Husband James DOWNUM
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Married:
Wife Lucinda VINSON
AKA: Lucinda DOWNUM
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 M Wiley Lee DOWNUM
Born: Abt 1858 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 5 Feb 1916 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Spouse: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Marr: 6 Nov 1877 - Benton, Arkansas
General Notes for Child Wiley Lee DOWNUM
Wiley Downum was born in Benton County, Arkansas, in the home of his parents on the family farm near Spring Creek. His father died when Wiley was six years old. At a young age, he witnessed the horrors of the Civil War in Northwest Arkansas. He was just a boy and had to work the family farm like a man. His mother never remarried. His father's brother also died young, leaving a wife and several children. Wiley had older cousins, William George Washington and Thomas Jefferson Downum, but he was the oldest son in his father's immediate family.
Wiley taught himself the art of stone masonry. He was married to Malissa Leann Ennis November 6, 1877, in Benton County, Arkansas. It was a second marriage for Malissa. They first lived with his mother on the family farm near Spring Creek.
It is interesting to note here that both Wiley and Malissa lost their fathers at young ages. Both of their mothers never remarried. Both of their mothers reared several children alone. Wiley's mother's maiden name was Vinson and Malissa's mother's maiden name was Vincent, or Vinson.
They were enumerated in the 1880 U. S. Census for Benton County, Arkansas, in the household next to his mother. Late in 1890, after the death of his mother, they moved across the county border to near Elm Springs and lived with her mother on the Ennis family farm. He purchased from Charley Ford for one hundred and twenty dollars, the Northeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section Twenty-eight in Township Eight een North of Range Thirty-one West, containing forty acres October 4 , 1882. It was recorded in Washington County Deed Book J-2, page 259 .
Wiley and Malissa were not found in the 1900 U. S. Census for Arkansas, but he sold the farm near Elm Springs November 17, 1900:
Know all men by these presents:
That We, W. L. Downum and Malissa Downum his wife, for and in Consideration of the sum of Five hundred Dollars to us paid by J. W. Camden do hereby grant, bargain and sell unto the said J. W. Camden his heirs and assigns, the following described land, situated in Washington Co unty, State of Arkansas, to wit: The Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section Twenty-eight in Township Eighteen North of Range Thirty West containing forty acres.
To have and to hold the said lands and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said J. W. Camden his heirs and assigns forever. And I, the said W. L. Downum hereby covenant that I am lawfully seized of said land and premises that the same is unincumbered, and that I will for ever Warrant and Defend the Title to the said lands against all lega l claims whatever.
And I, the said Malissa Downum, wife of the said W. L. Downum in consideration off said sum of money, do hereby release and relinquish unto the said J. W. Camden all my right, title, dower and homestead, in and to said lands.
Witness our hands and seals this 17th day of October, 1900.
W. L. (his X mark) Downum
Malissa (her X mark) Downum
This deed was filed and recorded in the Deed Book 91, page 198, in th e Circuit Clerk's office in the Washington County Courthouse in Fayett eville, Arkansas.
Shortly after this deed was written, Wiley and Malissa moved to Harris on in Boone County, Arkansas, where their daughter, Ollie, married January 17, 1901. From Harrison, the family apparently moved to Madison County, Arkansas. The following news item appeared in "The Springdale News," Friday, March 3, 1905, page one, column four, under Oak Grove Community news:
Wiley is buried in Rosehill Cemetery and has no headstone.
Will Downum is expected to arrive at his brother Alex's this week. He has been living in Madison County for some time but has concluded that Washington County is the best place after all.
Their daughter, Ollie, was remarried in Benton County, Arkansas, September 7, 1905. By April, 1910, Wiley and Malissa were again living in Boone County, Arkansas. They were enumerated in the 1910 U. S. Census i n Harrison Township:
25 25 Downum, Wiley Head Male white 50 marr/1, 30 yrs Ark Tenn Mis s
" Mallisa wife female " 54 marr/2, 30 yrs 10 ch/8 liv Ark US US
Robbins, Ollie dau " " 24 wid 3 ch/1 liv Ark Ark Ark
Downum, Lee son male " 21 single Ark Ark Ark
" Lark son " " 19 single Ark Ark Ark
" Henry son " 16 single Ark Ark Ark
" Myrtie dau female " 14 single Ark Ark Ark
Robbins, Lena gr-dau " " 2 Ark Ark Ark
Wiley and Malissa purchased a farm near the Boone County fairgrounds east of town. They often returned to Washington County to visit relatives. Wiley developed tuberculosis while they lived in Harrison. He last visited his brother, Alex, near Springdale in December, 1915. The following article was found in "The Springdale News," Friday, December 17, 1915, page 3, section 3, column four:
Wiley Downum, who has been here visiting the past three weeks returned to his home at Harrison.
He died two months later in his home near Harrison in 1916 and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Rosehill Cemetery.
