RICHARD WALTON WHITWORTH

THE RICHARD WALTON WHITWORTH FAMILY

I was born March 12,1929 in Haskell County, Texas on a farm 5 miles South of Munday, Texas, to Donovan E."Tuck" and Mary Lee (Gaines)Whitworth. At age 6, I walked about 2 miles each way for 2 years to attend Lone Star, a two room country school, housing 1 thru 7th grade until it was consolidated into the Weinert School District in the big city of Weinert, (population + or - 300)3 miles South of our farm. I attended Weinert School from grade 3 thru 10. My siblings and I worked on the farm, picking cotton, cultivating, tending the stock, etc.

In 1944, we moved to Nogales, Arizona. where my father was a U.S. Border Patrolman. I attended Nogales High School from 1944-46.

In March 1946, A few days after my 17th birthday, I joined the U.S Army. I married Theodora Marie Waldraut Karsh(deceased 1994) in Germany in 1948. We had 2 children, Yvonne Patricia Antoinette "Susie" born March 15, 1949 at Knox City, Texas and Richard Walton "Ricky" Jr. born April 7, 1950 at Knox City, Texas.Died 1975

I married Shu-Chen "Louise" Chang at Taipei, Taiwan on September 15, 1969. (she was born at Taichung, Taiwan, China on November 6, 1949), and we have 2 children, Crystal Elizabeth born November 8, 1970 at Edwards Air Force Base, California; and Donovan Errol III, born November 20, 1972 at March Air Force Base, California.

My wife Shu-Chen's parents are Jui-Chu Chang (deceased) and
Shui-Mei Chang(deceased). Her siblings are Jerry, Wen-Ho, Wen-Hsiang, Li-Chen, Li-Fen Chang Marshall, Li-Rong, Tan-Quei Chang Lam, and Su-Yen Chang Aldrich.

My daughter Yvonne (Susie)is married to John Cortest(b:Nov 13, 1949) and they live in Wichita, Kansas. She has two children, Chris Bailey(B; Dec 2, 1966) and Carrie Bailey Wall(b: Sep 13, 1972) from a former marriage, and two step-children, Chris(b: Mar 12, 1976) and DeeDe Cortest(B: Oct 29, 1970) and three grandchildren; Dreu Wikle(b: Apr 10. 1990) and Kelcie Wall(b: Nov 15, 1995), and Brent Wall(b: Dec 8, 1993). Chris Bailey is married to Kyla Satterfield(b: Aug 27, 1969), They have a daughter Shayla (b: Sep 29, 1999) and Carrie is married to Mark Wall(b: Dec 26, 1972). They all live in or near Wichita, Kansas. Susie graduated(1998) with a BS and MS (Bus Mgt) from Southwestern College in Wichita and is employed by Raytheon Corporation as a Supervisor; and John Cortest is retired from Boeing Aircraft where he was a mechanical designer.

My son Richard Walton "Ricky" Whitworth Jr is deceased.He was married to Sherrie Wagner Swanson an attorney in Houston, Texas, Ricky died in 1975. They had a son Jason Swanson born March 8, 1971.Jason is also an attorney.

Crystal Whitworth lives in Venice Beach, California. She graduated from San Francisco Art Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in media production. She recently formed her own film production Company, and is working on that evenings and weekends. She does freelance photography, celebrity interviewing and writing.

Donovan E. Whitworth III has an MBA in Management from American Coastline University. Donovan married Meredith Roseanne Nichol on December 4, 2003. She is an agent for professional photographers at Weiss Artists Reps, in Hollywood, CA.Donovan was a professional songwriter/composer for music in film, television and commercials for Matter Music Co. One of their projects was 10 songs for the movie "Wedding Crashers". Donovan sang 2 songs,
His rock band, "Collision," plays in clubs and concert halls see www.Collision.com. They toured Australia last year, and just recently returned from headlining concerts in Germany, Austria and Slovenia where they played to crowds up to 15,000.
Donovan now manages the our family owned Best Western hotel in Bridgeport, Texas. They live in Dallas, Texas.

My personal profile is as follows:

I am a Ham Radio Operator General Class, Call Sign WB6QXQ. I had a Federal CB License KOV1841 back in 1965. I enjoy music from classical to country, especially country. I surf the Internet, enjoy automobile shows and drag racing. I watch baseball and football, news and "60 minutes" on TV, and occasionally go to California Angels and Dodgers baseball games and classic car shows. I attend most of my son Donovan's Band, "Collision" concerts. (check out their website at www.Collision.com. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon, A Glock Model 36, Caliber .45ACP.

