William McKinley Bates, son of James Ragan and Victoria Parrish Bates

William McKinley Bates was born September 25, 1900, to James Ragan Bates and Victoria Parrish, in Riddle, Oregon. He was their fourth and youngest child. When he was an infant, Willie contracted polio. One night, he was very near death. His father gave up and told his mother to just let him die. However, Victoria could not give up hope. She built a small fire in the wood stove, placed her baby in a small box, and set it in the oven with the door left ajar. After several days, young Willie’s health began to improve. He eventually recovered, but walked with a limp the rest of his life from the polio.

Bill’s dad died in 1926. Shorty thereafter, while in his twenties, Bill hopped a train in Oregon and rode to Carbon County, Utah. Why he decided to get off here is not known for sure, but he found work as a telegraph operator in Helper. Not long afterwards, he met Ida Lucille Richardson. They were married on November 16, 1927 in the Price City courthouse. Their first home was an apartment in Martin, Utah. On the day they were married, someone delivered a dirty stove to their apartment. Bill had to work the morning following their marriage, so Bill and Ida didn’t have a honeymoon. They just stayed home and cleaned the dirty old stove. Bill lovingly referred to Ida as "Sally."

On July 24, 1928, Ida gave birth to their first child, James William Bates in Martin, Utah. Bill was scared to death. As recorded in Jim’s own words “I’m especially thankful for my parents – that they desired and wanted me in their family. They gave me the greatest gift on this earth – the gift of LIFE.

Bill and Ida had two more living children, John Gordon “Jack”, and Alma Rae. Ida also gave birth to a stillborn son, Dennis.

Bill’s occupations mostly included working for the Utah Railway and also for the coal mines. The family moved around a lot, mostly living in mining housing. As Jim wrote in his own personal history “We didn’t have anything because dad would be out of work several months of the year, but dad and mother grew a small garden and raised a batch of white Leghorn roosters. When a hobo would come to the door, Dad would invite them in – give them a hair cut, a hot bath and share what little food we had on the table. Dad’s compassion for his fellow man stuck with me the remainder of my life.”

Jim wrote in his journal about his dad bragging about his ability to catch big browns (native Brown Trout). His father told him “The first thing you do is locate a nest of new born mice, nice pink ones without any hair. Position them on a wood shingle and float it out into the lake. Of course the mouse is rigged up with a hook and attached to a long line. When the shingle is in the right spot – jerk the mouse off. As the mouse struggles for shore those big brown hit with a vengeance.” Jim says he never did see his dad catch a fish that way!

Here is a story clip from Jim’s journal: “Dad had killed some chickens for a cook out. One evening while everyone was standing around the camp fire Dad slipped a chicken foot into Aunt Ruth’s apron pocket. When she stuck her hand into that pocket, felt the raw bone and sinew and whatever else the mind can conjure up – she went ballistic. When she finally collected her wits, and identified the culprit, she chased dad all over the camp ground with the dead chicken foot.”

Together, Bill and Jim raised chinchillas for fur. They kept them in a fold up wire pen in the living room of the house Bill and Ida lived in, in Helper. Bill and Jim had hoped to make a mint off of them. They planned to sell them for their fur. Right after they got them, the government put a ban on selling fur for coats. Bill and Jim tried to sell the animals as pets, but were unable to do so. They were left high and dry, with chinchillas in Ida's living room!

Ellen remembers Bill as always being a kind, gentleman. Bill always tipped his hat to the ladies. He was always kind to Ellen. He was clean, neat, and never unshaven. His yard never had a weed in it. He had a raspberry patch that took up the entire garden lot.

He loved little children. At the time his children were leaving home, a family in Kenilworth had great financial difficulty caring for their large family. Bill and Ida took their twins into their home until the twins were adopted by another family. A newborn sister of the twins, Mary Jo, came into their home when the twins left. They raised her for many years. It nearly broke Bill's heart when she was adopted into another home.

