THE SKILLERN FAMILY OF WHITE COUNTY, ARKANSAS
Anderson Skillern, son of James Alexander Skillern and Rebecca, whose surname is unknown, is the eldest member of his family to settle in White Co. AR; however, it is believed that his son, Theopolius Skillern may have moved to White County first with his family and was then followed by his father with the rest of his siblings.
Anderson was a “4th Generation” American, his immigrant ancestor, William Skillern, having come to America from Ireland in 1736 to Orange Co. VA where a parcel of land was surveyed for him on May 5, 1738. On July 24, 1740 William Skillern appeared before the Orange County Court to qualify as a land claimant and proved that he had paid passage for himself, his wife, and four children. He then purchased 635 acres of land from William Beverly on Long Meadow Run in Beverley Manor. His son, William Skillern II, married Mary Anderson, and thus began a long line of Skillern sons who were given the name of “Anderson”.
Anderson Skillern’s father, James Alexander Skillern, moved his family from Virginia to Bledsoe County, Tennessee in 1808. There is an extensive list of Deed and Court records for the Skillerns in that county. Anderson Skillern moved his family farther west to Madison County, Tennessee by 1840, before making the move to White County, Arkansas between 1850 and 1860.
An extensive history of the Skillern family is recorded in the book, “Skillern Family History and Genealogy, Descendants of William and Elizabeth Skillern of Virginia” written by Darlene R. Allell and Ethelmae Eylar Carter and published in 1971.
The known descendants of Anderson Skillern and his three wives, Margaret McDowell Christian, Mary Ann Buchanan, and Temperance Springfield are as follows:
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Anderson Skillern was the eldest member of his family to settle in White Co. AR; however, it is believed that his son, Theopolius Skillern may have moved to White County first with his family and was then followed by his father with the rest of his siblings. Anderson was a “4th Generation” American, his immigrant ancestor, William Skillern, having come to America from Ireland in 1736 to Orange Co. VA where a parcel of land was surveyed for him on May 5, 1738. On July 24, 1740 William Skillern appeared before the Orange County Court to qualify as a land claimant and proved that he had paid passage for himself, his wife, and four children. He then purchased 635 acres of land from William Beverly on Long Meadow Run in Beverley Manor. His son, William Skillern II, married Mary Anderson, and thus began a long line of Skillern sons who were given the name of “Anderson”. An extensive history of the Skillern family is recorded in the book, “Skillern Family History and Genealogy, Descendants of William and Elizabeth Skillern of Virginia” written by Darlene R. Allell and Ethelmae Eylar Carter and published in 1971.
1. Anderson SKILLERN. Born on 31 Dec 1803 in VA., the son of James Alexander Skillern and Rebecca [Skillern], he died in Searcy, White Co AR on 7 Jan 1858, he was 54. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, White Co AR. On 3 May 1830 when Anderson was 26, he first married Margaret McDowell CHRISTIAN, in Madison Co TN. Born in 1810, Margaret McDowell died in Madison Co TN in 1841, she was 31. They had the following children:
2 i. Theophilus S. "Pat" (1831-1882)
3 ii. John A. (1831-<1858)
On 1 Dec 1841 when Anderson was 37, he second married Mary Ann BUCHANAN.
About 1845 when Anderson was 41, he third married Temperence SPRINGFIELD, in Madison Co TN. Born in 1822 in NC. Temperence died in White Co AR on 6 Jul 1896, she was 74. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, White Co AR. They had the following children:
4 i. Thomas B. (1847-)
5 ii. James Edgar (1849-1919)
6 iii. Ida (1851-1936)
7 iv. Eugene (1854-1929)
Recorded in the book "Historic Madison" written for the centennial in 1946 is the following: "The Skillerns were among the first settlers who came to Denmark, Tennessee around 1820-30." The first deed book for Madison Co. TN was begun on March 23, 1821. The Skillern name appears dozens of times in that early deed book and in many that followed.
Anderson is listed on the 1840 Madison Co. TN Census with the following: 2 males 5-10, 1 male 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 20-30, 1 female 60-70 (this is his mother).
He is listed on the 1850 Madison Co. TN Census with the following: Anderson Skillern 46, VA, merchant; Tempy 28, NC; Theopholy 20, TN, clerk; John A. 18, TN; Thomas B. 3, TN; and James E. 1, TN.
