These biographies have been filed alphabetically.

• Biography submittal form.

Armstrong, John Milton
Born: March 4, 1875, Millsap, Texas
Married: Unknown, Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Date of Death: January 12, 1938, Millsap, Texas
Burial: January 13, 1938, Newberry Cemetery

Biography:  Last Rites Held for Milton Armstrong, Pioneer Citizen Rev. W. B. Morton, Pastor of the Methodist Church assisted by Rev. Willingham of Weatherford, former pastor here conducted funeral services Thursday afternoon January 13th, at the Methodist Church for Mr. Milton Armstrong, 66 who passed away at his home east of town Wednesday at noon. Mr. Armstrong had only been seriously ill a week. He was taken seriously ill last summer while working at the Wesley Strain gin and was taken to the hospital in Weatherford; later taken to a Fort Worth hospital. He had been home some time and was able to walk to town when he suddenly took his bed for the last time before death. Mr. Armstrong was a pioneer citizen of Parker County and Millsap; having been born and reared here and spent his entire life here. He was converted and joined the Methodist Church several years ago and lived a true Christian life. He was a friend to all and will be greatly missed by his friends who are numberless. Mr. Armstrong is survived by his wife and one brother, Allen Armstrong, Millsap. He was laid to rest beside his parents in the Newberry Cemetery. The White Funeral Home of Weatherford had charge of the funeral arrangements. Newspaper Clipping - Source Unknown
Submitted by: J. Webster,
Email: [email protected]
URL: 

Baker, Barnie Estes
Born: Jan 07, 1893, Baker Community
Married: Jan 06, 1916, Loving, Young County, TX.
Spouse: Bertha Ferguson
Date of Death: Oct 07, 1984, Weatherford, Parker Co., TX
Burial: Oct, 1984, Long Creek Cemetary, Hood Co. TX.

Biography:  Barnie Estes Baker was the 7th child of Gaston Commadore Scott Baker and Laura Josephine Cochran. After the death of his father, his mother and unmarried siblings moved to Young County. Barnie married Bertha Ferguson and they had 4 children, Garth Elmo, Charles Ferguson, Malcom Keith, and Beverly Iris. Barnie and Bertha moved to Blue Mountain Arkansas in 1918. They traveled by wagon. They returned to Texas in 1924-25, stopping first in Fort Worth and shortly moving to Parker County. They built a farm and raised their family in Spring Creek Community. Barnie sold the farm in 1961 shortly after the death of Bertha and he then moved to Bridgeport. He remarried Fronie Elvira Keenun and returned to Greenwood Community in Parker County in 1962-63, where they operated a truck farm unit their retirement in 1972- 73. They moved to Weatherford and remained there until his death. Barnie was laid to rest in Long Creek Cemetary, Hood County beside his first wife Bertha, and among the resting places of his parents, grandparents, and many Aunts and Uncles.
Submitted by: Genevieve Baker Shockley,
Email: [email protected]

Baker, Charles Capron
Born: 2 Dec. 1806 in Bakersville, Mitchell Co., N.C.
Married: about 1831 in Yancey Co., N.C.
Spouse: Mary Ann Keener
Date of Death: 20 Nov. 1877 Parker Co., TX
Burial: Long Creek Cemetary, Parker Co. TX.

Biography:   Charles Capron Baker was born Dec. 2, 1806 in
Bakersville, Mitchell County, North Carolina to David Baker and Dorthey
(Wiseman) Baker. His father, David Baker, was a corporal in the 3rd
Virginia Regiment of the Line under Gen. George Washington during the
Revolutionary War, and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, crossed the
Delaware River to fight at Trenton, and was at Valley Forge. Charles Baker
married Mary Ann Keener about 1831 in Yancey County. In the 1840 Census for
North Carolina, Charles C. Baker is listed as the "High Sheriff of Yancey
County". Mary Ann Keener was born May 14, 1808 in Bakersville, N.C.
Charles, his wife Mary and his family moved to Parker County, Texas about
1856. Their children were John Nelson Baker, Rebecca A.E. Baker, Mary T.S.
Baker, Charles W.L. Baker, Gaston Commadore Baker, and Sarah Baker.
Charles Baker died Nov. 20, 1877 and is buried in the Long Creek Cemetery,
Parker County, Texas, as is his wife Mary, who died Oct. 10, 1892.
Submitted by: David Christy
Email: [email protected]