Husband Jess Alex DOWNUM
Born: 22 Mar 1882 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 Mar 1951 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Father: Wiley Lee DOWNUM (Abt 1858-1916)
Mother: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Married: 6 Aug 1906 - Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas
Wife Kanzadia Elizabeth HULEN
AKA: Kanzadia Elizabeth DOWNUM
Born: 25 Jan 1880 - Marion County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 12 Nov 1963 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Husband Larkin Young DOWNUM
Born: 7 Jun 1891 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 May 1939 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Father: Wiley Lee DOWNUM (Abt 1858-1916)
Mother: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Married: 11 Dec 1910 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Other Spouse: Vernie SMOTHERS ( - ) - Abt 1933
Wife Mary S. PRATT
AKA: Mary S. DOWNUM
Born: 27 Nov 1893 - Marion County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 Apr 1930 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Husband's General Notes
Lark Downum was born in a home on the farm of his grandmother, Elizabeth (Vincent) Ennis, June 7, 1891. It was near the border of Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas. The closest settlement was Elm Springs, Arkansas, near Springdale. Lark attended school at Spring Creek in Benton County,
Arkansas. In the fall of 1900, the Downum family moved to Harrison, Arkansas, where Lark's father, Wiley, looked for work. In 1902, Lark's father and aunts and uncles at tempted to apply to the Dawes Commission in Muskogee, Indian Territory, and claim Choctaw blood through Lark's grandmother, Lucinda (Vinson) Downum. The condensed 5-page application is reprinted below:
M. C. R. 5589
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
COMMISSION TO THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES,
Muskogee, Indian Territory, May 17, 1902,
In the Matter of the application of Wiley L. Downum for the indentific ation of himself, his married daughter Belle Buckner, his son Jesse Do wnum, and Ollie Downum-now Ollie Lewis, and five other children who ar e minors, Charlie, Lee, Lark, Henry and Myrtie, as Mississippi Choctaws.
Said Wiley L. Downum, being first duly sworn, testified as follows :
Examination by the Commission.
Q- What's your name? A- Wiley L. Downum.
Q- How old are you? A- I'm forty-eight years old.
Q- What's your postoffice address? A- Harrison, Arkansas, Boone County .
Q- How long have you lived there?A- About twenty months.
Q- Where were you born? A- Born in Benton County.
Q- What State? A- Arkansas
Q- Have you always lived in Arkansas? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your father's name? A- Lee Downum.
Q- Is he living? A- No sir.
Q- What is your mother's name? A- Lucinda Downum.
Q- Is she living? A- No sir.
Q- Through which parent do you claim Choctaw blood? A- My mammy.
Q- How much do you claim? A- About one-sixteenth, I think; that's wha t we've been taught.
Q- Has your mother ever been recognized or enrolled as such by eithe r the Choctaw Tribal Authorities or by the United States authorities i n Indian Territory? A- No sir, I think not.
Q- Are you married? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your wife's name? A- Melissa.
Q- Is she living? A- Yes sir.
Q- A white woman? A- Yes sir.
Q- No choctaw blood? A- No sir, not as I know of; she don't claim it .
Q- You made application as a Choctaw citizen for yourself, wife and al l your children, didn't you, February 24, 1900? A-Yes sir.
Q- And at that time you made application for Belle Buckner? A- Yes sir .
Q- She's a married daughter, is she? A- Yes sir.
Q- And is how old? A- She's going on twenty-four years old.
Q- Who is Jesse Downum? A- That's my oldest boy.
Q- How old is he? A- He's twenty-one years old the 9th of last March .
Q- You made application for him two years ago, did you not? A- Yes sir .
Q- His name was then given as Jessie Downs--is this the same person? A - Yes sir, its meant for the same person.
Q- They made a mistake, then, in recording it? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Ollie Downum? A- That's a daughter of mine.
Q- How old is Ollie? A- She's nineteen.
Q- Who is Charlie Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- Is Ollie Downum married now? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's her present name? A- Ollie Lewis.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- Wiley Lewis.
Q- Where do they live? A- In Boone County, Arkansas.
Q- What's their postoffice address? A- Harrison, I think.
Q- What is Belle Buckner's postoffice address? A- Harrison.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- William Buckner.
Q- Is your son Jesse Downum married? A No sir.
Q- Who is Lee Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- How old is Charlie? A- He's going on seventeen.
Q- How old is Lee? A- I believe he's fourteen.
Q- Who is Lark? A- That's my boy.
Q- How old is Lark? A- Going on thirteen.
Q- Who is Henry? A- He's my boy, too.
Q- How old is he? A- He's seven years old, I guess.
Q- Lark is a boy, isn't he? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Myrtie? A- She's my daughter.
Q- How old is she? A- Six years old.
Q- Is that all? A- Yes sir.
Q- These children were all applied for by you when you made your appli cation February 24th, 1900--R 418? A- Yes Sir.
Q- What was done with that application at that time, do you remember ? A- No sir, I don't remember.
Q- Is Melissa Downum, your wife, the mother of all these children? A - Yes sir.
Q- Have you ever been married or has she ever been married previous t o your marriage to each other? A- She's been married but I never was until I married her.