Anderson and his family moved to White Co. AR between 1850 and 1860. on February 11, 1857 he purchased land in White Co. and it was recorded in Deed Book F, p. 31. He died a year later. His will, dated May 27 1857 and proved on January 29, 1858, is recorded in the White Co. AR Court Records. In his will he names his wife, Temperance, his children Theopolis, Thomas B., James E., Ida, and Eugene. His brother I.C.A. Skillern, was appointed executor. On January 29, 1858, Isaac C.A. Skillern was appointed as guardian of the four minor children - Thomas B., James E., Ida, and Eugene. (NOTE: When Anderson made his will in 1857 he was the father of only 5 children, as was the case when he died, and also as was the case when the court appointed his brother Isaac as guardian of the four minor children. However, a sixth child was born six months after the death of Anderson, a boy that his wife Temperance named "Anderson").
Temperance's name is found in White Co. AR Deed Book Z, page 485. It reads, "Temperance H. Ragsdale "for love and affection toward and for my children, Thomas B. Skillern, James E. Skillern, Ida Hicks, Eugene Skillern, and Anderson Skillern" relinquishes right, interest, and dower in 220 acres of land in North Range 7, Township 7, Section 23, for $1.00.
Temperance's will, dated March 11, 1889 and proved on October 17 1896, names her five children - Thomas B. James E., Ida Hicks, Eugene, and Anderson. Her son James E. Skillern was named executor of the estate. (NOTE: She did not name her step-son, Theophilus, in her will). The will is recorded in White Co. AR, Will Book B, p. 244.
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2. Theophilus S. "Pat" SKILLERN. Born in 1831 in Madison Co TN. Theophilus S. "Pat" died in Searcy, White Co AR in 1882, he was 51. About 1852 when Theophilus S. "Pat" was 21, he first married Judith Ann JOHNSON, in Madison Co TN. Born in 1838 in TN. Judith Ann died in White Co AR in 1862, she was 24. They had the following children:
9 i. John A Jackson (1853-1915)
10 ii. Thomas A. (1856-)
11 iii. David Alphonso (1859-1939)
12 iv. James (1862-)
On 24 Dec 1863 when Theophilus S. "Pat" was 32, he second married Margaret ALTMAN, in White Co AR. Born in 1844 in TN. They had the following children:
13 i. Mortimer (1867-)
14 ii. Mary Etta (1870-)
15 iii. Alice Louise (1872-1944)
16 iv. Elmer (1877-1926)
Theophilus's name is listed on the 1850 Madison Co. TN Census as 20 years old, born in TN, working as a clerk, and living in the household of his father and step-mother. Between 1850 and 1860 the family moved to White Co. AR.
He is listed on the 1860 White Co. AR Census in Gray Township, Searcy, but his name is misspelled as "Scklan". It reads: T. Scklan 29, TN, farmer; J. 22, TN; J. 8, TN; T.5 TN, and D 2 AR. Two years later his wife, Judith died and he married for a second time to Margaret Altman in 1863.
He is listed on the 1870 White Co. AR Census in Gray Township , Searcy, with the following: T. Skillern 39, TN, farmer; Margaret 27, TN; John A. 18 TN; Tommie A. 14, TN; David A. 11, AR; James 8, AR; and Marietta 1/12, AR.
He is listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census in Des Arc Township with the following: T.S. Skillern 50, TN, laborer; M. 36 TN; James W. 17, AR; Mortimer 13, AR (where was he in 1870?); Mary E. 10 AR (listed as Marietta on the 1870 census); Alice 7, AR; and Elmer 3, AR.
Theophilus's name appears on the following White Co. AR Deed records:
1) Deed Book E, page 38 , Dec. 14, 1855. To T. S. Skillern , a warranty deed for land.
2) Deed Book E., page 261, Apr. 3, 1856. To Theophilus Skillern from Brown, warranty deed .
3) Deed Book E, page 466, Dec 8, 1856. To Theiphilus Skillern From Britt, warranty deed.
4) Deed Book G, p. 431, To The. Skillern, warranty deed.
5) Deed Book N, page 283, Dec. 25, 1869. From The. Skillern, deed of trust for crops.
6) Deed Book O, page 382, Oct 19, 1870. From The. Skillern, deed of trust for crops.
7) Deed Book P, page 252, May 3, 1871 From The. Skillern and wife Margaret, land
8) Deed Book S, page 479, Mar 24, 1873. From The. S. Skillern, trust deed.
9) Deed Book X, page 285, May 15, 1875. From Theo Skillern and wife Margaret, trust deed.
10) Deed Book CC, page 134, Feb 16, 1870. From The. Skillern and wife Margaret F. C. , warranty deed.
