Estes
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This page is an extract from "The Estes Family" by Stewart Estes, (c) 2009

                   

                        

THE TWELFTH GENERATION:

The Children of

James11 Estes

and

Rebecca Nolan


The children of James11 Estes and Rebecca Nolan are:

1. Calvin Estes, born 25 March 1843 in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas, died 4 Feb 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, married Millicent Rebecca Wiles, born 31 January 1843 in Mooresville, Marshall County, Tennessee, died 28 October 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas;

2. William Marlden Estes, born 19 October 1844 in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas, died 16 September 1928 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma;

3. Thomas Newton Estes, born 17 December 1846 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 1 November 1918 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon married Julia A. Tucker, born in 1853 in Kentucky;

4. John Franklin Estes, born 7 October 1849 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 1 March 1883 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas;

5. James12 Madison Estes, born 19 February 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, died 4 March 1936 in Fulton County, Arkansas, married Mary Adeline McCord, born 8 October 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, died 23 April 1948 in Fulton County, Arkansas;

6. Hugh Pryor Estes, Sr., born 31 May 1854 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 16 May 1922 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota;

7. David Orr Estes, born 9 December 1855 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died April 1934 in Fulton County, Arkansas; and,

8. Rebecca Frances Estes, born 1 October 1859 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 27 August 1912 in Fulton County, Arkansas.1



CALVIN12 ESTES

(1843 Ark. – 1929 Ark.)

Eldest child Calvin Estes was born 25 March 1843, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died at age 80, on 4 February 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married on 1 May 1861, in Ash Flat, Milia Rebecca “Milly” Wiles born 31 January 1843, in Mooreville, Marshall County, Tennessee and died at age 86, on 28 October 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Wiles Cemetery, Ash Flat, Arkansas. Calvin's gravestone denotes his Civil War rank of Corporal with the Third Missouri Cavalry.

During the Civil War, Arkansas was a split loyalty state. Calvin was clearly a Union supporter in the predominantly Rebel state of Arkansas. He is quoted as saying “Since I would not be a slave, I would not own a slave.”2

Calvin, along with his brother William, joined the Union Army on Saturday, December 13, 1862, as a private assigned to Company C, 3rd Regiment of the Missouri Cavalry. His enrollment was at Houston, Missouri. Calvin was 19 years old, 5 feet, 8 inches, with dark hair and dark eyes. His occupation was "farming."

Calvin was a Corporal, in Company C, of the 11th Missouri Calvary, US Army, and a private in Companies C and B of the 3d Missouri Calvary. In a stark reminder of how the war tore families apart, Calvin is buried in the Wiles Cemetery in Ash Flat, Arkansas near his brothers-in-law, twins Daniel Franklin and David Allen McCord, who fought for the South in the 38th Arkansas Infantry.

The 11th Missouri was organized at St. Louis, Missouri, in August 1861; moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri on 16 August 1861; attached to Military District of Cairo, Illinois, Department of the Missouri, to February, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Mississippi, to March, 1862. The Regiment lost during service six Officers and 98 Enlisted men, and two Officers and 179 Enlisted men to disease, for a total of 285.3

While stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, wife Millie and “Estes’ baby” (James William) and one of her friends left Ash Flat in an ox cart pulled by their dairy cow to see their husbands. However, they were turned back at West Plains, Missouri by Confederate soldiers.

Calvin was present in 1863 at Vicksburg, and both 1862 Corinth, Mississippi battles along with Charles Harry Stewart, who also fought with a Union cavalry unit (11th Illinois). Fighting against them at Vicksburg and Corinth (Oct. 1862) was Maj. E. O. Wolf (21st Arkansas Infantry). The grandson of Calvin's brother James Madison, Arles Estes, would marry Major Wolf's granddaughter Eviza Wolf in 1929. And, almost 100 years later, Charles Stewart's great grand-daughter Charlene Stewart would marry Major Wolf's great grandson Donald Estes, son of Arles.

On or about Friday, January 9, 1863, Calvin suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder while engaged in action at Wood's Fork, Missouri. He was treated at Seminary Hospital in Houston, Missouri and later at General Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was treated but carried those bullets with him to his grave. He returned to duty Friday, April 10, 1863. On Wednesday, May 10, 1865, Calvin held the rank of Lance Corporal. On Friday, June 30, 1865, he was again hospitalized in Little Rock for small pox. Calvin was discharged at New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, July 27, 1865.

After his return from the war he worked as a carpenter and was a successful farmer. “It was said that no man could chop more timber with an axe than Calvin Estes, and no mule was too mean for him to handle.”

The 1870 US Census shows Calvin was a farmer. His assets were $800.00 in real estate and $500.00 in personal property. He lived next to his mother's farm.

According to the 1880 US Census, Calvin, Milly and their children were living on their farm in the Pleasant Ridge Township of Fulton County, Arkansas. Their 12 year old daughter, Laura, was ill with rheumatic fever at the time of the census. Calvin's mother lived next door.

In the 1900 US Census, Calvin and Milly were living with their three youngest children, along with a border, Sam Harmon. Sam was the brother of Nora Ellen Harmon, who married Calvin's nephew, William's son John Alvin Estes, in 1901. They still lived next to Calvin's brother David and sister Rebecca and their families.

Brothers Calvin Estes and

Thomas Newton Estes on mules

Calvin and Milly Estes

(Photographs in possession of Jim Estes)

Calvin Estes, wife Milly Rebecca Wiles Estes & daughter Laura


The children of Calvin Estes and Millie Rebecca Wiles are:

  1. James William Estes was born Tuesday, June 24, 1862, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died April 19, 1952 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married Nancy A. Robinson on November 18, 1882, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, born August 8, 1859 in Fulton County, Arkansas, and died January 8, 1924 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Manry Cemetery, about 4 ½ miles west of Hardy on US 62-412 highway in Fulton County.

  1. Laura Frances Estes was born March 17, 1867, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died March 7, 1951. She married Samuel Houston Moore on November 12, 1882, born May 26, 1859 in Arkansas, died December 2, 1932.

  1. Mary Louise Estes was born January 25, 1870 in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas and died September 20, 1911. She married on December 1, 1887 in Sharp County, Arkansas, John Christopher Rogers, son of John Rogers and Eve Holt, born January 1868 in Arkansas, died 1945.

  1. Hugh Kinley Estes was born Wednesday, May 22, 1872, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died September 22, 1875, in Ash Flat. He married Elizabeth Gilbreath, and had children: a. Hugh Kinley was born and died 1921 in Arkansas; and b. Waymon D. was born and died 1930, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are both buried in Manry Cemetery, Fulton County, Arkansas.

  1. Hannah Jane Estes was born May 5, 1874, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas. She married John Henry Roberts on Wednesday, August 26, 1891, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. John was born May 6, 1870, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. John died January 29, 1942, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. Hannah died March 14, 1949, in Fresno, Fresno County, California.

  1. Sarah Ann Estes was born Tuesday, November 7, 1876, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died November 12, 1963, in Corinth, Fulton County, Arkansas. She married Lindsey “Dixie” Rogers on October 29, 1891, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, who died in 1955.

  1. Nancy Elva Estes was born June 1, 1879, in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas and died January 31, 1958, in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. She married on February 27, 1904, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas William “Jake” Tally, born 1876-77 in Kentucky. She also married Jacob Utter, born 1871-72 in Germany.

  1. John Matthew Estes was born February 7, 1882, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas and died September 7, 1967, in Agnos. He married December 31, 1902 in Arkansas Dora Agnes Hall, born September 9, 1885 in Arkansas, and died May 20, 1982 in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas.

  1. Nevada “Vada” Pearl Estes was born October 2, 1884, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. She married William David Williams December 18, 1904 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, born December 9, 1877 in Wiseman, Izard County, Arkansas, and died November 3, 1962 in Salem, Fulton County, Arkansas.

Calvin Estes and Milly Wiles’ Headstones,

Wiles Cemetery, Ash Flat, Arkansas

(Photographs 2006 by author)

The 1877 Homestead of Calvin Estes

State of Arkansas

County of Fulton

Personally appeared before me, Circuit Clerk within and for said County of Fulton, Calvin Estes of said County who under oath states that he is the identical Calvin Estes who made homestead entry No. 1948, Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 2nd day of September 1869. Embracing the SE quarter of NE quarter of section 25 in township 19 N of Range 7 W. That he made said entry for actual settlement and cultivation and that he has improved, cultivated, and has resided upon said homestead from the 2nd day of September 1869, up to the present time that he has forty acres or more under fence and cultivation. That he has placed valuable improvements upon this same, to (the) value of $400.00 dollars, has a peach and apple orchard of about 3 acres, a well that cost a hundred dollars or more, and that he depends upon said homestead for his subsistence and the support of his family. That the reason of his not perfecting his title within the time prescribed by law are that he was not ignorant of the law requiring him to make proof within the specified time, but that he had carefully laid his duplicated receipt away and had forgotten the date of entry and did not suppose that the time for making final proof had expired until so informed by the Register of the U. S. Land Office at Little Rock, Arkansas. And that since receiving said notice he has been physically disabled from making the trip to Little Rock for that purpose. That said disability was caused by a wound received in the late rebellion and for which he is now drawing a pension. That said wound was caused by a bullet entering his right shoulder and which bullet is now lodged in his right-breast and that during the winter season a slight-cold greatly affects him and a severe-cold paralyzes to a great extent his right-side and that to ride at any considerable distance at any time is very painful to him that the winter season in this state this year has been quite severe and that he could not have made the trip without greatly endangering his health. That he is a poor man, relying almost entirely upon his labor for support and that he was unable financially to make the trip had his health permitted him to go.

He therefore asks permission to make proof and perfect his title to said homestead before the Clerk of this county, and that if said homestead has been cancelled through laps of time, he asks that the same may be reinstated and that he be allowed to perfect his title to the same.

That the U. S. Land Officer at Little Rock is about one hundred and fifty miles which distance has to be made by conveyance over a mountainous country. He asks that the proof here enclosed be received as proof in his case.

Calvin Estes

Submitted before me this 10th day of February 1877.

W. P. Rhea, Clerk, Fulton Co. Ark.


WILLIAM12 MARLDEN “MARL” ESTES

(1844 Ark. – 1928 Okla.)

William Marlden Estes was born on 19 October 1844 in Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas, and died on 16 September 1928 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He fought in the Civil War. He married on 14 December 1865 in Potosi, Washington County, Missouri, Mary Ursula Due, born on 18 September 1849 and died on 3 July 1938. See, Death Certificates in Appendix.

William Marlden Estes Family

Fulton County, Arkansas, c.1899

(Photograph in possession of Jim Estes)

Back Row: Arthur Billingsley, Nora, John, James, Essie, Arthur.

Center Row: Claudius Billingsley, Luther Billingsley with Earl Clayton Billingsley in lap, Armintie with Mettie Billingsley in lap, Mary, William Marlden Estes,

Mary Ursula Due, and Oscar.

