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“Our Choctaw Heritage”
Posted by: lori champion	Date: April 07, 2001 at 09:26:07
	of 3119

Susan (Moncrief) McClain and James C. Monroe McClain Descendants


Introduction:

The highly intelligent Choctaw Indians were living in the southeastern part of the United States when America was discovered.

Our Choctaw ancestors lived, in the early days of Alabama history, around what later became St. Stephens in the Mobile River area. Since this part of the country was easily accessible during the early settlement period, teachers and missionaries were sent among this tribe; consequently, the Choctaws were regarded with respect because of their intelligence and eloquence.

Sometime around 1783, Zedic Braschier came to this country from the Highlands of Scotland and settled land in the western part of what is now Florida. Pensacola is built on this land today.

This claim was lost when England was compelled to return Florida to Spain, so Zedic Braschier moved on to Alabama Territory where he met and married Susan Vaughnm, a one-half Choctaw Indian girl.

There is no record of how many children Zedic Braschier and Susan Vaughn had, but like most families of that time, they surely had several because the name is quite prevalent in later records.

Sophia Braschier, a daughter of Zedic Braschier and Susan Vaughn was born in Sumter County, Alabama. She went to boarding school in Louisiana. It is assumed that this was a Catholic convent since she was a Roman Catholic. While there in school she met Sampson Moncrief, whom she later married.

Sampson Moncrief was an orphan. He knew little about his family except that his father was French and his mother was English. He was apprenticed, as was the custom of the time, to a Mr. Shiply, who had extensive land holdings and many slaves. Sampson had acquired one slave named Tom. Together they worked hard and saved their money so that when Sampson was 21 years old, they could set out on their own. They went to Louisiana where Sampson went to school and Tom worked.

Sampson Moncrief and Sophia Braschier were married in Louisiana and immediately went to the Alabama and Mississippi Territory and took up Sophia’s Indian land claim on the Pearl River. They added considerably to these holdings and accumulated many slaves, who worked the fields and tended the abundance of livestock. This plantation was known far and wide as Mulberry Grove. Here they lived in the high fashion of the day and reared there ten children, five boys and five girls. When the government stage line was established, Mulberry Grove became a famous stage depot.

Susan Moncrief, daughter of Sampson Moncrief and Sophia Braschier, was born in Sumter County, Alabama in 1819. She received her education at the home from a private teacher who her father hired to teach his children. She married James C. Monroe McClain, a surveyor, who had stopped at Mulberry Grove while surveying for a railroad. He was a handsome, well-educated young man who had read and practiced the law in addition to his surveying duties.

Susan Moncrief and James C. Monroe McClain were married a year later and took up her Choctaw land claim on the Pearl River near her home.

In 1832 the government, pressed by the demand for new land by the white settlers, began to encourage the Indians to move to the Choctaw Nation, which had been set up for them in what is now Oklahoma. In 1839 James McClain decided to look at this new country and took his family along with Susan’s oldest brother, William Moncrief, by steamboat and Landed at Fort Coffee.

At Skullyville the Choctaw Agent placed their names on the roll and filed their claim on land near the Poteau River. The slaves, whom they had brought with them, soon erected a home for the McClain’s as well as quarters for themselves. The farm and ranch flourished but Susan was so unhappy away from her mother and family that a year later they returned to Sumter County, Alabama where James McClain began the practice of law in Belle Monte, Alabama with the Owensby Firm.

In 1849, with pressure on Congress increasing, the government made Indian removal mandatory instead of voluntary. They promised to pay expenses and furnish a year’s rations for those being removed to the west. The only other choice remaining to the Indian was to cede their property to the government and enter the Indian Reservation set up for them in Alabama. Sophia and Sampson Moncrief, mother and father of Susan McClain, visited William Moncrief, who had stayed in the Choctaw Nation instead of returning to Alabama with Susan and James McClain. They, during their visit, were intrigued by what they saw and returned to Alabama to encourage their children to go west.

Taking the advice of their mother and father seriously, the three married daughters of Sophia and Sampson Moncrief: Mary Ann (Moncrief) and her husband Robert McCarty, Sarah (Moncrief) and her husband Erasmus Bryant Hawkins and Susan (Moncrief) and her husband James McClain, enrolled with the emigration agent and booked steamboat passage along with their brother, Robert Moncrief.

They traveled down the Tombigbee River to Mobile, Alabama and across Lake Ponchartrain to New Orleans where they found a cholera epidemic raging. Since they were unwilling to remain in the city long, they hastily booked passage on the first available boat, the “Alvarado”, which was very old. To further add to their troubles, the Captain and crew turned out to be thieves and rascals and the little band had a difficult time holding on to their possessions. After several days of perilous trouble, they finally reached the dismal port of Napoleon at the mouth of the Arkansas River. There they changed boats, boarding the “Western Water Lady” which took them to Fort Smith in a week of slow travel over the swollen and drifting river. During the boat trip many of the passengers contracted cholera and died. Among those were the oldest daughter of Susan and James McClain, Helen Marr, seven years old, and an infant daughter. They were hastily buried at Swallow Rock near Fort Coffee.

The passengers were quarantined because of the cholera epidemic and those whose destination was Skullyville were kept at Fort Coffee, which had been set up as an army supply fort but was now being used as a school for Choctaw boys. When the anger of spreading the disease was past, William Moncrief, the oldest brother of Susan McClain and her sisters, came to Fort Coffee and took them to his home until they were able to travel. When their health returned, they went to Skullyville, were enrolled by the Choctaw agent and filed a claim on the land of their choice. It was here that they were issued the year’s ration, which they had been promised, and a cow for milk as well.