3. John A. SKILLERN. Born in 1831 in Madison Co. TN. John A. died in Madison Co. TN before 1858, he was 27.
4. Thomas B. SKILLERN. Born in 1847 in Madison Co. TN. On 4 Jan 1870 when Thomas B. was 23, he married Sallie Alice OLDS, in White Co. AR. Born in 1851. Sallie Alice died in White Co. AR before 1880, she was 29.
Thomas is listed on the 1850 Madison Co. TN Census as 3 years old in the household of his parents. Thomas's name is found in White Co. AR Deed Book P, page 70, Mar 30, 1870. It reads: To Thomas B. Skillern, warranty deed, lot in town. He is listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census as 33 years old, a widower, boarding in the household of Mary Coburn, age 53 and two grandchildren: Annie Hinson 5 and Hanium Hinson 9 months.
5. James Edgar SKILLERN. Born on 25 Sep 1849 in Madison Co. TN. James Edgar died in Little Rock, AR on 4 Jan 1919, he was 69. Buried in Oakland Cemetery, Little Rock, AR. On 5 Jun 1873 when James Edgar was 23, he married Alice Louise CARTWRIGHT, daughter of Nansford CARTWRIGHT & Margaret JONES, in White Co. AR. Born on 6 Oct 1851 in Athens, Al. Alice Louise died in Little Rock, AR on 19 Nov 1924, she was 73. Buried in Oakland Cemetery, Little Rock, AR. They had the following children:
17 i. Roselle (1874-1874)
18 ii. Esther (1875-1875)
19 iii. Perry Robertson (Twin) (1876-)
20 iv. Margaret (Twin) (1876-1876)
21 v. Fannie (1878-1885)
22 vi. Ida (1886-)
23 vii. Pauline (1887-)
24 viii. J. Edgar (1889-1892)
James is listed on the Madison Co. TN Census as 1 year old. He is listed on the 1870 White Co. AR Census as 20 years old, working as a clerk with T. Ragsdale. He is listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census with his wife and two children; Perry and Fannie.
His name is found in the following White Co. AR Deed records:
1) Deed Book P, page 79, Mar 28, 1871. To James E. Skillern, etal, warranty deed on land in Searcy.
2) Deed Book P, page 623, Dec24, 1871. To James Skillern from E. P. Neely, deed for property in Searcy.
3) Deed Book R, page 95, Feb 16, 1872. To J. E. Skillern, mortgage on property in Searcy.
4) Deed Book U, page 399, Apr 6, 1873. From James E. Skillern to Stephen Perry, warranty deed.
5) Deed Book V, page 153, Sept 25, 1873. From James E. Skillern and wife, warranty deed.
6) Deed Book W, page 363, Feb 16, 1875. From James E. Skillern as trustee, deed.
7) Deed Book Y, page 555, Mar 2, 1876. From James E. Skillern and wife Alice L., warranty deed.
8) Deed Book Z, page 56, Apr 13, 1876 From James E. Skillern and wife Alice L. warranty deed.
9) Deed Book CC, page 52, Oct 1, 1876. From James E. Skillern and wife Alice L., warranty deed.
10) Deed Book LL, page 257, Jan 12, 1881. To J. Skillern, etal, warranty deed.
James' obituary was published in the "Arkansas Gazette" on Jan 5, 1919. It reads as follows:
James Edgar Skillern, at age 69, retired capitalist and railroad builder, died at his late residence, 2522 Arch Street, at 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning.
Mr. Skillern was born in Denmark, Tenn. Sept. 25, 1849, and moved to Searcy, Ark. in 1870 where he opened a general merchandise business. June 5, 1873 he married Miss Alice Cartwright of Searcy. While residing in that city Mr. Skillern built the first railroad between Kensett and Searcy, and was its owner. He later purchased the Russellville-Dardanelle railroad and was largely instrumental in developing coal mining along that line. He was proprietor of a mine. After disposing of interests, he moved to Little Rock in 1892.
He assisted in organizing the Beal-Fletcher Grocer Company, which later became the Doyle-Kidd Dry Goods Business, in which he held large interests. In 1901, he became connected with the Plunkett-Jarrell Grocer Company and was elected vice president which position he held until his death. He was one of the charter members of the Little Rock Cotton Exchange and was connected with the Southern Trust Company and also was identified with many other business enterprises.
He erected the Skillern Building, Second and Scott Streets, also the building now occupied by the Rose-Lyon Hardware Company. Besides these two structures, Mr. Skillern also had other large holdings in real estate about the city.