Front Row: Clarence Billingsley, Walter Billingsley, and John Berdine “Byrd” Billingsley.


Mary Ursula Due Estes William & Mary Estes Headstones

Holdenville Cemetery,

Hughes County, Oklahoma

(Posted by Jim Estes on Estes Yahoo Group)


 John Alvin Estes & Nora Ella Harmon

c.1901 Arkansas

(Posted by Jim Estes on Estes-Venton Genealogy)

The children4 of William Marlden Estes and Mary Ursula Due are:

      1. Annettie E. Estes, born 14 February 1871;

      1. Armentie Belzora Estes, born 31 December 1872, died 1964 Seminole County, Oklahoma, married Luther Adolphus Billingsley (children listed below);

      1. John Alvin Estes, born 17 January 1875 Marion Co., Arkansas [died 1967 Hughes County, Ok.; married [17 April 1901 Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Ark.], Nora Ella Harmon, [born 12 March 1880, in Ash Flat, Ark.; and had children: Helen Irene Estes, 1902; William Alson Estes, 1904; Hazel Elaine Estes, 1908; Jack Raymond Estes, 1910; and, Arch Orville Estes, 1912; married secondly Sarah Henslee, and married thirdly Mary Burrus];

      1. Lenora V[aleria]. Estes, born 23 March 1877 [Marion County, Arkansas, married Arthur Lee Billingsley; 1898, Fulton County, Arkansas];

      1. Essie P[enelope]. Estes, born 16 February 1879 [Marion County, Arkansas];

      1. James W[esley] Estes, born 2 April 1880, [Marion County, Ark., married Anna Lambert; 1901, and had: Noble Estes, 1907; Paul Estes, 1911; and Gilbert Estes 1913];

      1. Arthur W[allace]. Estes, born 7 March 1883 [Marion County, Arkansas, married Margaret Bell; 1907, had children: Foy Estes; Ava Estes; Vernon Estes];

      1. Mary? A. Estes, born 10 April 1889; and,

      1. Oscar E[arl]. Estes, born 15 March 1891 [Fulton County, Arkansas];

      1. [Laura Frances Estes (1886) of Marion/Fulton County, Arkansas];

      1. [Ethel Estes (1888) of Marion/Fulton County, Arkansas];

      1. [Alice Blanche Estes, born 1889 Fulton County, Arkansas; died 1977 Tulsa, Oklahoma, married Clayton Loranza Billingsley; 1909, Pittsburg County, Ok., and had: Kermit Harold (1910-1971); Clayton Wayne (1913-1971); James Ross (1920); Richard B. (1922); Robert Burns (1926); William Marlden, 1926-1939;

      1. [Myrtle Lillian Estes (1892) of Fulton County, Arkansas.]

Armintie Estes Billingsley Family

Back: Earl Clayton, Claudius Arthur, John Berdine “Byrd”,

Clarence Leora, & Walter Asbury

Front: Vista Irene, Frederick Holland, & Armintie Bellzora

Armintie Estes Billingsley James Wesley Estes &

Anna Lambert

The children5 of Armentie Belzora Estes and Luther Adolphus Billingsley:

1. Walter Asbury Billingsley (1890-1985) of Fulton County, Arkansas, married Alice O'Neal;

2. Clarence Leora Billingsley (1892-1988) of Fulton County, Arkansas; died Oklahoma;

3. John Burdine Billingsley (1893-1959) of Fulton County, Arkansas, married Frances Perkins;

4. Claudius Arthur Billingsley (1895-1952) of Fulton County, Arkansas, married Orabelle Westfall, married secondly Martha Hutchinson;

5. Earl Clayton Billingsley (1897-1981) of Fulton County, Arkansas; died in California;

6. Mettie Billingsley (1899-1918) of Fulton County, Arkansas; died in Oklahoma;

7. Rederick Holland Billingsley (1901) of Fulton County, Arkansas, married Patricia McCarty;

8. Victor Herbert Billingsley (1902-1955) of Fulton County, Arkansas, married Erma Cimmins;

9. Vista Irene Billingsley (1906) of Hughes County, Arkansas, married Todd Miller, married secondly Bunny Trundle.



THOMAS12 NEWTON ESTES

(1846 Ark. – 1918 Ore.)

Thomas Newton Estes was born 17 December 1846 in Fulton County, Arkansas, and died on 1 November 1918 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married on April 24, 1870 in Arkansas, Julia A. Tucker, born in 1853 in Kentucky.

Thomas fought in the Civil War, returning to Arkansas, before departing late in life for Oregon, where he died. Thomas N. Estes of the Ash Flat area fought for the south, enlisting in 1861 in Clayton’s 38th Arkansas Infantry, earning the rank of sergeant by the time of his discharge. However, there is some confusion as to whether this is the son of James Madison Estes, or perhaps the son of Burris Estes, Jr. See discussion, at 323. Estes family members believe that this Thomas fought with his brother Calvin for the North.

In 1863, Thomas was 16 years old and worked as a teamster in the Union Army. At the conclusion of the war he returned home to the family farm in Arkansas.6 National war records show 29 Thomas Estes’ fought in the war – 10 for the Union -- two were named Thomas N. Ten “Thomas” fought from Missouri; two from Arkansas. The first Thomas N. Estes fought for 30 days in 1861 for the Confederacy in Capt. Clayton's Co., Arkansas Infantry, as a sergeant. Another record shows him as a private in Company A of the 4th Missouri Infantry, CSA.7

In 1878, he moved his family to Oregon. They lived in Union County, next to Julia's parents, James C. and Jane Tucker. Julia is first cousin to sisters Sarah Elizabeth Tucker and Mary J. “Polly” Tucker, who married younger brothers of Thomas, John Franklin Estes and David Orr Estes. The family joined a small wagon train and headed west. Mary Francis told this story about the trip west. One evening after they stopped, a young man in their group aimed his rifle at an Indian woman in the distance sitting on a log holding a baby on her lap. He shot and killed the woman. Early the next morning a band of Indians rode up to the wagon train asking for the leader. The Indians told the leader to turn over to them the murderer. The leader did so immediately and the Indians took the man off. Upon arriving in Oregon the Estes family lived in a log cabin on Prairie Creek where six more children were born. The family was desperately poor. On Christmas Eve the children hung up their little stockings and the next morning Mary felt something in the toe of her stocking. It was a small lump of brown sugar wrapped in a piece of paper.

The following was written by John Harlan Horner, a Wallowa County, Oregon historian. It was found in the Horner Papers at the Wallowa County Courthouse. (Some corrections have been made for clarity.)

“T. N. Estes came to Prairie Creek in September 1878, from Ash Flat, Arkansas, with horse teams and were about four months on the road. Coming into Wallowa Valley over the Smith Mountain and was charged toll. They camped one night on the mountain with Dan Kinney and Jeff Goodman who were out to Grand Ronde Valley for flour, etc. Mrs. (Julia) Estes said this was about September 26 or 27th, 1878. It snowed on them that night, it was pretty hard living in the Wallowa Valley that winter. At least it was for them on Prairie Creek. They had to go to Grand Ronde for provision and had very little money to buy with.

“(They) lived mostly on venison and fish, as the other settlers did. Saying she was tickled nearly to death to get one Calico dress a year. We put butter up in 10 gallon kits in brine and hauled to Milton and Walla Walla and traded for provisions among which was some brown sugar, which was considered quite a luxury. And made a hopper of shakes and made all their soap from the lye they caught. As they would fill this hopper with willow and alder ashes and pour water on the ashes catching the lye as it drained off at the bottom. They traded for Joe Doty’s place and moved in the day he moved out. The building was made of logs and covered with shakes and had a puncheon floor. She said they only had a few dishes that they brought across the Plains with them, and were mighty careful with them, especially her yeast bowl. And that they could walk over their fence on the snow that winter which was a very severe winter.”

The family moved into the Joe Doty house on February 28, 1879. Thomas applied for a homestead grant on May 14, 1880, and on July 26, 1882, paid the La Grande Receiver’s Office $16.00. During the next three years he improved his house, 18’ x 26’, built a barn 14’ x 16’, a granary 18’ x 24’, fenced 80 acres, and plowed 35 to 40 acres. Thomas ran a notice in the Wallow Chieftain from October 1 to November 5, 1885, stating his intention to secured 160.3 acres on Prairie Creek. Upon paying a final fee of $6.00 he was granted the land on November 9, 188. All of his papers were signed with an X. Thomas was active in starting the local Christian Church. He was elected Director of the Pleasant Center School Board in 1888. In both 1892 and 1899 he was a school officer and Director of the Prairie Creek School Board. Thomas died of angina pectoris on Friday, November 1, 1918, in Joseph, Oregon, at the age of 71 years, 10 months and 16 days. He was buried at the Prairie Creek Cemetery on November 3.

The following is taken from The Thomas Newton Estes Family8.

“After Thomas died a buyer agreed to purchase the farm for $40,000. James, the oldest child, was appointed administrator of the estate, but soon all nine of the children were quarreling. Should the first $10,000 go to Julia? Half of the children decided that Julia should be allowed to have only the interest on the $10,000 and not be allowed to touch the principal. Julia refused. The buyer withdrew his offer and the farm was rented; however, no one seemed to be able to make a living on that good land. Four now wanted to sell; four were against. John Oscar would attend the meeting of one group and side with them; he then would join the other group and side with them, all the while carrying tales from one group to the other. Lawyers were now involved on both sides.

Some legal papers found at the Wallowa County Courthouse show Mary, Oscar, Cora and Nora suing Julia and her lawyer on August 2, 1919. They believed that Judge Edgar Marvin had “exceeded his jurisdiction.” On August 14, 1919, James sued Mary, Oscar, Nora and Cora and Judge Marvin. Some time later Mary, Oscar, Cora and Nora sued Judge Marvin and Julia again. On January 17, 1920, this same group asked for writ of review. Six days later Mary and all were told to submit briefs. On January 13, 1921, all four appeared still battling Judge Marvin and Julia, at the Supreme Court in Salem. The Court ruled that Judge Marvin had not exceeded his jurisdiction. The group lost again. On September 5, 1930, Bill sued Bob Scott, Cora’s husband, Julia, Jim, Mary, Cora, Nora, Lela, Oscar, Hugh, and Ina for 345.00 plus interest and fifty days later sued them all again. These lawsuits had now continued form 1918 to 1930 and the estate was now drained. A trifling amount of money had been given to Julia who purchased a small house near the railroad tracks in Joseph. The rest resided in the lawyers’ pockets.

Mary Frances had charcoal sketches of Thomas and Julia in beautiful large gold frames. At Mary’s death, her son, Hugh, found these pictures in a box at Mary’s house without the frames. They had been stolen by a family friend.”

