Sturkie Family 2018B - Person Sheet
Sturkie Family 2018B - Person Sheet
NameCOOK, Mary Elizabeth 
Birth25 Jan 1863, Pensacola, FL
Death23 Dec 1935, Proctor, Comanche CO, TX18
Burial24 Dec 1935, Baggett Creek Cemetery; Comanche CO, TX
FatherCOOK, John Benjamin Franklin (1821-1900)
MotherHART, Elizabeth Eva (1846-1891)
Spouses
Birth17 Dec 1859, Lexington, South Carolina17
Death10 Apr 1939, Proctor, Comanche CO, TX17
Burial11 Apr 1939, Baggett Creek Cemetery; Comanche CO, TX
OccupationFarmer and merchant
ReligionBaptist
FatherSTURKIE, Benjamin Joshua Capers “BJ” (1831-1911)
MotherROBERTS, Margaret Alta Elizabeth (1836-1923)
Marriage9 Jan 1882, Belle Plain, Callahan Co, TX19
ChildrenWilliam Dudley (1882-1971)
Vesta Mae (1884-1972)
Mollie Alta (1886-1970)
Myrtle Lydia (1889-1990)
Lloyd Olen (1892-1986)
Dawn Margaret (1897-1986)
Mildred Melissa “Lissie” (1905-1974)
Obituary/DC notes for Mary Elizabeth COOK
Texas Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Mary Eliza Sturkie
Death Date: 23 Dec 1935
Death County: Comanche
Certificate: 55487
Name: Mary Eliza Sturkie
Death Date: 23 Dec 1935
Death County: Comanche
Certificate: 55487
FindAGrave notes for Mary Elizabeth COOK
Find A Grave Memorial# 15793309
Census notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
1860 Census, Beaver Pond, Lexingon Co, SC, pg. 359 shows a daughter, age 2 years as the second child.
Ben Sturkie, 29, farmer; Margaret, 22; Lloyd O., 4; Louisa, 2; Infant, 4/12
1870 - No Record-The family emigrated from SC and has not been located on any census. Three children were born in MS en route to Texas.
1880 US Census, Erath CO, Texas (June, 1880)
BJ Sturkie, occ Farmer, 49;
M.A.E. Sturkie, Keeping House, 43;
L. O., Farm laborer, 23;
J. I. , Farm Laborer, 20;
Florence, at home, 19;
V. C., works on farm, 17;
M.A.E. at home, 15;
Lydia V., 3.
Census gives birthplace of BJ, MAE Sr, L. O, JI as SC; of Florence, VC, MAE Jr. as MS and Lydia V. as TX.20 (So we know that they left SC by 1861 and were in Texas since at least 1877. That leaves 16 years unaccounted for.)
1900 US Census, Comanche CO
Ir Sturkie Head bn. Dec 1859 SC age 40
Mary wife bn Jan 1863 age 37
William D. 17
Vesta 15
Mollie 13
Myrtle 10
Loyd 8
Dawn 3
1920 US Census, Comanche CO
John I Sturkie Head 60
Mary E. Wife 56
Melissa M. Dau 14
1930 US Census, Comanche CO (Apr 11, 1930, Justice Precinct 4)
Ira J. Starkie age 70
Mary Starkie age
Ben Sturkie, 29, farmer; Margaret, 22; Lloyd O., 4; Louisa, 2; Infant, 4/12
1870 - No Record-The family emigrated from SC and has not been located on any census. Three children were born in MS en route to Texas.
1880 US Census, Erath CO, Texas (June, 1880)
BJ Sturkie, occ Farmer, 49;
M.A.E. Sturkie, Keeping House, 43;
L. O., Farm laborer, 23;
J. I. , Farm Laborer, 20;
Florence, at home, 19;
V. C., works on farm, 17;
M.A.E. at home, 15;
Lydia V., 3.
Census gives birthplace of BJ, MAE Sr, L. O, JI as SC; of Florence, VC, MAE Jr. as MS and Lydia V. as TX.20 (So we know that they left SC by 1861 and were in Texas since at least 1877. That leaves 16 years unaccounted for.)
