 1856 which is on her Texas death certificate. No other documentation has been found. Daughter of Captain Willis Chamberlain and Hannah Henry.

According to Laura Lavine Chamberlin's oral history to her granddaughters, her father Willis Chamberlin, was killed by the Indians in Parker County around EST 1857. Our intense family researches and queries, after Laura's death, have been unable to verify the Willis Chamberlin death date, or where his body is buried (if it was), or exactly where he was killed, or if he was a civilian or a military man at the time.

Laura's widow mother Hannah Henry Chamberlain remarried about 2 years later on 1 May 1859 to a Mr. James M. Jenkins in Caldwell County. (I have a copy of the marriage and a listing from Caldwell's Plum Creek Almanac.) She had probably gone to Caldwell to be with her sister Alice Henry.

Hannah then moved off with James Jenkins (a widower) and left Laura to be raised by one of Hannah's sisters, teenage Ada Henry, in San Antonio. Ada later married Frank Lovett in 1863, then they left for California abt 1868, at which time Laura Chamberlain was left with another of Hannah's sisters, Alice Henry Mannix, who had married an Irish emigrant abt 1862, now a childless couple, who ran a stagecoach station and postal office in Caldwell County. This Alice & William couple raised Laura as their own and she inherited their section of farm land at their deaths.
Submitted by: John

COFFEE (Coffey), John Wright
Born: June 21, 1856, Texas
Married: December 31, 1874, Coleman County , Texas
Spouse: Mary Adaline Brown
Date of Death: August 30, 1934, Kimble County , Texas
Burial: , Knoxville Cemetery, Kimble County , Texas

Biography:   John was the first born child of the the famous buffalo hunter, Indian fighter, teamster and rancher Richard " Rich" Coffey and Sarah Greathouse. He lived in Parker County 1855-1862 . His spouse Mary Adaline Brown was born in Parker County on January 30, 1858 . Her parents were Albert Burleson (Burrell ) Brown and Susan Elizabeth Upton . At the age of 15 , we find John working as a cowboy for his father . Rich Coffey has settled at the mouth of the Concho river where it settles into the Colorado River . This is a hard working family . The women are taking care of the ranch home and the men are taking care of the cattle. Rich Coffey's herd has grown to be over 1200 head . Rich decides to take the heard to market . Nathaniel Guest , John 's brother in law is in charge of the heard . William ( Bill) Coffey , John's brother is in the Remunda with 54 horses. He is only 13 years of age . During this time the Indians attack . They take the herd of cattle and horses .The attack leaves John wounded barely avoiding death. On Christmas day of the same year the Indians came back driving off the remaining heard. John Wright Coffey became a fine and prominent rancher in Kimble County . He married Mary Adaline in 1874 . Mary Adaline died in Kimble County , Texas on December 20, 1919. John remarried to Libbie Rush . John died at the age of 78.
Submitted by: Evelyn Owens,
Email: JOwens9034@aol.com

Coffee, Richard

Cowden, Henrietta C.
Born: 1887, Erath County, Texas
Married: unknown, unknown
Spouses M. Wade Stephens & Andrew Jackson:Brooks
Date of Death: 1975, 
Burial: , East Greenwood Cemetery, Parker Co., TX

Biography:  Henrietta Brooks was born in Erath Co., Texas to Linn C. & Brunette (Biggs) Cowden. She first married to M. Wade Stephens in Erath County, Texas, and had two children, Fred & Loraine Stephens. Apparently, her second husband was then a neighbor, living in Stephenville, and was married to another woman. Both her first marriage, and his, failed, and she and Andrew ended up falling in love, and moving to Weatherford, Texas. Henrietta "Etta" (Cowden) Stephens Brooks was my great grandaunt. Her siblings were: Virginia "Virgie" (Cowden) Hickey, Mattie Lavina (Cowden) Lawson, Susie (Cowden) Nipp, and Alma (Cowden) Tate.
Submitted by: Mrs. L. L. Hale, Mar. 00
Email: 

Cranfill, Eaton A.
Born: 26 Sept 1829, Murray, Kentucky
Married: 1847, unknown
Spouse: Martha Jane Galloway
Date of Death: 8 Nov 1903, Waco, McLennon Co., Texas
Burial: November 1903, Oakwood Cemetary Waco, McLennon Co., Texas