Bill knew the Bible frontwards and backwards. He read the Bible all of the time. Although he stated that he doubted it’s divine origin, he said that it was written to keep men on the straight and narrow.

While Jim’s family was living in Logan, Bill and Ida lived in the basement of their Spring Glen house. While living there, Bill and Jim built the living room, and the upstairs front room. Bill was living in the Spring Glen house when he died on May 17, 1960.

Jim titled a chapter in his autobiography “Dad’s Drinking Problem.” He talks about many of the problems that arose because of his father’s drinking problem. His closing paragraph on this chapter ends with these words: “Due to these conflicts of the heart our lives seemed to be uncertain and it weighed heavily on our emotions and our ability at times to progress. Repetitious behavior by dad threatened to tear our family and our very existence apart at times; however, we survived the storms, which were frequent. Our life was not rosy, free from pain, misery, sorrow and heart break, but amidst all the conflict there have been tender, heartfelt experiences, relationships, and insights that are treasured by each of us.”

Bill had a serious drinking problem his entire life. It began in his youth. His parents would give him a hot totty each morning when he was a child. This was a habit he was never able to overcome. It eventually took his life.

Ida loved her “Knight in Shining Armor.”

Note: The above picture is of William McKinley Bates with his first child, Grandpa James Bates.

Emery Ray Bates, son of Thomas and Flora Bates

by Ethel Mae Bates KinKade (daughter of Emery Ray Bates)

Life events:
Emery was born On October 17, 1907 in Riddle, Douglas, Oregon. However, his parents did not register his birth. That made problems for him later in life when a birth certificate was needed for verification. He eventually got a letter stating his birth from the State of Oregon.

Emery was removed from his mother's home at the age of nine, along with his twin brothers, Byron and Ralph (age seven, twins), by the Boys Girls Aid Society of Oregon in 1917. The boys were eventually placed with farmers in the Portland area; Emery to one farm near Hillsboro and the twins, together, to another. They were not allowed to write to one another or to see each other through all those years til' they were of age. Emery returned to the Riddle, OR area searching for his older brothers, Monte and Bon and located them. The twins stayed in the Portland area when they came of age. Emery looked for the twins, found them in Portland, Oregon and the family became re-acquainted after many years of traumatic separation.


Emery and his twin brothers received the pension money that had collected over the years while they were "farmed out" when they, consecutively, of age got released from Boys Girls Aid Society. Emery worked at the Prune Orchard Dryer in Riddle, Oregon after returning to the area.

Emery married Ethel Marie Tomerlin on August 1, 1935 in Myrtle Creek, Douglas, Oregon. They had four children. He worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad approximately 34 years. In the early 1930's, Emery started out as a night track walker advancing up to Section Foreman through the years. He and his crews rode the velocipede motor car. He preferred to stay in the Section Foreman position rather than advance up to higher ranks. He worked in southern Oregon at Reuben, West Fork, Glendale, and eventually moving his family to Suver, Oregon in 1943. Before the move to Suver, he worked on the railroad with his brother, Monte, and his father-in-law, Thomas Jackson Tomerlin. In 1952, he bid on and got the Section Foreman position at Monroe, Oregon and moved his family to Monroe, Oregon. In the late 1950's, after Emery's children were grown and married - Emery & his wife, Ethel, moved to Philomath, Oregon where he was section foreman, then to Richardson, Oregon, and then to Philomath, Oregon where they bought a home and Emery drove back and forth to his job as Section Foreman in Toledo, OR.