Mr. Skillern was also interested in the recent war activities, Red Cross, War Camp Community Service, etc.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alice Cartwright Skillern; three daughters, Mrs. C.S. Powell of Peoria, Ill; Mrs. Q. L. Porter and Mrs. J. D. Jordan, both of this city; also a sister, Mrs. Ida Hicks, and a brother, Eugene Skillern, both of Searcy.
Funeral Services will be held at his late residence at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, in charge of the Rev. Phillip Cone Fletcher, pastor of the First Methodist Church, of which Mr. Skillern was a member. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery."
6. Ida SKILLERN. Born on 21 Apr 1851 in Madison Co. TN. Ida died in White Co. AR on 6 Jan 1936, she was 84. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR. On 3 Sep 1872 when Ida was 21, she married Jasper HICKS, in Haywood Co. TN. Born on 3 Dec 1845. Jasper died in White Co. AR on 4 Aug 1898, he was 52. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR. They had the following children:
25 i. Ida Maud (1873-1888)
26 ii. Stella (1875-1903)
27 iii. Howell Hinton (1877-1888)
28 iv. Dainty (1879-1888)
Ida is listed on the 1870 White Co. AR Census, age 19, living with her mother. She and Jasper are listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census with Jasper 34, Ida 29, Maud 6, Stella 4, Hinton 2, and Dela 1. Also living with them was Ida's mother, Temperance Ragsdale 57.
Ida and Jasper were the parents of four children and three of them died within a four month span - Dainty died in July 1888, she was 9 years old; Ida Maud died in August 1888, she was 14 years old; and Howell Hinton died in Oct 1888, he was 11 years old. One wonders if there was some kind of epidemic that caused their deaths so closely together.
7. Eugene SKILLERN. Born on 29 Oct 1854 in Madison Co. TN. Eugene died in White Co. AR on 11 Dec 1929, he was 75. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR. On 16 Oct 1878 when Eugene was 23, he married Minnie PEEBLES, daughter of James Albert PEEBLES & Mary Susan GARRETT, in Van Buren Co. AR. They had the following children:
29 i. Eugene Andre (1880-)
30 ii. Mary Gertrude (1882-1904)
31 iii. Valeria (1885-)
32 iv. Julia Ann (1888-)
33 v. Lottie Lee (1891-)
34 vi. William Albert (1893-)
35 vii. Minnie (1895-)
36 viii. James Edgar (1897-)
37 ix. Charles Garner (1899-1930)
Eugene and Minnie are listed on the 1880 Van Buren Co. AR Census with Eugene 25, Minnie 21, and Eugene A. infant. Eugene's name is recorded in White Co. AR Deed Book RR, p 137, Mar 26, 1885. To Eugene Skillern, deed.
8. Anderson SKILLERN Jr. Born on 13 Aug 1858 in White Co AR. Anderson died in White Co. AR on 2 Oct 1884, he was 26. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
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9. John A Jackson SKILLERN. Born on 23 Aug 1853 in TN. John A Jackson died in White Co. AR on 28 Jan 1915, he was 61. Buried in Center Hill Baptist Cemetery, Center Hill, White Co. AR. John A Jackson married Mildred [SKILLERN]. Born in 1855. Mildred died in White Co. AR on 23 Jan 1921, she was 66. Buried in Center Hill Baptist Cemetery, Center Hill, White Co. AR.
John and Mildred lived at Center Hill in White Co. AR. His death certificate give names of both of his parents, date and place of birth, date and place of death, place of burial. His will is recorded in White Co. AR Will Book C, page 343, dated Jan 13, 1915 and probated on February 22, 1915. It names only his wife, Mildred E. There is not a tombstone for either John or Mildred.
10. Thomas A. SKILLERN. Born in 1856 in TN.
11. David Alphonso SKILLERN. Born on 22 Sep 1859 in White Co AR. David Alphonso died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 31 Jul 1939, he was 79. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. On 13 Nov 1879 when David Alphonso was 20, he married Martha Emma HART, daughter of Vincent HART (17 Feb 1838-24 Jul 1880) & Sarah Ann Virginia PETTUS (14 May 1841-19 Jun 1888), in White Co AR. Born on 13 Apr 1859 in AR. Martha Emma died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 11 Mar 1937, she was 77. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. They had the following children:
38 i. Eugenia Grace (1884-1918)
39 ii. Jefferson Otis (1889-1949)
40 iii. Willie Maudene (1892-1918)
41 iv. David Harold (1894-1945)
42 v. Minnie (>1894-~1900)
David is listed on the 1860 White Co. AR Census living with his parents. He is listed as "D. age 2, born in AR" He is listed on the 1870 White Co. Ar Census living with his parents. He is listed as "David A., age 11, born in AR" He is listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census with his wife Emma. Again, the last name is misspelled. It reads: Alphonzo Skillian 21, AR, laborer; M.E.H. Skillian, wife, 18, TN. Also living with them is his brother John 26 TN, laborer.