Obituary in Waco Times-Herald, November 9, 1903
Dr. E. A. Cranfill, pioneer of Texas, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Williams on Clay near 15th, yesterday, age 72. Born in Kentucky, married Miss Martha Jane Galloway in 1847, and came to Texas soon after. Joined Capt. Harp's Texas Rangers. Four children born: Amanda Jane, Elizabeth, T. E. & J.B. Funeral yesterday from Clay Street Baptist Church. Burial at Oakwood Cemetary.
Census info 1860 CRANFILL E. Parker TX 423 Weatherford County P.O.
Submitted by: Donia McDonald,
Email: cats@southwind.net

Cranfill, James Britton Buchanan Boone
Born: 12 Sept 1858, Whitt, Parker Co., Texas
Married: 1 Sept 1878,
Spouse: Celia Olivia 'Ollie' Allen
Date of Death: 28 Dec 1942, Dallas, Texas
Burial: ,

Biography: Biography: CRANFILL, JAMES BRITTON BUCHANAN BOONE (1858-1942). J. B. Cranfill, Baptist leader, was born in Parker County, Texas, on September 12, 1858, the son of Eaton and Martha Jane (Galloway) Cranfill. As a young man he was converted to the Baptist religion in a brush-arbor meeting in Coryell County. Although he received no college or seminary education, from 1877 to 1878 he taught at a country school at Crawford, McLennan County. He married one of his pupils, Olivia (Ollie) Allen, on September 1, 1878. He learned about medicine from his father, passed the state medical examination, and early in 1879 was licensed as a doctor. He practiced general medicine at Turnersville, in Coryell County, from 1879 to 1882. In 1880 he also opened J. B. Cranfill's Cash Store in Turnersville. In 1881 he established the Turnersville Effort, a monthly paper devoted to combating mob rule and saloons. He moved to Gatesville in 1882 and began publishing the weekly Gatesville Advance. These journalistic ventures led to his move in 1886 to Waco, where he established and edited the Waco Advance. This daily paper represented Texans who wanted to add a prohibitionqv amendment to the state constitution. Cranfill served as financial secretary of Baylor University in 1888-89 and as superintendent of Baptist mission work in Texas from 1890 to 1892. While superintendent of state missions, he initiated publication of the State Mission Journal. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1890 and toured the South in 1892 as the national Prohibition party candidate for vice president of the United States. In 1892 Cranfill and M. V. Smith, a Belton pastor, acquired the Western Baptist, which they brought from Dallas to Waco and renamed the Texas Baptist Standard (see BAPTIST STANDARD). During his tenure as editor of the Standard, Cranfill engaged in a heated controversy, called the Paper War, with Samuel A. Hayden,qv editor of the Texas Baptist and Herald.qv The controversy centered around the state convention's administration of organized, cooperative mission work among Texas Baptists, which Hayden distrusted. After fire destroyed the Standard's Waco plant in 1894, Cranfill moved the paper to Dallas and continued as editor until 1904. In that year a confrontation with Hayden on a train en route to the Southern Baptist Convention at Nashville, Tennessee, induced Cranfill to sell the Standard to George W. Carroll.qv Cranfill remained an active Baptist leader in his later years. He edited the Baptist Tribune from 1905 to 1907 and was vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1928. He also served as a trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1909 to 1942, and of the Relief and Annuity Board from 1920 to 1942. In a more secular vein, he pushed for Trinity River canalization, believing the project crucial to the future prosperity of Dallas. Cranfill wrote several books, including Courage and Comfort (1895), Cranfill's Heart Talks (1906), Cranfill's Chronicles (1916), From Nature to Grace (1924), and From Memory (1937). He was also the joint author of R. C. Buckner's Life of Faith and Works (1915). Cranfill compiled and edited humorous treatises and sermons by Benajah Harvey Carroll and James Milton Carroll.qqv He edited B. H. Carroll's Interpretation of the English Bible (1914) and J. M. Carroll's A History of Texas Baptists (1923), as well as three books of sermons by George Washington Truettqv: We Would See Jesus (1915), A Quest for Souls (n.d.), and God's Call to America (1923). Cranfill died in Dallas on December 28, 1942. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Robert A. Baker, The Blossoming Desert-A Concise History of Texas Baptists (Waco: Word, 1970). Baptist Standard, April 1, 1959. James Milton Carroll, A History of Texas Baptists (Dallas: Baptist Standard, 1923). L. R. Elliott, ed., Centennial Story of Texas Baptists (Dallas: Baptist General Convention of Texas, 1936). Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists (4 vols., Nashville: Broadman, 1958-82). Travis L. Summerlin
Submitted by: Donia McDonald,
Email: cats@southwind.net

