A Book Gives A Soul To The Universe ~ Plato

 Charles Franklin McNair Gave This Book to Ella Vermell King in 1902

This morning, just days before Thanksgiving, I'm feeling a deep gratitude for the people who built my foundation. It feels a bit overwhelming when I make a find that gives me pause to step back and realize the goodness of my ancestors. One such person was my Papa McNair. 

I am preparing a personal household inventory, and I have finally gotten to the old books that I brought from my mother's home. Mother (Carolita Quillin Jones) was Charles Franklin McNair’s granddaughter.  Among the several old Bibles that I documented, I came across this book. It was a book that was given to Ella King from Charles in 1902. They were married on 7 June 1903 in the Bethel Baptist Chapel in Moody, McLennan Co, Texas.   He wrote on the inside page. 

Frank McNair

To

Ella King

Anno Domini

1902

McLennon Co.

Texas. 

The feel of the cover is like no other. It is a HARDBACK copy, yet the texture has a soft satiny feel. Unfortunately, the spine of the cover has detached from the book, but fortunately the pages are all still bound together with an intricate string stitching (could serve as a lesson on old time binding).

What made this so meaningful this morning was the information that I found when I began to research this book. It was written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and first published in January 1901 by W. B. Conkey Company. This would be the copy that Papa gave Mama back in 1902. It speaks loudly to the hopes, dreams and desires that Charles had for his marriage to Ella.

The book explores happiness, success and the meaning of life. The author has an optimistic outlook on life. Her words are inspiring and comforting as she offers practical advice on living a fulfilling and meaningful life. She encourages readers to embrace their dreams; yet she offers solace and hope to those who are struggling.

There was a new release of this book in 2014 because the "scarce antiquarian book is a work of cultural importance. The publishing company is committed to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature."

I'm proud that my people were well read and educated and placed high priority on character and morals. It can't get any better than that. Thank you, Mama and Papa.

Letter from Lessie Irena "Trena" McNair

 I love this letter on many levels. It is written from someone who connects me to 4 generations back in family history. It is HAND written, and it is about my great-grandfather. 

Ova sent me a copy of this letter that was written by Lessie Trena. Lessie Trena was one of Papa's younger sisters. She was born in 1888. In this letter, Lessie Trena tells Ova a story about when Papa (Charles Franklin McNair) was a baby and how he was saved by eating bacon. It seems that after the doctor gave up on Papa, an old traveling man came and spent the night with their mom and dad (Mack McNair and Sarah (Henderson) McNair). 

Lessie Trena mentions that fact that Sarah has asthma which confirms what Mother told me about her. Lessie also mentions her brother Alfred Minlus McNair and her sister Thelma Iowa McNair. 

Mama and Papa were the masters at using natural remedies. This letter reveals that it was passed down to them. It was just what people had to do back then. I remember a home remedy that Papa swore by. Papa said that if you have a sore throat to drink grape juice. When I was little, of course I had sore throats. I would always drink grape juice and it would take the soreness away. 

Mama & Papa McNair in Real Life

 The following notes may or may not have been added so I will post them here. These memories are sidenotes from my mother. As I add information about Frank and Ella's adult children, there will be more memories and recollections of this family. It seems as if they were always there for Mimi and Pappy (Ava & J.C. Jones).

Mama and Papa

Papa never did bless Ava’s marriage to Joe Carroll.  Ava was acquainted with an ambitious upcoming young man who Papa knew she would marry.  When she fell in love with Carroll, Papa was adamantly against it.  Papa knew the night that they were going to ask him if they could get married, and he went on to bed before they got home.  They went in to his bedside anyway to ask for his permission.  He said she could if she wanted to, but that he would not bless the marriage.  Papa was a minister and did not even attend the marriage.

When Jo was born, Ella saved her life.  Others, including the doctor, didn’t expect Jo to live to the morning.  Ella worked through the night clearing Jo’s passageways of mucus, etc. and literally breathed life back into Jo.  Jo lived to be 63 years old.  When Carolita was born, Ella and Charles took Jo in order to help Ava, who had 3 infants in diapers.  They taught her to walk, and potty trained her, and when life returned to normal for Ava and Joe, Jo returned home.

Aunt Jo greets them on Sunday morning. There must have been a tremendous bond between the two. 

Papa and Mama didn’t enjoy being around all the kids.  They thought they had no table manners and Mama would tell Ava that if she didn’t know what would become of the kids if she didn’t get a handle on them.

When Ava and Carroll’s house burned down, they traveled that night to the McNair’s in Electra.  The next morning Papa cleaned the children up and combed their hair and took them to get shoes and socks.

They raised EVERYTHING they ate, except for flour, sugar, coffee, corn meal, etc.  They were excellent gardeners and canned most of their food to store for the winter.

            

I love these pictures of Mama McNair. She and Papa lived life earnestly, honestly and with the highest integrity. I'm proud to be their great-granddaughter.

