William Anderson Hartsell
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 14 Feb 1874 - Waxahachie, Texas
Christening:
Death: 6 Aug 1949 - Boothe, Scott County, Arkansas
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: William A. Hartsell (Cal 1845-1890) 4,5,6,7,12
Mother: Margaret Ellen Greathouse (1848-1922) 4,5,6,7,12
Spouses and Children
1. *Minnie Myrtle Mills (11 Oct 1883 - 13 Jan 1968) 4,5,12
Marriage: 13 Dec 1900 - Boothe, Scott County, Arkansas
Children:
1. Delbert Earl Hartsell (1903-1920) 4,12
2. Lorena Grace Hartsell (1904-1986) 4,5,12
3. Audrey Mavis Hartsell (1907-1994) 4
4. Willie Mae Hartsell
5. Infant Hartsell
6. Basil Deforest Hartsell (1914-1950) 4
Notes
General:
WILLIAM ANDERSON (Bud) HARTSELL and MINNIE MYRTLE MILLSMarriage Notes (Minnie Myrtle Mills)
Note--Grandad Hartsell was the person that I always wanted to write about for a Reader's Digest "My Most Unforgettable Character" article. To me he was 10 feet tall and a paragon of a man. He made me feel good, important and proud. I was never scolded or lectured. If there was a lesson, it was given gently and with an understanding of my problem.
Bud was born February 14, 1874 in Waxahachie, Texas (?). The only information about his father is that he died 4 years after the birth of his youngest child Jim, that would be in 1886. I was told that he was buried in a cemetery south of Mena, AR. It was rumored that he had migrated from back east to Texas, then worked his way up to AR, cutting timber. It is somewhat surprising to find him in Arkansas in 1890 while Bud and his brothers showed up in Booth, AR in 1900, from Oklahoma.
Bud's mother was "Eller" Greathouse, probably 1/2 or more native blood. Very little is known about her, even though she did live with Bud at Booth, AR until her death in 1930. It was told that she refused an interview with a government agent seeking to establish her right to tribal money or land. It may have been when the government wanted to get a release of her rights in exchange for her right to tribal lands in Oklahoma. Her refusal was forceful (i.e. with a shotgun). In those days it was degrading to be a "breed". She is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Boothe. Her grave was unmarked for years, until her granddaughter Audrey Hartsell and Harold Kelley had a stone carved and placed approximately on her grave. Her real name is uncertain, we placed on the stone the best that was known.
Bud had two brothers, Charles and James, and three sisters Mary Jane, Alice and Minnie.
Bud was a big man 6'-2" or more and raw boned. In his prime he was well conditioned and worked from daylight until dark. He had one leg shorter than the other, thus limped. Probably from a logging accident. He never complained about being ill.
In 1900 at age 26, Bud and his brothers were working for a sawmill owner named Frank Miller (1857-1911), at Tilihana, Oklahoma. They may have worked for him as early as 1888. They moved his mill from Tilihana to Boothe, AR. Tilihana is due west from Boothe about 30 miles away. At that time Oklahoma was Indian Territory. It was not opened up for white settlement until 1904. Miller must have (1) cut all the good timber around Tilihana or (2) he was forced out of Indian Territory by someone. Since he moved to the closest place outside Indian Territory and there was lots of timber everywhere at that time, the latter alternative is probably correct. Had the Hartsells stayed in Oklahoma they could have obtained choice tracts available to "sooners" when Oklahoma opened in 1904. When Oklahoma was opened the government made everyone wait at the border until an appointed hour when the land rush started. Those already in Oklahoma, by hook or crook, were known as "sooners".
The Hartsell men continued to work for Miller at Boothe. Cutting trees, dragging or hauling them to the sawmill, sawing them into boards and hauling the lumber to market in Mansfield. Bud always told people that Frank Miller was a fine man after he (Bud) gave Frank a "Whipping" every morning. Frank Miller's biographer told a different story, she said that Frank was the strongest man in the county. On one occasion Frank carried a pig that Bud and another man couldn't carry together. Knowing the size and muscular condition of Bud, the truth was probably somewhere in the middle of these two tales. I'll bet that Bud could hold his own with any man, IF he wanted to fight.
Bud, Charles and Jim bought land in Boothe, probably from a Mr. Tomlinson. Tomlinson was an early settler that owned more than two townships (43,000 acres) at one time. This land included the villages of Ione (where the Kelleys settled) and Boothe. The Boothe area was known as Tomlinson at that time, being changed to Boothe after a later settler.
