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Descendants of John Conway - June 24, 2003

129. JOHN⁵ GROUND (ROBERT⁴, RHODA CONWAY³ LONG, MARY² CONWAY, JOHN¹) was born 25 Jul 1845 in (or 23rd) b. Knox Co, IL, and died 02 Oct 1931 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co, TX. He married (1) ALICE C. KNIGHT 18 Feb 1875 in Dallas Co, TX, by J. M. Rawlins, M.G.. She was born 1857 in Texas, and died Bef. 1895 in (probably Wichita Falls, Wichita Co, TX). He married (2) MARY JANE LEWIS 03 Jan 1895 in Archer City, Archer Co, TX, daughter of JOHN LEWIS and MARY BAUMGARNER. She was born 13 Jun 1856 in Plattsburg, Clinton Co, MO, and died Unknown.

Notes for JOHN GROUND:
Additional information on this family group was found in the GedCom files of Dianne Stark Thurman and in the notes of Rosemary Filyaw.

Newspaper account of John Ground's death, paper unknown:

October 2, 1931 -- John Ground, the last commander of Stonewall Jackson Camp #249, United Confederate Veterans, rested late Saturday in his grave in Riverside cemetery.

The pioneer of 48 years who resided in Archer and Wichita counties died peacefully in his 87th year at his home at 1600 Thirteenth street Friday night after having been in failing health for several months. He had been confined to his bed for several weeks prior to his death.

During his active career, he was among the most active of the citizens of his county in practically every matter of public concern, whether of church, charitable, patriotic, civic or political nature.

Services for Mr. Ground were held from the home Saturday afternoon with Dr. H. T. Wood, pastor of the First Christian church, in charge, assisted by Rev. W. H. Mahler. Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A. F. & M, was in charge of services at the grave. R. E. Shepherd was soloist. Arrangements were made by the Hines mortuary.

Surviving Mr. Ground are his widow, four daughters, Mrs. W. F. Claer of Iowa Park, Mrs. A. A. Priebe of Denver, Mrs. J. C. Birchfield of Roswell, New Mexico, and Mrs. T. L. Todd of Holliday, and one son, W. R. Ground of Wichita Falls. In addition there are 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Charter Member of Camp

Mr. Ground's death left only three surviving members of the original 80-odd who were charter members of Stonewall Jackson camp of Confederate veterans. The remaining ones are John Woodhouse of Wichita Falls, George Norwood of Iowa Park, and Matt Wicker of Cloud Chief, Oklahoma. "Uncle Ben" Ferguson, of Iowa Park, who was one of the five remaining members when the camp was disbanded after its final reuinion last Aug. 27, died at his home only a short time ago.

Although a man of determined convictions, firm purposes and strong partisanship, Mr. Ground was the possessor of a dry humor which enabled him to build up a large circle of friends and become widely influential. His sense of humor did not desert him even during his last illness. His method of referring to the fact that he was wounded while in the service of the Confederacy was that he "caught a Yankee bullet."

Mr. Ground was a native of Illinois, but his parents moved to Texas when he was three years old. In his own phraseology, the family settled "in Dallas before there was any Dallas."

His father was a farmer and Mr. Ground was reared on a farm there. He early gave evidence that he was a youth of adventurous spirit and it was related of him that he was restrained from enlisting in the Confederacy immediately when the Civil War broke out during his 16th year.

Saw Active Service

The war had gone about two years when he did join Veale's company of "Tex" Parsons brigade and during the last two years of the conflict he saw much active service in Louisiana, Arkansas and southern Missouri.

After the close of the war, he returned to Dallas county. West Texas held an appeal for him, however, and the Fort Worth and Denver railway had been completed in Wichita Falls less than a year when he came here in 1883. Soon after, he settled on the farm in Archer county, where he made his home until his retirement and removal to Wichita Falls about four years ago. Friends related of him that he was one of the comparative few who made a success of farming in an area then referred to in the East as the "West Texas desert."

Mr. Ground lost no time in taking his partin the affairs of his country and section. One of his particular interests concerned Confederate veterans, and he was one of the prime movers who led to the organization of the Stonewall Jackson Camp.

For a number of years, the annual reunions of the camp were held, as he described it, "first one place and another." Mr. Ground objected to the uncertainty each year as to where the next reuinion would be held and was credited with having taken the initiative in the movement which led to the purchase of 106 acres of choice land on the banks of Holliday creek, south of Holliday, which, for more than 30 years, was the scene of the annual meetings.