Q- But there are no children by her first husband that you want to mak e application for? A- No sir.
Q- And none of hers ever had any Choctaw blood? A- No sir.
Q- Have you the proof of your marriage with your wife here? A- No sir , I haven't.
Q- You can introduce that later, can you? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's the name of your ancestor through whom you claim your right to be identified as a
Mississippi Choctaw--who do you claim through? A- Through my mammy--through my granddaddy.
Q- What was his name? A- Jim Vinson.
Q- What relation to you was he? A- He was my granddaddy.
Q- How much Choctaw blood did he have? A- He claimed a quarter.
Q- Did he live in Mississippi in 1830? A- That's what I've been taught .
Q- Did he have a family of children there at that time? In other words, was he the head of a family there
then? A- Yes sir, I reckon he was.
Q- Have you been taught that in your family? A- Yes sir, I was taugh t that.
Q- He was your mother's father? A- Yes sir, we was taught that from children up.
Q You claim through your mother, do you? A- Yes sir.
Q- How old would she be if living now? A- She would be about seventy o dd years old.
Q- Where was she born? A- She was born in Mississippi.
Q- Do you know at what place in Mississippi? A- No sir, I don't.
Q- And she claims through her father, Jim Vinson? A- Yes sir.
Q- Was Jim Vinson born in Mississippi, do you know? A- I can't say.
Q- Did any of your Choctaw ancestors own any land or claim any land i n the old Choctaw Nation in Mississippi and Alabama in the year 1830 ? A- None only my granddaddy--I've heard them talk about his having la nd there.
Q- Who is Lurany Dodson? A- That's my sister.
Q- She has been recently before the Commission to make application for identification as a Mississippi Choctaw, hasn't she? A- Yes sir.
Q- Do you want to have her case consolidated with yours? A- If you think it best, I do.
Q- And you would like to have all those cases taken in connection with yours where they are
all claiming through the same common ancestor? A- Yes.
This applicant has the appearance and physical characteristics of being a white man; he has blue eyes, fair complexion but now tanned and sunburned--brown hair and light brown mustache; his whiskers are a little darker. He does not speak the Choctaw language and has no knowledg e of any compliance on the part of his ancestors with article 14 of th e treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.
The application made by his father was rejected in 1902 by the Dawes Commission.
They lived for a short time in Madison County, Arkansas, in 1905. The y returned to the farm of Wiley's brother, Alex Downum, near Springdal e in 1905. By 1910, the family was again living in Harrison, Arkansas . Lark was married to Mary Pratt in 1910. They first moved to the fami ly farm near Elm Springs, Arkansas. In 1913, they returned to Harrison , Arkansas. The family took up residence in a home in the Gline's Cour t in Harrison. Lark was a stone mason, working in the local quarry nea r Valley Springs, Arkansas. His wife, Mary, died from tuberculosis i n 1930. He was married a second time to Mrs. Vernie Smothers. Lark die d May 27, 1939, in his home in Harrison
Wife's General Notes
Grave is marked by a funeral home maker.
Husband Larkin Young DOWNUM
Born: 7 Jun 1891 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 May 1939 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Father: Wiley Lee DOWNUM (Abt 1858-1916)
Mother: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Married: Abt 1933
Other Spouse: Mary S. PRATT (1893-1930) - 11 Dec 1910 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Wife Vernie SMOTHERS
AKA: Vernie DOWNUM
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Husband's General Notes
Lark Downum was born in a home on the farm of his grandmother, Elizabeth (Vincent) Ennis, June 7, 1891. It was near the border of Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas. The closest settlement was Elm Springs, Arkansas, near Springdale. Lark attended school at Spring Creek in Benton County,
Arkansas. In the fall of 1900, the Downum family moved to Harrison, Arkansas, where Lark's father, Wiley, looked for work. In 1902, Lark's father and aunts and uncles at tempted to apply to the Dawes Commission in Muskogee, Indian Territory, and claim Choctaw blood through Lark's grandmother, Lucinda (Vinson) Downum. The condensed 5-page application is reprinted below:
M. C. R. 5589
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
COMMISSION TO THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES,
Muskogee, Indian Territory, May 17, 1902,
In the Matter of the application of Wiley L. Downum for the indentific ation of himself, his married daughter Belle Buckner, his son Jesse Do wnum, and Ollie Downum-now Ollie Lewis, and five other children who ar e minors, Charlie, Lee, Lark, Henry and Myrtie, as Mississippi Choctaws.
Said Wiley L. Downum, being first duly sworn, testified as follows :
Examination by the Commission.
Q- What's your name? A- Wiley L. Downum.
Q- How old are you? A- I'm forty-eight years old.
Q- What's your postoffice address? A- Harrison, Arkansas, Boone County .
Q- How long have you lived there?A- About twenty months.
Q- Where were you born? A- Born in Benton County.
Q- What State? A- Arkansas
Q- Have you always lived in Arkansas? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your father's name? A- Lee Downum.
Q- Is he living? A- No sir.
Q- What is your mother's name? A- Lucinda Downum.