Cross, Henry
Born: 1833, Georgia
Married: April 25, 1854, Calhoun Co., Ark.
Spouse: Zilphia DAUGHERTY
Date of Death: 1872, Parker Co., Texas
Burial: unknown, Hoggard (sometimes known as Reynolds) Cemetery

Biography: Henry CROSS was born in 1833 in Georgia. In 1851, he moved to Coffman Co., Texas. Then he went to Calhoun Co., Ark. in 1854 where he met and married Zilphia DAUGHERTY. Since she was only 14 years old at the time, her parents had to sign and give permission for this marriage. They returned to Texas to live in Parker Co. on Mill Creek. He was killed in 1872 in an argument over a steer. He was buried in Hoggard Cemetery near Azle, Texas. Henry and Zilphia had nine children: George, Molly, Henry (Doc), Lottie, Emma, John, Nathaniel (Nat), Kansas and Leanna. After Henry died, Zilphia married a man whose last name was Coffee.
Submitted by: Carlene Murray,
Email: amcm@sierra.net

Cummins, George Duffie
Born:
Married: 1st, Isabelle Carter died 1918.
Married: 2nd Lena McCarty in 1920.
Date of Death: July 17, 1948
Burial:

George Duffie Cummins moved to Parker Co., from Turnersville in Bosque Co., with his wife, and children in the fall of 1910. His father, Thomas Harrison Cummins was already living at Buckner, between Dennis and Lipan.
Duffie's wife, Isabelle Carter died in 1918 and he married Lena McCarty in 1920. He lived in Parker Co. for the next 38 years until his death on Jul. 17, 1948. He raised seven children, Lura, Lorene, Hester, Audry, Eugene, Noble and Tribie from his first marriage, and seven children from his second marriage; Lula Faye, Glenn, Dolly, Edward, Lois, Larry, And Norena.

Submitted by: Wes Cummins
Email: anirishrogue@yahoo.com

Dobbs, George Lee
Born: May 3, 1825, Bradley County, East Tennessee.
Married: November 8, 1857.
Spouse: Jane McGhee.
Married: July 1865.
Spouse: Mrs. Cynthia Brown.
Date of Death: January 18, 1924
Burial: unknown,

Biography - George L. Dobbs, Sr. made his home on the Clear Fork, near Bethel church, where he had lived for more than forty years. He was born in East Tennessee, Bradley County, May 3, 1825 and was married to Jane McGhee on November 8, 1847.The family moved to Parker County, Texas in September, 1858, when George was 33. He made a crop on uncle Sam Woody's farm in the year 1859. He bought the homestead in 1859. In 1864, George L. Dobbs served for a short time as a Pvt. under Capt. Joseph Ward; Company C, Parker County, 1st Frontier District. Maj. Wm. Quayle, Commander, Texas State Troops. George served 18 days and was 39 years old. In 1865, his first wife died, leaving him with seven children, four boys and three girls, all of whom survived him, except one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Lynch.

In July of 1865, he was married to Mrs. Cynthia Brown, she being a sister to Rev. Henry Roark, a pioneer Baptist preacher. There was born to this marriage ten children, all of whom survived their father. His last wife died September 19, 1902. George brought 108 head of the finest racing horses with him to Texas. In 1866, he was raided by Comanche Indians and all his horses except for one thoroughbred stud were killed or stolen. George L. Dobbs professed religion in about the year 1868, and he joined the Missionary Baptist Church at old Clear Fork, being baptized by Rev. J.C. Powers. Shortly afterwards he was ordained a deacon and at his death he was a member and also a deacon of the Bethel Church near his home. He was 80 years, 8 months and 28 days old at his death on February 1, 1906. Rev. Fronaberger and Rev. Jesse McCord conducted the funeral services, and he was laid to rest about fifty yards from his old home, where his two wives were buried. There is a photograph of George Lee Dobbs on my website at http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~tamara/genie1.html