Baker, Gaston Commadore Scott
Born: Dec 02, 1845, Bakersville, Mitchell County, North Carolina
Married: May 03, 1877, Hood County, TX
Spouse: Laura Josephine Cochran
Date of Death: October 03, 1898, Parker County, TX
Burial: Oct 1898, Long Creek Cemetary, Hood County, TX

Biography:  1st born child of Charles Keener Baker and Mary. Gaston Commadore Scott Baker and Laura Josephine Cochran had nine children; Walter Elliot, Bertha Ellinor, Emma Cordelia, Marion Elizabeth, James Scott, Charels Keener, Barnie Estes, Oliver Marshall, and Florence Josephine. The family lived in Parker Co., just north of the Hood/Parker county line. The marriage license of GSC Baker and L.J. Cochran can be found in the Hood County Marriage records.
Submitted by: Genevieve Baker Shockley,
Email: [email protected]

Beeman, James Jackson
Born: 
Married:
Spouse: Elizabeth Baker
Date of Death: 
Burial: 

James Jackson BEEMAN came to Texas in December 1840 with numerous family
members, stopping first in Bowie County. In July 1841 he was part of the 2nd
Village Creek Expedition (to present Arlington, Tarrant County) with General
Edward H Tarrant and they traveled up the Clear Fork of the Trinity to near
where Cartersville was later located in Parker County.

In the later part of 1841 the BEEMANs and others built and occupied Bird's Fort
(near present Arlington) then in 1842 moved to Dallas.

In 1855 James Jackson BEEMAN, wife Elizabeth (BAKER) and family established a
trading post on the Fort Worth - Fort Belknap Road about 5 miles northwest of
present Weatherford and he was instrumental in the formation of Parker County.
Emily Elvira BEEMAN, James' daughter by a previous wife, married William
Thatcher BAKER, brother of Elizabeth, in Parker County in 1856. Several
children were born to each family in Parker County.

In 1856 the first session of the district court in Parker County was held under
an oak tree at BEEMAN's trading post - the tree is featured in the "Famous Trees
of Texas." Judge Nathaniel G Burford of Dallas presided.

James Jackson BEEMAN moved to Weatherford in 1858, opened a cabinet shop, and
became the postmaster.
Submitted by: M. C. Toyer
Email: [email protected]

Beene/Bean, John Lemuel
Born: 4/15/1852, Marion County, TN
Married: 1/23/1890, Freestone County, TX
Spouse: Frances "Fannie" Lillian Kilborn
Date of Death: 2/7/1929, Fouke, Miller County, Arkansas
Burial: Sylverino, Fouke Cemetery, Miller Co., Ark

Biography: John and Fannie moved to Weatherford, TX about 1907 from Freestone County, TX. They lived at 208 East Second Street in Weatherford for a short time. John was a blacksmith and a brick layer. They had five girls: Winnie Mae Bell Beene Wright, 1893-1980; Mary Willie Beene Brown, 1894-1977; Zemna Bea Beene Boddy, 1897-1988; Nettie Jane Beene Hemmingway Holland, 1900-1962; and Johnnie Lillian Beene Cunningham 1902-1993. They also had three other children that apparently died at childbirth or shortly thereafter: Samuel Buckner, 1890, Hasty Kilborn, 1892, and Fannie Opal, 1907. Around 1912, John Lemuel moved to Centrahoma, Coal County, Oklahoma with daughters Mary and Zemna. He left the youngest child, Lillian in Weatherford with Hilery Bean, a first cousin once removed.
Submitted by: Mary Boddy,
Email: [email protected]

Blodgett, Francis S.
Born: 24 July 1813, New Hampshire
Married: About 1839, Probably Illinois
Spouse: Harriett A. Hayden
Date of Death: 5 October 1868, Bell County, Texas
Burial: , Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Nolanville, Bell County, TX

Biography:  Francis Blodgett was married to Harriett A. Hayden, born 24 October 1822 in Tennessee, probably in Illinois, where their first three children were born. About 1846 the family moved to Hickory County, MO; and by 1856 were in Texas. Francis S. Blodgett received a 3rd Class land grant in Parker County, Robertson District Grant No. 3932. An affidavit shows he settled on the land in 1856. Francis and Harriett sold the land to John Lester in 1858, and were on the 1860 census for Johnson County, TX. Francis S. Blodgett was on the muster roll during the Civil War for Willow Springs, Bell County, Texas. He died in 1868, and Harriett died 17 February 1907 in Bell County. Both are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Nolanville, Bell County, TX. Children: James D.; Alice Hannah, who married Joseph Emery Willess; Mary Jane, who married Reuben Crow in Johnson County; Martin Luther, Andrew Jackson, and Martha Elizabeth.
Submitted by: Frances Willess,
Email: [email protected]