The families had, of course, filed on three separate claims and they went different ways when they left Skullyville. James McClain took his family to the claim on the Poteau River on which they had lived in 1839 and there they began again.

In 1853 Sophia Moncrief, the mother of Susan Moncrief, died and Sampson Moncrief decided to sell his Alabama plantation and join his married children in Indian Territory. Two of the son-in-laws, James McClain and Robert McCarty, were called to come to Alabama and settle the estate of Sophia Moncrief. After the business was completed and the plantation was sold, Sampson Moncrief, his two children still at home, and his slaves began the long trip to Skullyville County. The trip was mainly made by wagon and hack but many of the slaves walked the entire distance.

Sampson Moncrief settled on land at the junction of the Poteau and Arkansas Rivers. The rich farmlands produced well and the slaves were happy and well cared for. Sampson made a great deal of money and had a bad habit of carrying large sums on his person. In January of 1856 Sampson disappeared and was never found. It was assumed that he had been killed and robbed since it was known that he had been carrying $20,000 in gold when he disappeared. A reward of $10,000 was offered for information leading to finding him and though the country was full of searchers, nothing helpful was ever learned.

James McClain was burdened with overseeing not only his own farm but also the farms and affairs of his sister-in-law, whose husband had died. His health had never been good and his duties often called upon him to travel in all kinds of weather. On one of these trips in 1855 he contracted pneumonia and soon died, leaving Susan and six children. These children were: James, Sophia, Frances Eugenia, Mary Ann, Lila, and George W. McClain.

Susan Moncrief McClain later married Mr. Monks. They had a daughter named Susan.

Susan McClain Monks died in 1861 and is buried beside her first husband James McClain in the Leard Cemetery at Cavanaugh.

James McClain

James McClain, the eldest child of Susan Moncrief and James C. McClain, was born in 1840 in Sumter County Alabama. During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army as a member of General Cooper’s Brigade. After the war he returned to Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Here he opened a freight line and hauled supplies for the many general stores which were scattered over the Eastern Indian Territory. On one of these trips he and his Negro driver were murdered and robbed by an Indian named Amos McCurtain, who was tried and hanged for the crime. James McClain and Liza Ann Gary had one son, William Alexander McLain (McClain).



William Alexander

William Alexander McLain (McClain), son of James McClain and Liza Ann Gary, first married Susan A. Weimer and they had three children: Addie, George, and Wilma Zola. He and his second wife, Lillie Mae Hutcheson, had five children: Lillie V., Mary Lou, Letha, Aaron, and Gene.



Addie McLain

Addie McLain (McClain), first child of William Alexander McLain (McClain and Susan A. Weimer, died young.





George McLain

George McLain (McClain), second child of William A. McLain (McClain) and Susan A. Weimer, was born June 10, 1894 and died January 28, 1965. He was a Free Will Baptist Minister and served his church in California. He first married Bessie Tolbert and they had one son, Loy. His second wife was Winnie Bradshaw, a teacher from Selma, California; they had one daughter, Clara June.

Joy McLain (McClain), son of George McLain (McClain) and Bessie Tolbert, was born September 11, 1911. He is a ranch foreman and married Maysel Laverne Fisher.

Clara June McLain (McClain), daughter of George McLain (McClain) and Winnie Bradshaw, was born June 20, 1928. She married Lonnie L Rolen, a Free Will Baptist Minister. Their Children are: Janice Elaine and Timothy McLain Rolen.

Janice Elaine Rolen, daughter of Clara June McLain and Lonnie L. Rolen, was born January 13, 1950.

Timothy McLain Rolen, son of Clara June McLain and Lonnie L. Rolen, was born December 14, 1954.



Wilma Zola McLain

Wilma Zola McLain (McClain), third child of William A. McLain (McClain) and Susan A. Weimer.

Lillie V. McLain (McClain), first child of William A. McLain (McClain) and Lillie Mae Hutcheson, was born in Indian Territory August 1, 1906. She first married Albert Shelton and they had three children: Dealous Wayne, Billy Joe, and Thelma Lorrine. Her next marriage was to Orville Mays; they had one child, Mary Lois.

Dealous Wayne Shelton, son of Lillie V. McLain and Albert Shelton, was born in Oklahoma on August 10, 1922. He lives in Roswell, New Mexico and has three children.

Billy Joe Shelton, son of Lillie V. McLain and Albert Shelton, was born April 24, 1924. He was killed in action in World War II in 1944. His only son, Billy Joe Shelton, Jr., now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Thelma Lorrine Shelton, daughter of Lillie V. McLain and Albert Shelton, was born in Oklahoma on October 27, 1925. She has three children and now lives in Roswell, New Mexico.

Mary Lou McLain (McClain), fifth child of William A. McLain (McClain), and second child of Lillie Hutcheson, was born in Oklahoma on October 5, 1908. She first married Ralph Lester and they had two children: Thurman Ralph and Doris Marie. Her second marriage was to Arville Taylor and they now live in Roswell, New Mexico.

Thurman Ralph Lester, son of Mary Lou McLain and Ralph Lester, was born in Oklahoma on January 12, 1925. He is married and has two children and now lives in Roswell, New Mexico.

Doris Marie Lester, second child of Mary Lou McLain and Ralph Lester, was born in Oklahoma on February 22, 1927. She is married to a Mr. Elton; they have two children and live in Hagerman, New Mexico.

Letha Mae McLain (McClain), sixth child of William A. McLain (McClain) and third child of Lillie Mae Hutcheson, was born February 22,1910 in Oklahoma. She is married to W. Miles Campbell and they have two children: Murriel Louise and Betty Joe.