1900 US Census, Comanche CO
Ir Sturkie Head bn. Dec 1859 SC age 40
Mary wife bn Jan 1863 age 37
William D. 17
Vesta 15
Mollie 13
Myrtle 10
Loyd 8
Dawn 3
1920 US Census, Comanche CO
John I Sturkie Head 60
Mary E. Wife 56
Melissa M. Dau 14
1930 US Census, Comanche CO (Apr 11, 1930, Justice Precinct 4)
Ira J. Starkie age 70
Mary Starkie age
Bio notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
Comanche County Bio
John Ira Sturkie and Mary Elizabeth Cook Sturkie
A man of few words, staunchly religious and loved by everyone, John Ira Sturkie born December 17, 1859—started his journey to Texas with his family when he was but three months old. The 1860 Census for Beaver Pond, Lexington CO, SC, where he was born, shows him as the infant son of Benjamin J. and Margaret A. Sturkie. John Ira was their third child. His older brother Lloyd O. Sturkie and sister Louisa, age 2, also accompanied the family.as they traveled westward in a homemade tarpole wagon.
Why the family left South Carolina shortly after 1860 is unknown at this point. The War Between the States was brewing and where the family spent the war years is a mystery. But it does appear that time was spent in Mississippi and possibly Tennessee and that the family did not arrive in Texas until around 1872. (They have not been found on any 1870 Census.) Subsequent censuses and other documents indicate that three Sturkie children—Margaret A., Jr.; Florence and Viston were all born in Mississippi., Whatever the facts, it appears that the family arrived possibly in Cleburne, Texas first where they remained a couple of years and moved on to Dublin, Erath County, Texas and then to Proctor. John Ira is listed on the 1880 Erath County Census living in the house with his father and mother and siblings. By 1882, he is married to Mary Eliza Cook
Between 1880, where he was listed as a farm hand at home in Erath County, and 1882, he must have taken up employment with John Benjamin Frankllin Cook, a well-to-do rancher and minister in Erath County. In this employ, John met and fell in love with Mary Eliza Cook, oldest child of Rev. J. B. F. Cook and is first wife, Elizabeth Hart Cook. The story of their courtship and marriage was told on many occasions by Wm. D. Sturkie, their oldest child:
“John Ira rode out to West Texas where Grampa (John Franklin) Cook owned several thousand acres and worked as a cowhand before he married Mary Eliza. Grandpa Cook told John Ira that he couldn’t marry Mary. Mary, her father claimed, was always used to plenty and all John Ira owned was the bush tailed pony he rode. The couple decided to wait a month and ask again. Grandpa Cook said his word was final and refused to consent to their marriage. John Ira collected his pay preparing to leave for Dublin and decided to steal his bride to be. He borrowed a new wagon and got his brother Lloyd Olen to drive the team. It took four days to drive back to West Texas. John Ira stopped a mile from the Cook ranch house. Mary was expecting him. He walked the mile to the house waiting till Grandpa Cook went to bed. Mary had her hogback trunk packed. At ten p.m. he turned the knob on the door and walked into the house removing his shoes so as not to make a sound. John Ira carried the trunk to where he had left his shoes. The couple arrived in Belle Plains just after sun up. They got the marriage license, were married and left for Dublin and then moved to Proctor, TX. In 1882.
In Proctor, Texas, they bought an old log house (16 x 16) for 15 dollars and moved it log by log to rebuild it as a new house with a shingle roof, a gallery in front and a lean-to on the north side for a kitchen. The house had a rock chimney and a dirt floor. White sand was brought from the banks of the Leon River in a flour sack to cover the kitchen floor. It took two trips to cover the lean-to floor. The fresh floor would keep for a week or two until it got dirty again and had to be scooped out and replaced with new sand. A group of dogwood switches was used for a broom.
After their marriage on January 9, 1882, Mary gave birth to William Dudley Sturkie the couple’s oldest son in November, 1882. Will was followed by Vesta, 1884; Mollie, 1886; Myrtle, 1889; Lloyd Olen, 1892; Dawn, 1897; Melissa, the baby in 1906.