Boley, George
Born: MAY 4, 1844, MOULTON, AL
Married: FEB 25,1869, MOULTON, AL
Spouse: MARGARET KEY
Date of Death: APR 8, 1929, POOLVILLE, TX
Burial: UNKNOWN, POOLVILLE, TX

Biography: George Lewis Boley served during the civil war as a private in Company A of the 4th Alabama Calvary.  He was wounded in the right shoulder on Apr 17, 1863 and recuperated in Tuscumbia, Al. He was paroled in April 1865 in Montgomery, AL.  He married Margaret Key, cousin of Francis Scott Key (of Star Spangled Banner fame) on Mar 25, 1869.  They had seven children.  In 1885, they moved to Buffalo Gap, near Abilene, Texas. However they couldn't stand the terrible sandstorms, and moved to a farm near Poolville shortly  thereafter. Margaret died in July, 1890, and George married Lee Ann Simpson on Oct 25, 1899. George was known as a bible scholar, and a writer. some of his stories were published, and for a short time he taught school. George died on Apr 29, 1929 and is buried in Poolville. He had Texas Pension #22429 Parker County approved on Sep 1, 1913.
Submitted by: BOB MARIANI,
Email: [email protected]

Brittain, Milton James
Born: July 8, 1820 in Buncombe County, NC
Married: Sept 16, 1856
Spouse: Amanda Booker Rhoads
Date of Death: June 2, 1885 in Bosque County
Burial:

Biography: Milton James Brittain, b. July 8, 1820 in Buncombe County, NC, d. June 2, 1885 in Bosque County, buried in Lebonan cemetery in Hill County just across the Brazos River from Bosque County. He came to Texas in 1852, first to Wolf City, Hunt County with three brothers. He lived for awhile in Fall County and Hill County before going to Parker County. His means of earning a living in Parker County are unknown (by me). I assumed he farmed, but have not as yet found that information.

He married Amanda Booker Rhoads, b. Feb 11, 1838 in Henry County, TN on Sept 16, 1856.She was the daughter of Wiliam Rhoads and Sara Jane Flemeng of Jacksboro and the brother of a Texas Ranger stationed in Jacksboro named Abner Rhoads who fought in several Indian Conflicts within that region. They purchased a large farm at Prairie Point, Wise County about early 1860 for he and Amanda appear on 1860 census of Wise County taken in July of that year.
In 1879, he sold his large holdings in Wise County and Moved to Bosque County where he bought another large land holding. He remained in Bosque County until his death on June 24, 1885 There were 14 children to this union
Submitted by: [email protected]

Biography:   Albert Berry was the first born son of Susan Elizabeth Upton and Albert Burleson Brown . He was born in Parker County ,Texas . He was born at a time that many Indian raids were occurring to family and friends . His beloved father Burrell Brown moved his family to several locations due to the many Indian raids . Albert Berry 's father moved them to Palo Pinto , Brown ,and Coleman County , Texas . At the age of twelve Albert Berry felt the effects of the death of his beloved father, Albert Burleson Brown and his teenage Uncle, Dave Upton . Both were killed by Indians .Albert Berry Brown married Mary Jane Norris daughter of Margaret Ann Amason and James Claibourne Norris . Together this union was blessed with 6 children . Albert Burlison Brown ,John Stonewall Brown , Mabel Brown , Ivy Brown , an unknown infant Brown , and Annie Brown . Before the year of 1891 Mary Jane and Albert Berry lost one child . Albert Berry was a fine rancher .In the year of 1891 he sustained injuries while breaking a horse . These injuries bore complications and he developed pneumonia . Thus dying at the age of 35 . Leaving his beloved wife Mary Jane a widow with 5 small children to care for . In the year of 1900 his children Annie and Ivy were drowned with their cousin Dee Lyons in the Coleman County Flood .
Submitted by: Evelyn Owens,
Email: [email protected]

Brown, Albert Burleson (Burrell)
Born: September 08, 1832, McNairy County , Tennessee
Married: abt. 1853, unknown
Spouse: Susan Elizabeth Upton
Date of Death: May 11, 1870, Coleman County , Texas
Burial: 1870, Near Leaday, Texas