David and Emma moved from White Co. AR to Hunt Co. TX about 1900, lived there a brief time, then moved on to the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, settling in the rural community of Bold Springs located about five miles north of Milburn in what is now Johnston Co. OK. Emma's brother, Jeff Hart, moved to Oklahoma after the death of his wife and his youngest son, Edgar, came with him. They lived with David and Emma and with David and Emma's daughter, Grace and her husband, Ira Lanier, alternating back and forth between the two families.
David and Emma had eleven children, but six of them died in infancy, unnamed. Ironically, they ended up raising five of their grandchildren. Their son-in-law, Ira Lanier, died from a sudden heart attack in 1916 leaving his wife, Grace, to raise their four children. Then in 1918 the great Flu Epidemic hit the Bold Springs community and Grace died, followed two days later by the death of her sister Maude. The Skillerns then took on the responsibility of raising Grace's four children and Maude's husband, Richard, and infant daughter, Dahlia, also moved in with David and Emma. By having Emma take care of his Dahlia, Richard could work and help support the family.
12. James SKILLERN. Born in 1862 in White Co AR.
13. Mortimer SKILLERN. Born in 1867 in White Co. AR.
14. Mary Etta SKILLERN. Born in 1870 in White Co AR.
15. Alice Louise SKILLERN. Born on 20 Oct 1872 in White Co AR. Alice Louise died in Hugo, Choctaw Co. OK on 25 Aug 1944, she was 71. Buried in Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, OK. On 24 Nov 1893 when Alice Louise was 21, she married William Otho ARMSTRONG, son of John C. ARMSTRONG & Mary SMITH, in White Co. AR. Born on 1 Oct 1868 in White Co. AR. William Otho died in Woodville, OK on 14 Apr 1914, he was 45. Buried in Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, OK. They had the following children:
43 i. Effie Mildred (1896-1900)
44 ii. Ira Raymond (1900-)
45 iii. Oran Gage (1903-)
46 iv. Jewel Louie (1907-)
Alice and William were married at the home of her uncle, Eugene Skillern in Searcy, Ok.
16. Elmer SKILLERN. Born on 24 Sep 1877 in White Co AR. Elmer died in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK on 25 Mar 1926, he was 48. Buried in Atoka Cemetery, Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. On 7 Nov 1897 when Elmer was 20, he married Cora DOAK, daughter of J.M. DOAK & Martha DENNY, in Hico, TX. Born on 24 Apr 1875 in Whitesborro, TX. Cora died in Ponca City, Kay Co. OK on 12 Nov 1962, she was 87. Buried in Ponca City, Kay Co. OK. They had the following children:
47 i. Grady Leland (1898-)
48 ii. Gladys Ione (1900-1968)
49 iii. Homer Doak (1903-)
50 iv. Ernest Emory (1906-)
51 v. Vera Leila (1909-)
52 vi. Glenn Bernell (1911-)
53 vii. Margaret Velma (1912-)
54 viii. Robert Earl (1915-)
17. Roselle SKILLERN. Born on 9 Aug 1874 in White Co. AR. Roselle died on 9 Aug 1874 in White Co. AR. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
18. Esther SKILLERN. Born on 25 Jul 1875 in White Co. AR. Esther died on 25 Jul 1875 in White Co. AR. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
19. Perry Robertson SKILLERN. Born on 3 Oct 1876 in White Co. AR.
20. Margaret SKILLERN. Born on 3 Oct 1876 in White Co. AR. Margaret died on 3 Oct 1876 in White Co. AR. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
21. Fannie SKILLERN. Born on 29 Aug 1878 in White Co. AR. Fannie died in White Co. AR on 2 Aug 1885, she was 6. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
22. Ida SKILLERN. Born on 1 Jun 1886 in White Co. AR.
Ida married C. S. POWELL.
23. Pauline SKILLERN. Born on 21 Sep 1887. Pauline married John D. JORDAN.
24. J. Edgar SKILLERN. Born on 30 Oct 1889 in White Co. AR. J. Edgar died in White Co. AR on 25 Dec 1892, he was 3. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
25. Ida Maud HICKS. Born on 9 Nov 1873 in White Co. AR. Ida Maud died in White Co. AR on 13 Aug 1888, she was 14. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
26. Stella HICKS. Born on 17 Nov 1875 in White Co. AR. Stella died in White Co. AR on 20 Sep 1903, she was 27. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR. Stella married S. P. PARKS.