He was 54 years old when he died, January 28, 1962.
Funeral program: In Memory of Emery Ray Bates
Born October 17, 1907 - Passed Away January 28, 1962
Services:
Chapel of The McHenry Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon - 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 1, 1962
Officiating: Reverend Walter W. Appleyard
Soloist: Nancy Crocker Organist: John O'Connor
Casket Bearers: Ed Turner, Pat Brown, Ralph Cobb, Bud Trotter, Larry Turner and Andy Rhodaback.
Internment: Riddle Cemetery, Douglas County, Riddle, Oregon

Bonnie Ben Bates, son of TJ and Flora Snow Bates

By Ethel Mae KinKade

Bonnie Ben Bates was the fourth son of Thomas Jefferson and Flora Bates

Life - growing up - military service - marriage ethelkinkadeadded this on 1 Jun 2010Bonnie Ben was inducted into the Army of the United States on October 22, 1942 at Portland, Oregon. He was 41 years and 9/12 months old. His occupation before his induction was rigger. He was 5 feet 9 inches in height. His AS# was: 39320209. He completed 6 months and 24 days of service (Oct. 22, 1942 to May 15, 1943) for which he received longevity pay. He was then discharged by Order of Secretary of War, par. 22a AR 150-5 & WD AGO Radio. He was transferred to ERC (Interactive Service) May 15, 1943 to accept employment in essential industry. Notice lost under AW107. It was noted that he was of excellent character. His Enlistment record was signed by John A. Bell, 1st Lieut. A.G.D., Assignment & Separation Branch, Military Personnel Division. Source: Enlistment record 83 4 2681. Bonnie received a Certificate of Service given at Walla Walla Army Division field, Walla Walla, WA signed by Harvey E. Gilmore, Major Air Corps dated May 15, 1943. On that date, he received his Muster-Out pay (in full) $51.95 which included travel pay to Grants Pass, Oregon. Source: Certificate of Service. Another item of interest: Honorable Discharge from the Army of the United States certifying Bonnie Ben Bates #39320209 - Private Enlisted, Roseburg, OR given by ASF, HQ Ninth Service Command, Fort Douglas, Utah dated 26 Oct. 1944 - signed by Roy W. Asbury, Major, ACD, Assignment & Separation Branch Military Personnel Division. Source: Honorable Discharge dated 26 Oct. 1944 No children in his marriage with Tillie. Tillie had a son when they married, Lawrence. Some places that Bon and Tillie lived: Springfield, Oregon and Coos Bay, Oregon. At Coos Bay, they could see the ocean from where they lived. During Bon's working years, he was a pipe fitter with Local 585060, Building Construction. Bon Bates reminisced to his niece, Flora Ann Bates, on July 12, 1984 the following: "My great-grandfather Bates had land in Tennessee, probably too much land because his sons (Thomas, John & Bill) helped him. The government said they could have as much land as they could take care of. In those days, with horses and guns, they could hold/command a lot of ground. The government decided they had too much land and offered money or a smaller amount of land. So - they took the money and moved to Arkansas. After that, they rented the land to farm." Bon related that his ancestors were from England (English, Scotch and Irish). About the year 1904 - Thomas, his second wife, Flora and three sons (Mont, Oady and Bon) moved out to Oregon on the train, bringing some of their furniture and trunks filled with their belongings. Thomas, along with a son from his first marriage (James Ragen Bates), bought land (45.17 acres) in Riddle, Oregon. James and his family were already residents in the town of Riddle, Oregon. James and his wife, Victoria Parrish, and children had moved to Oregon about 1897. Bon related that his mother, Flora Ethel, was a real southerner. She always used the word "whop", for example "I'm gonna whop you!" Bon said his mother got right out there, swinging those picks and axes, working along with the men to build the road up the hill where their house was located. The hill was named Bates Hill. The property had many Madrone trees on it. The burls under the trees were used to make furniture. They had horses and cows up on the farm, but the water was bad, so they sold their livestock. They always had to boil their drinking water. According to Bon, "His dad died on the home place at Riddle. He had kidney trouble." Bon related that when he was about 10 or 12 years old (he thought he was in the 5th grade) his mother moved them all to downtown Riddle. They rented a house there. Bon said he later planted apple, pear, and cherry trees on the Bates Hill property. He also gathered pine cones and later put the seeds around the place. Then logging happened near the place and some logging on the property also. He wasn't happy about that. Bon said he later sold the old house to a prospector. It was torn down and moved somewhere else.