I am a licensed California Real Estate Broker and have retired from owning my own company in Newport Beach, CA, specializing exclusively in the sale of Hotels and Motels. Shu-Chen and I own and operate several motels. In the past, we have owned 18 motels, numerous single family residences, and two restaurants.

I served 22 years and 7 months in the Regular U.S. Army March 1946 to September 1968; and was stationed in the U.S., Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Okinawa. I transferred between many branches including Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Military Police, Engineers, Air Defense and Adjutant General. My most enjoyable assignments were with: The Adjutant General, 3rd Army Hq, Heidelberg, Germany; Hq U.S.Constabulary,Military Government Section, Heidelberg, Germany ; G-2 Section Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; 417th Engineer Brigade,Korea; Hq Commandant Section, 4th Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; PIO Section III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas; AG Section, I Corps, U-Jong-Bu, Korea; Adjutant General Section, UN Headquarters Tokyo, Japan; and Congressional Correspondence Section, Army Forces Far East/8th Army, Camp Zama, Japan. I also served 4 tours as Regular Army Advisor to the Army Reserve at Austin, Texas(1949); San Jose, California(1951), Lubbock, Texas(1954; and Lubbock, Texas (1961-64)..I retired as Master Sergeant E8 with Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant, AUS.

After retirement in November 1968, in April 1970, I accepted a position with the 63rd Army Reserve Command, Los Angeles, California and was promoted to Command Sergeant Major E9 in 1970, and later worked as a Recruiter. I attended college for 5 years at night, full time simultaneously. From 1973 to 1978, I recruited the most persons as an individual Recruiter in U.S. Army history, 868 persons, including 70 enlistments in the month of April 1978. For my recruiting I was awarded 2 Army Meritorious Service Medals, and 1 Army Commendation Medal.

During this time, in my Reserve capacity, I also served as Command Sergeant Major, 139th Ordnance Bn, and 49th Medical Bn.
In May 1978, in my Dept of the Army civilian capacity, I was promoted to Assistant Recruiting Officer for the 63rd Army Reserve Command. A few months later I transferred to a position as Senior Administrative Assistant (SAA) (civilian translation: Hospital Administrator) of the 63rd ARCOM Medical Command, Los Alamitos, California, which consisted of 5 Army Reserve Hospitals and various detachments of surgeons, dentists, veterinarians, etc in a 3 state area California, Nevada and Arizona. I resigned this position in 1980 to devote full time to my Real Estate company, Whitworth Hotel/Brokers in Newport Beach, California and to operation of our motels and other properties.

My office is now located at:
WHITWORTH HOTEL/MOTEL BROKERS
P.O. Box 2193, Newport Beach, CA 92659
Phone: (949)887-6145 email motelrebkr@aol.com

God Bless You!
Friendly,
Richard Walton(Dick)Whitworth

WHITWORTH REUNIONS: Descendants of my grandfather, Richard Nichols Whitworth, have a reunion in Stephenville, Texas(near Fort Worth/Dallas) in August on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of each year.
Descendants of my great-grandfather, Robert Walton Whitworth have a reunion in Boerne, Texas(near San Antonio) on the 3rd Saturday of October of each year.
If you don't know about these, please contact me at MotelREbkr@Aol.com or call (949)887-6145 for details.

MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY

My parents were Donovan E.(Tuck) born Nov 7,1906 at Ex-Ray, Texas and Mary Lee (Gaines) Whitworth born Dundee, Texas 1907 married March 17,1927 in Haskell County, Texas. Tuck and Mary farmed in Haskell County in the country between Munday and Weinert, Texas until 1944. Also, Tuck was a country musician who played all stringed instruments (his parents were both musicians) and formed a band, "The Knox Prarie Ramblers" who played locally in businesses, at country dances and over the radio KXOX Sweetwater, Texas. 4 of the 5 member band were blind except Tuck. Mary was a homemaker, adept at cooking, canning, sewing, making quilts, knitting and taking the kids to church and Sunday School.

In 1944 Tuck joined the U.S Border Patrol, Immigration and Naturalization Service and moved the family to Nogales, Arizona. In 1947, they moved back to Munday, Texas where Tuck became a Deputy Sheriff and later Chief of Police.Later they operated an ice company, then a hardware store. In 1968, they moved to Littleton, Colorado where Tuck worked as a maintenance supervisor for the Littleton School District until he retired 1973. Mary was an apartment building manager in Littleton. They moved back to Munday, Texas to retire where Tuck was appointed to Justice of the Peace for 2 years.
They are both deceased.