27. Howell Hinton HICKS. Born on 23 Sep 1877 in White Co. AR. Howell Hinton died in White Co. AR on 10 Oct 1888, he was 11. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
28. Dainty HICKS. Born on 17 Feb 1879 in White Co. AR. Dainty died in White Co. AR on 22 Jul 1888, she was 9. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
29. Eugene Andre SKILLERN. Born on 21 Nov 1880 in Van Buren Co. AR. Eugene Andre married Ruth LYNCH.
30. Mary Gertrude SKILLERN. Born on 20 Feb 1882 in Van Buren Co. AR. Mary Gertrude died in White Co. AR on 18 Aug 1904, she was 22. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
31. Valeria SKILLERN. Born on 21 Jun 1885 in White Co. AR. Valeria married Kramer DARRAGH.
32. Julia Ann SKILLERN. Born on 12 Jul 1888 in White Co. AR.
33. Lottie Lee SKILLERN. Born on 16 Sep 1891 in White Co. AR.
34. William Albert SKILLERN. Born on 28 Oct 1893 in White Co. AR. William Albert married Lillian BRICKELL.
35. Minnie SKILLERN. Born on 2 Mar 1895 in White Co. AR. Minnie first married John SHEPPARD. Minnie second married John HEFNER.
36. James Edgar SKILLERN. Born on 2 Jan 1897. James Edgar married Lena RICHARDSON.
37. Charles Garner SKILLERN. Born on 14 May 1899 in White Co. AR. Charles Garner died in White Co. AR on 25 Nov 1930, he was 31. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, White Co. AR.
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38. Eugenia Grace SKILLERN. Born on 18 Aug 1884 in White Co AR. Eugenia Grace died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 11 Dec 1918, she was 34. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. On 20 Oct 1901 when Eugenia Grace was 17, she married Ira Alton LANIER, son of John S. LANIER (27 Dec 1848-bef 1918) & Martha Ella D. ELLIS (24 Apr 1855-17 Nov 1914), in Greenville, Hunt Co TX. Born on 10 Mar 1879 in Searcy, White Co AR. Ira Alton died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 7 Aug 1916, he was 37. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Occupation: Ira was a farmer. They had the following children:
55 i. Ardis Fay (1902-1942)
56 ii. Wallace Guy (1908-1988)
57 iii. Haskell (1914-1976)
58 iv. Ella Maudene (1916-2001)
Ira Lanier is listed on the 1880 White Co. AR Census Records as age 1, living with his parents and his brother, Walter. He is listed on the 1900 White Co. AR Census Records as age 21, living with his parents. Ira left his family in White Co. AR to follow the Skillern family to Texas so he could marry "the love of his life", Grace Skillern, in 1901. A few years later Ira and Grace with their infant son, Ardis, along with the Skillerns, moved to the Bold Springs community located north of Milburn in the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. The area where they settled became Johnston Co. OK after statehood in 1907. He died of a sudden heart attack in 1916.
Grace continued to live on the farm in the Bold Springs community of Johnston Co. OK, located a few miles north of Milburn after the death of her husband with her four children, Ardis who was 14 years old, Guy who was 8 years old, Haskell who was 4 years old, and Ella who was 4 months old. Two years later she died in the "Great Flu Epidemic of 1918". Her sister Maude also died from the flu two days later. Haskell and Ella, along Maude's daughter, Dahlia, went to live with their Grandpa and Grandma Skillern (David and Emma) while Guy who was 10 years old went to live with his Uncle Harold Skillern and family. Ardis, who was then 16 years old, got a job and worked full time, living with his grandparents and contributing to the financial burden of his grandparents. When Harold Skillern moved his family to Pittsburg County, OK, Guy was unhappy living so far from his siblings and after a short time he "ran away" and went back to Johnston County to his grandparents home, got a job and became a contributor to the family finances.
39. Jefferson Otis SKILLERN Sr. Born on 6 Jun 1889 in White Co AR. Jefferson Otis died in Milburn, Johnston Co. OK on 22 Apr 1949, he was 59. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. On 4 Jan 1914 when Jefferson Otis was 24, he married Essie QUAID, daughter of Thomas QUAID Rev. (12 Aug 1859-20 Jan 1938) & Parathena Ann KNAPP (1859-1943), in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Born on 24 Sep 1897 in Troy, Indian Territory (Johnston Co OK). Essie died in Seminole, Seminole Co OK on 28 Jul 1968, she was 70. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. They had the following children:
59 i. Capitolia (1915-1999)
60 ii. Jefferson Otis (1919-1929)
61 iii. Eudene (1921-)
62 iv. Zell (1924-)
Otis registered for the draft in WWI, June 5, 1917, at Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. He listed his nearest kin as his wife and child. His occupation was a self-employed farmer. His physical description was given as tall, stout build, brown eyes and black hair.