Murriel Louise Campbell, daughter of Letha Mae McLain and W. Miles Campbell, was born in Oklahoma on May 30, 1931. She is married to a Mr. Logue; they have two children and now live at Bertram, Texas.

Betty Joe Campbell, daughter of Letha Mae McLain and W. Miles Campbell, was born in Oklahoma on August 9, 1935. She is married to a Mr. Hall; they have one child and live in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Aaron McLain (McClain), seventh child of William A. McLain (McClain) and fourth child of Lillie Mae Hutcheson, was born in Oklahoma on November 16, 1911. He was an electrician. He married Billie Ratliff and they had three children: Aaron Carlos, Terry Don, and Billie Jean.

Aaron Carlos McLain (McClain), son of Aaron McLain (McClain) and Billie Ratliff, was born in McCamey, Texas on July 10, 1937. He has two children and now lives in California.

Terry Don McLain (McClain), son of Aaron McLain (McClain) and Billie Ratliff, was born in Raton, New Mexico on January 21, 1941. He has one child and now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Billie Jean McLain (McClain), daughter of Aaron McLain (McClain) and Billie Ratliff, was born in Raton, New Mexico on December 13, 1943. She is married to a Mr. Aderhalt, has three children and now lives in Tatum, New Mexico.

Eugene V. McLain (McClain), eighth child of William A. McLain (McClain) and fifth child of Lillie Mae Hutcheson, was born in Oklahoma on April 15, 1920. He is the pastor of the first Assembly of God Church in Alamogardo, New Mexico. He married Estelle Barnes and they have three children: Gary Gene, Marcus Wayne, and Billy Earl.

Gary Gene McLain (McClain), son of Eugene V. McLain (McClain) and Estelle Barnes, was born in Roswell, New Mexico on January 24, 1944. He is now serving in the United States Navy.

Marcus Wayne McLain (McClain), son of Eugene V. McLain (McClain) and Estelle Barnes, was born on August 31, 1954. He is now in school at his home in Alamogrdo, New Mexico.

Billy Earl McLain (McClain), son of Eugene V. McLain (McCalain) and Estelle Barnes, was born on August 31, 1954. He is now in school at his home in Alamogardo, New Mexico.

Helen Marr McClain, the second child of Susan Moncrief and James McClain, was born in Sumter County, Alabama in 1842 and died of cholera at the age of seven years. She is buried at Swallow Rock near Fort Coffee.

Sophia McClain

Sophia McClain, third child of Susan Moncrief and James McClain, was born in Sumter County, Alabama in 1843. Blind from early childhood, she lived her later years with her sister Lila. In 1914 she died and is buried beside her youngest brother, George W. McClain, in the Spiro Cemetery.

Frances Eugenia McClain

Frances Eugenia McClain, fourth child of Susan Moncrief and James McClain, was born August 25, 1844 in Sumter County, Alabama. She married Lyman Moore, Sr. of Creek Indian descent. They lived at Oak Lodge where he operated a general store and County Clerk. Their children were: Gertrude, Edgar Allen, Lyman Richard, Louis Oliver, Herbert McClain, Napoleon B., and Lena Belle.



Gertrude Moore

Gertrude Moore, first child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, Sr., was born October 11, 1871 at Skullyville, Choctaw Nation. She married Edward S. Bowman who was a United States Marshal as well as a farmer and rancher. Their children were: Euwela, Edward G., Lois, and Lucille.



Euwela Bowman

Euwela Bowman, first child of Gertrude Moore and Edward S. Bowman, was born November 20, 1894 at Skullyville, Choctaw Nation. She married William Pratt and they had one son, William (Bill) Pratt.

William (Billy) Pratt, son of Euwela Bowman and William Pratt, was born September 4, 1919 at Spiro, Oklahoma. He was killed in Germany while serving in the United States Army.



Edward G. Bowman

Edward G. Bowman, second child of Gertrude Moore and Edward S. Bowman, was born at Oak Lodge. He is married and has three children.

Lois Bowman, third child of Gertrude Moore and Edward S. Bowman was born at Oak Lodge. She married Phillip Lee Manke, who is now retired from the army. They have two children.

Lucille Bowman, fourth child of Gertrude Moore and Edward S. Bowman, was born at Oak Lodge. She married Dave Holloway.



Edgar Allen Moore

Edgar Allen Moore, second Child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, was born at Skullyville on January 7, 1873. He received his education at Spencer Academy, Kemper Military Academy, and Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia. He was a farmer and a businessman. He and his wife, Jessie Ainsworth, had four children: Pauline, Alvin Custer, Lyman Southard and Edgar Ainsworth.



Pauline Moore

Pauline Moore, first child of Edgar Allen Moore and Jessie Ainsworth, was born at Skullyville, August 28, 1898. She married Oliver Gentry and their children are: David Allen, Oliver Windell, and Martha Ellen.

David Allen Gentry, first child of Pauline Moore and Oliver Gentry.

Oliver Windell Gentry, second child of Pauline Moore and Oliver Gentry, married Kathy Schuster and they have three children: Allen, Steve and Mark.

Martha Ellen Gentry, third child of Pauline Moore and Oliver Gentry, married Joe Johnson. They have five children: David, Ann, Lee, Bill and George.

Alvin Custer Moore

Alvin Custer Moore, second child of Edgar Allen Moore and Jessie Ainsworth, was born at Skullyville November 25, 1899. He was a rancher and was married to Kathleen Moore



Lyman Southard Moore

Lyman Southard Moore, third child of Edgar Allen Moore and Jessie Ainsworth, was born at Skullyville, April 18, 1904. He is a rancher and is married to Freida Ward.

