Smedley and Barkers whose relatives are buried in Ft. Cobb cemetery in OK....
I would really appreciate any information you can give concerning my Smedley ancestors.
After months of searching, I have been able to trace my father's side of the family to Abner Green Smedley, b. 23 Mar 1836 in Atlanta, Georgia, d. 21 Mar 1928 in Fort Cobb, Caddo County, Oklahoma. (Abner's obituary is below the ***)
Abner married Amanda Garrett (b. 1834 - d. 1912) and had 12 children.One of those children was Sarah E. Smedley, my Great Great Grandmother, b. 1858-d. abt. 1905).Sarah's first husband was surnamed Barker, with his first name Bud, or Bart.
Two of Sarah's children by Mr. Barker, "Belle" and Charles A., are buried side by side in the Fort Cobb Cemetery.Another daughter, whose name, I believe, was Ruth Ellen Barker, married a man named Thomas J. Kincy.
I would really appreciate knowing about Abner Green Smedley's parents, family, etc.I do know that he was from Arkansas, yet fought for the Union Army in the Civil War.
Also, can anyone tell me about Abner's daughter, Sarah E. Smedley, married first to Bud (or Bart) Barker and later to George M. Milton/Melton?Sarah was born in Arkansas.
Do you know of Sarah's children, Ruth Ellen Barker Kincy, Charles A. Barker, or Winifred E. "Belle" Barker (who married Luther Lynch, my Great Grandfather)?
Since there are several Smedleys buried in the Fort Cobb Cemetery in Caddo County, Oklahoma, it would appear that it became a sort of family burial ground.That would make sense, because, according to Abner's obituary below, he was one of the pioneer settlers of Caddo County, Oklahoma.
I have certain census records for Abner, but need others:
Have:1860, 1870, 1900
Need:all others between 1836-1928
Thank you in advance for any help you can give!
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March 29, 1928
CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES AT FT. COBB WEDNESDAY
Abner Green Smedley, pioneer resident of Fort Cobb, died at the home of his son Henry G. Smedley, Wednesday evening, March 21, liking two days being ninety-two years of age. He was born March 23, 1836 near Atlanta,Ga., where he resided during his early life. He moved to Tennessee with his parents during his early manhood and married Amanda Garrett in 1857. To this union twelve children were born, six girls and six boys, three sons of whom survive, as follows: Thomas D. Smedley of California; John S. Smedley of Amarillo, Tex.; Henry G. Smedley of Fort Cobb, age 65, with whom deceased made his home.
Besides the three sons he is survived by fifteen grandchildren;forty-one great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Smedley passed to the Great Beyond on Now. 7, 1912 at the age of 78 years, having been born Nov. 7, 1834.
Abner G. Smedley enlisted in the Civil War in 1861 from Arkansas and served until the close of the war in the 2nd Arkansas Calvalry. After the war he moved to Texas where he reared his family. He came to Oklahoma in 1901 and after the drawing bought a relinquishment just west
of Fort Cobb on the north side of the Washita River where he lived until some years later when he moved to Fort Cobb, where he resided until his death.
Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Henry G. Smedley, Friday noon by G.F. Wilson, a Bible student of Oklahoma City, at which a large crowd of relatives and friends were present. "To know 'Uncle Abner' was to be his friend for he was at all times loyal to his country, his family and his friends, and was a real citizen in every
community in which he lived", said a life-long friend.
Deceased was accorded a military funeral with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of Anadarko in charge, assisted by members of the American Legion. Officers of the V.F.W. post officiating were Otis Farrington, commander; Joe Dorley, senior vice-commander; Emil Alm, Jr., vice commander; Mike Caruso of Fort Cobb, bugler. The color guards were John Burkhalter and Ed Comeia. The firing squad was Vern Shipton, Pete Elison, Floyd Groseclose, Harry Stewart, Dewey Grigsby, Elbert Woodall,
Frank Oelke and a Mr. Saider. Alonzo Hays was officer of the day. Color bearers were H.H. Tilford, A.B. Colbath, B.C. Loomis and W.G. Gray. Pallbearers were Paul Anderson, Charles Barker, Emil Weidenmaier, C.H.Taylor, Fred Mason and Charles Stockton. Members of the choir from Anadarko were John Howard and Olin Farrington. Internment was in the
Fort Cobb Cemetery Friday afternoon with the Gish Funeral Home in charge.
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