40. Willie Maudene SKILLERN. Born on 19 Mar 1892 in White Co AR. Willie Maudene died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 13 Dec 1918, she was 26. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. On 22 Aug 1915 when Willie Maudene was 23, she married Richard Burnell SMITH, son of Wood T. SMITH & Serena CHEADLE, in Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. Born on 6 Jun 1888 in Woodford, Indian Territory (Marshall Co OK). Richard Burnell died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 25 Mar 1955, he was 66. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. They had one child:
63 i. Dahlia Rowena (1916-)
41. David Harold SKILLERN. Born on 16 Feb 1894 in White Co AR. David Harold died in McAlester, Pittsburg Co OK on 28 May 1945, he was 51. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. On 26 Aug 1911 when David Harold was 17, he married Frankie B. FITE, daughter of Edward Carl FITE & Mary Emma METCALF, in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Born on 4 Aug 1895 in Panola Co. TX. Frankie B. died in McAlester, Pittsburg Co. OK on 1 Mar 1975, she was 79. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. They had the following children:
64 i. Jewel Howard (1912-1912)
65 ii. Emma Eloise (1914-)
66 iii. Willie Grace (1917-1996)
67 iv. Eliza Mable (1920-1948)
68 v. David Alphonso II(1921-1961)
69 vi. Paul Harold (1924-1939)
70 vii. Roy Frank (1928-)
71 viii. Ruth Eudene (1930-)
Harold registered for the draft in WWI on June 5, 1917 in Pittsburg Co. OK. He listed his nearest kin as his wife and child. His physical description was given as tall, stout build, gray eyes, and black hair.
42. Minnie SKILLERN. Born aft 1894 in White Co AR. Minnie died abt 1900, she was 6.
43. Effie Mildred ARMSTRONG. Born on 5 Aug 1896 in White Co. AR. Effie Mildred died in Woodville, OK on 8 Mar 1900, she was 3. Buried in Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, OK.
44. Ira Raymond ARMSTRONG. Born on 6 Jan 1900 in Woodville, OK. Ira Raymond married Julia Ann THOMPSON.
45. Oran Gage ARMSTRONG. Born on 27 May 1903 in Woodville, OK. Oran Gage married Mildred SHARP.
46. Jewel Louie ARMSTRONG. Born on 15 Dec 1907. Jewel Louie married Lois SHARP.
47. Grady Leland SKILLERN. Born on 17 Dec 1898 in Duncan, Stephens Co. OK. Grady Leland married Myrtle BRAZIL.
48. Gladys Ione SKILLERN. Born on 21 Oct 1900 in Duncan, Stephens Co. OK. Gladys Ione died in Ponca City, Kay Co. OK on 16 May 1968, she was 67. Buried in Ponca City, Kay Co. OK.
49. Homer Doak SKILLERN. Born on 23 Jun 1903 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Homer Doak first married Josephine DATA. Homer Doak second married Zelma Cathryn MEARS.
50. Ernest Emory SKILLERN. Born on 1 Feb 1906 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Ernest Emory married Mildred Dabney MORRIS.
51. Vera Leila SKILLERN. Born on 5 Feb 1909 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Vera Leila first married J. L. WOODS. Vera Leila second married Everett H. DOBBS.
52. Glenn Bernell SKILLERN. Born on 2 Sep 1911 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Glenn Bernell married Charlye B. PARKS.
53. Margaret Velma SKILLERN. Born on 17 Sep 1912 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Margaret Velma married Claud MITCHELL.
54. Robert Earl SKILLERN. Born on 27 Dec 1915 in Atoka, Atoka Co. OK. Robert Earl married Ruby PAGE.
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55. Ardis Fay LANIER. Born on 12 Jul 1902 in Greenville, Hunt Co TX. Ardis Fay died in Oklahoma City, OK on 8 Jul 1942, he was 39. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Ardis Fay first married Lizzie WARREN. They had one child:
i. Leon (1924-)
Ardis Fay second married Alta WAGONER.