Q- Is she living? A- No sir.
Q- Through which parent do you claim Choctaw blood? A- My mammy.
Q- How much do you claim? A- About one-sixteenth, I think; that's wha t we've been taught.
Q- Has your mother ever been recognized or enrolled as such by eithe r the Choctaw Tribal Authorities or by the United States authorities i n Indian Territory? A- No sir, I think not.
Q- Are you married? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your wife's name? A- Melissa.
Q- Is she living? A- Yes sir.
Q- A white woman? A- Yes sir.
Q- No choctaw blood? A- No sir, not as I know of; she don't claim it .
Q- You made application as a Choctaw citizen for yourself, wife and al l your children, didn't you, February 24, 1900? A-Yes sir.
Q- And at that time you made application for Belle Buckner? A- Yes sir .
Q- She's a married daughter, is she? A- Yes sir.
Q- And is how old? A- She's going on twenty-four years old.
Q- Who is Jesse Downum? A- That's my oldest boy.
Q- How old is he? A- He's twenty-one years old the 9th of last March .
Q- You made application for him two years ago, did you not? A- Yes sir .
Q- His name was then given as Jessie Downs--is this the same person? A - Yes sir, its meant for the same person.
Q- They made a mistake, then, in recording it? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Ollie Downum? A- That's a daughter of mine.
Q- How old is Ollie? A- She's nineteen.
Q- Who is Charlie Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- Is Ollie Downum married now? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's her present name? A- Ollie Lewis.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- Wiley Lewis.
Q- Where do they live? A- In Boone County, Arkansas.
Q- What's their postoffice address? A- Harrison, I think.
Q- What is Belle Buckner's postoffice address? A- Harrison.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- William Buckner.
Q- Is your son Jesse Downum married? A No sir.
Q- Who is Lee Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- How old is Charlie? A- He's going on seventeen.
Q- How old is Lee? A- I believe he's fourteen.
Q- Who is Lark? A- That's my boy.
Q- How old is Lark? A- Going on thirteen.
Q- Who is Henry? A- He's my boy, too.
Q- How old is he? A- He's seven years old, I guess.
Q- Lark is a boy, isn't he? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Myrtie? A- She's my daughter.
Q- How old is she? A- Six years old.
Q- Is that all? A- Yes sir.
Q- These children were all applied for by you when you made your appli cation February 24th, 1900--R 418? A- Yes Sir.
Q- What was done with that application at that time, do you remember ? A- No sir, I don't remember.
Q- Is Melissa Downum, your wife, the mother of all these children? A - Yes sir.
Q- Have you ever been married or has she ever been married previous t o your marriage to each other? A- She's been married but I never was until I married her.
Q- But there are no children by her first husband that you want to mak e application for? A- No sir.
Q- And none of hers ever had any Choctaw blood? A- No sir.
Q- Have you the proof of your marriage with your wife here? A- No sir , I haven't.
Q- You can introduce that later, can you? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's the name of your ancestor through whom you claim your right to be identified as a
Mississippi Choctaw--who do you claim through? A- Through my mammy--through my granddaddy.
Q- What was his name? A- Jim Vinson.
Q- What relation to you was he? A- He was my granddaddy.
Q- How much Choctaw blood did he have? A- He claimed a quarter.
Q- Did he live in Mississippi in 1830? A- That's what I've been taught .
Q- Did he have a family of children there at that time? In other words, was he the head of a family there
then? A- Yes sir, I reckon he was.
Q- Have you been taught that in your family? A- Yes sir, I was taugh t that.
Q- He was your mother's father? A- Yes sir, we was taught that from children up.
Q You claim through your mother, do you? A- Yes sir.
Q- How old would she be if living now? A- She would be about seventy o dd years old.
Q- Where was she born? A- She was born in Mississippi.
Q- Do you know at what place in Mississippi? A- No sir, I don't.
Q- And she claims through her father, Jim Vinson? A- Yes sir.
Q- Was Jim Vinson born in Mississippi, do you know? A- I can't say.
Q- Did any of your Choctaw ancestors own any land or claim any land i n the old Choctaw Nation in Mississippi and Alabama in the year 1830 ? A- None only my granddaddy--I've heard them talk about his having la nd there.
Q- Who is Lurany Dodson? A- That's my sister.
Q- She has been recently before the Commission to make application for identification as a Mississippi Choctaw, hasn't she? A- Yes sir.
Q- Do you want to have her case consolidated with yours? A- If you think it best, I do.
Q- And you would like to have all those cases taken in connection with yours where they are
all claiming through the same common ancestor? A- Yes.
This applicant has the appearance and physical characteristics of being a white man; he has blue eyes, fair complexion but now tanned and sunburned--brown hair and light brown mustache; his whiskers are a little darker. He does not speak the Choctaw language and has no knowledg e of any compliance on the part of his ancestors with article 14 of th e treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.
The application made by his father was rejected in 1902 by the Dawes Commission.