The following is from a work on Washington History9:

"THOMAS N. ESTES -- Wallowa county owes her prosperity and prominent position today more to the intelligent, progressive and capable farmers and stockmen within her borders than to any other class of individuals. She was especially fortunate in that there assembled here men and women from all parts of the country who were wide awake to the advantages offered and of courage and vigor sufficient to endure the hardships and develop the resources that nature had so lavishly bestowed here. Among this enterprising class there must not be failure to specifically mention the capable gentleman whose name introduces our article and to whom we desire to accord representation in this volume of Wallowa's history, commensurate with the prominence that he holds in the county, and with the ability and integrity that he has displayed in his eventful career.

“Thomas N. Estes was born in Arkansas, in the year 1846, and when but sixteen years of age, he entered the employ of the government as teamster, continuing in this until the close of the Civil War. While to one thus occupied there is not generally given the credit in the popular mind that is accorded to one in the heat of battle, yet by the experience at San Juan Hill there was demonstrated, as well as in numerous other instances, that to the bravery of and faithfulness of the teamsters is much honor due for the victories that were achieved, and they were found to have endured as much hardship and been exposed to as severe danger as those in other portions of the field, carrying a musket. After the close of the serious conflict, our subject returned to Arkansas and remained until 1878. Then he was led by the reports of the wealth of the western regions to come hither. He did so, and when he came it was his determination to make a home in the place selected, and to do this he was willing to put forth the necessary effort to accomplish it successfully. He selected a homestead in Wallowa county, not far from Joseph, and immediately turned his attention to farming and raising stock. He has steadily prospered since that time and he is now one of that class of well to do and substantial agriculturists that form the backbone of our county.

“Mr. Estes was married to Miss Julia Tucker, a native of Kentucky, in 1870. To them have been born ten children, as follows: James, Mary, William, Cora and Nora, twins, Oscar, Lela, Ina, and infant, deceased, and Hugh. In the early days Mr. Estes was very active and influential in organizing the Christian church as he was also much interested in the spread of the gospel and the instilling of right and good principles. During the years of his residence here he has always registered himself on the side of the faith that he espouses, and has been a potent influence in setting forth the same, while his practical life has always been a light to the community in which he has lived. Mr. and Mrs. Estes are valuable members of society and have the esteem and confidence of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance."

Thomas’ obituary reads:

"T.N. ESTES, pioneer of Wallowa County and highly respected citizen, passed away Friday Nov. 1, 1918, at his residence in Joseph. The cause of his death was heart failure. He was almost 72 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and nine children." 10

Prairie Creek Cemetery

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon

A Pioneer Arch in Wallowa County, Oregon includes Thomas’ name. “Pioneers 1871-79", as listed on the pioneer arch that is on the Wallowa County courthouse lawn in Enterprise. For those who arrived in the year 1879:

J.M. Mitchell; T.N. ESTES; Geo. Granscom;

J.A. Riley; W.L. Dishman; B.E. Evans; A.N. Meek;

Wm Minor; Wm Duncan; N.V. Knight;

J.W. Hayes; L.J. Boothe; H.N. Williams;

G.W. Williams; J.D. Halsey; Aaron Wade;

Wm. Green; A.E. Flowers; L.H. Tucker;

M. Parker; W.T. Fisher; Geo. L. Post.

Wallowa Pioneer Arch 11

Prairie Creek Cemetery

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon


The children of Thomas Newton Estes and Julia A. Tucker are:

1. James Calloway Estes was born 4 April 1872 in Fulton County, Arkansas and died 3 May 1946, buried Prairie Creek Cemetery, Wallowa, Oregon (headstone); married Ida Catherine Proebstel 14 Feb 1897 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon (Western States Marriage Record Index). Ida (daughter of Frederick, son of Wendel) was born 18 September 1877 in Wallowa County, Oregon, and died 12 June 1965 in Wallowa, Oregon (Oregon Death Index). Frederick William Proebstel was born 29 December 1829 in Germany, and died 19 June 1911 in Portland Oregon, married (1) Mary Ellen Hull, daughter of Joseph Hull and Sarah?, born Jan 1835 in Carroll, Ohio, and died abt. 1924, married (2) Media Long 18 Dec 1886 in Baker, Oregon, born 15 Mar 1869 in Iowa, and died 4 Mar 1952 in Los Angeles, Calif. Wendel Proebstel was born 17 May 1790 in Gutenberg, Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and died 7 March 1834 in Redesheim, Germany, married Anna Catharine Steib, born 1 November 1785 in Gutenberg, Germany, and died about 1852 on the Oregon Trail, and buried Boise, Idaho.

In 1907, James homesteaded on 16 April 1908a 160 acre plot near Joseph as "Timber and Stone Lands." It was chiefly valued for its timber and was not suitable for farming. On 7 December 1909, James purchased 400 acres from Thomas Johnson. James was appointed Director of the Park School Board in 1916-17. They raised their six children on the Imnaha ranch. Thomas Chester and James Floyd both died tragically in their teens. Ida was known as “Tune” because she carried a pitch pipe and was always tooting on it. After Jim's death, Ida and Guy, her youngest son, ran the ranch. The square house was surprisingly small considering the large family they raised. In 1945, electricity had not come to the ranch and every chore was done the hard way.

The children of James C. Estes and Ida Proebstel are:

a. William Lester Estes, was born 8 November 1897, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married Hilda Clair Hoffman Haines, an English widow, on 7 April 1926. She was born 15 March 1905, London, England.

b. Thomas Chester Estes, was born 12 June 1899, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon and died 25 September 1912, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. When Chester was thirteen he and his brothers were sitting in a very large circle in the yard shooting at each other with their 22 rifles, seeing how close they could shoot without actually hitting someone. Chester was shot in the stomach probably by his younger brother, Lawrence. Chester's grandmother, Mary Proebstel, took Chester to her home, after his medical treatment, and cared for him. At one point he temporarily improved enough to start walking again. He then worsened and died on 4 December 1912. This information was related by a first cousin, playmate and friend. A different version appeared in the Wallowa County Chieftain below.

Enterprise Record Chieftain Thursday Sept 26, 1912

BOY FATALLY SHOT BY SMALL BROTHER

Hunting Accident Brings Sorrow to Family of James Estes of Imnaha Park

Chester Estes, the 11 year old son of James Estes of Imnaha park, was probably fatally shot by a younger brother while the boys were out hunting last Sunday. Chester and his father were brought to Joseph in an automobile by Dr. J. H. Thompson. The lad seemed to be improving at first and on Tuesday gave every promise. But that night a turn for the worse came and on Wednesday his condition was reported very grave. The boys went out Sunday morning to shoot a chicken. They had a .22 calibre rifle, which was carried by the younger of the two. They became separated in the brush and when the smaller boy caught sight of a chicken and raised his rifle to shoot, he did not notice that his brother Chester was in range.

The bullet entered the boy’s body in the left side of the abdomen, passed through the intestines and apparently lodge against the spinal column. The physician’s office in Joseph was called on the telephone, and arrangements were made for the father to take the boy at once to the bridge on the Imnaha, to which place Dr. Thompson hurried in his automobile. From the Estes home to the bridge the distance is 18 miles. When the little patient reached the bridge, it was learned that Dr. E.E. Tredway of Enterprise was in the neighborhood, on an outing trip with G.W. and E.P Humphreys. The two physicians operated on the boy late Sunday afternoon, but were unable to remove the bullet. The next day the victim and his father were taken to Joseph. From the first the gravity of the case was recognized. Peritonitis almost always develops in such cases, and this is most difficult to combat. But the boy bore up bravely, and his pulse and temperature remained normal until Tuesday evening. Then the feared symptoms became manifest.

c. Lawrence Lehman Estes was born February 26, 1901, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married Alta May Keener October 14, 1933 in Bride's Home, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She was born August 7, 1916 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon.

d. James Floyd Estes was born July 30, 1904, Prairie Creek, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon and died January 18, 1923, Wallowa County, Oregon. James was a student at Joseph High School when on January 18, 1923, a team of horses hitched to a wagon became unmanageable when on horse jerked his bridle off. Both broke loose and started to run. In the wagon were a man and two little boys. The wild team ran down Main Street and as Floyd was crossing, he looked up just as the tongue of the wagon struck his chest. He was knocked down and the heavy wagon ran over him. He was taken to the home of his grandmother, Mary Proebstel, on Upper Prairie Creek where he died that night four hours after the accident. Family members, gathered around his bedside reported that he said, "I saw those children in the wagon and tried to save them." He is buried in Prairie Creek Cemetery, Wallowa, Oregon.

e. Guy Franklin Estes was born August 16, 1906, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married Thora Rose Land Gibbs, May 17, 1965, Grandview, Washington. She was born July 2, 1911, Albion, Oregon and died March 15, 1985, Union County, Oregon. Guy stayed on the family farm on the Imnaha which he ran with his father, then with his brother Lawrence, then with his widowed mother, and finally by himself.

f. Clara Mildred Estes was born 14 August 1909, Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon, and married Clyde William Smith, born 27 April 1915 in Pennsylvania. She married (2) James Sylvester Tippett 17 December 1930 in Asotin, Washington, born 11 May 1906 in Wallowa County, Oregon.

2. Mary Frances Estes was born August 28, 1874 in Fulton County, Arkansas. She married Albert Esker Cole on April 24, 1892 at the bride's home, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He was born August 20, 1865 in Oregon.

3. William Thomas Estes was born August 1, 1877 in Fulton County, Arkansas. Funeral services were held for Bill July 6, 1956, at the Joseph Methodist Church and he was buried in the Prairie Creek Cemetery.

4. Cora Ann Estes was born July 4, 1880 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She married Robert Lewis Scott on 27 February 1898 in T. N. Estes Farm, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He was born 5 June 1868 in Sumpter Township, Cumberland County, Illinois. Bob and Cora homesteaded on the Divide and the family scraped out a living. Bob built a little house and a barn.

5. Nora Jane Estes was born July 4, 1880 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She married Oliver W. Hepburn August 4, 1899 at the bride's home, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He was born April 20, 1876 in Kansas. Nora and Oliver lived on Oliver's homestead on the Divide where he raised stock. Oliver built the Hepburn Trail with a pick and shovel. The Trail started at the Divide and continued for two or three miles down a canyon. By 1910 Oliver had moved his family to Joseph where he took a job herding sheep for Pete Beaudoin. Later he was a tender.

6. John Oscar “Os” Estes was born 20 May 1883 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married Mary Jane “Mamie” Carter 21 December 1904 in Bride's Home, Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon. She was born 5 April 1886 in LaFayette County, Missouri. John died of heart trouble on 10 January 1949 in Wallowa County, Oregon. Services were held at the Community Church in Enterprise. Mary died of leukemia on 5 August 1949 in Wallowa County, Oregon. They are buried in Enterprise Cemetery, Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon.

7. Lela Vern Estes was born January 27, 1886 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She married Fred Elmer German October 14, 1908 in Bride's Home, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He was born July 9, 1876 in Franklin, Oakland County, Michigan. Lela attended the Prairie Creek School.

