The Boatright Family - Family Histories

     James Kennon (J. K.) Boatright, son of James Houghes and Susan May Dora (Jones Boatright, was born October 3, 1857, in Madison County, Arkansas, married Louisa Catherine Hight, December 19, 1880. She was the daughter of John Jackson and Lucy Amanda (Laws) Hight, born August 3, 1865, at Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Due to his bad health, they came to Texas to stay one year. Within that year. his health improved. so they stayed. He was a farmer and deacon in the Baptist Church, and taught Sunday school classes for many years. He died January 6, 1937, Louisa, October 28, 1955, in Coleman, both are buried in Gouldbusk. She was also a Baptist, a housewife, and enjoyed working in the garden, and with flowers. She enjoyed raising chickens and always knew if one was missing. These are the 10 children they raised:

     (1) William Walter, born August 16, 1882, in Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas, married (1) Florence Tolbert in 1904 in Falls County. He was a farmer and liked to raise gardens, watermelons, and fruit. Florence died December 29. 1917. buried in Gouldbusk. They had 6 children. He married (2) Emila Johnson November 28, 1925. They had 4 children. He died December 29, 1972 in Dublin, buried there. Emila died about 6 months later, also buried there.

     (2) Susan Jane, born April 11, 1887 (probably) in Madison County, married Bert Conner in 1904. She died at Breckenridge, July 7, 1963, Bert died June 23, 1959, both buried in Breckenridge. They raised 7 children.

     (3) Lucy Elizabeth, born May 6, 1889, married Jack Moore (date unknown). She died and was buried in Woodville, January 21, 1966. They had 7 children.

     (4) James Taylor, July 10, 1891, in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). He was a World War I veteran and was stationed at Camp Travis, San Antonio, the duration of the war. When he was discharged and came home in 1919, he and Walter (brother) worked in the Ranger oil fields. He married Gertrude Slate in June, 1924 (see John Wesley Slate). He was a carpenter and sold fish bait for many years. They raised 3 children. He died October 24, 1977, in Leisure Lodge Nursing Home, buried in Coleman.

     (5) Audie May, May 6, 1895, in Madison County, Arkansas, married Alex Conner, June 4, 1928. He died July 5, 1967, in Santa Anna, buried in Bangs. He was a farmer and oil field worker before retirement. They raised 4 children.

     (6) Dora Odessa, born March 30, 1899, married Orville Slate, January 20, 1920, in Gouldbusk by "Uncle Frank" Copeland, Church of Christ minister (see John Wesley Slate).

     (7) Ladona, born at Mooreville, Falls Countv. Julv 6. 1902. married Ernest Leffel Estes, September 6, 1924, at Brady. They lived at one place, the Estes home place, all their married life, until about 1972 when they retired and moved into Coleman. He was a farmer. They reared 4 children (see Sluder Family and Robert Washington McClellan).

     (8) Leona, born July 6, 1902, at Mooreville, married (1) Bill McIlvain in First Baptist Church, Coleman, December 27, 1924. They had 1 daughter. He was a rodeo calf roper before he died. She married (2) R. R. (Bob) Nixon, November 28, 1955, of Valera. He died February 27, 1967. She is now living in Coleman. Leona Nixon and Ladona Estes are the oldest twins living in Coleman as of July, 1983.

     (9) Mary, born March 23, 1905, at Mooreville, married David L. (Lee) Smith, October 28, 1933. He was a farmer and liked ranching. He served 2 terms as County Judge of Glasscock County (Garden City), died May 25, 1980 in Coleman, buried in Valera. They raised 5 boys (see Fred M. Sparks).

     (10) Hardy, born November 27, 1908, in Mooreville, married Dora Belle Smith, December 22, 1932. He was a carpenter. but due to bad health. retired early. They both liked fishing and camping out. He died in Coleman, March 19, 1982, buried in Coleman. They raised 5 boys (see Weldon W. Boldt).

pictures to be added

Boatright Family
Back: Leona, Ladona, Mary; middle: Lucy, Hardy, Dora, Audie, Taylor; front: Walter, Mother, Janice

James Kennon and Louisa C. [Hight] Boatright

Taylor and Walter-Ranger Oil Field, 1919