Submitted by: Tamara Steven
Email: Tamara@bearsandhares.com

Ensey, Ezekiel
Born: June 20, 1841 in Coffee County Tennessee.
Married: August 15, 1861 in Texas (probably Parker County).
Spouse: Mary Ann Tadlock.
Date of Death: January 18, 1924
Burial: unknown,

Biography - Age 24 upon enlistment with Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, at Parker County, Texas, on March 25, 1862; but for some reason, Ezekiel joined Co. F, 19th Texas Cavalry on April 19th. Because the 10th Texas Infantry expected him to report as promised in his enlistment, Ezekiel was listed on the regimental rolls as "Deserted May 1, 1862 having failed to report at the time appointed."

Ensey descendant, Debbie Ensey White of Bakersfield, California, contributed the following on February 16, 1998:

"My name is Debbie Charline Ensey White. Ezekiel Louis Alexander Ensey was my great, great grandfather. He was born March 19, 1838 in Coffee County, Tennessee. His family moved to Kentucky on December 24, 1851. They left Kentucky on May 12, 1852 and arrived in Texas July 3, 1853 settling in Grayson County, Texas. His father, William Ensey, died July 27, 1854. His mother, Sarah Asbury Duncan Ensey then moved the family (13 children) to Collin County Texas, October 24, 1854. They then moved to Walnut Creek, Texas (now Parker County).

Ezekiel had two brothers that joined Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, Pvts. Rodom A. and William H. Ensey.

On August 15, 1861 in Texas (probably Parker County). Ezekiel married Mary Ann Tadlock. On April 18, 1862 in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Ezekiel enlisted in the Confederate Army as a Private. He was assigned to Co. F, 19th Regiment of the Texas Cavalry where he was first detailed to watch the Indians on the frontier. He served under Captain Pat Sanders; Lieu. Frank Ball, and Col. Beuford. He was Honorably discharged February __, 1863 at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas due to an injured leg. He went back home to Texas, but he suffered with his leg the rest of his life.

Sometime between 1863 and 1880 he moved his family to Wise County Texas. All of their children (13) were born in either Springtown or Paradise Texas. He and his wife and some of their children moved to Oklahoma in 1911. In June 16, 1915 they were living in Simpson, Marshall, Oklahoma (we can assume that is probably where they had lived since arriving in Ok.) They owned a home worth $400.00, and 2 cows worth $50.00. Between May 1919 and May 1921, they sold 60 acres of land for $1,500.00, but only received $500.00 of it the rest was lost in litigation. In May 1921 they were living with their son, Ambrose Richard Ensey (called A. R.) in Sayre, Beckham, Oklahoma.

By 1924 they had all moved to Foss, Washita County, Oklahoma where Ezekiel L. A. Ensey died on January 18, 1924 at the age of 86."

Submitted by: Scott McKay
Email: smckay1234@aol.com

Ensey, Rodom Ambrose
Born: June 20, 1841 in Coffee County Tennessee.
Married: 1879
Spouse: P. E. Briscoe
Date of Death: October 17, 1907
Burial: unknown,

Biography - Age 20 upon enlistment with Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, at Houston, Harris County, Texas, on October 23, 1861. Pvt. Ensey was detailed as "Hospital Nurse" on August 29, 1862; then was returned to duty on September 28th.

Pvt. Ensey was captured at Arkansas Post, Arkansas, on January 11, 1863; arriving at Camp Douglas Prison near Chicago, Illinois, on January 29th; and was paroled there for exchange on April 1, 1863, then was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, on April 7th. According to his parole certificate, he was a resident of Parker County, Texas, that stood 5'10" tall with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion. Pvt. Ensey was admitted to 2nd North Carolina Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia, on April 20, 1863; he received clothing there on May 8th.

Pvt. Ensey was slightly wounded in the side at Chickamauga, Georgia, on September 20, 1863 (According to the October 7, 1863 issue of the Memphis Daily Appeal). His last available record listed him present for the Muster Rolls for April 1864.