8. Ina Ermine Estes was born October 1, 1888 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She married Henry Finley Christy November 28, 1915 in Methodist Parsonage, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He was born January 14, 1890 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. Ina and Henry Finley Christy were married in the Methodist parsonage at Joseph on November 28, 1915, witnessed by Hugh and Zella Estes. Henry was a farmer most of his life, but in 1944 while living in Joseph he worked in La Grande for the

Morrison-Knudsen Company. He later worked for the United States Forest Service in Wallowa County.

9. Infant Estes was born January 12, 1891 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon and died on April 12 the same year in Joseph.

10. Hugh Esker Estes was born August 5, 1892 in Prairie Creek, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. He married Zella E. Matthews November 28, 1915 in Methodist Parsonage, Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon. She was born April 6, 1894 in Smithville, Arkansas. Hugh also married Georgia May Beard February 2, 1925 in Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon. She was born August 2, 1906 in Asbury, Missouri. Hugh worked for others all his life, mostly farming and working in the mill. He never owned a house.

JOHN12 FRANKLIN ESTES

(1849 Ark. – 1883 Ark.)

John Franklin Estes was born on 7 October 1849 in Fulton County, Arkansas, and died on 1 March 1883 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married about 1868 in Fulton County, Arkansas Sarah Elizabeth Tucker, born August 14, 1852 in Scott County, Kentucky, who married secondly James Kelley.

Sarah was the eldest daughter of Thomas Tucker and Elizabeth Tarter. She had an older brother, Kinchen Powers Tucker, and two younger sisters, Polly and Barbara. By 1854 the family moved to Adair County, Kentucky. Sallie was 6 years old when her father was murdered at a turkeyshoot in August of 1858. Her mother died about 5 years later after a lengthy illness, leaving Sallie and her siblings orphans. They were taken in by an Uncle and moved to Arkansas. While reroute, Sallie’s brother Kinchen ran away and remained in Kentucky. Sallie did not see her brother again until he was married and had a family. Sallie’s sister, Mary Jane “Polly” Tucker, married John’s brother, David Orr Estes. A cousin, Julia A. Tucker, married another brother, Thomas Newton Estes.

Sarah Elizabeth Tucker Estes

(Posted by Jim Estes on Yahoo Estes Website)

In the 1870 Arkansas US Census, John was a farmer in the Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas. His assets were $100 in real estate and $200 in personal property. John could not read or write.

In the 1880 Arkansas US Census, John and Sarah were still living in the Pleasant Ridge Township of Fulton County, Arkansas, near many of John's family.

John Franklin Estes died of “brain fever” (encephalitis) on Thursday, March 1, 1883, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He was age 33 years. The family story is he was building a barn when he became ill. Two weeks after he died, Sarah gave birth to their last child, Frannie.

John is buried next to his mother, Rebecca Nolan Estes, in the Agnos Cemetery on the grounds of the Agnos Church of Christ, Fulton County, Arkansas.

In 1884, Sarah married James Monroe Kelley.12 Sarah died of pneumonia lobar influenza on Saturday, January 24, 1931, in Arpelar, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, at the age of 78 years. She is buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Her son, Deb Kelley, made her gravestone. It erroneously lists her birth year as 1854.

By coincidence, “John Franklin Estes, 86, of Dayton, passed away April 20 at Brining Memorial hospital following an illness of about one month.” He had been a resident of Columbia County, Washington since 1944, and was born at Tarpon Springs, Tennessee on 24 December 1873. No known survivors. Dayton Chronicle, 5 May 1960.

The children of John12 Franklin Estes and Sarah Elizabeth Tucker are:

  1. James13 Thomas Estes was born 4 June 1870, in Fulton County, Arkansas, and died on 26 November 1949, at the home of his daughter Lillian, in Sweetwater, Nolan County, Texas, at the age of 79 years. He married on 14 September 1890, in Fulton County, Arkansas, Martha A “Mattie” Louise Billingsley, born 14 April 1872, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. James worked as a blacksmith and a farmer. He was a member of the Church of Christ and enjoyed singing gospel songs with his family. Mattie died on 3 November 1940, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They are buried in the Mustang Cemetery, Mustang, Canadian County, Oklahoma.

  1. William Marlden Estes was born 2 May 1872, in Fulton County, Arkansas. William died on 17 March 1912, in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma, at age of 39. He married on 18 October 1891, in Fulton County, Arkansas, Ida Lindsey Billingsley, born 13 January 1870, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, died 25 April 1955 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma at age 85. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

The children of William Marlden Estes and Ida Lindsey Billingsley are:

a. Carl Clayton Estes was born January 22, 1892 in Salem, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married Frances Myrtle Martin 1911-1912. She was born August 23, 1894 in Izard County, Arkansas. Carl died April 6, 1969 in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. Frances died October 29, 1979 in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Children of Carl Clayton Estes and Frances Myrtle Martin are: i. Alma Grace was born 1912-1913 in Oklahoma; ii. Opal Luella was born April 11, 1916 in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma; iii. Eulita J. was born 1919 in Oklahoma; and iv. Billie George was born 1922-1923 in Oklahoma.

b. Ernest Estes was born 1893-1904. He died prior to 1910.

c. Lavina Pearl Estes was born May 1895 in Arkansas. She married Ben E. McClure 1911-1912. He was born February 13, 1894 in Franklin County, Arkansas.

d. John Edgar Estes was born May 1895 in Arkansas.

e. Roy Estes was born 1909-1910 in Oklahoma.

f. Ruby C. Estes was born 1903-1904 in Texas.

g. Minneto “Minnie” Olivia Estes was born October 19, 1906 in Gerty, Oklahoma. She married William Alvin Johnson on September 29, 1923 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. He was born February 11, 1897 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. William died April 27, 1952. He is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Sulphur, Murray County, Oklahoma. Minnie then married Harvey Conrad Godsey. He was born August 26, 1905 in Osage County, Kansas. Harvey died September 16, 1975 in Independence, Kansas. Minnie died May 12, 2004 in Springdale, Washington, Arkansas.

3. David Kinchen Estes was born September 9, 1875, in Fulton, County, Arkansas. He married Lillie M. Robertson about 1898. Lillie was born March 4, 1876, in Fulton County. Both William and Lillie died in 1966, William on Tuesday, May 24, at the age of 90 years, 8 months and 15 days. Lillie on Sunday, December 11. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, in Stuart Oklahoma. Ewing Estes was born c. 1900, in Arkansas.

4. Rhoda Jane Estes was born Friday, August 24, 1877, in Fulton County, Arkansas. Rhoda died on February 14, 1952, in Choctaw, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 21 days. She is buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma. Child of Rhoda Jane Estes is: a. Gladys May Estes was born on November 7, 1902, in Newport, Arkansas. She married Raymond Leonard Brewster on September 21, 1919, in Stuart, Oklahoma. He was born June 11, 1901 in Indian Territory.

“Before they came to Stuart and Haywood, they lived in Detroit, Texas (Red River and Lamar Counties). They crossed Red River on a ferry boat, and came into Indian Territory because they were “adventuresome.” Not all the families moved at the same time. Uncle David (Kinchen Estes) and Uncle Will (Marlden Estes) did and a year or two later, the rest followed. I know we had a bunch of cattle. Some drove and walked; they'd drive the cattle. We had extra horses along. We had one buggy, and I don't know how many covered wagons. And on the way Grandpa traded for a steer from a man named Roark. We come on the Red River and got on that ferryboat to come across. When they put the cattle on there, that new steer was afraid of the other cattle, you know, when they got them all so close on that boat why this steer jumped off the boat into the river and went under the boat and he come up on the Oklahoma side and swum out. And I got so tickled because when the steer come out of the river, Mama said, `Hurrah for Roark.' She was a big old cutup, my mother was."

5. Rebecca Ann Estes was born Saturday, April 3, 1880, in Fulton County, Arkansas. She married Albert Lee Elms on Sunday, April 17, 1898. Lee was born Wednesday, October 10, 1877, in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas. Rebecca died Tuesday, September 19, 1922, at the age of 42 years, 5 months and 16 days. Albert Lee Elms died January 18, 1946. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

The following is a description of Rebecca's death, as related by her niece, Gladys May Estes. "I held her baby in my arms while Aunt Becky was dying. The doctor said...well she was flooding...she might have been going through the change. Something was wrong. They didn't take them to hospitals then. The baby was two in January. Her mother died in September. Blood poisoning set up. Myrtle, her eldest child, was teaching. We lived out there by them. I had to take care of her and she told Raymond to go get Myrtle and she come. She told Myrtle, `Honey,' she said, `I want to talk to you because you're going to have to raise my little children.' Said, `Blood poisoning has already set up. I know, by the way I feel. Isn't anything that can be done about it."

The children of Rebecca13 Ann Estes and Albert Lee Elms are:

  1. Myrtle Grace Elms was born Wednesday, July 11, 1900, in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas. She married Henry Dewitt Bill Nunn on Sunday, December 23, 1923. Henry was born December 17, 1903.

  1. Claudia Vesta Elms was born Wednesday, October 22, 1902, in Austin, Travis County, Texas. She married William Brice Reese on Monday, February 9, 1920. He was born March 8, 1900. William died January 11, 1985. Claudia died Sunday April 2, 2000 at her home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

  1. Clarence Lee Elms was born Friday, January 27, 1905, in Detroit, Red River County, Texas. He married Opal Lorene Key on Monday, November 22, 1926. Clarence died Friday, April 9, 1976, in Ector County, Texas, at the age of 71 years.

  1. Edna Mae Elms was born Sunday, December 22, 1907, in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She married Haskell Bruce Burns on Saturday, November 27, 1926. He was born March 14, 1908 in Oklahoma. Haskell died May 18, 1991. Edna died August 29, 1998 in Oklahoma. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma. Child of Edna Mae Elms and Haskell Bruce Burns; i. Sandra Claudene was born January 10, 1943.

  1. Velma Iona Elms was born July 29, 1912, in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She died Friday, November 6, 1925, and is buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart.

  1. Flossie Irene Elms was born Sunday, November 22, 1914, in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She died Monday, January 9, 1978, at the age of 63 years, 1 month and 18 days. She is buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

  1. Annie Marie Elms was born September 11, 1916 in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She married Elzie Lloyd Donaldson on May 8, 1937. He was born November 15, 1911 in Haywood, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. Elzie died September 26, 1996 in Wharton County, Texas. Annie died February 9, 2005 in Wharton, Wharton County, Texas. They are buried in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Wharton County, Texas.

