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Chapter 4 - John William David Woolard (J.W.)
J. W. was born 22 February 1864 in Ripley County, MO to John William Woolard, II a farmer and Malissa Adelaide Thomas. He was their first child.
The 1870 Census shows the family still residing in Ripley County.
The 1876 MO state census (page 150) has the family in Ripley County.
J.W.'s father apparently died in the late 1870's.
J.W. apparently married Susan Arwilda Ogden, probably in the mid 1880's.
Prescilla Belle, Doniphan, Ripley Co, MO 11/29/1886.
Mellissa Ellen, Unknown, MO, 9/02/1888.
Minnie Melvina Jane, Poplar Bluffs, Butler County, MO, 12/28/1889
William Thomas, Poplar Bluffs, Butler County, MO, 12/26/1891
The family including mother, Malissa, and J.W.'s siblings moved to OK in the mid 1890's.
J.W.'s wife, Susan, apparently died on the journey, possibly 4/14/1894, probably around Wewoka, OK.
22 September 1898 at the Land Office at Kngfisher, Oklahoma Territory, J.W. applied for homestead of 160 acres under Application No. 15316. J.W. paid a $14.00 fee. The property was the South half of the NW quarter and the North half of the SE quarter of Section 8, Township 15 North, Range 20 West. At the time of application J.W.'s address was shown as Arlington, OK. On the Homestead Affidavi J.W. stated he was a widower.
We note that J.W.'s sister, Rosa Belle, filed, about the same time, a homestead claim also in Sec 8 T15N, R20W, under Application No. 15317 under the name Rosa B. Burt.
The 1900 US census of Barnitz Township, Custer County, Oklahoma Territory has J.W.'s family in dwelling 319 and as family 321, last name is spelled "Willard". J.W. is listed as a widower with two daughters, Prescilla and Minnie, and a son, Tommy. The family in dwelling 320 includes Rosa Belle, her husband Emmitt Collier, adopted daughter Bessie Bert (Burt) as family 322 and Malissa A. Williard(Woolard), mother-in-law, as family 323.
29 September 1903 J.W. filed notice of his intention to make final proof on 30 March 1904 of his claim.
The Proof Notice was published in the Arapaho Bee from February 12th thru March 18th of 1904.
On 30 March 1904 J.W. appeared before J. B. Nicholes, US Court Commissioner for Custer County, Oklahoma Territory and submitted final proof. The Homestead Proof states J.W. resided on the land since about 20 March 1899. Travis R. Bozeman and Wesley Bailey provided their Testimony of Witnesss.
In his Testimoney of Claimant, J.W. described the improvements made as: House 12 by 14 & 12 by 16, Crib, Barn, Hog lot, Well, 50 acres in cultivation, Orchard, Fenced on 3 sides, Value $400.00. His family consisted of himself and wife and three children. Between the time of the 1900 census, 6/29/1900 and his final proof of 3/30/1904 J.W. apparently remarried.
The 1910 census for the state of Oklahoma, Custer County, Deer Creek Township, Thomas Town, ED 120-16A, has J.W. living with Art Bailey and his wife Belle. This is in dwelling 68, family 69. J.W.'s last name is spelled "Willard". J.W. is listed as the Father-in-law to Art Bailey, and in his 2nd marriage. Also listed with J.W. is a 22 year old Minnie as Step-Mother-in-law, a seven year old Dora and a nineteen year old Tom. Minnie is shown as her first marriage and married for 8 years, having had 1 child with 1 child living. Her place of birth is Oregon and her parents both born in the United States. Dora is shown as born in Oklahoma, her father in Missouri, her mother in Oregon.
This 1910 census also lists J.W.'s brother Monroe in dwelling 69, as family 70, ED 120-05A. Last name is also spelled "Willard".
It appears that J.W. and Minnie were married in 1902 and had a daughter, Dora in 1903.