Edgar Ainsworth Moore, fourth child of Edgar Allen Moore and Jessie Ainsworth, was born May 23, 1907 at Skullyville. He is a retired meteorologist and is now a farmer and a rancher. He is married to Marcella Fitzgerald and they have two adopted sons: Jean Paul and Tod Allen.

Jean Paul Moore, son of Edgar Ainsworth Moore and Marcella Fitzgerald, was born November 25, 1935. He married Kay Sollars and they have two sons: Paul Ainsworth, born April 16, 1960 and Frank Southard, born June 13, 1963.

Tod Allen Moore, son of Edgar Ainsworth Moore and Marcella Fitzgerald, was born July 24, 1938 and is married to Winneth Harwell. They have one son, Tod Allen Moore, Jr.

Lyman Richard Moore, third child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, was born at Skullyville on October 25, 1874. He was County Clerk and Treasurer of Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation. He and his wife, Ida McCurtain has three children: Ethan Allen, Jessie Irene, and Frances Eugenia.

Ethan Allen Moore, son of Lyman R. Moore and Ida McCurtain.



Jessie Irene Moore

Jessie Irene Moore, second child of Lyman R. Moore and Ida McCurtain, married Floyd A. Vanderwall.

Frances Eugenia Moore, third child of Lyman R. Moore and Ida McCurtain, lives at Stillwater, Oklahoma. She married Dr. C.W. Moore and they have one son, George Clifford.

Louis Oliver Moore, fourth child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore.

Herbert McClain Moore, fifth child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, was born at Skullyville on July 2, 1878. He served as Clerk and Treasurer of San Bois County, as Deputy United States Marshal, land appraiser for the Indian Service. State Legislator, and Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes in 1917-1918. He married Lena McCurtain and they had four children: Corine, Inez, Betty, and Herbert McClain Moore, Jr.

Corine Moore, first child of Herbert McClain Moore and Lena McCurtain, married Otway T. Rabon, a Baptist minister, and they have three children.

Inez Moore, second child of Herbert McClain Moore and Lena McCurtain, married Von Deran and they have one daughter.

Betty Moore, third child of Herbert McClain Moore and Lena McCurtain, married John Ward and they have two children.

Herbert McClain Moore, Jr., fourth child of Herbert McClain Moore and Lena McCurtain, married Nine Buchannon. He is a schoolteacher at Muskogee.

Napoleon B. Moore, sixth child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, was born at Skullyville on March 11, 1880. He married Mary Lawthers.

Lena Belle Moore, seventh child of Frances Eugenia McClain and Lyman Moore, was born at Skullyville. She married R. V. Smith and they had three children, one of who, Jessie Louise, died young. The two surviving children are: Louis V. and Vivian.

Louis V. Smith, son of Lena Belle Moore and R. V. Smith, was born August 7, 1906 at Spiro, Oklahoma. During World War II he was promoted to the rank of Major and served under General Patton. He now lives in California with his wife, Vera Jo Glenn and their three children: Glenn V., Eleanor, and Ann.

Vivian Smith, daughter of Lena Belle Moore and R. V. Smith, was born July 6, 1909 at Spiro, Oklahoma. She married James P. Crow, a lawyer and they have three sons: William Sheldon, Michael and Richard.

Mary Ann McClain

Mary Ann McClain, fifth child of James McClain and Susan Moncrief, was born in Sumter County, Alabama, in 1846. She married Dr. William Kayser of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and they had two sons: William and Henry. After Dr. Kayser’s death, Mary Ann married James Bowers and their children were: Emma, Lillie, Walter, James (Jimmie) and Mamie.



William Kayser, Jr.,

William Kayser, Jr., son of Mary Ann McClain and Dr. William Kayser, was born at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, March 15, 1861. He was a business and cattleman. He and his wife, Lula Watkins, had three children: Nola A., Viola Lucille, and William G.



Nola Alverda Kayser

Nola Alverda Kayser, daughter of William Kayser, Jr., and Lula Watkins, was born September 4, 1887. She married Clyde C. Goodner. She died on May 22, 1943 and is buried in the Spiro Cemetery.



Viola Lucille Kayser

Viola Lucille Kayser, daughter of William Kayser, Jr., and Lula Watkins, was born September 29, 1893 and died December 18, 1918. she married S. J. Slack and they had three children, Alverda, Roda Marie, and Stearl J. Slack, Jr.

Alverda Slack, daughter of Viola Lucille Kayser and S. J. Slack.

Roda Marie Slack, second child of Viola Lucille Kayser and S. J. Slack, married a Dr. Woodson.

Stearl J. Slack, Jr., third child of Viola Lucille Kayser and S.J. Slack, married Melba Wittacher and they have four sons.

Henry Kayser, second son of Mary Ann McClain and Dr. William Kayser.

Emma Bowers, daughter of Mary Ann McClain Kayser and James Bowers, was born at Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1856. She died in 1884 and is buried in the Skullyville Cemetery.

Lillie Bowers, daughter of Mary Ann McClain Kayser and James Bowers, married a Mr. LeFlore.

Walter Bowers, son of Mary Ann McClain Kayser and James Bowers, was born in 1863, died in 1899 and is buried in the Skullyville Cemetery.

James (Jimmie) Bowers, son of Mary Ann McClain Kayser and James Bowers, married Ernestine Williams and they had two children, Mary and Bessie.

Mamie Bowers, daughter of Mary Ann McClain Kayser and James Bowers, married Josiah E. Foster, and they had one son, Josiah E. Foster, Jr.



The infant who died of cholera in 1849 and is buried at Swallow Rock near Ft. Coffee was the sixth child of James McClain and Susan Moncrief.