  1. Bonnie Kate Elms was born Saturday, January 17, 1920, in Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She married Elton Alexander Stewart on Saturday, November 21, 1936. He was born December 23, 1913. Elton died April 3, 1991. Bonnie died June 10, 1999, in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

6. Sarah Frankie “Frannie” Estes was born Wednesday, March 14, 1883, in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. She married a farmer, Milton Holmes Bland, when she was 17. Milton was born Monday, January 6, 1868 in Georgia. Milton died Wednesday, November 15, 1933. Sarah died Monday, November 6, 1967, at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 23 days. They are buried in Pryor Cemetery, Stuart, Oklahoma.

The children of Sarah Frankie Estes and Milton Holmes Bland are:

a. Vera Bland was born February 8, 1908 and died July 10, 1917, buried in Pryor.

b. Verda Leona Bland was born October 11, 1911 in the Ashland Community, near Stuart, Hughes County, Oklahoma. She married William Woodson “W.W.” Graham. He was born January 15, 1905 in Gillum, Arkansas. William died January 18, 1994, in Oklahoma. Verda died March 10, 1999 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They are buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

c. Victor Bland was born December 24, 1913 in Oklahoma. He died in October 1981 in Memphis, Scotland County, Missouri.

d. Wilma Pauline Bland was born May 10, 1916 in Oklahoma. She married Clyde Peters. He was born December 6, 1909 and died in February 1983. Wilma lives in Memphis, Scotland County, Missouri. Their daughter is: i. Wilma Jean.

e. Corbin K. Bland was born January 13, 1919 in Oklahoma. He married Onema M., last name unknown. They later divorced. Onema died October 22, 2000 in Dustin, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Corbin died August 17, 2005 in Calvin, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He is buried in Calvin Cemetery.

f. Haskell H. Bland was born March 4, 1924. He was a Lieutenant and served as navigator during World War II. He was reported MIA on 26 December 1944, on a bombing mission in his B-24 Liberator. He is buried at Pryor Cemetery.

g. Martha Bland was born on February 3, 1926 and died on February 6, 1926. She is buried in Pryor Cemetery.



JAMES MADISON12 ESTES

(1852 Ark. – 1936 Ark.)

James Madison Estes was born on 19 February 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, and died on 4 March 1936 in Fulton County, Arkansas. He married Mary Adeline McCord, born on 8 October 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, and died on 23 April 1948 in Fulton County, Arkansas. They are both buried in the Church of Christ Cemetery, in Agnos, Arkansas.

James M. Estes

(Sketch posted by Jim Estes 2004)

The Estes (and McCord and Wiles) families were the first white settlers in the Ash Flat area in 1839. There were few schools. Later, the Confederate controlled legislature provided for a free public education to any white youth. There were only 25 public schools in the entire state. In 1868, the legislature amended the law to allow children of any color to attend. However, the schools were financed by tuition and usually only available in larger cities.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided that the 16th section of every township was dedicated to public education, and that land was typically sold to fund construction and teachers’ salaries. In 1890, the legislature began to fund education by providing 76¢ per year for every enrolled pupil between the ages of six and 21. One of the first schools in Ash Flat was a one room log building were the Ash Flat United Methodist Church now sits. Classes were held as early as 1899 until 1900 when it was moved to the Masonic Lodge until the opening of the Ash Flat College and Teachers Training School in 1906. Classes were held in one three-month winter term, and another three-month summer term. 13

In 1868, The Arkansas legislature created Sharp County, from part of Lawrence County, which in 1860 had a population of 9,366. The first post office was commissioned on 9 December 1856. Estes ancestor Joseph McCord was its first post master, naming it after a nearby flat tract of land covered with large ash trees.

In the 1880 Arkansas US Census, J.M. Estes (28, Ark., NC, Ala.) and Mary A. Estes (27, Tenn., Tenn., Tenn.) were living with their four children in the Pleasant Ridge Township of Fulton County, Arkansas: John F. (8 Ark., Ark., Tenn.); Nancy F. (6, Ark., Ark., Tenn.); Lydia A. (4, Ark., Ark., Tenn.); and, William H. (2, Ark., Ark., Tenn.). Mary was pregnant. Several members of James' family lived nearby, including his brothers John and Calvin, sister Rebecca and his mother. At least 26 Estes families live in Fulton County.

The Church of Christ was earlier in Arkansas known as the “Christian church.” This church appeared in Ash Flat in the early 1880’s and began as the Church of Christ in about 1895.14

In the June 1900 US Census for Pleasant Ridge (Agnos) Fulton County, Arkansas, James and Mary were living with their six youngest children. Their son William and his wife lived next door.

In the April 1910 Arkansas US Census, James M. Estes (58, Ark., NC, Ala.) and Mary A. (57, Tenn., Tenn., Tenn.) were living in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas, with their children Arles H. [F.?] (18, Ark., Ark., Tenn.); Calvin C. (16, Ark., Ark., Tenn.); Bulah A. (13, Ark., Ark., Tenn.), and his niece Bertha L. McCord (17, Ark., Ark., Ark.), and grandson Gilbert G. Estes (5, Ark., Ark., Ark.). They have been married 39 years, and 11 of their 12 children are living. Calvin and Millie are nearby, as are Adolphus and Zada Estes, and John M. and Dora Estes.

In the 1920 Arkansas US Census, James Madison Estes and wife Mary were living with their son, Powell, and two grandchildren.

James Madison Estes was the last surviving member of the James and Rebecca Estes family. He died on Wednesday, 4 March 1936, in Fulton County, Arkansas, at the age of 84 years and 13 days. Mary died 23 April 1948. Both are buried in Agnos, Arkansas.

James Madison Estes and Mary Adeline McCord Family,

Arkansas, c. Spring1898.

(Photograph in possession of Louis F. Estes)

Back Row:

Lydia, Nancy, John F.; Mary; Hugh; William Harvey.

[Per Ash Flat History, at 415: Lizzie, Liddie, Harvey, Lou (Harvey’s wife?), Hugh.]

Front Row:

Jim, Clayton, James M., Annie, Cecil, Adaline, Arles.

(Sarah Agnes died in1885)

James Madison Estes and Sons, Arkansas, c. 1908.

Standing: Arles, Jim, Hugh, Clayton, Cecil. Seated: Harvey,

James M. (absent is eldest son John Franklin)

Same Photograph as above,

As altered by John F. Estes in 1920’s

(Photographs in possession of Louis F. Estes)

The children of James Madison Estes and Mary Adeline McCord are:

1. John Franklin13 Estes, born 8 December 1871 In Arkansas, died 9 January 1937 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, married Mary Christenia Alderman, born 17 August 1883 in Manatee County, Florida, died 2 August 1961 In Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona;

2. Nancy Frances Estes, born 1873, died 1962, married Alexander R. Kemper, and had children: Bunice Kemper, married Fred Tucker; Floyd Kemper; and Lilly F. Kemper, born in 1899;

3. Lydia A. “Liddie” Estes, born 1875, died 1956, married M.H. Lennox;

4. William Harvey Estes, born 1 March 1878, died 17 April 1959, married Luevena Roberts, born 9 August 1880, died 1957;

5. Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Estes, born 1880;

6. Hugh Pryor Estes, born 1883, died 1957, married Lula Ida Orr, born 1881, died 1905;

7. Sarah Agnes Estes, born 1885, died 1885;

8. James Blaine Estes, born 1886, died 1958;

9. Clayton Powell Estes, born 1889, died 1983;

10. Arles Andrew Estes, born 30 October 1891, died 9 November 1976; married Vada ---, born 29 September 1897, died 24 May 1969;

11. Cecil Estes, born 1894; and,

12. Beulah Ann Estes, born 1896.

Church of Christ Cemetery, Agnos, Arkansas

(Photograph by Sharon Estes Wilkerson)

Sharp County

MARY ADELINE MCCORD

(1852 Ark. -1948 Ark.)

Mary Adeline McCord was born on 8 October 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, and died at age 93 on 23 April 1948 in Fulton County, Arkansas. She married James Madison Estes, who was born 19 February 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, died 4 March 1936 in Fulton County, Arkansas.

Adeline McCord’s lineage can be traced back to Scotland in the late 1600’s. An ancestor, clan chieftain James MacKorda was a Jacobite who fell in 1689 at the Battle of Killiekrankie, fighting William of Orange. They may have been displaced to northern Ireland. From there the family emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, before ultimately removing to Arkansas. 15

Mary Adeline McCord,

c.1898



HUGH12 PRYOR ESTES, SR.

(1854 Ark. – 1922 S.D.)

Hugh Pryor Estes, Sr. was born on 31 May 1854 in Fulton County, Arkansas, and died on 16 May 1922 in Rapid City, Pennington, South Dakota. Hugh married on 9 January 1881 in Camp, Fulton County, Arkansas Emma Jane Sutherland, born 23 December 1856 in Independence County, Arkansas, and died November 28, 1931 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota. They are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota.

Hugh came to Black Hills, Dakota Territory in 1877 looking for gold He married Emma Sutherland in 1880 in Arkansas and the couple returned to the Black Hills where Hugh built a sawmill and later purchased a ranch on the plains east of the black hills.16

Hugh Pryor Estes Hugh Pryor Estes &
Emma Sutherland

The children of Hugh Estes and Emma Sutherland are:

1. Louis Jesse Estes was born September 17, 1882, at the home of H. P. Estes, south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. He married Fannie Flossie Wellman December 25, 1908 in Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She was born October 27, 1887 in Canada. He married secondly Mabel Burdick June 30, 1918 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, born October 11, 1896 in Pennsylvania. Jesse and Mabel raised Edith Joan Porter, daughter of Fern Estes Porter who died shortly after Joan's birth. (Obituary of Louis Jesse Estes, “90-year old lifelong resident of the Black Hills area, Estes died early Sunday at the homestake Hospital, Lead…. He was born Sept 17, 1882, at Estes, Dakota Territory, near what is now Nemo, and attended elementary school there. He then began working on his father's ranch and took part in the 1902 Roundup, the last major one in the state. After working a few years east of the Cheyenne River, he returned to Nemo where he began working, for at the homestake Mining Co. in its lumber operations.”) Louis died October 1972, Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota. He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery. Fannie died August 27, 1951. Mabel died February 1982 in Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota.

The child of Louis Estes and Fannie Wellman is:

a. Roberta Estes Willman was born May 11, 1910, South Dakota and died September 1959, Deadwood, South Dakota. She married John Thomas Campbell. He was born July 14, 1908, South Dakota and died 1969. She also married Walter Grove, 1949.

The children of Louis Estes and Mabel Burdick are:

b. Infant twin daughter Estes was born 1914 - 1928 and died after 17 days. She is buried in Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota.

c. Infant twin daughter Estes was born 1914 - 1928 and died after 15 months. She is buried in Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota.

  1. James William Estes was born August 10, 1884, at the home of H. P. Estes, south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. He married Verla F. Newton about 1905. He also married Katrina Lee November 2, 1921 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She was born February 26, 1895 in Michigan. Katrina was the widow of a Mr. Pike and they had a daughter, Charlotte Pike, who married a Mr. Davis. Verla died in a flu epidemic six months after marriage, on November 6, 1918 in Lincoln County, South Dakota. James died December 1966, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota. Katrina died October 1980 in Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota.