Comments (2)
Burial notice: ethelkinkadeadded this on 8 Jun 2010Services for Bonnie B. Bates, 83, of Coos Bay, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Sunset Memorial Park with the Rev. Everett Curry of the First Baptist Church in Coos Bay officiating. Coos Bay Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Bates was born April 8, 1902, at Fort Smith, Ark., and died Dec.10, 1985 at Roseburg. He was a resident of Coos Bay since 1978, and retired as a pipe fitter for heavy construction work. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II, and was preceeded in death by his wife, Tillie Bates in Dec.1982. Survivors include a stepson, Larry Flanders of Bandon; and one nephew. Edit Delete

Subject

Services for Bonnie B. Bates, 83, of Coos Bay, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Sunset Memorial Park with the Rev. Everett Curry of the First Baptist Church in Coos Bay officiating. Coos Bay Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Bates was born April 8, 1902, at Fort Smith, Ark., and died Dec.10, 1985 at Roseburg. He was a resident of Coos Bay since 1978, and retired as a pipe fitter for heavy construction work. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II, and was preceeded in death by his wife, Tillie Bates in Dec.1982. Survivors include a stepson, Larry Flanders of Bandon; and one nephew.

Monte Allen Bates, Sr.

by Ethel Mae KinKade

Monte Allen Bates was the oldest son of Thomas Jefferson and Flora Bates. Monte was born in Arkansas on 23 Apr 1895 in Huntington, Arkansas. In 1904, with his parents, he moved from Arkansas to Oregon, traveling by train. Before the family moved to Oregon, one of the houses where they lived caught on fire and burned. Monte remembered that as he was upstairs he had to jump out the second story window to safety. His daughter, Helen related this info and said that her father was very afraid all through his life when he smelled smoke.

He was a veteran of World War I. Monte was enlisted on June 24, 1918 into the United States Army at Roseburg, Oregon. He was 23 1/2 years old; single and of excellent character. He had blue eyes, brown hair, medium complexion and stood 6 feet 1 1/2 inches tall. His occupation at the time was Block Signalman. The source for this information was from the Honorable Discharge from US Army, signed by H. G. Upton, Major Infantry, Commanding.

Monte's Army Serial Number was 3133981. He was appointed Sergeant of Company, 70th Engineers of the Army as of November 1, 1918 - Fort Douglas, Utah. Source: Form # 152 - A.G.O. signed by Jas. O. Hunt, Captain Engineer USA, Commanding 70th Engineers.

On February 3, 1919, Monte was honorably discharged by reason of Muster Out telegram AGO dated November 16, 1918. Certification stamped on Discharge paper "This instrument was filed February 24, 1945 and recorded in Vol. 1 @ page 70. Record of Military Discharge of Douglas Co., OR - County Clerk: Roy Ages by Flossie S. Virden, Deputy. Source: Discharge papers.

Monte worked for many years as a signalman on the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Monte, Sr., bought a grocery store in 1948 from Ira C. Lewis in Glendale (source: Newspaper clipping on death of Ira C. Lewis, dated June 1963).

Due to his health problem (enlarged heart - possibly born with it), they moved to Portland, Oregon where he could see specialists in this field. Later, they returned to Glendale and Monte continued to work on the railroad while his wife, Bess, and oldest son, Monte, Jr., were working partners in the day-to-day operation of the grocery store in Glendale, Oregon.