In 1902 John Ira and Mary purchased 542 acres of prime farm land on the Leon River . The property, part of the Asa Hoxley Survey in Comanche County, was purchased from Ned Holman with a down payment of $500 and 5 notes of 353.60 payable to Ned Holman for a total of $2268. In 1904, 142 acres of this parcel were sold to D. J. Burrow. After paying off Holman on the original note In 1909, Mary E. and John Ira took out a new note for $2800 using the property to secure the loan; and in 1912, 97 1/2 acres were sold to W. D. Sturkie and 100 acres sold to L. O. Sturkie, their two sons.
John I. Sturkie was a successful farmer and merchant. In the early 1900’s, he ran a dry goods store in Hasse. He raised peanuts, watermelons, pecans, peas and many other crops. His melons were shipped to Comanche for sale. His other endeavors included a blacksmith shop, a sorghum mill and a leather tanning business. In early 1920, an oil well was drilled on his property near the Leon River. This well was drilled as a result of a prediction made by the famous psychic Edgar Cayce. The Sturkie well was quite a phenomenon in Hasse and Comanche County drawing people from around the state to see it.
A devout Baptist, John Ira served as trustee of the Missionary Baptist Church of Baggett Creek in Comanche County and signed the original deed of trust for their 4.5 acre site. He was a deacon and kept accounts for the Church. John Ira served as a county commissioner of Comanche County from 1904 to 1908. He also claimed to have had one of the first Model T Fords in the county.
John Ira Sturkie died April 10, 1939 and is buried next to his wife Mary in the Baggett Creek Cemetery, Comanche County, TX.
Written and Submitted by
Mary L. Ward
Dade City, Florida
John Ira Sturkie and Mary Elizabeth Cook Sturkie
A man of few words, staunchly religious and loved by everyone, John Ira Sturkie born December 17, 1859—started his journey to Texas with his family when he was but three months old. The 1860 Census for Beaver Pond, Lexington CO, SC, where he was born, shows him as the infant son of Benjamin J. and Margaret A. Sturkie. John Ira was their third child. His older brother Lloyd O. Sturkie and sister Louisa, age 2, also accompanied the family.as they traveled westward in a homemade tarpole wagon.
Why the family left South Carolina shortly after 1860 is unknown at this point. The War Between the States was brewing and where the family spent the war years is a mystery. But it does appear that time was spent in Mississippi and possibly Tennessee and that the family did not arrive in Texas until around 1872. (They have not been found on any 1870 Census.) Subsequent censuses and other documents indicate that three Sturkie children—Margaret A., Jr.; Florence and Viston were all born in Mississippi., Whatever the facts, it appears that the family arrived possibly in Cleburne, Texas first where they remained a couple of years and moved on to Dublin, Erath County, Texas and then to Proctor. John Ira is listed on the 1880 Erath County Census living in the house with his father and mother and siblings. By 1882, he is married to Mary Eliza Cook
Between 1880, where he was listed as a farm hand at home in Erath County, and 1882, he must have taken up employment with John Benjamin Frankllin Cook, a well-to-do rancher and minister in Erath County. In this employ, John met and fell in love with Mary Eliza Cook, oldest child of Rev. J. B. F. Cook and is first wife, Elizabeth Hart Cook. The story of their courtship and marriage was told on many occasions by Wm. D. Sturkie, their oldest child:
“John Ira rode out to West Texas where Grampa (John Franklin) Cook owned several thousand acres and worked as a cowhand before he married Mary Eliza. Grandpa Cook told John Ira that he couldn’t marry Mary. Mary, her father claimed, was always used to plenty and all John Ira owned was the bush tailed pony he rode. The couple decided to wait a month and ask again. Grandpa Cook said his word was final and refused to consent to their marriage. John Ira collected his pay preparing to leave for Dublin and decided to steal his bride to be. He borrowed a new wagon and got his brother Lloyd Olen to drive the team. It took four days to drive back to West Texas. John Ira stopped a mile from the Cook ranch house. Mary was expecting him. He walked the mile to the house waiting till Grandpa Cook went to bed. Mary had her hogback trunk packed. At ten p.m. he turned the knob on the door and walked into the house removing his shoes so as not to make a sound. John Ira carried the trunk to where he had left his shoes. The couple arrived in Belle Plains just after sun up. They got the marriage license, were married and left for Dublin and then moved to Proctor, TX. In 1882.