The child of James Estes and Katrina Lee is:

a. James David Estes was born May 10, 1923, Deadwood, South Dakota. He married Edna Mae Ball March 11, 1943. She was born December 25, 1925 in Houston, Texas. James had a stepsister, Charlotte Fink, who was never adopted by James's father. James died February 19, 1994, Rapid City, Pendleton County, South Dakota. Children of James Estes and Edna Ball are: i. Lola Ann was born April 28, 1944, Belle Fourche, South Dakota; and ii. Lana Merri Estes was born September 29, 1946, Deadwood, South Dakota.

James W. Estes & Katrina Lee

The Hugh Estes Family,

By James W. Estes 17

It was in June, 1895 that I first saw the plains area in what is now known as Wall. My father and John Edwards, who was then working for my dad on our ranch in the Nemo area, decided to set up a cattle ranch on the east side of the Cheyenne River near Peno Ranch. Sam Williams, who owned the Peno Ranch, had been running some cattle for my dad for two or three years, so he was more or less familiar with that section of the county. We started with team and spring wagon and the usual grub box, bed roll and camping outfit. We reached Peno on the third day. John Edwards and my dad scouted the country around there for three or four days and finally decided to buy a place that was for sale by Louis Austie, a Frenchman, with wife and two little girls, who wanted to go back to Canada where his children would have access to school. His place was the most attractive from the water and shelter standpoint. At that time no one thought the country would ever be populated, so in looking for a cattle ranch the main thing was water and natural shelter.

My dad, John Edwards and A. J. Young of Nemo formed a partnership and bought the Austie place which consisted of 25 horses, 140 cattle and some haying equipment. The men already had 350 head of stock before the purchase. John, a single man, stayed at the ranch and ran the spread. At that time there were very few settlers. Rock Porier lived on the place where Otto Geigle lives now and Richard had the place that Emanuel Geigle lived on for many years. A Frenchman by the name of Champaign had a ranch on Deep Creek just below the Rock Porier place, in fact it was considered a French settlement. However most of them went back to Canada when their children were old enough for school. None of them attempted to farm just raised cattle. As I recall there was only one ranch between our ranch and Pedro and that belonged to Moses Smith, who had a ranch on Rainy Creek. It was later owned by Lafe O'Neil. Ben West, an old Civil War soldier, had a homestead near the head of Deep Creek and ran a few cattle. (He was a bachelor.) Adolph Kalkbrenner had a sheep ranch near the head of Bull Creek which was about five miles west of our ranch. Eight miles east of Peno, Mexican Ed ran the Grindstone post office in an abandoned Northwestern Stage Company station. Shelby Reed had a small cattle spread just east at Lake Hill in what we called the Eskins draws. Mike Quinn had a place at where the town of Quinn is now located. Mike Quinn had a freight outfit, consisting of 50 yoke of choice cattle and he hauled freight from Pierre to Deadwood in the late 70s.

The country east of the Cheyenne River was Indian reservation until 1890 and for some time thereafter was called the reservation. All the names I have mentioned are people who settled in what is now considered the Wall area prior to 1895. My brother, Jess, and I stayed at the ranch during the summer months to look after the cattle and keep them from scattering too far from home on the open range, as the country was rapidly becoming stocked with cattle by the big outfits who were taking advantage of the open free range. It kept us very busy, holding our cattle near the home ranch. Water was the main problem in the dry part of the summer, and when cattle got thirsty they headed for water wherever they could find it. The big lake near where Alva Sims now lives was a watering place for hundreds of cattle and horses. I used to ride to the lake about noon nearly every day during the dry season to look for any of our cattle that may have strayed that far from home. Such was the general procedure during the summer months while holding a small bunch of cattle near your home ranch.

It was about March 6, 1898, and our winter school was out in the Nemo school district. The weather was nice and warm so I asked my dad if I could go down to the cattle ranch and help John Edwards as he was there alone. Dad thought it would be alright so I left home on a black Morgan horse that was in good condition. I left with $2.75 in my pocket for expenses on the trip. I made it to Rapid City about noon, put my horse in Alex Shellito's livery stable for a feed of grain, and went to Mose Lamere's restaurant for lunch. At that time you could get a full meal for 25c. When I went back to the stable for my horse Mr. Shellito told me that there were some reports from the nearby ranchers that there had been a fairly heavy snowfall east of Rapid City and if I was going to the ranch I could expect to travel through some snow.

This did not mean much to me as I was raised in the Black Hills where a foot of snow was nothing unusual. So I left Rapid City about 1 p.m. and headed east. I came to the west edge of the snowfall about where the air base is now. However the snow became deeper the farther east I went. I intended to make the Daily ranch that evening but it was getting dark when I got to the McCain place so I ask and got overnight lodging there. The next morning I continued on my journey while the weather was calm. The snow got deeper as I got farther east; it must have been at least two feet deep on the level. There were very few fences so I detoured around the head of draws to avoid getting stalled in snowdrifts. I passed some ranch houses but they had been abandoned for the winter. Finally, about 2 p.m. I saw a ranch house with smoke coming out of the chimney. I made my way to find out what place it was and was told by the kind lady that it was the Humphrey place. This gave me my bearing as I had been over this trail before and knew where people lived. I asked the lady how far it was to Bill Smith's place on the river. "Well, sir," she said, "It's 25 miles to Smithville." Well, I knew that Bill Smith's place was much closer so I continued my journey.

After going about two miles east from the Humphrey place I dropped down on the nine-mile flat. The snow was not so deep on this flat so I could put my horse into a trot part of the time. I rode into Bill Smith's on the river at sundown and stayed overnight there. The next morning Bill rode down to Smithville with me, a distance of about three miles. There we were advised that the river might be treacherous as there was about six inches of muddy water running over the winter ice and there may be some holes. Well, I made it across and still had 15 miles to go to the ranch, my destination. The road up the Cheyenne breaks was on a ridge most of the way and was blown clean of snow. When I got on top--the northwest corner of Lake Flat--the snow was still two feet deep. I was ten miles from the ranch and it was about 11 a.m.

After riding east for about a half hour I met Frank Thompson, who was driving a team hitched to a buckboard and carrying mail from Pierre to Smithville. He had been holed up at a ranch on Bad River since the storm on March 4th. Thompson was the first person I had met on the road since leaving Rapid City. I rode into the ranch about 4 p.m. and found John pretty busy with the cattle. Cows were dropping calves in the snow at the rate of two and three per day. It got pretty cold at night and sometimes we would have one or two calves in the house with us to keep them from freezing. It was during this same storm that two teenage boys froze to death at different locations, although in the same area. A Kalkbrenner boy was on his way home and missed his place because of the severe blizzard, and as a result died. The other boy went out to help his brother bring in cattle and froze to death. His brother made it home safely. These boys were sons of Shelby Reed.

The Estes ranch was generally ran as a cow camp until the year 1905 when my dad sold the Hills ranch to at the Homestake Mining Company and the family moved to the cow camp and made it the ranch home. In the family, at that time, were three boys and three girls. The oldest boy, Jess, got married and moved back to the Hills. Neva, the oldest girl married Harry Shedden, a railroad man from Edgemont and they made that city their home. Hugh and I did most of the hauling when we moved from the Hills to the prairie ranch. There was household furniture, lumber, machinery and many other necessary things to be acquired. A rancher had to provide his own water, fuel and heat. Nobody even thought of sticking a plow in the ground those days, except for a small garden plot. We had two school sections leased for hayland. Native wheatgrass made excellent hay if out at the right time.

We had our droughts then just as we have them now. 1900 was very dry in the Wall area. C. K. Howard and Mike Quinn moved their cattle to the Rosebud reservation and my dad moved 100 head of cows to the Cap Ferguson ranch on Plum Creek for wintering. That year we had no rain in the spring or summer until about the latter part of August when we got a real cloudburst at the headwaters of Deep Creek. This rain greened the grass a little but not enough for good grazing.

In the spring of 1901 I drove down Deep Creek on the old Big Foot Indian trail with a team and wagon after a load of barb wire and noticed driftwood 20 feet high in the cottonwood trees, but there was no sign of erosion. No sand and silt was carried in the water. Today, after half the soil in the drainage area of Deep Creek has been plowed and farmed, there is so much erosion down Deep Creek that you cannot ride horseback down the old Big Foot trail. After 1905 the settlers began to trickle in as there were rumors that the Northwestern Railroad was to be built between Pierre and Rapid City and by 1907 most the level land was homesteaded. This put the cattle raisers on the spot who had had the advantage of free grazing land for years.

The Estes ranch began to raise some alfalfa and cane as well as some small grain, and weathered the changeover fairly well. Fern and Edith, the youngest girls, having finished grade school, went to business schools and Hugh also attended the Rapid City business school, but like many others still loved the ranch life to which he returned. In 1908 I went to work for at the homestake in the sawmill at Estes, two miles south of Memo. This took me away from ranch life and left Hugh Jr. as the last son to remain on the ranch with Dad. I think they worked together as a sort of father and son partnership for quite sometime or until Hugh met one of the charming school teachers who came into the area. Her name was Charlotte, They were married and established residence on Hugh's homestead, one mile west of the home ranch where they raised a family of three children, Elmer, Estella and Hughie (Buster). However the partnership continued with livestock.

Times were hard throughout most of those years. There were droughts and grasshoppers to contend with and finally the drought of 1911, when they took the cattle to Rosebud Reservation and sold them in the fall to Corb Morris. Charlotte continued to teach school to help the budget. I think it was because of the hard work and determination of Hugh and Charlotte that the old Estes ranch held together. They also raised a family who are now leading citizens of the Wall area.

In 1919 my dad contracted to sell our land holdings to Mills and Anderson for $15 an acre, which seemed a very big price at that time. I believe they paid $6,000 down on a $30,000 deal. My father and mother bought a home in North Rapid and moved up there. On May 16, 1922, my dad passed away. Mills and Anderson failed to comply with their contract so my mother had to take the land back. My mother leased part of the land to Ben Winkowitch and part of it to Hugh and Charlotte. I worked at the homestake for 42 and a half years, retiring in 1950. Upon retirement I moved back to our ranch at Wall and lived there for eight years. In 1958 I sold out to Bert Willuweit and have since lived in Rapid City.

My wife and I have two children, Dave Estes living in Rapid City who has two daughters and a grandson; and daughter, Charlotte Davis, also in Rapid. She has two sons and a daughter. Jim lost his right hand in a sawmill accident, but rose to become a vice president of the Homestake Company and was in charge of timber operations. Jim bought the family farm from Hugh Estes, Junior's widow, after Hugh died. The farm was sold out of the family in 1958. - Doug Estes, August 2004

  1. Neva Adaline Estes was born March 22, 1886, at the home of H. P. Estes, about 2 miles south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She married Harry Shedden October 18, 1911 in Pennington, Lawrence County, South Dakota. He was born April 24, 1893 in Elgin, Illinois. Neva died December 30, 1947, Faulk County, South Dakota. Harry died July 1963 in Edgemont, Fall River County, South Dakota.