Their children were: Richard Walton "Dick", Bobbye Nell born July 29, 1930 (married Glen Selbo, deceased)(lives in Phoenix,Arizona), Patsy Ruth born ___________ (deceased)(married Joe Combs), Howard William born__________ died_________ and Donovan Eargle "Don" Whitworth Jr born_____________ (married Ruby Greebon, deceased, married Yvonne 2000.

Bobbye Nell's children are: Brenda (Selbo) Cox, Ron and Trygve Lie

Patsy's children are: Cindy (Combs) Welborn, Joe Craig and Clay

Don's children are: Jim Greebon, Mindy Greebon, Samuel Hardman, Dianne Hardman Hutto, and Wallace (Dusty) Greebon

My paternal grandfather Richard Nichols (Dick) Whitworth was born December 30,1868 in Austin County, Texas and died March 20,1950. He was first married to Alaska Gordon of Mingus, Texas,born 13 May 1878, died 18 June 1895 buried Hannibal Cemetary, Erath Co, Texas. There were no children. On 15 March 1903, he married my grandmother, Mary Etta Stanford Whitworth who was born June 29,1886 in Fayette, Alabama. He was a blacksmith in Lingleville, Texas. They had 9 children: Walton Henry born September 6,1904 (married Lucille Ferguson on 27 February 1932), Donovan Eargle(Tuck), Thomas William(Bill)(deceased) born February 12,1919 ( on 29 August 1939,married Minnie Emley Colvin,born at Vicksburg, Warren Co., Mississippi), Erica born June 27,1910, died 9 November 1986, (married Vance Johnson). Zela May born December 1,1908(died 1978) (married William Andrew Chambers). Mary Etta born September 21,1914(died 1980) (married Carl Henson on 20 September 1939). Jimmye Columbia born April 27,1916(deceased)(married Murrell Ferguson on 9 December 1933). Fannie Elizabeth born December 21,1921(died 2001) (married R.G. Reed on 18 May 1941). Jackye Louise born October 1,1925 (married J.S. Eddy on January 1, 1946).
My grandfather died 20 March 1950 at Lingleville, Texas.
Walton's children were: Waldine, Anita and Patricia.

Bill's children were: Irma Louise Whitworth___________ and Dorothy Ann Whitworth Groves. Dorothy's children are Shiela, William Homer "Bill" Groves, Sunya Velish, and Selina

Erika's children are: Joe Rita married to Rob Groves, 3 children JoAngela, Rob E., and Kelly. Judy married to Larry Appel, 2 children Eric and Kevin

Zela Mae's children were: Bruce(deceased) and Billy Frank

Mary Etta's children were: Donnie Ray, Wayne and Layne(deceased), and Norma Lee

Jimmye's children were: Murlyne(deceased 2000)married to David Knox and Marvin Gerber children Michael, Debra, Paul & Robert Knox. Gailya married to Robert Smith, children Jennifer Smith Orr, Diedre Smith Hood and Clayton Smith, Angela Ferguson(deceased 1978) married to Lamar Payne(deceased)children James Gregory Payne, Anna Kristen Payne(born 11/8/68, now deceased) and Andrea Nichole Payne (born 3/5/76) and Amy Renee (born 11/8/68). Pamela Ferguson married to Talmage Minter, children Tamara Minter, Randa Minter Gray, Erin Minter

Fannie's children were: Jackie Derrel,Randy,Jack Valda (deceased) and Quentin

Jackye's children were: Danice, Michael and Timothy

My maternal grandfather Robert Lee Gaines was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and my grandmother, Ida (Rountree) Gaines born in Corsicana, Texas. They farmed in the Grasshopper community, Haskell County, Texas from about 1908 to 1950. Their children were George (married Oma MacAfee), Florence (never married), Jim (married Maggie Bilbrey), (twins) Mary Lee (my mother), and Thomas Jackson "Tom" (married Mary Lou Sheffield).

George's child was: Reginald (deceased). His child is Jennifer.

Jim's children were: Gordon James and Robert Henry

Tom's children were: Doris (Gaines) Hurst and Delbert

Robert Lee Gaines came to Haskell County, Texas about 1907 accompanied by his two brothers, George Tilman "Till" Gaines and John Gaines.