Helen reported the following: "When we moved to Portland, it was because of dad's health, but the signal maintaining job in Oswego allowed him to use an automobile, rather than the motor car, which made it much easier not lifting the old motor car on and off the track. I don't remember his going to doctors in Portland, however, his condition continued to deteriorate, and he bid on a job on the signal gang around Glendale. It was around this time that we bought the grocery store, (1949) as his condition continued to worsen. I did not know all this until after his death, he and mother sheltered me from a lot of things I should have known. When his condition got so bad he just couldn't do anything, he went to the S.P. hospital in San Francisco, by that time the EKG was being used for diagnosis. This was when the enlarged heart was discovered. He had been treated for everything else, but the heart, because they didn't know what his real problem was. The S.P. retired him before he even got back to Glendale."

Monte retired from the railroad and continued living in Glendale, OR the rest of his remaining years with his wife, Bess. He had been a resident of Glendale, Oregon for 41 years. He was a 40 year member of the Glendale Odd Fellows Lodge 172.

Monte's funeral services were held Wednesday, March 25, 1964 in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Norman Naugler officiating and burial was under the direction of the Hull and Hull Funeral Home. Pall Bearers were Ben Whaley, Piney Winkelman, Bernie Halverson, Ardle McDiarmid, William Grahame and Life Edson.

Source: Funeral program saved by his niece, Ethel Mae Bates KinKade.

Thomas Jefferson Bates and Flora Snow

After Susan passed away, Thomas was married to Flora Snow. They were married on 12 Oct 1893 in Witcherville, Sebastian County, Arkansas. The couple remained in Arkansas for over 10 years near his brother Robert, even though Thomas' son James had moved on to Oregon. While in Arkansas, they had 4 boys: Monte, born in 1895; Todey, born in 1897; Oady, born in 1901; and Bonny, who was born in 1902. Meanwhile, Robert passed away in 1898 and his older brother John C., died in 1899.

Family folklore suggests that the family moved from Arkansas to Oregon in 1904, traveling by train. They were on the 1900 census in Arkansas, but we know that Bon was born in 1902 in Arkansas, and Emery in 1907 in Oregon. Before the family moved to Oregon, one of the houses where they lived caught on fire and burned. Monte remembered that as he was upstairs he had to jump out the second story window to safety. Helen said that her father was very afraid all through his life when he smelled smoke. Thomas, Flora, and the boys moved to Douglas County, Oregon to be near James and his family. Thomas purchased 70 acres near Riddle. There was a big hill on the property, covered in rosewood. Later, the hill was called 'Bates Hill'.

While living in Oregon, Thomas and Flora had 4 more children, all boys. Theador was born in 1905, Emery in 1907, and the twins, Byron and Ralph, were born in 1909. Obviously, with 8 boys, life was very busy for Thomas and Flora. Unfortunately, for Thomas and his young family, things took a turn for the worse in 1910. In January, Thomas was cutting down a tree near the farmhouse. The tree fell on top of Thomas. He suffered serious injuries, causing his death on the 12th of January, 1910.

Ethel Mae provided the following about the hardships that Flora faced after Thomas passed away. Flora was a very young bride to an older man in October of 1893. She worked hard trying to raise her family and when her husband, Thomas, died in 1910 - it was quite a struggle for Flora to provide for her family of six boys. Flora moved her family down off Bates Hill into town & rented a house, according to son, Bon. Bon thought he was about 10 or 12 at that time and in the 6th grade. Flora was employed as a waitress in a downtown restaurant and also cleaned homes for some residents of Riddle.

Flora is said to have had a broken heart due to her three youngest sons (Emery and the twins, Ralph & Byron) being taken from her & placed at the Boy's & Girl's Aid Society in Portland, OR in 1917. They would not let her communicate with the boys and would not tell her where they were placed with other families. She wrote, sent a picture of herself with the boy's dog, Ring, and a picture of Mont in uniform plus sent a dime for each son when she could afford to but these were not shared with the boys. Being broken hearted over the loss of the three younger boys (1917), the death of Oady in a knife fight (1920) and Mont being away in the service probably caused her chronic health problems to deteriorate which led to her death in 1922.

Cause of death:
Primary - Bronchio-pneumonia.

Secondary cause:
Chronic myocarditis and Dementia praecox.