In Proctor, Texas, they bought an old log house (16 x 16) for 15 dollars and moved it log by log to rebuild it as a new house with a shingle roof, a gallery in front and a lean-to on the north side for a kitchen. The house had a rock chimney and a dirt floor. White sand was brought from the banks of the Leon River in a flour sack to cover the kitchen floor. It took two trips to cover the lean-to floor. The fresh floor would keep for a week or two until it got dirty again and had to be scooped out and replaced with new sand. A group of dogwood switches was used for a broom.
After their marriage on January 9, 1882, Mary gave birth to William Dudley Sturkie the couple’s oldest son in November, 1882. Will was followed by Vesta, 1884; Mollie, 1886; Myrtle, 1889; Lloyd Olen, 1892; Dawn, 1897; Melissa, the baby in 1906.
In 1902 John Ira and Mary purchased 542 acres of prime farm land on the Leon River . The property, part of the Asa Hoxley Survey in Comanche County, was purchased from Ned Holman with a down payment of $500 and 5 notes of 353.60 payable to Ned Holman for a total of $2268. In 1904, 142 acres of this parcel were sold to D. J. Burrow. After paying off Holman on the original note In 1909, Mary E. and John Ira took out a new note for $2800 using the property to secure the loan; and in 1912, 97 1/2 acres were sold to W. D. Sturkie and 100 acres sold to L. O. Sturkie, their two sons.
John I. Sturkie was a successful farmer and merchant. In the early 1900’s, he ran a dry goods store in Hasse. He raised peanuts, watermelons, pecans, peas and many other crops. His melons were shipped to Comanche for sale. His other endeavors included a blacksmith shop, a sorghum mill and a leather tanning business. In early 1920, an oil well was drilled on his property near the Leon River. This well was drilled as a result of a prediction made by the famous psychic Edgar Cayce. The Sturkie well was quite a phenomenon in Hasse and Comanche County drawing people from around the state to see it.
A devout Baptist, John Ira served as trustee of the Missionary Baptist Church of Baggett Creek in Comanche County and signed the original deed of trust for their 4.5 acre site. He was a deacon and kept accounts for the Church. John Ira served as a county commissioner of Comanche County from 1904 to 1908. He also claimed to have had one of the first Model T Fords in the county.
John Ira Sturkie died April 10, 1939 and is buried next to his wife Mary in the Baggett Creek Cemetery, Comanche County, TX.
Written and Submitted by
Mary L. Ward
Dade City, Florida
Notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
John Ira’s Death Certificate states that he had lived in Proctor for 57 years before his death. In such a case, then he must have moved to Proctor in 1878. He did not marry Mary Eliz until 1882 so he must have lived with his parents for four years prior to marrying.23 If the family story is true--that the family moved first to Cleburne in Johnson CO and stayed there two years before moving to Erath CO--then the family arrived in Texas around the year 1876.
If the family story is to be believed, the Sturkie family arrived in Cleburne, Texas about 1770 where they lived for two years. They subsequently moved in 1772 to Dublin, Erath County, Texas where Benjamin bought one and a half sections of land west of the city of Dublin for cultivation and pasture. B.J. can be found on the 1880 Census of Erath County as well as the 1900 and 1910 Censuses. Ben J. Sturkie voted in the General Election in Comanche County, Texas on November 3, 1896 and was listed in Precinct 3, Line 530.
If the family story is to be believed, the Sturkie family arrived in Cleburne, Texas about 1770 where they lived for two years. They subsequently moved in 1772 to Dublin, Erath County, Texas where Benjamin bought one and a half sections of land west of the city of Dublin for cultivation and pasture. B.J. can be found on the 1880 Census of Erath County as well as the 1900 and 1910 Censuses. Ben J. Sturkie voted in the General Election in Comanche County, Texas on November 3, 1896 and was listed in Precinct 3, Line 530.
Notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
From Kathleen E. Sturkie Powell: We always loved to go to Grandpa’s. There was so much to do there--we always had fun. He had a blacksmith shop and a sorghum mill. We used to play in both of those.
Notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
“Some of the early settlers and familiar names in the Baggett Community include the following: Baggett, Robinson, Stephens, Moore, Luker, Schwab, Sturkie, Gaines, Hodge, Walker, Jones, Graham, Heard, Brightman, Miller, Pettijohn, Kennedy.....”24
Notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
Robert W. Krajenke is the author of the three-volume Edgar Cayce's Story of the Old Testament as well as Spiritual Power Points. A minister in a Detroit-area Unity church, he is a well-known writer and lecturer for the ARE. He is considered the leading authority on Cayce's Texas/Dayton period.
“On January 22, 1921--almost a year to the day since Cecil Ringle filed his intention to drill the Comyn well--J.W. Gilette, an oilman with thirty-four years experience in the business, testified in an affidavit which states:
This is to certify that I obtained the assistance of Edgar Cayce in the development of the well I drilled on the J.I. Sturkie farm in the Asa Hoxey [area?], Comanche Co., Tex. [For the last three years I] have made a study of the oil business from a structural standpoint...[and I] have a system for locating oil which is far superior to systems followed by most oil men; yet I believe Mr. Cayce can beat any system going....
The best geologists in the country can not approach Mr. Cayce when it comes to giving advance information on oil territory.... I consider Mr. Cayce a real wonder, and any one is very fortunate who can secure his advance dope on drilling wells. [3777-7 reports] “
Notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
Dallas Morning News
09 Jan1894
SHOT BELOW THE EAR
-------
Farmer Sturkie Thought to Be Fatally
Wounded – Accused Under Arrest
Comanche, Comanche Co., Tex, Jan. 8—Henry Morris, a farmer living fifteen miles east of here on Baggett Creek, and J. I. Sturkie, a farmer living a few miles north of Proctor, in this county, became involved in a difficulty yesterday afternoon at the house of the latter, during which two shots were fired at Sturkie, the first not taking effect and the second striking him and perhaps causing fatal injury. The ball entered just below the ear and ranged downward through the shoulder, and has not been located by the attending physicians. After he was shot Sturkie rushed into his house to get his Winchester, but sank down before he could get it. The trouble arose over a family matter. Sheriff Foster went to the scene and arrested Morris, brought him to the city and lodged him in jail. Complaint was also filed against him with assault with intent to murder. The examining trial was set for next Friday to await the result of Sturkie’s wound.
09 Jan1894
SHOT BELOW THE EAR
-------
Farmer Sturkie Thought to Be Fatally
Wounded – Accused Under Arrest
Comanche, Comanche Co., Tex, Jan. 8—Henry Morris, a farmer living fifteen miles east of here on Baggett Creek, and J. I. Sturkie, a farmer living a few miles north of Proctor, in this county, became involved in a difficulty yesterday afternoon at the house of the latter, during which two shots were fired at Sturkie, the first not taking effect and the second striking him and perhaps causing fatal injury. The ball entered just below the ear and ranged downward through the shoulder, and has not been located by the attending physicians. After he was shot Sturkie rushed into his house to get his Winchester, but sank down before he could get it. The trouble arose over a family matter. Sheriff Foster went to the scene and arrested Morris, brought him to the city and lodged him in jail. Complaint was also filed against him with assault with intent to murder. The examining trial was set for next Friday to await the result of Sturkie’s wound.
FindAGrave notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
Find A Grave Memorial# 13990349
Obituary/DC notes for John Ira (Spouse 1)
Texas Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: John Ira Sturkie
Death Date: 10 Apr 1939
Death County: Comanche
Certificate: 17350
Name: John Ira Sturkie
Death Date: 10 Apr 1939
Death County: Comanche
Certificate: 17350