Till had one daughter, Ida Lou (Gaines) Dwight, who married T.E. "Eck" Dwight. They had 3 children, Nina Flo,

John had 5 sons, George, Robert "Till", Harvey, Johnny and Bill.(all deceased)

My great-grandfather,Robert Walton Whitworth was born March 19, 1830 in Halifax, England and was christened September 21 1830 at Booth Independent Church, Halifax, Yorkshire, England.

Robert's parents were W. John and Ruth Illingworth Whitworth, both born in 1801 in Halifax. They married 14 December 1829. John died 18 February 1876 at Bradford, Yorkshire. Ruth died April 17, 1890. They had seven children, with Robert the eldest.

Ruth Illingworth's parents were Timothy Illingworth and Mary Walton

Records are available showing only 5 of Robert Walton Whitworth's brother's and sister's as follows:

Sarah Ann Whitworth christened 27 December 1831 at Booth Independent Church, Halifax, Yorkshire. Married William Davy 6 December 1858 Halifax, Yorkshire.

Sophia Whitworth Christened 23 May 1834 Booth Independent Church, Halifax, Yorkshire.

Mary Anna Whitworth christened 11 January 1837 Booth Independent Church, Halifax, Yorkshire. Married Joseph Muir 9 July 1864, Trinity Road Baptist Chapel, Halifax, Yorkshire.

William Henry Whitworth christened 17 April 1838 Booth Independent Church, Halifax, Yorkshire.

Richard Whitworth born 1840 Halifax, Yorkshire. Married Sarah Appleyard 2 July 1862, Halifax, Yorkshire.

Robert's grandfather was John Whitworth christened 14 January 1762, Luddenton Church Yorkshire, died 3 March 1827 Warley, Yorkshire. Married Anna Calvert 22 May 1785, Halifax Church Yorkshire. Tombstone inscription reads: "In memory of John Whitworth of Haigh House in Warley who departed this life March 3rd 1827 in the 66th year of his age. Likewise of William Whitworth his son who died January 6, 1827 aged 21 years. Also Sally, Mary, John and William who died in their infancy. Also Anna, wife of the above John Whitworth who died 12th April 1838 aged 74 years."

Robert's great-grandfather was John Whitworth, christened 8 June 1721, Ripponden Church, Yorkshire. Died 4 March 1768, Sowerby Parish of Halifax, Yorkshire. Married Sarah Stansfield 6 August 1747, Halifax Church, Yorkshire. Sarah died 15 March 1790, Halifax, Yorkshire aged 65. John had a brother Charles, who had a son, Mark.

Robert's great-great-Grandfather was Henry Whitworth christened 20 October 1694, Ripponden Church,Elland, Yorkshire. Buried 27 November 1781, Sowerby Church Yorkshire age 88. Married Mary Crowther, 6 June 1716. She was born 1695, buried July 26, 1760. Besides son John; they had sons Henry christened 11 February 1727, and Rodger christened 6 December 1730; both at Sowerby Church. Henry also had a brother Gulielmus (William) christened 20 February 1689 at Elland and a brother Jonothan christened 28 February 1701.

Robert's great-great-great Grandfather was Henry(Henrici) Whitworth married Ann Howarth, 11 November 1684, Newchurch in Rossendale Church, Lancashire.Besides son John, they had son Robert christened 13 May 1627 at Rochdale, Lancashire. Henry's brothers were Will Whitworth and Gul Whitworth.

Robert's great-great-great-great grandfather was Henry Whitworth christened 7 February 1636 at Middleton by Oldham, Lancashire, England. He was married to Priscilla Jackson. Henry's brother was James Whitworth christened 12 December 1630 Rochdale, Lancasshire. James had a son named Abraham.

Robert's great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Henrici Whitworth. One other son was Robtus Whitworth christened 16 January 1607 at Prestwall, Leicester, England. Henrici's brother Richard had a son, Lawrence.

Robert's great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Jacob Whytworth christened 11 April 1586 at Rochdale, Lancashire, England. His brother was Ottiwill christened 17 May 1590.

Robert's great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Richard(Henry) Whytworths whose other son was Ralph.

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At the age of 13, Robert Walton Whitworth was apprenticed to the sea by his father and served two years before leaving the ship in New Orleans. He worked his way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri, where in August 1846 he enlisted in Company E, Iowa Mormon Battalion to serve in the Mexican War.

This Company marched from Iowa to California by foot, the longest march in military history. After serving a year, he was discharged in California and went back to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with a portion of the Regular U.S. Army, with intention of enlisting, and making the Army his career.