They lived for a short time in Madison County, Arkansas, in 1905. The y returned to the farm of Wiley's brother, Alex Downum, near Springdal e in 1905. By 1910, the family was again living in Harrison, Arkansas . Lark was married to Mary Pratt in 1910. They first moved to the fami ly farm near Elm Springs, Arkansas. In 1913, they returned to Harrison , Arkansas. The family took up residence in a home in the Gline's Cour t in Harrison. Lark was a stone mason, working in the local quarry nea r Valley Springs, Arkansas. His wife, Mary, died from tuberculosis i n 1930. He was married a second time to Mrs. Vernie Smothers. Lark die d May 27, 1939, in his home in Harrison
Husband Wiley Green LEWIS
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Married: 17 Jan 1901 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Wife Olive DOWNUM
AKA: Olive LEWIS
Born: 1886 - Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 1915 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Father: Wiley Lee DOWNUM (Abt 1858-1916)
Mother: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Other Spouse: Dock Giddion ROBINS (1884-1910) - 7 Sep 1905 - Benton, Arkansas
Wife's General Notes
Olive is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery and has no headstone.
Husband Dock Giddion ROBINS
Born: 2 Nov 1884 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 4 Mar 1910 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried:
Married: 7 Sep 1905 - Benton, Arkansas
Wife Olive DOWNUM
AKA: Olive LEWIS
Born: 1886 - Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 1915 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Father: Wiley Lee DOWNUM (Abt 1858-1916)
Mother: Malissa Leann ENNIS (1854-1919)
Other Spouse: Wiley Green LEWIS ( - ) - 17 Jan 1901 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Wife's General Notes
Olive is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery and has no headstone.
Husband Wiley Lee DOWNUM
Born: Abt 1858 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 5 Feb 1916 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Father: James DOWNUM ( - )
Mother: Lucinda VINSON ( - )
Married: 6 Nov 1877 - Benton, Arkansas
Wife Malissa Leann ENNIS
AKA: Malissa Leann DOWNUM
Born: 1854 - Montgomery County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 18 Jan 1919 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Father: Cornelius Dayton ENNIS (1828-1868)
Mother: Elizabeth VINCENT (1824-Abt 1894)
Children
1 F Hannah Belle DOWNUM
AKA: Hannah Belle BUCKNER
Born: 23 Jul 1879 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 3 Jul 1910 - Moodys, Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Buried: - Blue Springs Cemetery, Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Spouse: William Pinkham BUCKNER (1870-1935)
Marr: 17 Mar 1895 - Washington County, Arkansas
2 M Jess Alex DOWNUM
Born: 22 Mar 1882 - Benton, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 Mar 1951 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Spouse: Kanzadia Elizabeth HULEN (1880-1963)
Marr: 6 Aug 1906 - Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas
3 F Olive DOWNUM
AKA: Olive LEWIS
Born: 1886 - Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 1915 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Rosehill Cemetery
Spouse: Wiley Green LEWIS ( - )
Marr: 17 Jan 1901 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Spouse: Dock Giddion ROBINS (1884-1910)
Marr: 7 Sep 1905 - Benton, Arkansas
4 M Charles Alick DOWNUM
Born: 14 Oct 1888 - Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 23 May 1962 - Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma
Buried: - Stilwell City Cemetery
Spouse: Elsie Pearl BRODER (1892-1969)
Marr: 30 Jan 1910 - Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma
5 M Dallas Lee DOWNUM
Born: 7 Apr 1890 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 17 Apr 1923 - Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas
Buried: - Yellville Cemetery, Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas
Spouse: Minnie REED (Abt 1883-1916)
Marr: 23 Jun 1910 - Benton, Arkansas
Spouse: Jennie MAJORS ( - )
Marr: 28 Dec 1916 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
6 M Larkin Young DOWNUM
Born: 7 Jun 1891 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 27 May 1939 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Buried: - Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas
Spouse: Mary S. PRATT (1893-1930)
Marr: 11 Dec 1910 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Spouse: Vernie SMOTHERS ( - )
Marr: Abt 1933
7 M Henry Hugh DOWNUM
Born: 1 Jan 1894 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 29 Mar 1926 - Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma
Buried: - Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson
Spouse: Elizabeth BOGGS (Abt 1899- )
Marr: Abt 1916 - Cherokee County, Kansas
8 F Myrtle DOWNUM
Born: 1896 - Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 2 Mar 1918 - Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma
Buried: - Stilwell City Cemetery
Spouse: Isaac Henry DOWNUM (1891-1919)
Marr: 24 Jan 1915 - Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas
Husband's General Notes
Wiley Downum was born in Benton County, Arkansas, in the home of his parents on the family farm near Spring Creek. His father died when Wiley was six years old. At a young age, he witnessed the horrors of the Civil War in Northwest Arkansas. He was just a boy and had to work the family farm like a man. His mother never remarried. His father's brother also died young, leaving a wife and several children. Wiley had older cousins, William George Washington and Thomas Jefferson Downum, but he was the oldest son in his father's immediate family.
Wiley taught himself the art of stone masonry. He was married to Malissa Leann Ennis November 6, 1877, in Benton County, Arkansas. It was a second marriage for Malissa. They first lived with his mother on the family farm near Spring Creek.