Papa is in God's Hands

 

Papa's Ministry is Recalled

 This news article was in the Vernon Daily Record on 30 April 1967. 

Papa's Letter to His Grandson, Dexter

 I was in correspondence with Benona's son, Dexter. He kindly shared the beautiful letter that Papa (Charles Franklin McNair) wrote to him. The photocopy was smudged so he translated the letter as best as he could. Frank McNair was in tune with life as it is on earth.

Sitting on Papa's Lap

1958

Charles Franklin McNair, our great-grandfather, came for a visit in Vernon, Texas. We lived in the house on Texas Street.

pictured below: Nancy, Bryan, Paula, Papa

 

Frank and Ella's Children

 Charles Franklin and Ella Vermell McNair had 5 children: 4 daughters and one son. Their only son, Bernie, died at age 6, I believe of kidney disease. The daughters all grew up and led productive adult lives. Benona died at the early age of 44.

They were: Ava Ella, Ova Orene, Lillian Frankie, Ada Benona.

Left to right: Benona, Lillian, Ova, Ava                      

                                            Hadley and Lillian McDaniel

Benona McNair Parnell and Dexter

Benona, Dexter, Mac Parnell

                                                            Ova Orene McNair Kerr

Frank & Ella McNair's 50th Wedding Anniversary

 7 June 1953

 These pictures were found in my mother's scrapbook, as she preserved our family history. 

This news article most likely came from The Vernon Daily Record. Frank and Ella celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Lockett, surrounded by 30 family members and over 100 afternoon guests.

Below: Frank and Ella with their daughters. From left to right, Ova, Ava, Frank, Ella, Benona, Lillian.

Below: My brother and sister pictured with the cake.

Below: more great-grandchildren

Frank & Ella's Wedding Day

 Charles Franklin McNair

Ella Vermell King

Married 7 June 1903

Moody, McLennan County, Texas

These are the original wedding photos found in Mother's scrapbook. 

Information given by Carolita Jones Quillin

Corrections made by Nancy Quillin Long

The McNair's were Mother's grandparents. She wrote this information from the top of her head. It served as great leads for me, but the information is not accurate. Please refer to my information below.

CORRECTIONS TO MOTHER'S INFORMATION:

Emily Hulsey's family came to America in the 1600s, most likely from England.

Mama's (Ella Vermell King) grandmother on the Hulsey side was Sarah Haney. Ella's mother was Emily M Hulsey who had a sister named Kansas Lydia Hulsey.

Grandmother King's maiden name was Hood, not Grandmother Hulsey. The Hood name comes from our King family, not our Hulsey line.

Our connection to Ft. Hood would be through our Henderson/McNair line. Mack McNair married Sarah Henderson. Way back on our Henderson line, a Samuel Henderson married Elizabeth Calloway. Her sister Lydia Calloway would be the connection that we have to Ft. Hood.

My McNair line was most likely from Ireland, just as mother said above, but they came to America in the early 1700s.

Schroeder name is close (but no cigars ;). Papa's (Frank McNair) grandfather was John McNair who married Mary Ann Sherertz. 

Amazing how "word of mouth" information can change history. 

Mama & Papa McNair

 Reminiscences Of A Granddaughter

When I began to document family history, Mother (Carolita Jones Quillin) began making albums with her old photos. She also recorded her recollections. These pages are invaluable to me.

Papa - The Woodworker

 Charles Franklin McNair was a carpenter by trade, but he loved to build things. He also whittled wood and carved wooden people and animals. Mother and I often wondered where those wooden carvings ended up. Mother remembers them as a child. 

Below are pictures that my cousin sent of the pieces of furniture that Papa built. These pieces are in the possession of Pamela Jackson Torbet. Sent to me in 2020.

Papa - The Carpenter

Frank McNair was a carpenter by trade until he was called by God to preach. 

 On my Memory Lane trip with Daddy in 1991, he drove me through Crowell, Thalia, and Lockett so that I could take pictures of the places that were special on Mother's side of the family. I will let the descriptions that I wrote in the scrapbook to tell the story of how Papa and Daddy built two houses back in the 1920s. 

It's always hard to see places that were once so alive and vibrant become dilapidated shells from the glory days. Papa's garden and vegetable cellar would have been just behind this back porch.

Below was the home that Daddy and Papa built with the help of Ike's dad. See the typed note. 

In 2022, Lockett suffered the damage of a strong tornado. My husband drove me to Crowell, Thalia, Lockett and then Vernon to see family. I was relieved to see that the church and Papa's house were still standing. 

Below: Papa's house 2022 Someone has bricked over the original outer mud stone blocks, and they also added onto the back of the house.

Frank McNair - Pastor of Lockett Baptist Church

Papa founded this church in 1924 with 12 other people.

I remember passing through Lockett every time that we visited Mimi and Pappy in Crowell. This church was always loved and well maintained during my growing up years. At the time, I didn't feel the gravity of what this place meant to my rich family history. 

This picture would have been taken in the mid 1990s.