Lila McClain

Lila McClain, seventh child of James McClain and Susan Moncrief, was born in Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation in 1851. She married William Shaal and after his death she married John Quinn. She had no children but enjoyed helping her brothers and sisters with their families. She was an accomplished musician. At her death she was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, beside Mr. Quinn.



George Washington McClain

George Washington McClain, the eighth child of James McClain and Susan Moncrief, was born in Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation, on April 1, 1856. His father died before he was born and since he was only five years old when his mother died, his sisters reared him. He received his education at the local school and Spencer Academy. He held several public offices and lived most of his life at Skullyville. In 1893 he was elected sheriff of Skullyville County and held the office for eight years. He was later appointed Judge. His wife, Laura Belle Boyd, was the daughter of John and Sara (Ellis) Boyd who were natives of Pettio County, Missouri. Boyd was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War.

George McClain and Laura Belle Boyd had seven children: James Thomas, Susan Leona, Annie Eliza, Sallie Frances, Georgia Belle, John Quinn, and Jessie Juanita (Warneta).

James Thomas McClain, first child of George McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born at Skullyville, September 25, 1880. He attended Jones Academy at Hartshorne and Harold Institute at Muskogee, Oklahoma. He has been a farmer all his life. He and his wife, Susan Lanier, had six children: Edward George, James Thomas, Jr., Felix, John, Sallie, and Jack.

Edward G. McClain, first child of James T. McClain and Susan Lanier, was born at Skullyville in 1903. He owned and operated a dairy, was a merchant, and now lives on his allotment acreage as a rancher and farmer. He married Beulah Blackmon and they have two daughters, Ella Sue and Alyce Jayne.

Ella Sue McClain, daughter of Edward George McClain and Beulah Blackmon, was born at Spiro, Oklahoma on December 24, 1923. She received her education in the city schools of Spiro and has a B. A. degree from Oklahoma University. She teaches elementary music at the Spiro School. She married Larry Burton Young, also a teacher, and they have three children: Larry Burton, Jr., born October 30, 1949, Edward Thomas, born February 28, 1957, John Lance, born December 5, 1958.

Alyce Jayne McClain, daughter of Edward George McClain and Beulah Blackmon, was born at Spiro, Oklahoma on August 19, 1935. She received her education in the Spiro city schools and has a Master’s of Teaching from Northeastern state College. She married Garland Rogers and they have one child, Leah Kay Rogers, born April 2, 1957.



James Thomas McClain, Jr.

James Thomas McClain, Jr., second child of James Thomas McClain, Sr., and Susan Lanier, was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory on March 8, 1905. He attended school at Oak Lodge and has lived his entire life in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. For several years he worked for the railroad and is now employed by the city of Spiro. He married Jewel Robertson and they have three children: Bobbie Joe, Patricia Jewel, and Donna Sue.

Bobbie Joe McClain, son of James Thomas McClain, Jr., and Jewel Robertson, was born at Spiro, September 2, 1926. He received his education in the Spiro city schools. He and his wife, Jean Kritz, have two children, Gregory Ray and Deborah Jewel. They now live in California.



Patricia Jewel McClain, daughter of James Thomas McClain, Jr. and Jewel Robertson, was born August 26, 1931 at Spiro, Oklahoma. She received her education in the city schools there and married Murphy Moore, a schoolteacher. They have two children, Philip Lee and Gatha Jean.

Donna Sue McClain, daughter of James Thomas McClain and Jewel Robertson, was born October 7, 1933 at Spiro, Oklahoma. She received her education in the city schools there and married Eugene Goforth, a schoolteacher. They have two children, James Steven and Donna Mechelle.

Felix McClain, son of James Thomas McClain, Sr., and Susan Lanier, was born on January 29, 1907. He died in 1928 of complications from appendicitis.

John McClain, son of James Thomas McClain, Sr., and Susan Lanier, was born at Skullyville on December 28, 1909. He attended school at Oak Lodge and at Spiro High School. He died November 12, 1919 of injuries suffered in a football game. The football field at Spiro High School is named in his honor.

Sallie McClain, daughter of James Thomas McClain, Sr., and Susan Lanier, was born at Skullyville. She received her education at Oak Lodge and Spiro city schools. She and her husband Fred Imbush, have three children: Susan J., Sallie Jane, and James Fred.

Susan J. Imbush, daughter of Sallie McClain and Fred Imbush, married James Earl Christian, who is an employee of Norge and a college student. They have one son, James Earl, Jr., born May 18, 1965.

Sallie Jane Imbush, daughter of Sallie McClain and Fred Imbush, married William E. Howard who is employed by the Southside Lumber Company. They have one daughter, Malissa Susan Howard, born June 12, 1965.

James Fred Imbush, son of Sallie McClain and Fred Imbush, is a student at Spiro High School.

Jack McClain, son of James Thomas McClain, Sr., and Susan Lanier, was born at Skullyville on July 4, 1919. He attended school at Oak Lodge and Spiro city schools. He married Donna Smith. He is a farmer and a rancher.



Susan Leona McClain

Susan Leona McClain, daughter of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born at Skullyville on April 17, 1882 and died December 8, 1963. She attended the New Hope School for girls and married Lon Evans who was a merchant and a United States Deputy Marshal. They lived in Millerton, Oklahoma; Bellview, New Mexico; and White Deer, Texas. They had nine children: Baby girl, born May 8, 1901 and died May 18, 1901; Agnes L, Ethel O., Clarence M., Mary S., Hope D., Woodrow A., Baby boy, born and died December 16, 1914, and Juanita Sue.