Miller also settled down, married and built a huge house on the crest of Boothe hill. Miller was murdered in 1911, by person(s) unknown, but thought to be a Miller relative who wanted to take over the Miller operation.
When the timber was cut out, the Hartsells turned to farming full time. They had some bottom land that produced good crops of cotton and corn. Until the bottom fell out of the cotton market in 1927 they were able to make a comfortable living.
Bud married Minnie Myrtle Mills on December 13, 1900 at Boothe, AR and lived in Boothe on the farm bought by Bud. The Mills lived southwest of Boothe, and even deeper in the Petit Jean Mountains. The area was called Nella and the church was known as the Shiloh Church. It was so deep in the mountains that the sheriff of the county wanted to bet me in 1984 that I couldn't find the place and that I would get lost and he would have to send out a party to rescue me. My mother and I made it and went through the cemetery by the church. At that time some Mills still lived in the area and we found one house but no Mills. They are not very hospitable people in that area. You don't mess around, if you know what is good for you. We left without seeing any Mills.
Myrtle was born October 11, 1883 near Mulberry, AR, and moved to Scott County as a young girl. Her parents were William Henry Mills born in Tennessee, died in Scott County, AR. Her mother was "Lu Eller" Ferguson Moon Mills, born in Georgia, died in Scott County, AR. She was earlier married and it is not known whether Ferguson or Moon was her maiden name. Both parents are buried in the Shiloh Cemetery at Nella, AR. Myrtle's siblings were two brothers M.A., and Carl. Myrtle was a large woman 5'-9" or more. She had a breast removed due to cancer but otherwise was healthy until late in life. Bud and Myrtle had six children. One dying when a young man, it may have been scarlet fever. At least three of the Hartsells died of Cancer, Bud, Grace and Myrtle.
In 1931 Bud sold his Boothe farm to AP and Audrey, and moved to a farm near Charleston, AR. I don't know why they moved but it seemed they were never happy about it. After a few years he moved back to Boothe, buying a farm on the north side of Boothe Hill, just west of US71. He farmed that place until his death 8/6/1949.
Myrtle lived to January 1968 but the death of her husband followed the next year by the death of her only living son left her adrift and her life meaningless. She visited her daughters and daughter in law, and lived alone on the farm until she died. She was a typical farm wife. Deferred to her husband and depended on him for everything. Her life was to serve her husband and care for her children. She was a good cook and seamstress. Most of the time she had a quilting frame in the living room, when not in used it was elevated up above head height. When neighbor ladies came to call, they quilted as they socialized. I have several of the quilts she made. She made all her family clothes. Most of Kathleen's little dresses came from Mama Hartsell. Sometimes they were made of flour and feed sacks but often she saved to buy the material.
Most of the time Mama spent in the house with cooking, washing, cleaning, etc. Until about 1945 she had no electricity, refrigerator, or washing machine. She cooked on a wood stove.
But at the busy seasons she was in the field with everyone else. Of course the garden was her responsibility. She seemed to adore her grandchildren and doted on them. I being the oldest received a good share of her attention. When Carolyne and I brought our children to visit, it was a festive event, particularly when Grandad was alive. Kathleen and Janet were the only great grandchildren Grandad ever knew, and did he make a big deal out of their visits.
The Hartsell family were Southern Baptists, about as religious as most farm families. When there was a church around, they went. It might be a regular church or a "revival" meeting under a tent or a grove of trees. Baptisms were done in the creek with full immersion, after the person decided to accept Jesus.
1900 Census, see his mother Margaret Ellen Greathouse Hartsell
1910 Scott County, AR ED 128 Tomlinson Twp. Enumerated by Allen Blair April 15-23, 1910
Hartsel, William Head 36 M1/9 TX TN TX
Myrtle Wife 26 M1/9 3/3 AR TN GA
Delbert Son 8 AR TX AR
Grace Dau 5 AR TX AR
Audrey Dau 3 AR TX AR
1920 Census Scott County, AR ED 125 Tomlinson Twp. Enumerated by Wm. Campbell Jan 5-14, 1920
Hartsel, William H M w 45 M TX TN TX Farmer
Myrtle W F W 35 M AR TN AR (should be Myrtle)
Delbert S M W 17 S AR TX AR
Grace D F W 14 S AR TX AR
Oda D F W 11 S AR TX AR (should be Audrey)
Willie D F W 8 S AR TX AR
Basil S M W 6 S AR TX AR (should be Basil)
WILLIAM ANDERSON (Bud) HARTSELL and MINNIE MYRTLE MILLS by Harold A. Kelley Grandson
Note--Grandad Hartsell was the person that I always wanted to write about for a Reader's Digest "My Most Unforgettable Character" article. To me he was 10 feet tall and a paragon of a man. He made me feel good, important and proud. I was never scolded or lectured. If there was a lesson, it was given gently and with an understanding of my problem.