Ensey descendant, Debbie Ensey White of Bakersfield, California, contributed the following on February 16, 1998:

"My name is Debbie Charline Ensey White. Rodom Ambrose Ensey was my great, great grand uncle. He was born June 20, 1841 in Coffee County Tennessee. His family moved to Kentucky on December 24, 1851. They left Kentucky on May 12, 1852 and arrived in Texas July 3, 1853 settling in Grayson County Texas. His father, William Ensey, died July 27, 1854. His mother, Sarah Asbury Duncan Ensey then moved the family (13 children) to Collin County Texas, October 24, 1854. They then moved to Walnut Creek Texas (now Parker County). Rodom had two brothers that joined Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, Pvts. Ezekiel (my Great Great Grandfather) and William H. Ensey. Rodom married P. E. Briscoe in 1879. He died on October 17, 1907."

Submitted by: Scott McKay
Email: smckay1234@aol.com

Ensey, William H.
Born: 1840 in Coffee County Tennessee.
Married: 1866
Spouse: M. C. Caldwell
Date of Death: unknown
Burial: unknown,

Biography - Age 22 upon enlistment with Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, at Houston, Harris County,Texas, on October 23, 1863; he had been recruited at Parker County, Texas, on October 12th.

Pvt. Ensey was captured at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863; arriving at Camp Douglas Prison near Chicago, Illinois, on January 29th. He was paroled there for exchange on April 1, 1863, then was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, on April 7th. Pvt. Ensey was slightly wounded in the left thigh at Chickamauga, Georgia on September 20, 1863 (According to the October 7, 1863 issue of the Memphis Daily Appeal); he was returned to duty a short time afterward. He was wounded slightly in the head at Tunnel Hill, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863. Pvt. Ensey was captured "Near Atlanta" on July 22, 1864; arriving at Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio, on July 30th. Pvt. Ensey was released "by order of the President" on June 6, 1865. According to his parole certificate, Pvt. Ensey was a resident of Parker County, Texas, that stood 5'7" tall with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.

Ensey descendant, Debbie Ensey White of Bakersfield, California, contributed the following on February 16, 1998:

"My name is Debbie Charline Ensey White. William Henry Ensey was my great, great grand uncle. He was born in 1840 in Coffee County Tennessee. His family moved to Kentucky on December 24, 1851. They left Kentucky on May 12, 1852 and arrived in Texas July 3, 1853 settling in Grayson County Texas. His father, William Ensey, died July 27, 1854. His mother, Sarah Asbury Duncan Ensey then moved the family (13 children) to Collin County Texas, October 24, 1854. They then moved to Walnut Creek Texas (now Parker County). William had two brothers that joined Co. E, 10th Texas Infantry, Pvts. Ezekiel (my Great Great Grandfather) and Rodom A. Ensey. William married M. C. Caldwell in 1866; the date of his death is not known."

Submitted by: Scott McKay
Email: smckay1234@aol.com

Ethridge, Joseph Garrett
Born: September 16, 1864, Tennessee
Married: bef 1889, Texas
Spouse: Martha Ann Perdue
Date of Death: February 25, 1940, Annetta, Parker Co., Texas
Burial: February 27, 1940, Annetta Cemetery, Annetta, Parker Co., Texas

Biography:   Joseph Garrett Ethridge and Martha Ann Perdue were born born in Tennessee but came to Texas before 1889. He worked as a farmer in Aledo located in the area of where Deer Creek development is now. Joseph and Martha had 11 children: Etta Lela Ethridge 1889-1956, Charles Wyatt Ethridge 1890-1954, Jessie Walker Ethridge 1892-1964, Denman Harmon Ethridge 1894-1967, William James Ethridge 1896-1969, Maudie Beatrice Ethridge 1898-1934, Theo T Ethridge 1900-1989, Mary Catherine Ethridge 1902-1966, Eugene Milam Ethridge 1904-1989, Ivadell Lydia Ethridge 1905-1975, Grace Ann Ethridge 1908-1992. Joe Byron Ethridge 1912-1984, and Mack Willard Ethridge 1915-1998.

Submitted by: Glenda,
Email: hcp97@earthlink.net

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