The children of Neva Estes and Harry Shedden are:

a. Alma Marian Shedden was born December 10, 1913, Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She married Alva David Sims December 23, 1935 in Yankton, Yankton County, South Dakota. He was born October 18, 1907 in Yankton. Alva died December 26, 1993 in Wall, Pennington County, South Dakota. Alma died March 18, 1997, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota. Children of Alma Shedden and Alva Sims are: i. Noel was born July 14, 1938; ii. Patricia Dean was born August 6, 1950; and iii. David was born March 22, 1954.

b. Thomas Harrison Shedden was born January 25, 1917, South Dakota. He married Ellen Rose Ferguson October 19, 1949 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota. She was born 1919 - 1920. Thomas died May 27, 1995, South Dakota. Children of Thomas Shedden and Ellen Ferguson are: i. Christine Clare was born August 5, 1942; and ii. Thomas Anthony was born April 4, 1951.

c. Erma E. Shedden was born 1918 - 1919, South Dakota. She married Chappell.

d. Donald W. Shedden was born 1920 - 1921, South Dakota. He married Juliet Ilene Johnson September 4, 1946 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota. She was born 1915 - 1916. Children of Donald Shedden and Juliet Johnson are: i. John H. was born July 14, 1947; and ii. Jerry R. was born April 25, 1950.

e. Neva Edith Shedden was born January 24, 1924, South Dakota. She married Andrew M. Boekhout. He was born 1923 - 1924 in South Dakota. Children of Neva Shedden and Andrew Boekhout are: i. James Kevin was born June 14, 1946; ii. Barbara Jean was born May 25, 1947; iii. Leslie Ann was born May 19, 1951; iv. Marc Thomas was born February 21, 1952; and v. Amy Patrice was born July 9, 1956.

4. Hugh Pryor Estes, Jr. was born September 22, 1889, at the home of H. P. Estes, about 2 miles south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota and died October 8, 1943, Pennington County, South Dakota. He married Charlotte Lundring 1916 in Canby, Minnesota. She was born March 23, 1891 in Minnesota, and died May 22, 1963 in South Dakota. Charlotte Estes died in 1963. She had lived in Rapid City for fifteen years and was teaching at New Underwood at the time of her death. In 1958 her, family and many of her students whom she had taught between 1915 and 1958, gave her a surprise party. Mrs. Estes loved to travel and had visited many countries during the 1950s. Hugh died of cancer on October 8, 1943, Pennington County, South Dakota. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota.

Hugh and Charlotte Estes

by Estes Bros. (Bud and Buster)18

Hugh Estes established a residence for himself in Pennington County by homesteading one mile west of his father's place in 1906. He shortly built a home which later was added on and modernized and has been in use up to the present time.

In 1916 Hugh married a young lady who came west to teach school. Her name was Charlotte Lundring. They were married in Canby, Minnesota. After their honeymoon trip they returned to the ranch home and lived there until the death of Hugh which was in 1943. Born to Hugh and Charlotte were three children: Estelle, now Mrs. Frank Crowell of Hot Springs, Elmer (Bud) and Hugh (Buster) who have lived in Wall since 1948. Hugh operated his place along with the original Estes ranch for many years both as a farmer and rancher. During this time Charlotte taught school in the area.

In 1948 Charlotte sold the Hugh Estes ranch to Jim Estes. Jim actively operated the ranch for a few years then he sold the complete ranch to Bert Willuweit in 1958. The low cattle prices, shortage of rainfall and poor crops during the thirties did not indicate a very attractive or prosperous future to many young men in the area. As a result I (Bud) left the ranch in 1937 to go to work for Red Owl Stores.

After two years with Red Owl I quit and started with Gambles in Gillette, Wyoming. In 1941 I assumed management of the Hot Springs store. In June of 1941 I married the former Patricia Hansen of Spearfish. After the war, I returned to Gillette for a couple of years then back to Wall in June of 1948 where the Gamble store was purchased from Lysle Dartt. As of this date (July, 1965) the store is still owned and operated by me.

Born to Bud and Patty Estes were four children Dawna Rae, Douglas, Doyle and Jimmy. Dawna completed college in 1965. Doug has completed three years at the University of Vermillion. Doyle is a junior in High School. Jimmy will finish the eighth grade in 1966. I (Buster) was raised on the Estes ranch during the dry thirties, and attended grade school at the Huron School. After graduation from High School in the spring of 1949 in Wall, I worked for my brother Bud in the Gamble store.

I enlisted in the Marine Corps January of 1951 and received my discharge in December of 1953. During my years of duty in the Marine Corps I spent two and one half years in the South Pacific and in Japan. In March of 1954 Bud and I (Buster) formed a partnership known today as "Estes Brothers". In February of 1955 I married the former Amie Petersen who was teaching school in Wall. We have three children, Brad 7, Bret 5 and Brenda Lee 2. At the present time I manage the Estes Bros. business which consists of a motel and construction operation.

Estelle Marie Estes was a graduate of the Wall High School and Black Hills Teachers College at Spearfish, and taught school at Rome, N. Dak. On June 12, 1941 she married Sgt. Frank E. Crowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Crowell of Bonita Springs. Frank is a graduate of Rapid City High School and was a member of the 81st Division Training Cadre of Camp Rucker near the Ozarks. They have four sons, Hugh, Allen, Tom and Frank, Jr., and a grandson. At present, they own and operate the Crowell Motel and the Ponderosa Trailer Park at Hot Springs.

The children of Hugh Estes and Charlotte Lundring are:

a. Estella Marie Estes was born November 24, 1918, Wall, Pennington, South Dakota. She married Frank Emerson Crowell June 12, 1942 in Ozark, Alabama. He was born March 5, 1909. (Obituary for Estelle M. Crowell, 76, born Nov. 24, 1918, to Hugh and Charlotte Estes of Wall, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 30, 1995, at her son's home in Tacoma, Wash.) Frank died March 1980 in Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona. Estella died October 30, 1995, University Place, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. They are buried in the Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota. Children of Estella Estes and Frank Crowell are: i. Hugh E. was born November 3, 1943; ii. Allan E. was born March 9, 1947; iii. Thomas A. was born June 14, 1949; and iv. Frank Leroy was born March 24, 1953 and died July 10, 2007, at home, Olalla, Washington.

b. Elmer L. Estes was born January 29, 1920. He married Patricia Lillian Hansen June 23, 1941 in Torrington, Wyoming. She was born April 16, 1921 in Spearfish, South Dakota, and died at her home on August 24, 2003. Children of Elmer Estes and Patricia Hansen are: i. Dawna Rae was born February 17, 1943; ii. Douglas was born September 12, 1944, Oakland, Alameda County, California; iii. Doyle Dean was born June 11, 1949; and James Richard was born August 9, 1952, Of St. Paul, Minnesota.

c. Hugh Martin Estes was born December 9, 1931. He married a school teacher, Amie Lou Petersen, in February 1955. Children of Hugh Estes and Amie Petersen are: i. Bradley Hugh was born September 12, 1957; ii. Bret Mitchell was born September 29, 1959; and iii. Brenda Lee was born September 11, 1962.

  1. Fern Augusta Estes was born July 2, 1894, at the home of H. P. Estes, 2 miles south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She married Ivan M. Porter February 21, 1914 in Lawrence County, South Dakota. He was born August 5, 1888 in Stanton, Nebraska. Fern died from complications from childbirth in 1928, Sioux City, Iowa.

The children of Fern Estes and Ivan Porter are:

a. Sidney Estes Porter was born December 29, 1914, Illinois and died October 1, 2002, Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona. He married Pia Margot. Children of Sidney Porter and Pia Margot are: i. Robert S. was born June 12, 1947; ii. Fern A. was born July 16, 1948; and iii. Sid I. Porter was born April 20, 1950.

b. Bruce A. Porter was born February 26, 1916, South Dakota and died October 19, 2002, Ramona, San Diego County, California.

c. Fair Fern Porter was born February 5, 1918, South Dakota. She married William Ellsworth Firth. He was born May 9, 1912 in South Dakota. She also married Ivan Roth. After Fern died, Ivan married a widow who had several children of her own. - Doug Estes William died February 27, 1984 in San Diego County, California. Fern died August 11, 1998, San Diego, San Diego County, California. Child of Fair Porter and William Firth is: i. Michael Howard was born June 12, 1941, San Diego, San Diego County, California. Children of Fair Porter and Ivan Roth are: ii. Jennifer was born March 25, 1949; iii. Suzanne was born August 25, 1951; and iv. Matthew was born May 14, 1953.

d. Betty Maize Porter was born January 24, 1920, South Dakota. She married Johnson. She also married Junior Lee Fulmer. In addition, she married John Peterson July 24, 1937 in Elk Point, Union County, South Dakota. He was born 1915 - 1916 in South Dakota. Child of Betty Porter and Johnson is: i. Robert Alan was born August 3, 1948. Children of Betty Porter and Junior Fulmer are: ii. Bruce Bernard was born July 12, 1954; iii. Coleen Elizabeth was born December 17, 1955; and iv. Patricia Lorraine was born March 25, 1957. Children of Betty Porter and John Peterson are: v. Mary Lou was born October 24, 1941; and vi. John Ivan was born March 2, 1943.

e. Alan Stuart Porter was born 1923 - 1924, South Dakota. He married Maxine Isabelle, who was born in South Dakota.

f. Edith Joan Porter Estes was born August 28, 1928, South Dakota. She married Manford Leroy Foltz April 28, 1947 in Spearfish United Methodist Church, Lawrence County, South Dakota. He was born July 22, 1919 in Lantry, South Dakota. Joan was raised by Jesse and Mabel Estes after the death of her mother, Fern Estes Porter who died shortly after Joan's birth. Edith died September 1994, Spearfish, Lawrence, South Dakota. Manford died October 19, 2004 in David M. Dorsett Health Care Facility, Spearfish, South Dakota. They are buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota. Children of Edith Estes and Manford Foltz are: i. Judith Carol was born January 5, 1950; ii. Sidney Glenn was born October 19, 1954; iii. Donald Manford was born November 14, 1958; and iv. David Jesse was born April 8, 1967, Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota and died June 20, 1998, Harmony, Fillmore County, Minnesota.