Thomas Jefferson Bates and Susan Eleanor Pearson

Thomas Jefferson Bates was born 18 Mar 1836, the seventh child, and fifth son, of Zachariah and Lavina Bates. According to his Civil War Muster Card into the Union Army, Thomas was born in Carrell Co., Tennessee. This was misinterpreted by his descendants for years, who assumed that he was born in Carroll County. What we have found since, is that he was more likely born in Carroll, Madison County, Tennessee.

What we know about TJ's early life comes from discussions that my father, Jim Bates, had with Uncle Bon and Uncle Monte, sons of Thomas and Flora. Bon also sent a letter in 1971, which kind of got this whole family history search for our ancestors started.



Zachariah moved his family from York County, South Carolina, to Madison County, Tennessee, about 1830. He is the only member of John's family to go north. The rest went to Georgia or stayed near the homestead on Fishing River. From land records in Madison County, we find that John Bates bought some land in the 1820's. Could that be the reason that Zachariah went north? Anyway, they bought land near the Chickasaw Nation along the Big Hatchie River. They 'had about ever thing on it' according to Bon. They tried to raise tobacco and sell timber. The tobacco crop evidently did not work, as the ground was not well suited to it and eventually lost the farm.

In 1838, Zachariah had 3 children registered in Madison Co. schools. The 1840 census shows the following in their household: 1840 Madison Co., TN
Males Females
2<5, 2<10, 1<15, 1<20, 1<60; 1<10, 1<20, 1<40

It appears that in 1849 they were on the move. TJ's brother, John C., married Cecelia Chaplin in 1849 in Obion Co., TN. Obion County is located in the northwest portion of the state. Next they show up further west on the same trail, when Thomas Jefferson Bates married Susan Eleanor Pearson in 1855 in Johnson County, Arkansas. Others of the family show up in Johnson County as well. Zachariah M., John C., and Robert all bought land at the Clarksville land office in 1859. The lands they purchased were in Sebastian County, to the west.

However, Thomas and Susan moved north and west to Washington County. They purchased a farm near Prairie Grove. They appear on the 1860 census in Washington County with two sons and a daughter, Mary Melvina, David Henry, and John Calvin.

The next known event in their lives was the Civil War. Thomas joined his brothers, John, Robert and William, and enlisted in the Confederate Army. Thomas J. was mustered in Fayetteville into Company G of the 16th Arkansas Infantry on 5 Nov 1861. He enlisted as a private and made corporal in 1862. He was present on 31 Aug 1862. (BATES, THOMAS Pvt - Enl 5Nov1861 at Fayetteville, AR. Age 23. Appointed 4th cpl 28Jun1862. Present 31Aug1862).

While Thomas was off fighting to the east, his family was not left untouched by the ravages of war. My great grandfather, James Ragen Bates, was born in Prairie Grove on the second of November, 1862. Five weeks later, the Battle of Prairie Grove broke out. Our relatives in Arkansas told my father that Susan took her little family into the cellar and hid, while they could hear the cannons bellowing in the distance. Occasionally, dirt would fall from the roof and cover them.

A description of the battle can be found at: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/arkansaspg2.html. In short, it was one of the bloodiest battles fought west of the Mississippi. Here is an excerpt of what happened: "The two determined armies now faced each other along lines that stretched for miles along the curving ridge. The Confederates maintained their position at the top, while the Federals lined up at the bottom. As Hindman noted, the Battle of Prairie Grove evolved into a fierce stand-up fight:

...There was no place of shelter upon any portion of the field. Wounds were given and deaths inflicted by the enemy's artillery in the ranks of the reserves as well as in the front rank. During five hours, shell, solid shot, grape and canister,
and storms of bullets swept the entire ground. Many gallant officers, and many soldiers equally brave fell dead or wounded, but their comrades stood as firm as iron. Volunteers maintained their reputation. Conscripts rose at once to the same standard, and splendidly refuted the slanders put upon them by the class of exempts.