Helped Select Tract

The leadership he took was reflected in the fact that he was one of the committee offive, and the last to survive among them, to which was delegated the responsibility of selecting the tract where the reunions would be held. It was related of him that of the several tracts which were offered, he at once settled upon the one which eventually was purchased for $500 and paid for by the members of the camp.

Annual reunions which followed provided one of the outstanding events of the section each year, and Mr. Ground invariably contributed in large share to their success. For many years, the reunions lasted three days, and often were attended by pioneers who made the trip by wagon and team from distances ranging beyond 100 miles.

It was among Mr. Ground's last expressed wishes that the camp grounds should be perpetuated as a memorial to the lost cause, and the way for carrying out that purpose apparently has been cleared with the transfer of title to the land to the Stonewall Jackson camp of Sons of Confederate Veterans. The sons will hold reunions annually, it was decided that the Confederate Veterans who attend being the guests of honor.

Mr. Ground retained unusual vigor for one of his age until a few months ago when he suffered a serious illness. Contrary to expectations, his vatility pulled him through that illness and he was able to sit up, although he was extremely feeble. The relapse which ended in death occurred not long ago.

==

John Ground served the Confederacy in Veale's company of "Tex" Parsons 12th Cavalry Brigade, Company H, 16th Texas Infantry, Flournoy's Regulars, Texas Infantry -- 7th Regiment, Texas Infantry became consolodated -- D. & E. Granbury's Consolodated Texas Brigade, 9 Apr 1865. He served as a private, and was wounded in the shoulder at Vicksburg. His friend, John Rape, was more severely wounded so he was told he could go home if he would help nurse John Rape on the trip home. They returned to Texas together.

John Ground returned to Texas and became a cattle farmer, using the J bar 3 brand.

==

On the 1900 Census, Archer Co, TX, living with John and Mary Ground is a "nephew" William Knight, born Jul 1891 in Texas. This is possibly a nephew of John's first wife, Alice Knight.

Buried next to John Ground in Wichita Falls, Texas, is the sister of Frank & Jessie James. Her name was "Miss Kitty" Parmer.

Notes for MARY JANE LEWIS:
Mary Jane Lewis moved to Texas to live with a sister. She taught school in Archer City, Texas, and there she met and married John Ground.

Children of JOHN GROUND and ALICE KNIGHT are:

306.	i.	WILLIAM ROBERT⁶ GROUND, b. 21 Apr 1876, Cedar Hill, Dallas Co, TX; d. 11 Feb 1962, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co, TX.
307.	ii.	LENA ELIZABETH GROUND, b. 16 Jul 1878, Cedar Hill, Dallas Co, TX; d. 16 Jan 1942, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co, TX.
308.	iii.	BERTA VIOLA GROUND, b. 04 Mar 1881, Cedar Hill, Dallas Co, TX; d. 02 May 1974, Denver, CO.

Children of JOHN GROUND and MARY LEWIS are:

	iv.	THOMAS J.⁶ GROUND, b. 15 Apr 1896, Archer City, Archer Co, TX; d. Jan 1897, Archer City, Archer Co, TX.
309.	v.	MARY MAHALA GROUND, b. 28 Feb 1898, Archer City, Archer Co, TX; d. 08 Aug 1994, Cordova, Walker Co, AL.
310.	vi.	ANNIE CATHERINE GROUND, b. 23 Oct 1899, Archer City, Archer Co, TX; d. 31 Jan 1998, Res Odessa, TX 1987; d Austin, TX.

130. SARAH CATHERINE⁵ GROUND (ROBERT⁴, RHODA CONWAY³ LONG, MARY² CONWAY, JOHN¹) was born 25 Nov 1847 in Knox Co, IL, and died Abt. 1885. She married WILLIAM J. MORGAN 02 Feb 1865 in Dallas Co, TX, by R. M. White, MG. He was born Unknown, and died Unknown.

Notes for WILLIAM J. MORGAN:
Additional information on this family group was obtained from Mrs. Doyle Carlton of Midlothian, Texas. Will Morgan was Mrs. Carlton's mother's uncle.