It is interesting to note here that both Wiley and Malissa lost their fathers at young ages. Both of their mothers never remarried. Both of their mothers reared several children alone. Wiley's mother's maiden name was Vinson and Malissa's mother's maiden name was Vincent, or Vinson.
They were enumerated in the 1880 U. S. Census for Benton County, Arkansas, in the household next to his mother. Late in 1890, after the death of his mother, they moved across the county border to near Elm Springs and lived with her mother on the Ennis family farm. He purchased from Charley Ford for one hundred and twenty dollars, the Northeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section Twenty-eight in Township Eight een North of Range Thirty-one West, containing forty acres October 4 , 1882. It was recorded in Washington County Deed Book J-2, page 259 .
Wiley and Malissa were not found in the 1900 U. S. Census for Arkansas, but he sold the farm near Elm Springs November 17, 1900:
Know all men by these presents:
That We, W. L. Downum and Malissa Downum his wife, for and in Consideration of the sum of Five hundred Dollars to us paid by J. W. Camden do hereby grant, bargain and sell unto the said J. W. Camden his heirs and assigns, the following described land, situated in Washington Co unty, State of Arkansas, to wit: The Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section Twenty-eight in Township Eighteen North of Range Thirty West containing forty acres.
To have and to hold the said lands and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said J. W. Camden his heirs and assigns forever. And I, the said W. L. Downum hereby covenant that I am lawfully seized of said land and premises that the same is unincumbered, and that I will for ever Warrant and Defend the Title to the said lands against all lega l claims whatever.
And I, the said Malissa Downum, wife of the said W. L. Downum in consideration off said sum of money, do hereby release and relinquish unto the said J. W. Camden all my right, title, dower and homestead, in and to said lands.
Witness our hands and seals this 17th day of October, 1900.
W. L. (his X mark) Downum
Malissa (her X mark) Downum
This deed was filed and recorded in the Deed Book 91, page 198, in th e Circuit Clerk's office in the Washington County Courthouse in Fayett eville, Arkansas.
Shortly after this deed was written, Wiley and Malissa moved to Harris on in Boone County, Arkansas, where their daughter, Ollie, married January 17, 1901. From Harrison, the family apparently moved to Madison County, Arkansas. The following news item appeared in "The Springdale News," Friday, March 3, 1905, page one, column four, under Oak Grove Community news:
Wiley is buried in Rosehill Cemetery and has no headstone.
Will Downum is expected to arrive at his brother Alex's this week. He has been living in Madison County for some time but has concluded that Washington County is the best place after all.
Their daughter, Ollie, was remarried in Benton County, Arkansas, September 7, 1905. By April, 1910, Wiley and Malissa were again living in Boone County, Arkansas. They were enumerated in the 1910 U. S. Census i n Harrison Township:
25 25 Downum, Wiley Head Male white 50 marr/1, 30 yrs Ark Tenn Mis s
" Mallisa wife female " 54 marr/2, 30 yrs 10 ch/8 liv Ark US US
Robbins, Ollie dau " " 24 wid 3 ch/1 liv Ark Ark Ark
Downum, Lee son male " 21 single Ark Ark Ark
" Lark son " " 19 single Ark Ark Ark
" Henry son " 16 single Ark Ark Ark
" Myrtie dau female " 14 single Ark Ark Ark
Robbins, Lena gr-dau " " 2 Ark Ark Ark
Wiley and Malissa purchased a farm near the Boone County fairgrounds east of town. They often returned to Washington County to visit relatives. Wiley developed tuberculosis while they lived in Harrison. He last visited his brother, Alex, near Springdale in December, 1915. The following article was found in "The Springdale News," Friday, December 17, 1915, page 3, section 3, column four:
Wiley Downum, who has been here visiting the past three weeks returned to his home at Harrison.
He died two months later in his home near Harrison in 1916 and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Rosehill Cemetery.
Husband's Medical Notes
Cause of Death: tuberculosis
Wife's General Notes
Malissa's father died when she was 14. Her mother reared seven children on her own and never remarried. Called Lissie, she helped her mother with her younger brothers and sisters. She was first married to a man named Mayfield before 1877, possibly in Missouri or Indian Territory . They had either separated or he had died by November 6, 1877, when she married Wiley Downum in Benton County, Arkansas. Their marriage wa s recorded in Benton County Marriage Book, B, page 5, as "W. L. Downum to Lizzie Mayfield."
They first lived with his mother near Spring Creek in Benton County. A fter her death in 1890, they moved in with her mother near Elm Springs . They were not found in the Arkansas census in 1900 but sold the fami ly farm in November, 1900, in Washington County, Arkansas. They move d to Boone County, Arkansas, then Madison, then Washington, and finall y back to Boone County. She visited relatives in Benton County, Arkans as, a different time.
The following notice was found in "The Springdale News," under Spring Creek Items, Friday, October 21, 1910, page 4, column 1:
Mrs. Wiley Downum, of Harrison, is visiting Alex Downum and family .