Agnes L. Evans

Agnes L. Evans, daughter of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born June 24, 1902. She married Bland Mayfield, a farmer and rancher. They live at Garvin, Oklahoma and have three children: George Robert, Eugene Evans, and Theresa Alois.

George Robert Mayfield, son of Agnes Evans and Bland Mayfield, was born September 11, 1926. He married Mary Louise Knox and they live at Hugo, Oklahoma with their two sons, Sammy Ray, born September 14, 1960 and Randy Lee, born April 18, 1965.

Eugene Evans Mayfield, son of Agnes Evans and Bland Mayfield, was born September 25, 1928.

Theresa Alois Mayfield, was born March 7, 1930. She married Wilburn Johnson and they had three children: Kenneth, born October 23, 1947; Richard B., born March 19, 1950; and Roberta Sue, born September 11, 1953. Theresa Alois then married Charles Gatlin and they have three children: Charles Vernon, born January 21, 1958; Terri Y., born September 19, 1960; and Gary, born April 4, 1962.

Ethel O. Evans, daughter of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born February 2, 1904. She is a practical nurse and lives as Sunray, Texas. She and her husband, Joe Truitt, have one son, George Walter.

George Walter Truitt, son of Ethel O. Evans and Joe Truitt, was born January 14, 1932. He is an engineer at the Bell Helicopter Plant in Bedford, Texas. He and his wife, Mary Ethel McKimmey, have three children: George Austin, born April 16, 1954; Julie Prentice, born February 26, 1961; and Laura Carol, born June 10, 1962.

Clarence M. Evans, son of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born at Skullyville, Indian Territory on September 5, 1906. During World War II he served for two years with the 184th Infantry Battalion, 7th Division in the Pacific. He is now employed as a driller by the V. E. Wagner Well Service, Inc., of Pampa, Texas. He and his wife, Golda Gibson, now live in White Deer, Texas where she is a postal clerk.

Mary S. Evans, daughter of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, March 22, 1909. She taught School in Bryan and Choctaw Counties, Oklahoma, and at Webb School in McLean, Texas. She is now employed as a social worker for the Department of Public Welfare at Canadian, Texas. She married B. Lewis Webb, a rancher.

Hope D. Evans, daughter of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born at Millerton, Oklahoma, January 2, 1911. She and her husband, William Stanley LaShier, head timekeeper for the Santa Fe Railroad, now live at Amarillo, Texas, where she is employed as a dental assistant. They have one son, William Stanley, Jr.

William Stanley LaShier, Jr., son of Hope D. Evans and William Stanley LaShier, Sr., was born at Amarillo, Texas, August 6, 1933. He and his wife, Patricia Sue Stooksberry, now live at Austin, Texas, where he is employed as a teacher at the University of Texas. They have two children, William Scott, born May 26, 1961 and Cathryn Hope, born July 25, 1963.

Woodrow A. Evans, son of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, February 3, 1913. During World War II he served with the United States Coast Guard. He first married Dessie Christian and they had one child, Linda Kay, born December 16, 1942. He later married Marie Cole and they have one adopted daughter, Vickie Lynn, born January 1, 1954. Woodrow lives in Amarillo, Texas where he is employed by the Texaco Company.

Juanita Sue Evans, daughter of Susan Leona McClain and Lon Evans, was born at Millerton, Oklahoma, March 17, 1918. She married Harry Keaton, Sr., who is a farmer and also owns Keaton Auto Supply. They live in Dalhart, Texas and have one son, Harry Keaton, Jr., born December 22, 1942.



Annie Eliza McClain

Annie Eliza McClain, daughter of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born in Skullyville County, Indian Territory, on January 21, 1884 and died October 15, 1957. She received her education at Skullyville and at Tuskahoma School for Indian Girls. She married Albert Tobler, a farmer, and their children were: Emmitt Albert, Annie Lila, Vivian Catherine, Leon Nolen, Roy Joe, Mattie Belle, and Charles Gilliam.



Emmitt Albert Tobler

Emmitt Albert (Bill) Tobler, son of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born at Oak Lodge on February 9, 1905. He received his education at Oak Lodge and Spiro, he was a farmer and later employed by the LeFlore County Highway Department. He and his wife, Alice Swafford, have two children, Billie Jean and Tom.

Billie Jean Tobler, daughter of Emmitt Albert (Bill) and Alice Swafford, was born at Spiro, Oklahoma, on September 12, 1930. She received her education in the Spiro City Schools and married James Wreen, an Armed Forces career man. They have two children, Aleta Jean, born November 22, 1953 and Jacqueline, born January 29, 1959.

Tom Tobler, son of Emmitt Albert (Bill) Tobler and Alice Swafford, was born in Spiro, Oklahoma on August 27, 1938. He received his education in the city schools of Spiro and is now employed by the Rath Packing Company at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He married Anita Means and they have one son, Ernest Alan, born November 23, 1962.

Annie Lila Tobler, daughter of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born October 15, 1907, at Spiro, Oklahoma, died July 2, 1958, and is buried at Wilburton, Oklahoma. She attended school at Oak Lodge, Spiro city schools, and St. Ann’s Academy at Ft. Smith, Arkansas and in later life was a piano teacher. She married Claude Burl Blackmon, a car salesman. They had one daughter, Anna Carolyn.

Anna Carolyn Blackmon, daughter of Annie Lila Tobler and Claude Burl Blackmon, was born February 11, 1934 at Spiro, Oklahoma. She received her education in the Spiro City Schools, Wilburton High School (Wilburton, Oklahoma), and Eastern Oklahoma A&M College at Wilburton. She now lives in Wilburton and works as a secretary. She married Vernon Underwood, New Business Representative for Public service Company of Oklahoma. They have two children, Marie Ann, born July 5, 1957 and Mark Vernon, born November 9, 1959.