56. Wallace Guy LANIER. Born on 27 Dec 1908 in Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. Wallace Guy died in Ada, OK on 10 Oct 1988, he was 79. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Occupation: farmer, manager of Beck Ranch for over 20 years. Religion: Member of First United Methodist Church, Tishomingo, OK. On 13 Oct 1928 when Wallace Guy was 19, he married Iva Emaline MARSHALL, daughter of Otto Joseph MARSHALL (7 Sep 1880-19 Sep 1965) & Luella Catherine LONG (25 Jun 1882-19 Jul 1966), in Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. Born on 23 Sep 1909 in Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. Occupation: housewife. They had the following children:
i. James Harvey (1929-1994)
ii. Royce Marshall (1937-)twin
iii. Cloyce Wallace (1937-1939)twin
iv. Twylia Jeanne (1939-)
v. Floyce Frazier (1945-)
57. Haskell LANIER. Born on 1 Nov 1914 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Haskell died in San Gabriel, CA on 9 Feb 1976, he was 61. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Haskell married Lillian JOHNSON. They had one child:
i. Barbara
58. Ella Maudene LANIER. Born on 20 May 1916 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Ella Maudene died in Tishomingo, Johnston Co. OK on 20 May 2001, she was 85. Buried in Condon Grove Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. On 30 Aug 1932 when Ella Maudene was 16, she married Euel VESTAL, son of Frank Andy VESTAL (-1 Mar 1957) & Amble GRAHAM (-13 Sep 1967), in Fillmore, Johnston Co. OK. Born on 7 May 1906 in Sal Tillo, AR. Euel died in Tishomingo, Johnston Co. OK on 27 Mar 1984, he was 77. Buried in Condon Grove Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co. OK. They had the following children:
i. Tom Lewis (1939-)
ii. Mary Katheryn (1933-)
iii. Charlie Orvin "Sam" (1943-)
59. Capitolia SKILLERN. Born on 13 Aug 1915. Capitolia died in La Jolla, CA on 2 Jun 1999, she was 83. Buried in Coleman Cemetery, Coleman, Johnston Co. OK. Capitolia married Howard MORAN. Born on 28 Apr 1912. Howard died on 3 Jul 1968, he was 56. Buried in Coleman Cemetery, Coleman, Johnston Co. OK. They had the following children:
i. Howard Wilson
ii. Tanya Dell
60. Jefferson Otis SKILLERN Jr. Born on 17 Nov 1919 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Jefferson Otis died in Milburn, Johnston Co OK on 22 Jul 1929, he was 9. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK.
61. Eudene SKILLERN. Born on 1 Dec 1921 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Eudene married George BEEBE.
62. Zell SKILLERN. Born on 14 Jul 1924 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Zell died in Houston, TX. Zell married Ivan David
ERTEL.
63. Dahlia Rowena SMITH. Born on 17 Nov 1916 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Dahlia Rowena married Frank WHITE.
64. Jewel Howard SKILLERN. Born on 27 Nov 1912 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Jewel Howard died on 10 Dec 1912 in Milburn, Johnston Co OK. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK.
65. Emma Eloise SKILLERN. Born on 2 Aug 1914 in Pittsburg Co OK. On 18 Mar 1936 when Emma Eloise was 21, she married Raymond Franklin JONES, in Tishomingo, Johnston Co. OK. Born on 5 Feb 1915 in Denison, Grayson Co. TX.
66. Willie Grace SKILLERN. Born on 24 Jul 1917 in Latimer Co OK. Willie Grace died in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co. OK on 17 Dec 1996, she was 79. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co. OK.
67. Eliza Mable SKILLERN. Born on 1 Mar 1920 in Pittsburg Co OK. Eliza Mable died in Enid, OK, Crippled Children's Home, a victim of polio on 12 Dec 1948, she was 28. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co OK.
68. David Alphonso SKILLERN II. Born on 7 Aug 1921 in Pittsburg Co OK. David Alphonso died in Oklahoma City, OK on 20 May 1961, he was 39. Buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery. On 6 Jul 1940 when David Alphonso was 18, he married Ada Lorene HOBBS, in Tishomingo, Johnston Co. OK. Born on 12 Aug 1922 in Tishomingo, Johnston Co. OK.
69. Paul Harold SKILLERN. Born on 22 Sep 1924 in Pittsburg Co OK. Paul Harold died in Casa Grande, AZ in an auto accident on 24 Nov 1939, he was 15. Buried in Bold Springs Cemetery, Milburn, Johnston Co. OK.
70. Roy Frank SKILLERN. Born on 24 Aug 1928 in Pittsburg Co OK. Roy Frank married Agnes MEDLEY.
71. Ruth Eudene SKILLERN. Born on 4 Dec 1930 in Pittsburg Co OK. Ruth Eudene first married Vernon Don CEARLEY. Ruth Eudene second married Robert BENOIT.