A granddaughter, Esther Downum, remembered her grandmother Malissa chewed tobacco. If she and Wiley had an arguement, she would always win and he would have to sleep in the barn.
After Wiley's death in 1916, she sold their farm and bought a lot in the Fairgrounds Addition from G. S. and Marcelline Bounds. She sold her lot to A. M. Hathcock July 10, 1918. She went to live with their son, Lee, in Gline's Court.
She became ill with which caused her death in 1919. She was buried in an unmarked grave in the Rosehill Cemetery
Wife's Medical Notes
tuberculosis
General Notes for Child Olive DOWNUM
Olive is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery and has no headstone.
General Notes for Child Larkin Young DOWNUM
Lark Downum was born in a home on the farm of his grandmother, Elizabeth (Vincent) Ennis, June 7, 1891. It was near the border of Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas. The closest settlement was Elm Springs, Arkansas, near Springdale. Lark attended school at Spring Creek in Benton County,
Arkansas. In the fall of 1900, the Downum family moved to Harrison, Arkansas, where Lark's father, Wiley, looked for work. In 1902, Lark's father and aunts and uncles at tempted to apply to the Dawes Commission in Muskogee, Indian Territory, and claim Choctaw blood through Lark's grandmother, Lucinda (Vinson) Downum. The condensed 5-page application is reprinted below:
M. C. R. 5589
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
COMMISSION TO THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES,
Muskogee, Indian Territory, May 17, 1902,
In the Matter of the application of Wiley L. Downum for the indentific ation of himself, his married daughter Belle Buckner, his son Jesse Do wnum, and Ollie Downum-now Ollie Lewis, and five other children who ar e minors, Charlie, Lee, Lark, Henry and Myrtie, as Mississippi Choctaws.
Said Wiley L. Downum, being first duly sworn, testified as follows :
Examination by the Commission.
Q- What's your name? A- Wiley L. Downum.
Q- How old are you? A- I'm forty-eight years old.
Q- What's your postoffice address? A- Harrison, Arkansas, Boone County .
Q- How long have you lived there?A- About twenty months.
Q- Where were you born? A- Born in Benton County.
Q- What State? A- Arkansas
Q- Have you always lived in Arkansas? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your father's name? A- Lee Downum.
Q- Is he living? A- No sir.
Q- What is your mother's name? A- Lucinda Downum.
Q- Is she living? A- No sir.
Q- Through which parent do you claim Choctaw blood? A- My mammy.
Q- How much do you claim? A- About one-sixteenth, I think; that's wha t we've been taught.
Q- Has your mother ever been recognized or enrolled as such by eithe r the Choctaw Tribal Authorities or by the United States authorities i n Indian Territory? A- No sir, I think not.
Q- Are you married? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's your wife's name? A- Melissa.
Q- Is she living? A- Yes sir.
Q- A white woman? A- Yes sir.
Q- No choctaw blood? A- No sir, not as I know of; she don't claim it .
Q- You made application as a Choctaw citizen for yourself, wife and al l your children, didn't you, February 24, 1900? A-Yes sir.
Q- And at that time you made application for Belle Buckner? A- Yes sir .
Q- She's a married daughter, is she? A- Yes sir.
Q- And is how old? A- She's going on twenty-four years old.
Q- Who is Jesse Downum? A- That's my oldest boy.
Q- How old is he? A- He's twenty-one years old the 9th of last March .
Q- You made application for him two years ago, did you not? A- Yes sir .
Q- His name was then given as Jessie Downs--is this the same person? A - Yes sir, its meant for the same person.
Q- They made a mistake, then, in recording it? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Ollie Downum? A- That's a daughter of mine.
Q- How old is Ollie? A- She's nineteen.
Q- Who is Charlie Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- Is Ollie Downum married now? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's her present name? A- Ollie Lewis.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- Wiley Lewis.
Q- Where do they live? A- In Boone County, Arkansas.
Q- What's their postoffice address? A- Harrison, I think.
Q- What is Belle Buckner's postoffice address? A- Harrison.
Q- What's her husband's name? A- William Buckner.
Q- Is your son Jesse Downum married? A No sir.
Q- Who is Lee Downum? A- He's a son of mine.
Q- How old is Charlie? A- He's going on seventeen.
Q- How old is Lee? A- I believe he's fourteen.
Q- Who is Lark? A- That's my boy.
Q- How old is Lark? A- Going on thirteen.
Q- Who is Henry? A- He's my boy, too.
Q- How old is he? A- He's seven years old, I guess.
Q- Lark is a boy, isn't he? A- Yes sir.
Q- Who is Myrtie? A- She's my daughter.
Q- How old is she? A- Six years old.
Q- Is that all? A- Yes sir.
Q- These children were all applied for by you when you made your appli cation February 24th, 1900--R 418? A- Yes Sir.
Q- What was done with that application at that time, do you remember ? A- No sir, I don't remember.
Q- Is Melissa Downum, your wife, the mother of all these children? A - Yes sir.
