Marion Co TOC

Elizabeth Doshier was born in 24 May 1824 in Warren Co. Tenn and died 12 Aug. 1913. She was the daughter of Henry Doshier who resided in Yellville, Marion Co. Arkansas for many years. Elizabeth or Betsy as she was best known, became the second wife to Daniel Boone Wickersham in 1855, in Yellville, Marion Co. Ark. This marriage was not well received by Daniel's children of his first marriage with Susanah Martin who had died 24 May 1854. Some of these children were the same age as Elizabeth and it appears they thought this marriage was their father's folly. However in truth, Daniel who at age 67 married Betsy (31) was truly in love with her. Together they had four sons. Twins, Newton and Jasper Wickersham both born 2 Aug. 1856 in Yellville, Arkansas. George Washington Wickersham born 10 Nov 1857. And Francis Marion born 18 Oct. 1859. All four sons were born in Yellville, Arkansas and lived at the family's home on Crooked Creek where their father had a mill.

Daniel was shot in the bowel by Bushwhackers on 19 Feb. 1863 and died after trying to save his dear Betsy who was being tortured by the Bushwhackers who had hung her over a hot bed of coals trying to get her to tell where Daniel's fortune of gold and silver coins were hidden. Prior to his shooting Daniel had been lynched 3 times but had not died nor would he reveal where his money was. It was then the evil men went after his young wife who also did not tell her captures not only where Daniels fortune was, but also that she had paper money sewn into the hem of her skirt. Betsy's feet were badly burned from the treatment she received from the Bushwhackers and my late great Aunt Doll Wickersham Blankenship had once told me that as a young girl she had seen her grandmother's feet which had only stubbles for toes due to the terrible burns she had received by Bushwhackers.

After Daniel's death Elizabeth continued to live in the family home and raise her sons. In 1884 sadness fell upon the family again as Newton drowned in the Crooked Creek. Elizabeth died at age 89 in Yellville, Arkansas and the Mountain Echo recorded her death and stated that she was loved by all the towns people. She was buried near her husband Daniel in the Old Wickersham Cemetery.

Both Jasper and George married and had families of their own. Jasper stayed in Yellville, but George and his wife Lola Wood moved to Oklahoma and lived in Hoyt, Haskell Co. which was Choctaw territory. Francis Marion (he went by Marion) never married he lived with and cared for his mother in the family home and until her death.

Jasper as seen here in this photo fits the description of a typical Wickersham from what I find in my research. He was thin, long legged and had dark blue eyes. Jasper married Catherine Stacy Doshier who was Betsy's niece (dau. of Betsy's brother Peter.) Catherine's parents were Henry Doshier and Mary Ann Elkins and she was born 20 Sept. 1860 in Marion Co. Arkansas. She married Jasper on 12 Dec. 1878 in Marion Co. Arkansas. The 1890 census states that they had 5 children with 4 children living. Their 6th child Jonathan Francis would be born later. They resided in Yellville where Jasper worked as a farmer.

My grandfather, Boyd Wickersham, nephew of Jasper recognized this photo when I had shown it to him many years ago. He remembered his uncle quiet well and recalled playing with his cousins during visits when his family would travel from Oklahoma and go back to visit the folks in Yellville. Jasper is buried with his wife in the Old Wickersham Cemetery.

This photo was given to me by Charlene Rambaud a genealogy buddy and cousin who I have lost contact with.

Meet Elizabeth Doshier Wickersham age 66, her son Jasper Wickersham age 34, his wife Catherine Doshier age 30 and their 4 children from left to right, Thomas Edgar age 8, Amelia age 12, George Washington age 10 and Mary Louise age 6 months. (It is believed that at the time this picture was taken that one child born after George had died. Then on 27 May 1893, Jonathan Francis was born into the family too.) This picture was taken around Sept. 1889.