Vivian Catherine Tobler, daughter of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert McClain and Albert Tolber, was born January 23, 1910 at Spiro, Oklahoma. She received her education at Oak Lodge and Valliant, Oklahoma. She married Edward C. Robinson, a businessman in Lebanon, Tennessee. They had three children: Edward Leon, Elizabeth Jane, and James Porter.

Edward Leon Robinson, son of Vivian Catherine Tobler and Edward C. Robinson, was born April 7, 1931 and died February 9, 1940.

Elizabeth Jane Robinson, daughter of Vivian Catherine Tobler and Edward C. Robinson, was born July 18, 1933 in Lebanon, Tennessee. She attended the Lebanon city schools and received her B. S. and M. A. degrees from Middle Tennessee State University. She now lives in Lebanon, Tennessee where she is a schoolteacher. She married Gene E. Hale, teacher and Assistant Headmaster at Castle Heights Military Academy. They have two sons, David Alan, born July 23, 1956 and James Michael, born December 28, 1959.

James Porter Robinson, son of Vivian Catherine Tobler and Edward C. Robinson, was born May 12, 1940 in Lebanon, Tennessee. He received his education in the Lebanon city schools, Castle Heights Military Academy and the University of Tennessee. He is in the Refrigeration Sales and Service business with his father in Lebanon, Tennessee. He married Elaine Bastion.

Leon Nolen Tobler, son of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born January 23, 1913 at Spiro, Oklahoma and died September 23, 1965. He received his education at Oak Lodge and Valliant, Oklahoma. He was a businessman in Spiro, Oklahoma where his wife, Theresa Ainsworth Tobler, now lives.

Roy Joe Tobler, son of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born December 10, 1916 in Spiro, Oklahoma. He received his education at Oak Lodge and the Spiro city schools. During World War II he served in the Coast Guard. He is in the Automatic Coin Machine business in Lebanon, Tennessee where he lives with his wife, Lyna Mae Blackwell. They have one son, Roy Gene.

Roy Gene Tobler, son of Roy Joe Tobler and Lyna Mae Blackwell, was born December 28, 1942 at Ft. Smith Arkansas. He received his education in the Spiro city schools, Lebanon city schools, and Middle Tennessee State University. He is employed by Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation Lebanon, Tennessee where he lives with his wife, Beverly Bryd. They have two sons, Wesley Gene, born December 5, 1962 and Christopher Martin, born October 2, 1964.

Mattie Belle Tobler, daughter of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born September 4, 1919 at Oak Lodge. She received her education at Spiro, Oklahoma. She and her husband, James E. Richardson, own and operate Ike’s Garage in White Deer, Texas.



Charlie Gilliam Tobler, son of Annie Eliza McClain and Albert Tobler, was born August 14, 1922 at Oak Lodge. He received his education in the Spiro city schools and is a graduate of Poteau Junior College. During World War II he served in the Coast Guard. He is employed by the Spiro School System and was Mayor of Spiro from 1962 – 1964. He and his wife, Gladys Couch, have two sons, Charles Leon, born April 7, 1953 and James Randal, born March 13, 1954.



Sallie Frances McClain

Sallie Frances McClain, daughter of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born March 26, 1886 at Skullyville and died June 25, 1955. She attended the local school and St. Ann’s Academy in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She married James Hamilton Tibbitts, a Spiro businessman and they had four children: James Yeager, George McClain, Nellie Louis, and Mary Lucille.

James Yeager Tibbitts, son of Sallie Frances McClain and James Hamilton Tibbitts, was born May 31, 1910 in Spiro, Oklahoma where he now lives and is an Assembly of God Minister. He married Irene Greenwood and they have two children, Frances Irene and James Harden.

Frances Irene Tibbitts, daughter of James Yeager Tibbitts and Irene Greenwood, was born March 7, 1933 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She is married to Sid Henry, Jr., and they live in Texas.

James Harden Tibbitts, son of James Yeager Tibbitts and Irene Greenwood, was born June 11, 1934 in Spiro, Oklahoma. He received his education in Spiro where he and his wife, Kathryn Kuykendall, now live. They have three children: Debra Kay, born in 1953; Karen Sue, born, in 1955; and Jimmy Don, born in 1957.

George McClain Tibbitts, son of Sallie Frances McClain and James Hamilton Tibbitts, was born April 30, 1914 in Spiro, Oklahoma. He graduated from Spiro High School and served in the United States Navy R. M. 2c from January 1944 to October 1945. He and his wife Lucille Vivian Frye, now live in California where he is employed as a maintenance mechanic. They have three children: Barbara Jean, George Hamilton, and Jerry Wayne. Deceased.

Barbara Jean Tibbitts, daughter of George McClain Tibbitts and Lucille Vivian Frye, was born November 21, 1934. She married Louie G. Conte and they had one child, Denise Marie Conte, born February 21, 1954. She later married Carl David Borgdon.

George Hamilton Tibbitts, son of George McClain Tibbitts and Lucille Vivian Frye, was born March 3, 1938 at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from Santa Clara, California High School and is now employed by the Kaiser Aluminum Company. He married Carol Jean Parker and they have one son, George Craig Tibbitts born March 11, 1965 at Modesto, California. Deceased.

Jerry Wayne Tibbitts, son of George McClain Tibbitts and Lucille Vivian Frye, was born September 12, 1939 at Spiro, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Santa Clara High School and is now employed as a production worker. Deceased.