After learning of the discovery of gold in California from his Mormon friends, he returned there with his friend, Will Beddome and made his fortune in gold before he was 21 years old. He kept dairies of his experiences. copies of these diaries are in the libraries of the University of Arizona and the University of Texas.

In December 1850 Robert and Will embarked on a return trip to England, after being away for 5 years. They sailed from San Francisco for Panama on the steamer "California", December 5, 1850. After arriving in Panama, they hired a black man to carry their baggage across the Isthmus to Gorgona, where they caught a boat to Chagres, Panama, and boarded the English steamer "Thames", sailing for Southampton, England. They arrived February 10, 1851.

Later that year, he returned to America and married Rosa Margaret Dougherty, August 19, 1851 at St. Peter's church, Memphis, Tennessee. They had met on the ship coming over from England. Rosa was born in March, 1833 in Baileboro, Cavan, Ireland.

They had six children born in Austin County, Texas:

Robert Walton,Jr born April 1, 1856; married Emelia Wenzel; died March 21, 1950 in Sisterdale, Texas.

William H. born May 4, 1860; married Mary Margaret (Mamie) Rogers December 18, 1894 at Harper, Texas; died June 19, 1943 at Junction, Texas.

Margaret (Maggie), born July 10, 1864; married James Thompson June 28, 1884 in Kendall County, Texas; died February 17, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas.

Rosa, born July 16, 1852; died August,1852 in Austin County, Texas

John, born June 12,1854; died July 14,1859 in Austin County, Texas

Charles Richard born January 31, 1858; died 1865 in Austin County, Texas.

On August 5, 1865, Robert Walton Whitworth was issued Parol #20(released because his wife and child were seriously ill, and they died) at Hempstead, Texas from the Civil War, listing him in Company A, 20th Texas Infantry. On August 25, 1864 he was a Sergeant in this company.

The 1853 tax rolls of Austin County, Texas list Robert Walton Whitworth as owning 550 acres of land, 1 negro, 4 horses, and 14 cattle plus a wagon and oxen.

His wife, Rosa died December 1865 in Austin County, Texas.

Robert Walton Whitworth's second wife was Francis (Fannie) Elizabeth Nichols. They were married October 25, 1866 in Austin County, Texas. She was born in Bellville, Texas, November 29, 1839.
Her parents were John and Frances Nichols, born in Mississippi about 1796. Frances was born in Tennessee about 1802.

Robert Walton and Fannie moved to Kendall County, Texas after the end of the Civil War in which he fought under General Magruder.

They established a home East of Boerne, Texas near San Antonio where the engaged in stock farming. They gave land for the second public school in Kendall County where the Pleasant Valley Community Center is now located.

Robert Walton Whitworth died in Boerne, Texas in 1909. His wife lived at the home place until her death January 11, 1920.

They had 7 children:
John Nichols (Jack) Whitworth born September 2, 1867 in Austin County, Texas; married Ida Elizabeth Winn June 22, 1895 in Menard, Texas; died September 5, 1951 in Rocksprings, Texas

Richard Nichols (Dick) born December 30, 1868 in Austin County, Texas; married Mary Etta Stanford March 15,1903 in Erath County, Texas died March 20,1950 in Lingleville, Texas.

Tom Beddome born September 5,1869 in Austin County, Texas; married Emma Grace Stendebach, March 22,1892 in Kendall County, Texas; died June 6,1850 in Boerne, Texas.

Sophie Elizabeth, born September 29,1872 in Kendall County, Texas; married Louis Phillip on February 22,1905 in Kendall County, Texas; died March 29,1920 in Kendall County.

James Arthur (Jim) born July 7,1875, in Kendall County, Texas; married Mary Etta (Mamie) Haynes; died March 1950 in Kendall County, Texas.

Edward born June 10,1876 in Kendall County, Texas; married Hedwig Pfeiffer in Kendall County; died April 7,1954 in Kendall County.

Alfred Joseph born May 26,1879 in Kendall County, Texas; married Ella Magers July 19, 1905 in Leon Springs, Texas; died January 7, 1952 in Boerne, Texas.

Some of the above information was copied from a newspaper article I read at the annual Whitworth Family Reunion, in Boerne, Texas. I think this is the oldest Whitworth Reunion anywhere? I don't know who authored the article or the newspaper that printed it, but I thank them and appreciate it.

My Favorite Links

Donovan's Band