The battle raged back and forth until sunset. Federal troops would attack and be driven back. Confederates would then counterattack and, in turn, be driven back themselves. General Blunt, of the Union army, described the situation poignantly:

...The rattling of the musketry, uninterrupted for fully three hours, was terrific. The contending armies swayed to and fro, each alternately advancing and retiring. Some rebel sharpshooters, firing from the windows of a house situated in the edge of the wood and a little to my left, were evidently directing their compliments pecially to myself and staff. I directed Captain Rabb to open upon it with shell, and in a few moments the house was in flames.

The final action of the day came on the western end of the field, when Confederates swept across open ground in a final effort to shatter the Union lines. Driven back by a storm of shot and shell, they resumed their positions on the ridge and darkness mercifully brought the battle to a close."

Although the battle ended in a draw, it helped decide the fate of the war in northwestern Arkansas. As to whether or not the Battle of Prairie Grove had any impact on Thomas or his brothers is not known. However, it was not long afterward that all 4 deserted the Confederate cause. Thomas and Robert enlisted with the Union Army in early 1863. John and William were both injured and were no longer involved. In a later deposition, John C. told army investigators that he was always a union sympathizer, only joining the Confederate army because he was conscripted.

Here is the information from his enlistment card:

B 1 Ark

Thomas J. Bates
Co. A, 1 Reg't Arkansas Inf.
Appears on
Compay Descriptive Book
of the organization named above
Description
Age 25 years; height 5 feet 8 inches.
Complexion fair
Eyes Blue ; hair dark
Where born Carell Co. Tenn.
Occupation Farm
ENLISTMENT.
When Feb 14 , 1863
Where Fayetteville
By whom Capt. R Smith ; term 3 yrs.
Remarks: Was in the Battle of Fayetteville on
the 18th of April 1863. Was in Campaign through
the Nations to Fort Smith. Was in the Compaign
from Fort Smith to Camden and back to Fort Smith
and done his duth throughout as a principal
musician. (detailed as (over)

According to the rest of the record, he was promoted to principal musician on 1 Nov 1863.

Life in the Union Army must not have all been peaches and cream, however. Thomas was promoted to sergeant and then demoted back to a private.

After the war, Thomas and Susan remained in Prairie Grove for a few years. In 1868, they sold their land to Richard Venable and bought land next to his brother Robert in southern Sebastian County. Their life after the war was filled with turmoil. Apparently, there was hard feelings against the family for switching sides during the war. Thomas and his family had to flee occasionally for safety. The birthplaces of their remaining children reflect that. Alexander Clayton was born in 1868 in Arkansas; Martha Marena was born in Texas in 1870; and finally, Robert Hansferd was born in 1873 in the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma. Things must have settled down a bit later, as the family shows up in the 1890 census in Sebastian County. They lived near 4 Miners Wash, Huntington, Sebastian County. They appear to have been members of the Valley View Church of Christ. Robert donated the land for the church.

Susan's and Thomas' lives were filled with heartbreak. Together, they had eight children. Sadly, Susan, who died at the age of 58, outlived all but two. Mary Melvina married Andrew Bullard and moved to Illinois. David died in 1869 at the age of 12. John died in 1872. He was also 12. William Thomas only lived a year, passing away in 1862. Alexender Clayton died in 1886. He was 18. Marena married George Givens in 1890 and moved to Oklahoma. She died a year later at the age of 21. Robert Hansferd was thrown off a horse in 1882 and died. He was only 9.

Since Melvina had moved to Illinois, that left only James as their only child living nearby. One can only imagine the heartbreak they felt from losing their children. Susan lived only a couple of years after Marena died, passing away in 1893 at the age of 58. A year later, James moved his family west to Oregon. They said it was to get away from the 'fever'. Thomas stayed for a few years and remarried soon afterward to Flora Snow.