6. Mary Edith Estes was born June 19, 1898, at the home of H. P. Estes, south of Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota. She married Marion M. Wilson April 11, 1925 in Meade County, South Dakota. He was born November 14, 1901 in Illinois. Marion was an electrical building inspector for the City of Rapid City, and later managed a electrical utility company in Nebraska. They lived on Farlow Street in Rapid City during the 1930's. The house was owned by Emma Jane Sutherland Estes. Elmer Estes, lived with them in 1935-1936 school years. They also owned a ranch south of Custer, South Dakota. - Doug Estes. Marion died October 1968 in Custer, Custer County, South Dakota. Mary died November 1990, Custer. They are buried in Rapid City, North Dakota.

The children of Mary Estes and Marion Wilson are:

a. --- Wilson and died an infant.

b. Shirley Eleanor Wilson was born January 12, 1927, South Dakota. She married Cooper and Thorman. Children of Shirley Wilson and Cooper are: i. Sheryl Ann was born September 2, 1953; and ii. Samuel Wilbur was born November 7, 1957.

c. Rodney Estes Wilson was born May 23, 1930, South Dakota. He married Marion. Rodney died July 25, 1993, Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina. Children of Rodney Wilson and Marion are: i. Rodney Estes was born April 25, 1957; and ii. Jeffrey Allen Wilson was born May 5, 1959.



DAVID12 ORR ESTES

(1855 Ark. – 1934 Ark.)

David Orr Estes was born 9 December 1855 in Fulton County, Arkansas. He married in about 1878 Mary J. (Polly) Tucker, the daughter of Thomas Tucker and Elizabeth Tarter, about 1877 in Fulton County, Arkansas. She was born October 26, 1855 in Adair County, Kentucky and died after 1920. Polly is the sister of Sarah Elizabeth Tucker, who married David’s brother Marlden.

The 1880 US Census for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows David O. Estes (23, Ark., Tenn., Ala.)[1857] living with his wife Polly J. (23, Ky., Virg., Ky.) and their son Gary? W. (2, Ark.). They live near numerous relatives including his parents James Madison Estes and Mary A. [McCord] and three siblings; his aunts and uncles John Franklin and Sarah Estes and Calvin Estes and Rebecca M. [Wiles] Estes.

The 1910 US Census for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows David O. Estes (53, Ark., NC, Ala.) living with his wife of 32 years [married about 1878] Polly J. (53, Ky., Ky., Ky.) and their children Emma (23, Ark., single); Frances E. (21, Ark., single)[1889]; Flossie A. (19, Ark., single)[1891]; and William H. (17, Ark., single). Five of their six children survive. They live near James W. Estes (47, Ark.; Ark., Ark.), wife Nancy A. (50, Ark.), and seven children, and near to David’s niece Nancy [Estes] (36, Ark.; Ark.; Tenn.) and husband Rodney A. Kemper (39, Ill., Ill., Ind.), and their children.

The 1920 US Census for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows David O. Estes (63, Ark., NC, Ark.) living with his wife Polly J. (63, Ky., Virg., Ky.) and their daughters Frances E. (30, Ark., single)[1890]; and, Flossie A. (27, Ark., single)[1893]. The live next to Arles Andrew Estes and his wife Vada, John K. Estes and wife Ada, and his parents James Madison and Mary A. Estes.

David was named after David Orr, a famous preacher of the time. He was a Baptist Circuit-Riding Minister. He moved to Lawrence County, Arkansas in 1827 and in 1845 to Fulton County, Arkansas. He died of tuberculosis in 1849. At least two of his sons, John H. and David Junior, travelled to California during the gold rush. They may have gone with James Estes, who named his son after their father. Mary died 30 May 1922 in Fulton County, Arkansas. David died in April 1934 in Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Agnos Cemetery, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas.

The children of David Estes and Mary Tucker are:

1. James W. Estes was born 1878, Arkansas and died November 9, 1880, Arkansas.

2. John Kinchen Estes was born September 19, 1881, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married Ada Melinda Heath 1902 - 1903, daughter of James P. Heath. She was born April 25, 1886 in Arkansas. John died 1931. Ada died July 15, 1966 in Salem, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Agnos Cemetery, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas.

The children of John Estes and Ada Heath are:

a. Stillborn Twin Estes was born 1903 and died 1903.

b. Stillborn Twin Estes was born 1903 and died 1903.

c. Gladys Estes was born September 14, 1904, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas and died April 12, 1998, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. She married Oscar Beverley Raulston, May 16, 1938, Fulton County, Arkansas. He was born February 14, 1901, Dennison, Texas and died September 3, 1970, Willow, Greer County, Oklahoma.

d. Jessie Lola Estes was born December 15, 1908, Arkansas. She married Claude Hall December 4, 1926. He was born November 24, 1906 in Arkansas. Claude died February 18, 1979. Jessie died September 30, 1999, Gepp, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Burks Chapel, Fulton County, Arkansas. Children of Jessie Estes and Claude Hall are: i. Eulie L. was born 1928, Arkansas; and ii. Boyd R. was born 1930, Arkansas.

e. Elsie Theopa Estes was born December 4, 1910, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. She married Roy W. Neely February 21, 1949 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas. He was born December 16, 1907. Roy died May 6, 1971 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. Elsie died September 1, 2003, Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina. Child of Elsie Estes and Roy Neely is: Billy John was born 1949 – 1953.

f. John Ulyess Estes was born December 9, 1912, Arkansas. He married Ines Clinton December 19, 1936. She was born December 13, 1916 in Arkansas. John died March 31, 1983, Glencoe, Fulton County, Arkansas. Ines died November 11, 1988 in Glencoe, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Saddle Cemetery, Saddle, Fulton County, Arkansas. Child of John Estes and Ines Clinton is: i. Sharon Kay was born November 10, 1942 and died June 1, 2008, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.

g. William M. Estes was born July 17, 1915, Arkansas and died June 15, 1995, Mammoth Spring, Fulton County, Arkansas. He married Mattie on October 29, 1938. She was born May 25, 1916, Arkansas. They are buried in Saddle Cemetery, Saddle, Fulton County, Arkansas.

h. Roy Estes was born 1920 - 1929, of Cave City, Arkansas.

i. Olevia Jane Estes was born January 19, 1922, Arkansas, died August 16, 2008, League City, Galveston, Texas.. She married Oliver Kersey. He was born January 17, 1921, died April 15, 1982 in Jefferson, Texas. They had: i. Herby D. was born September 1947; ii. Julia Faye was born January 10, 1951, Jefferson County, Texas; iii. Alvin Steve was born May 4, 1953, Jefferson County, Texas and died March 5, 2008, Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas; and iv. Johnny Dale Kersey was born September 19, 1956, Jefferson County, Texas.

j. J. C. Estes was born 1920 - 1929, Arkansas and died prior to 2003.

k. Loretta Faye Estes was born December 16, 1929, Arkansas. She married Jacob Vincent Middendorf. He was born January 15, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. Loretta died June 8, 1982, Jefferson County, Texas. Jacob died September 25, 2006 in West Houston Medical Center, Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas. Children are: Linda Faye born February 16, 1961, Jefferson County, Texas; Patricia Jane born August 26, 1964, Jefferson County, Texas; and Jimmy Vincent born February 1, 1958, Jefferson County, Texas.

3. Emma F. Estes was born June 1883, Arkansas. She married Tate Finas Robison 1912 - 1913. He was born 1868 - 1869 in Arkansas. In 1930 Tate was working as a Street Car Washer in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The children of Emma Estes and Tate Robison are:

a. Cloyd Tate Robison was born January 2, 1915, Oklahoma and died October 14, 1998, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

b. Willie R. Robison was born 1917 - 1918, Oklahoma.

c. Noble David Robison was born November 12, 1919, Oklahoma and died June 23, 1990, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

d. Truman K. Robison was born September 29, 1923, Oklahoma and died October 25, 2006, Grove, Delaware, Oklahoma.

e. Nora L. Robison was born 1929, Oklahoma.

4. Francis E. Estes was born May 1886, Arkansas. She married Joseph Weaver 1886 - 1887, Arkansas. They had no children together, but there were three step-children.

5. Flossie A. Estes was born December 21, 1893, Arkansas. She married Christopher Columbus Tucker, September 26, 1924, Fulton County, Arkansas. He was born September 26, 1895 in Arkansas. Christopher died November 2, 1956. Flossie died April 1974, Mammoth Spring, Fulton County, Arkansas. They are buried in Agnos Cemetery, Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas.

6. William Harrison Estes was born July 26, 1891, Arkansas. He married Ruby Short 1917 - 1918. She was born December 31, 1898 in Arkansas. Ruby died October 1976 in Monette, Craighead County, Arkansas. William died January 22, 1988, Monette, Craighead County, Arkansas.

The children of William Estes and Ruby Short are:

a. Ola N. Estes was born February 1919.

b. Lois M. Estes was born 1921 - 1922, Arkansas.

c. Talmage R. Estes was born 1923 - 1924, Arkansas.

d. Charles R. Estes was born 1925 - 1926, Arkansas.

e. W. Glenn Estes was born 1928, Arkansas.



REBECCA12 FRANCES ESTES

(1859 Ark. – 1912 Ark.)

Rebecca Frances Estes was born 1 October 1859 in Fulton, Arkansas, and died 27 August 1912 in Fulton, Arkansas.



1 A great deal of the information on and photographs of this generation were located and collected by H. James “Jim” Estes, which he has set down in his informative and enjoyable Sketches of each sibling.

2 Ash Flat History, Note 72, at 293, citing Boys in Blue, Arkansas Veterans of the Union Army.

3 Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service, www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm

4 Facts taken from the 19 March 1898 Application for Pension submitted by William M. Estes, of Ash Flat, Sharp County, Arkansas. Estes Yahoo Group, Photo Albums, William Marlden Estes Family. Bracketed information from Descendants of Abraham Estes, Note 72.

5 The Descendants of Abraham Estes, Note 72.

6 Much of this section is based on Mary Pauline Cole, Thomas Newton Estes Family, available at The Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University, http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu 

7 Ash Flat History, Note 72, at 276 and 293; and, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss (citing M376 roll 7; and, M380 roll 5).

8 Mary Pauline Cole, Thomas Newton Estes Family of Wallowa County, Oregon, (Undated Mss.) Family History Archives, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Digital Collections.

9 Lawrence Kip; James K. Kelly; W.H. Farrar, An Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties (Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902), at 572-573.

10 Wallowa County (Ore.) Reporter, 7 November 1918.

11 Pioneer Arch, Wallowa County, Oregon Pioneers www.usgennet.org/usa/or/county/wallowa/pioneerarch.htm

12 See H. James Estes, A Sketch of the James Monroe Kelley and Sarah Elizabeth Tucker Family for more details.

13 Ash Flat History, Note 72, at 58.

14 Ibid., at 145.

15 For more on the McCord family, see Estes, Bills, Hutchins, Note 43, at 254.

16 Descendant Reports, Estes Yahoo Group Website.

17 Eastern Pennington County Memories (The American Legion Auxiliary, Carrol McDonald Unit, Wall, South Dakota), pp. 454-75.

18 Eastern Pennington County Memories, Note 368, at pp. 454-75.