Nellie Louise Tibbitts, daughter of Sallie Frances McClain and Hamilton Tibbitts, was born November 27, 1917 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She married Harold Cottingim and they had one son, Harold Lynn, born December 27, 1939. She later married J. D. Fleming of White Deer, Texas.

Mary Lucille Tibbitts, daughter of Sallie Frances McClain and James Hamilton Tibbitts, was born January 25, 1921 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She and her husband, Cecil Jack Adams, live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have one son, Ronald Cecil, born May 16, 1949.



Georgia Belle McClain

Georgia Belle McClain, daughter of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born December 4, 1888 in Skullyville County, Indian Territory. She received her education in the local school and at St. Ann’s Academy and a business school, both in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She married David Spence Ainsworth, a farmer, who was part Cherokee Indian. They have three children; Bessie M., David Spence, and Johnnie McClain.

Bessie M. Ainsworth, daughter of Georgia Belle McClain and David Spence Ainsworth, was born July 16, 1910 at Oak Lodge. She received her education at Oak Lodge, Spiro city schools and at South Eastern State College at Durant, Oklahoma. She married George Watterson Jones, a Spiro, Oklahoma businessman, and they have one daughter Georgann.

Georgann Jones, daughter of Bessie M. Ainsworth and George Watterson Jones, was born May 30, 1941. She received her education in the Spiro city schools. She married Charles Roy Campbell who is in business with his father-in-law, George W. Jones. They have one son, George Roy, born October 15, 1960.

David Spence Ainsworth, Jr., son of Georgia Belle McClain and David Spence Ainsworth, was born July 30, 1914 at Oak Lodge. He received his education in the Spiro city schools. He is a carpenter and cattleman. He and his wife, Ona Gill has four children: Ona Bess, Georgia Sue, David Spence, and Johnnie Margarette.

Ona Bess Ainsworth, daughter of David Spence Ainsworth, Jr., and Ona Gill, was born September 2, 1933 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She received her education in the city schools. She married Harold Watson and they had five children: Angelia, born March 28, 1953 and died March 28, 1953; Harold Lloyd, born February 26, 1954; Patricia Ann, born May 16, 1955; Susan Renee, born March 6, 1958; and John David, born February 21, 1960. She later married Roy Gould.

Georgia Sue Ainsworth, daughter of David Spence Ainsworth, Jr., and Ona Gill, was born April 28, 1935 in Spiro, Oklahoma and received her education the city schools there. She married Jerry Nichols and they had one daughter, Penny Ann, born February 21, 1961 and died February 24, 1961.

David Spence Ainsworth III, son of David Spence Ainsworth, Jr., and Ona Gill, was born February 4, 1937 in Spiro, Oklahoma. He received his education in the Spiro city schools. He and his wife, Shelba Fesperman, have three children: Sherri Sue, born September 16, 1957; David William, born April 1, 1959; and James Edward, born July 19, 1961.

Johnnie Margarette Ainsworth, daughter of David Spence Ainsworth, Jr., and Ona Gill, was born January 2, 1949 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She is a student in the Spiro city schools (1965).

Johnnie McClain Ainsworth, son of Georgia Belle McClain and David Spence Ainsworth, Sr., was born March 24, 1918 at Oak Lodge and received his education in the Spiro city schools. During World War II he served in the 138 infantry 35th Division of the United States Army. He is a cattleman, farmer, and businessman. He and his wife, Georgia Belle Snawder, have one daughter, Jane Ann, born February 27, 1952. Jane Ann is a student at Spiro City School (1965).



John Quinn McClain

John Quinn McClain, son of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was born in 1891 at Skullyville and died in 1963. He received his education at Ft. Smith Business College. He was a farmer, cattleman, and County Commissioner. During World War I he served in the United States Army. He married Jean Wilson. After her death, he married Mary Gossett and they have one son, Buddy Gilliam, born in 1943.



Jessie Juanita (Warneta) McClain

Jessie Juanita (Warneta) McClain, daughter of George W. McClain and Laura Belle Boyd, was Born April 18, 1895 in Skullyville County, Indian Territory. She received her education at Skullyville and St. Ann’s Academy in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She married Howard Brady and they had one daughter, Lois Lavenia. She later married Edgar J. Woodruff.

Lois Lavenia Brady, daughter of Jessie Juanita McClain and Howard Brady, was born in Spiro, Oklahoma and received her education in the Spiro city schools. She married Paul Champion, Sr., and they had two sons, Paul James and William George. She later married Herman E. Davenport, an engineer, and they now live in Spiro where she operates a business

Susan Moncrief McClain married a Mr. Monks after the death of James McClain. They had one daughter, Susan.

Susan Monks, daughter of Susan Moncrief and Mr. Monks, was a half sister of James, Frances Eugenia, Mary Ann, Sophia, Lila, and George W. McClain. She married Frank Battles.



Submitted by: Barbara Jean (Tibbits) Byrtus

Information is from “Our Choctaw Heritage” published for the family in 1965 by Vivian Catherine Tobler Robinson. This was 32 years ago so there have been many, many changes in the families since then.



Sources

Carter, The Territorial Paper of the United States

Foreman, Removal of Indians to the West

Toulmins, Digest of 1823

Wright, The Chronicles of Oklahoma

Gideon, History of Indian Territory

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Georgia Department of Archives and History

Tennessee Department of Archives and History

Followups: Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” DAWN MILLER 11/18/01 Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” Cheryl Lynne McLain/Dowd 5/22/01 Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” mandy3 6/16/01 Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” James Lovell 4/29/01 Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” Vicki Kea 11/26/01 Re: “Our Choctaw Heritage” James Lovell 11/28/01

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