Source: Wheatheart of
the Plains:
An Early History of Ochiltree County, Texas
----------------
Joseph Malvuren Willey
(Click the picture for a larger view.)
J. M.
(Joe) Willey was born in Jasper County, Indiana. His
nationality was Scotch, Irish, and Dutch. He married
Harriet (Hattie) Phillips who was born in Black Oak,
Missouri. Her nationality was Indian, Scotch, and
Irish.
They had ten children, all of them being born in Missouri, except
the youngest son, Wesley. Their children are: Mable; John;
Myrtle; Albert; Sudie; Delphia; Grace; Vivian; Charlie, and
Wesley.
The J. M. Willey Family came to Oklahoma from Missouri in
1901. They moved one half mile from Bridgeport, Oklahoma,
and the children walked to school in town.
In January 1905, Mrs. Willey passed away. The oldest
daughter, Myrtle, and the oldest son, John, both married and
moved from home. There were five children left at home
then. Delphia, being the oldest, helped to raise the
younger ones.
They bought land near Foss, Oklahoma, and lived there for a
year. Then they bought land near Samsonville, Oklahoma, and
the children went to a country school.
In 1909, Mr. Willey married Mamie Church, and in 1914 they came
to Ochiltree County, Texas. They bought farm land seven
miles east of Perryton and built a four-room house.
They drove a "Baby Overland" car to Ochiltree County
and had their furniture and other belongings shipped to Forgan,
Oklahoma. They burned coal and cowchips for fuel and were
fortunate enough to have a windmill for their water. Only
Vivian, Charlie, and Wesley were at home now.
They drove a horse and buggy to Paradise School and church.
For entertainment they had wild plum pickings, all day dinners at
Paradise, church and evening singings.
They had basket dinners, picnics, and all day quiltings.
They went hunting, visiting and had protracted meetings.
Their neighbors were the Hurters, Murphys, and Ray and Arthur
Neis.
Charlie died in World War I when the flu epidemic was so
bad. J. M. Willey was a partner in the first mercantile
store in Perryton when Old Ochiltree moved to Perryton.
In later years, other married sons and daughters moved to
Ochiltree County to farm. They were: Mrs. Joe (Myrtle)
Halsey; Mrs. Jess (Grace) Russell; Albert Willey; John Willey;
and Mrs. J. L. (Delphia) Wagnon. Other married daughters
were: Mrs. Mable McLallen and Mrs. Vivian Riggs.
J. M. Willey died in 1928. His surviving children are:
Vivian Riggs; Delphia Wagnon; and Albert Willey.
~~~~~~~~~~
Submitted by
Delphia Willey Wagnon and Vivian Willey Riggs
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