Biography:   Albert Burleson was also called A.B. or Burl or Burrell Brown. His parents were Andrew Brown and Rhoda Swain . His family had moved to Tishomingo County , Mississippi by 1840. It appears that Burrell's parents has died by 1850 . Neither are on the census at this time but Burrell's brothers and sisters are there. Burrell moves to Henderson County , Texas by the early 1850's . He is granted a land grant . Perhaps this is where Susan and Burrell meets . Both are in Henderson County at the time .Burrell and Susan pursues their quest to a new land by going to Parker County . Records indicates them there about 1853. Burrell receives a Parker County Land Grant and it is Abstact # 80. Burrell and Susan endured many hardships of pioneer life . In the year of 1854-1874 Parker County , Texas was a major center for many major Indian raids . Burrell and his family saw the effects of many deaths and hardships that were encountered by their family and friends . Burrell and his family had to leave Parker county for their safety due to the Indian raids for a time . By 1870 Burrell and his family were living in Coleman County , Texas . Burrell was killed by Indians there. ( Lee Stockman has written a story based on his research about the "KILLING OF BURRELL BROWN " )It is in the URL.
Submitted by: Evelyn Owens,
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.zianet .com/stockman_allen/BurBro.html

Byars, Noah T.
Born: May 17, 1808 - Spartanburg District, South Carolina
Married: Unknown, Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Date of Death: July 17, 1888
Burial:  in a Brownwood Cemetery

Weatherford Democrat, July 20, 1950 - Noah T. Byars was born in Spartanburg District, South Carolina on May 17, 1808. He left the land of his birth when a young amn and came to Texas, settling at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Noah Byars was a man of strong conviction and a great zeal to serve his God. He was of the Baptist faith and his dream was to organize Baptist churches all over the young state of Texas. He was licensed to preach in 1838, and ordained in 1841, in a ceremony that attracted many of the dignitaries of the state. He was also a zealous patriot and it was in his blacksmith shop at Washington-on-the-Brazos that the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836.

He was a charter member and helped found the first Baptist church in Texas at Washington, in the year 1838. His love for his God prompted him to start out on his missionary work to organize places of worship in other parts of the state. He arrived in Parker County on his mission in the early part of 1854. Shortly after his arrival he called together the people of the Baker community and in that same year organized the Baker Baptist Church.  That church is in existence today and has had continuous membership since he organized it. In 1856 he organized the First Baptist church of Weatherford and two years later the Clear Fork Baptist church was organized. Both of those churches have had continuous membership, also.

Noah Byars and his wife were the parents of four sons, Sam, T.J., B.T.,  and A.J. Byars.  Mrs. R. P. McKinney ......is the daughter of B.T. Byars.  Mrs. McKinney barely remembers her grandfather for he died when she was a very young child.

Noah Byars died on July 17, 1888 and is buried in a Brownwood cemetery, his grave appropriately marked as the last resting place of a great and good man who served his country and his God well.

For more information, see the biographies page on the Navarro County, TXGenWeb site.

Byrd, Robert E.
Born: February 22, 1829, Mississippi
Married: Abt. 1851, Arkansas
Spouse: Elizabeth C. Eddleman
Date of Death: Nov. 4, 1901, Snyder, Texas
Burial: Snyder cemetery, Scurry county, Texas

Biography:   Robert E. Byrd and his wife Elizabeth C. came to Texas around 1854 and moved to Parker county in 1855. They had one daughter known only by the initials M.A. While in Parker county they had three more children, William A., Thomas R., and Jeff D. In 1862 Robert E. enlisted as a private in Company E, 19th Regiment, Cavalry which was organized in Parker county in 1861. He mustered in at Weatherford and fought for the Confederacy. He was 32 years old at the time and had equipment worth $20 and his horse worth $200. He traveled 70 miles to join this unit. After the war was over Robert continued his occupation as a farmer and rancher. They lived in Parker county from 1855 until around 1875. They then moved to Young county. During this time they had five more children, Robert S., Lydia Z., Susan O., Epsie A., and Louisa F. They then moved to the Kent and Scurry county areas moving from Young county because of a drought. They brought their family and cattle and lived in a dugout in Scurry county. Robert E. was a county judge in Scurry county from 1890-1892. In 1895 they ran the Belmont Hotel in Snyder. Elizabeth died May 7, 1899 and Robert E. November 4, 1901. They are both buried in the Snyder cemetery in Scurry county.
Submitted by: D'Lynn Byrd Williams,
Email: [email protected]

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