 

In 2022, Lockett sustained much damage from a severe tornado. My heart was at unrest until I could make a trip up to see what was left standing. This tornado cut a path between the church and Papa and Mama's home, but both of them were still standing. Pictured below is the church building as I found it in April 2023. I can't remember if it had a church sign out front. I was just relieved to find it in good condition.

April 2023

Frank McNair - Pastor of First Baptist of Thalia

 In early 1920 - 1921, Papa (Frank McNair) preached at the First Baptist Church of Thalia. He moved to several other churches, but Mimi (Frank's daughter, Ava Ella) and Pappy (J.C. Jones) eventually made Thalia their home and this was their church home for many years. This was the church that my mother (Carolita Jones) grew up in. 

The top picture is the Thalia Baptist Church. Mother attended this church until she was married. (1928-1946) She said there was no air conditioning, so they used hand fans. These pictures were taken c.1991.

Below: picture taken of the page from my mother's scrapbook. Her description tells the story, and I love how she signed each one in her own handwriting. 

Below is a picture of my scrapbook, with a description of my Memory Lane trip with Daddy in 1991.

Daddy was baptized in this church in 1948. 

The next two pictures are from Mother's scrapbook. They are old photos taken on the steps of her church. She explains them in her typewritten note.

Below: Mimi (Ava Ella McNair Jones) is first row, fourth from the left.

Sadly, when I returned in April 2022, the small country town of Thalia was in a state of decay. It has weathered many days of storms and neglect. This building no longer functions as a church. It saddens me to see how we are such an urban society today. These small communities where so important to the growth of America, when people were surrounded closely with friends, good neighbors and family. 

Papa - The Preacher

 Papa is baptized c.1902

Photo courtesy of Carolita Jones Quillin 

Uncle Perry baptizing Papa. Papa is just to Perry's left. Mama is standing on the bank with a blanket. Perry King was Mama's (Ella Vermell King) brother. 

Photo courtesy of Carolita Jones Quillin

Frank McNair baptizing converts c.1920

In my blogpost date July 23, 2023, I give the recollections of Papa's granddaughter, my mother, Carolita Jones Quillin. She gives a full account of Charles Franklin McNair's ministry. Below, I will list the places and dates as given to me by Mother. As far as accuracy, I can only go on what was written by her. 

• 1902 - called by God to preach
• preached first sermon while visiting his father in Jones County, Texas
• began to pastor small churches that couldn't support a full time preacher
• pastored at Guion, 26 miles SW of Abilene
• served as Associational Missionary from Guion, traveling by horse and buggy
• 1920-1921 Thalia Baptist Church in Foard County, Texas
• Margaret, a small town north of Crowell for 10 months
• 1924- Locket, 10 miles west of Vernon, Texas. He organized the Lockett Baptist Church with 12 members. They met in the Lockett School facilities. The church was built under his leadership. He lived in Lockett for about 13 years.
• Moved to Electra, Texas and preached at a church outside of Delhi, Oklahoma. This was the largest church he pastored with a membership of 500. 
• moved to Hess, Oklahoma and retired from there in 1948 at the age of 70.
• 1948 - returned to Lockett and built his retirement home where he lived until 1968.
• 1968 - died at the age of 90

For any history buffs, I had never heard of Guion. I found it in the following website as a Texas ghost town. Quite interesting. 

Guion, Texas, Taylor County ghost town. (texasescapes.com)

Guion was formed in 1879 as a stage and mail stop. The Lemon's Gap Baptist church moved to Guion in 1883 and held its first service in the Union Church on September 12, 1886. When the railroad came through in 1910, the original settlement became known as Old Guion and the community was moved three miles to be near the railroad. 

http://texasescapes.com/Counties/Taylor-County-Texas.htm

The map is courtesy of the Texas General Land Office, Taylor County 1920

Frank McNair - The Teacher

 

Charles Franklin McNair (Papa) was born on 5 February 1878, at Saint Jo, Arkansas.  He was one of 10 children born to Mack Manilus McNair, who farmed 165 acres of land.  Seventy of those acres lay at the side of Boston Mountain, part of a mountain range in Arkansas.  Papa attended a rural school finishing formal schooling at an academy in Valley Springs.  He did not have a degree but was a certified schoolteacher.
 
Papa moved to Texas in 1900 at the age of 22. He worked in a General Store and taught school at Blevins.  Papa said that God called him to preach in 1902, but he continued to teach school.  He taught in McLellan County, and one of his pupils was Ella Vermell King.  He married her June 6, 1903. Ava Ella was born on April 21, 1904.  She was only 19 days old when Papa moved to Taylor County.  He continued teaching school and did some carpenter work.  He lost one of his eyes when he was struck by a flying nail.  He had one glass eye, but you really couldn't tell it was false.  He taught school in Shackelford County.  A son, Bernie was born sometime along in this time frame.  This child died in childhood 6-8 years old. He had some kind of kidney disease.