Bud was born February 14, 1874 in Waxahachie, Texas. Bud's father died 4 years after the birth of his youngest child Jim, that would be in 1890. I was told that he was buried in a cemetery south of Mena, AR. It was rumored that he had migrated from TN to Texas, then worked his way up to AR, cutting timber. It is somewhat surprising to find him in Arkansas in 1890 while Bud and his brothers showed up in Booth, AR in 1900, from Oklahoma.
Bud's mother was Margaret Ellen "Eller" Greathouse, maybe some native blood. She lived with Bud at Booth, AR until her death in 1930. It was told that she refused an interview with a government agent seeking to establish her right to tribal money or land. It may have been when the government wanted to get a release of her rights to tribal lands in Oklahoma. Her refusal was forceful (i.e. with a shotgun). In those days it was degrading to be a "breed". She is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Boothe. Her grave was unmarked for years, until her granddaughter Audrey Hartsell and Harold Kelley had a stone carved and placed approximately on her grave. When we did that her real name was uncertain, we placed on the stone the best that was known. Later, when I located her parents, we put in a second stone with her correct name.
Bud had two brothers, Charles and James, and three sisters Mary Jane, Alice and Minnie.
Bud was a big man 6'-2" or more and raw boned. In his prime he was well conditioned and worked from daylight until dark. He had one leg shorter than the other, thus limped. Probably from a logging accident. He never complained about being ill.
In 1900 at age 26, Bud and his brothers were working for a sawmill owner named Frank Miller (1857-1911), at Tilihana, Oklahoma. They may have worked for him as early as 1888. They moved his mill from Tilihana to Boothe, AR in 1900. Tilihana is due west from Boothe about 30 miles away. At that time Oklahoma was Indian Territory. It was not opened up for white settlement until 1904. Miller must have (1) cut all the good timber around Tilihana or (2) he was forced out of Indian Territory by someone. Since he moved to the closest place outside Indian Territory and there was lots of timber everywhere at that time, the latter alternative is probably correct. Had the Hartsell stayed in Oklahoma they could have obtained choice tracts available to "sooners" when Oklahoma opened in 1904. When Oklahoma was opened the government made everyone wait at the border until an appointed hour when the land rush started. Those already in Oklahoma, by hook or crook, were known as "sooners".
The Hartsell men continued to work for Miller at Boothe. Cutting trees, dragging or hauling them to the sawmill, sawing them into boards and hauling the lumber to market in Mansfield. Bud always told people that Frank Miller was a fine man after he (Bud) gave Frank a "Whipping" every morning. Frank Miller's biographer told a different story, she said that Frank was the strongest man in the county. On one occasion Frank carried a pig that Bud and another man couldn't carry together. Knowing the size and muscular condition of Bud, the truth was probably somewhere in the middle of these two tales. I'll bet that Bud could hold his own with any man, IF he wanted to fight.
Bud, Charles and Jim bought land in Boothe, probably from a Mr. Tomlinson. Tomlinson was an early settler that owned more than two townships (43,000 acres) at one time. This land included the villages of Ione (where the Kelley s settled) and Boothe. The Boothe area was known as Tomlinson at that time, being changed to Boothe after a later settler.
Miller also settled down, married and built a huge house on the crest of Boothe hill. Miller was murdered in 1911, by person(s) unknown, but thought to be a Miller relative who wanted to take over the Miller operation.
When the timber was cut out, the Hartsell turned to farming full time. They had some bottom land that produced good crops of cotton and corn. Until the bottom fell out of the cotton market in 1927 they were able to make a comfortable living.
Bud married Minnie Myrtle Mills on December 13, 1900 at Boothe, AR and lived in Boothe on the farm bought by Bud. The Mills lived southwest of Boothe, and even deeper in the Petit Jean Mountains. The area was called Blansett and the church was known as the Shiloh Church. It was so deep in the mountains that the sheriff of the county wanted to bet me in 1984 that I couldn't find the place and that I would get lost and he would have to send out a party to rescue me. My mother and I made it and went through the cemetery by the church. At that time some Mills still lived in the area and we found one house but no Mills. They are not very hospitable people in that area. You don't mess around, if you know what is good for you. We left without seeing any Mills.
Myrtle was born October 11, 1883 near Mulberry, AR, and moved to Scott County as a young girl. Her parents were William Henry Mills born in Tennessee, died in Scott County, AR. Her mother was "Lu Eller" Ferguson Moon Mills, born in Georgia, died in Scott County, AR. She was earlier married and it is not known whether Ferguson or Moon was her maiden name. Both parents are buried in the Shiloh Cemetery at Blansett, AR. Myrtle's siblings were two brothers M.A., and Carl. Myrtle was a large woman 5'-9" or more. She had a breast removed due to cancer but otherwise was healthy until late in life. Bud and Myrtle had six children. One dying when a young man, it may have been scarlet fever. At least three of the Hartsell died of Cancer, Bud, Grace and Myrtle.
William A. Hartsell and Minnie Mills were issued a marriage license Book B p. 531 in Scott County, AR on 12 Dec, 1900 and were married by W.D. Looper on 13 Dec, 1900. He was 25 and she was 17 years of age.
In 1931 Bud sold his Boothe farm to AP and Audrey, and moved to a farm near Charleston, AR. I don't know why they moved but it seemed they were never happy about it. After a few years he moved back to Boothe, buying a farm on the north side of Boothe Hill, just west of US71. He farmed that place until his death 8/6/1949.
Myrtle lived to January 1968 but the death of her husband followed the next year by the death of her only living son left her adrift and her life meaningless. She visited her daughters and daughter in law, and lived alone on the farm until she died. She was a typical farm wife. Deferred to her husband and depended on him for everything. Her life was to serve her husband and care for her children. She was a good cook and seamstress. Most of the time she had a quilting frame in the living room, when not in used it was elevated up above head height. When neighbor ladies came to call, they quilted as they socialized. I have several of the quilts she made. She made all her family clothes. Most of Kathleen's little dresses came from Mama Hartsell. Sometimes they were made of flour and feed sacks but often she saved to buy the material.
Most of the time Mama spent in the house with cooking, washing, cleaning, etc. Until about 1945 she had no electricity, refrigerator, or washing machine. She cooked on a wood stove.
But at the busy seasons she was in the field with everyone else. Of course the garden was her responsibility. She seemed to adore her grandchildren and doted on them. I being the oldest received a good share of her attention. When Carolyne and I brought our children to visit, it was a festive event, particularly when Grandad was alive. Kathleen and Janet were the only great grandchildren Grandad ever knew, and did he make a big deal out of their visits.
The Hartsell family were Southern Baptists, about as religious as most farm families. When there was a church around, they went. It might be a regular church or a "revival" meeting under a tent or a grove of trees. Baptisms were done in the creek with full immersion, after the person decided to accept Jesus.
Land transactions by William A. Hartsell and Minnie Myrtle Mills.
Sale of land to C.R. Hartsell 15 Dec 1912 recorded 2 Dec. 1915 p. 114- 7 1/2 Acres Part of Lot. 9 in the NE Corner of lot No. 9, Twp 4 Range29.
Sale of land to W. a. Hartsell by Rudolf and Rebecca Shiel 22 Dec. 1922 6 acres lying between the Boothe Post Office and Petit Jean Creek. in Sec. 6, Twp 4 N range 29 West. This is the parcel of land where Harold A. Kelley was born on Jan 16, 1925.
W. A. Hartsell sold to A.P. & Audrey Kelley the old home place just east of the Boothe General Store and just east of the parcel listed immediately above. 53 1/2 Acres on 4 Oct 1932 lying Section 6 Twp 4 N, range W.
An interesting note came out of the court records in Scott County. It is evidently a handwritten deposition giving W. A. Hartsell's testimony in a trial. It goes as follows:
" August 4, 1921 Bud Hartsell being sworn states, I live at Boothe, Ark. Roger Trotter came in the store at Boothe and was cursing - but did not seem to be cursing any one special. This was in April 1921." Signed "Bud Hartsell True Bill His Mark" (then a witness that is only partially shown and unreadable)
Roger Trotter lived across the road from the store at this time and evidently was brought up on charges for cursing.
Reference Number:1883