Children of SARAH GROUND and WILLIAM MORGAN are:

	i.	ETTA⁶ MORGAN, b. 1865; d. Unknown; m. .. SHOBE, Unknown; b. Abt. 1860; d. Unknown.
	ii.	ANNIE MORGAN, b. 1867; d. Unknown, Res California; m. .. CLARK, Unknown; b. Abt. 1865; d. Unknown.
	iii.	JEFF MORGAN, b. 1870; d. Unknown.
	iv.	EVAN MORGAN, b. 1874; d. Unknown.
311.	v.	MINNIE MORGAN, b. 1879; d. 13 Nov 1978, Arlington, TX hospital.
	vi.	MYRTLE MORGAN, b. 1883; d. Unknown, lived near Modesto, CA; m. .. DONOVIN, Unknown; b. Abt. 1880; d. Unknown.

131. ELIZABETH GOODNIGHT⁵ GROUND (ROBERT⁴, RHODA CONWAY³ LONG, MARY² CONWAY, JOHN¹) was born 03 Aug 1851 in Kentucky, and died 31 Oct 1922. She married BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WOLCOTT 20 Aug 1868 in Dallas Co, TX, son of BENJAMIN WOLCOTT and MARY ... He was born 15 Dec 1841 in b. Alabama; res near Corpus Christi TX, and died 12 Jun 1930 in Aqua Dulce, TX.

Notes for ELIZABETH GOODNIGHT GROUND:
Elizabeth was born during a visit of her parents to Kentucky. She was three weeks old when they returned home.

Notes for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WOLCOTT:
On the 1880 Census, this family is found in Dallas County, Texas, Just Pct. 6, ED 67. Vol. 90, line 19, page 15. 120/125.

Benjamin and Elizabeth Ground Wolcott are buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Dallas County, Texas. Within the curb of their family plot is also buried Oliver, but not Socrates. He is a short distance away. The large headstone is constructed of white granite and was in very fine condition in 1995. It is quite obviously too heavy and too well mounted to be knocked over easily, as most of the other stones have been knocked down at one time or another by vandals, and there is no evidence of damage to this stone.

Charles W. Wolcott (3832 Hanover Ave, Dallas, TX 75225) cwwolcott2@home.com -- wrote in June 2001 giving the following information:

My name is Charles William Wolcott. I am a great-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin Wolcott and Elizabeth Goodnight Ground Wolcott who are recorded as being buried in the Pleasant Valley Cemetary.

B.F. Wolcott was a prosperous rancher and farmer who operated a ranch near Aqua Dulce, Texas, west of Corpus Christi. I had noticed years ago on B.F.'s death certificate that his body had been sent to Midlothian, Texas for burial. This had puzzled me for many years in that I was unaware of any immediate family of his from that area, and an uncle of mine, Edward Roscoe Wolcott (now deceased) had believed that B.F. was buried on the ranch property in Aqua Dulce. Now I know. Thank you so much.

I am particulary interested in the notation on the Pleasant Valley Cemetary web-page indicating that Mary Margaret Ground Boydston (10 Oct. 1836 to 25 May 1921) had married William Henry Wolcott. This is the name of a brother of B.F. Wolcott, but is also the name of his father. My records indicate that B.F.'s brother, William Henry, was born in 1843, which would have made him seven years younger than Mary Margaret, slightly unusual. However, B.F.'s father, also William Henry, was born in 1800, which would have made in thirty-six years older than Mary Margaret. So I suppose the more likely candidate for the groom would have been the brother.

If you have any additional information on Mary Margaret Ground Boydton and William Henry Wolcott, I would greatly appreciate receiving it at c.wolcott@dellmail.com.

Thank you again so much for all your work honoring our ancestors at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Children of ELIZABETH GROUND and BENJAMIN WOLCOTT are:

	i.		WILLIAM R.⁶ WOLCOTT, b. 1869, Texas; d. Unknown.
	ii.		JOHN F. WOLCOTT, b. 1871, Texas; d. Unknown.
	iii.		EDWARD R. WOLCOTT, b. 1873, Texas; d. Unknown.
	iv.		LUELLEN WOLCOTT, b. 1876, Texas; d. Unknown.
	v.		SOCRATES WOLCOTT, b. 26 Oct 1877, Texas; d. 20 Dec 1877, bd Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Row 6, Lot 7 "Son of E. G. Wolcott".
	vi.		E. L. WOLCOTT, b. 1879, Texas; d. Unknown.
	vii.		OLIVER BENJAMIN WOLCOTT, b. 28 Oct 1889, Texas; d. 20 Dec 1909, bd Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Row 32, Lot 19.

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