Q- Have you ever been married or has she ever been married previous t o your marriage to each other? A- She's been married but I never was until I married her.
Q- But there are no children by her first husband that you want to mak e application for? A- No sir.
Q- And none of hers ever had any Choctaw blood? A- No sir.
Q- Have you the proof of your marriage with your wife here? A- No sir , I haven't.
Q- You can introduce that later, can you? A- Yes sir.
Q- What's the name of your ancestor through whom you claim your right to be identified as a
Mississippi Choctaw--who do you claim through? A- Through my mammy--through my granddaddy.
Q- What was his name? A- Jim Vinson.
Q- What relation to you was he? A- He was my granddaddy.
Q- How much Choctaw blood did he have? A- He claimed a quarter.
Q- Did he live in Mississippi in 1830? A- That's what I've been taught .
Q- Did he have a family of children there at that time? In other words, was he the head of a family there
then? A- Yes sir, I reckon he was.
Q- Have you been taught that in your family? A- Yes sir, I was taugh t that.
Q- He was your mother's father? A- Yes sir, we was taught that from children up.
Q You claim through your mother, do you? A- Yes sir.
Q- How old would she be if living now? A- She would be about seventy o dd years old.
Q- Where was she born? A- She was born in Mississippi.
Q- Do you know at what place in Mississippi? A- No sir, I don't.
Q- And she claims through her father, Jim Vinson? A- Yes sir.
Q- Was Jim Vinson born in Mississippi, do you know? A- I can't say.
Q- Did any of your Choctaw ancestors own any land or claim any land i n the old Choctaw Nation in Mississippi and Alabama in the year 1830 ? A- None only my granddaddy--I've heard them talk about his having la nd there.
Q- Who is Lurany Dodson? A- That's my sister.
Q- She has been recently before the Commission to make application for identification as a Mississippi Choctaw, hasn't she? A- Yes sir.
Q- Do you want to have her case consolidated with yours? A- If you think it best, I do.
Q- And you would like to have all those cases taken in connection with yours where they are
all claiming through the same common ancestor? A- Yes.
This applicant has the appearance and physical characteristics of being a white man; he has blue eyes, fair complexion but now tanned and sunburned--brown hair and light brown mustache; his whiskers are a little darker. He does not speak the Choctaw language and has no knowledg e of any compliance on the part of his ancestors with article 14 of th e treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.
The application made by his father was rejected in 1902 by the Dawes Commission.
They lived for a short time in Madison County, Arkansas, in 1905. The y returned to the farm of Wiley's brother, Alex Downum, near Springdal e in 1905. By 1910, the family was again living in Harrison, Arkansas . Lark was married to Mary Pratt in 1910. They first moved to the fami ly farm near Elm Springs, Arkansas. In 1913, they returned to Harrison , Arkansas. The family took up residence in a home in the Gline's Cour t in Harrison. Lark was a stone mason, working in the local quarry nea r Valley Springs, Arkansas. His wife, Mary, died from tuberculosis i n 1930. He was married a second time to Mrs. Vernie Smothers. Lark die d May 27, 1939, in his home in Harrison
General Notes for Child Myrtle DOWNUM
Myrtle is buried in the Stilwell City Cemetery and has no headstone.
Husband Edward DUCKETT
Born: 19 Feb 1875
Christened:
Died: 15 Jan 1965
Buried:
Married: 12 Nov 1950
Wife May Marinda RADCLIFF
AKA: May Marinda DUCKETT
Born: 8 Aug 1881 - Burr Oak, Jewell County, Kansas
Christened:
Died: 1973 - Santa Ana, Orange County, California
Buried: - Santa Ana, Orange County, California
Father: Isom RADCLIFF (1856-1941)
Mother: Mary Agnes BARDY (1862-1944)
Other Spouse: George S GARLOCK (1865-1941) - 7 Sep 1918
Husband Jeremiah DUCKETT
Born: 1873 - Garland County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: - Colorado
Buried:
Married: 1 Dec 1892 - Garland County, Arkansas
Wife Mary Ellen REEVES
AKA: Mary Ellen DUCKETT
Born: 7 Oct 1876 - Royal, Garland County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 23 Mar 1955 - Anacortes, Washington
Buried:
Father: John REEVES (1847-1883)
Mother: Angeline ENNIS (1852-1931)
Other Spouse: Charles ZURCHER (1870-1957) - Bef 1955
Children
1 M William John Amos DUCKETT
Born: 22 Nov 1896 - Garland County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 29 Jul 1969 - Anacortes, Washington
Buried:
Spouse: Mary Oma WILLIAMSON ( - )
Marr: 2 Dec 1916
Husband William John Amos DUCKETT
Born: 22 Nov 1896 - Garland County, Arkansas
Christened:
Died: 29 Jul 1969 - Anacortes, Washington
Buried:
Father: Jeremiah DUCKETT (1873- )
Mother: Mary Ellen REEVES (1876-1955)
Married: 2 Dec 1916
Wife Mary Oma WILLIAMSON
AKA: Mary Oma DUCKETT
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried: