With the passing of each individual a story or photo falls silent
HELP SAVE OUR HISTORY
  • Our Goal ~ Contribute
  • Research Resources
  • Area History
    • Residents with Military Service
    • Red River Ferries & Fords >
      • Oscar Ferry
      • Grady Ferry
      • Petersburg Ferry
      • Courtney Ferry
  • Photo Contributions
Residents with Military Service

Florida Seminole Wars
William Monroe Hogue (1820 – 1886)
William M. Hogue served in the "Florida War", or "Seminole War". He died 1886 at Courtney, burial in Bourland Cemetery.



Mexican War 1846 - 1848
Henry De Courtney (1826 – 1898)
Born Aug 22, 1826 in Morgantown, VA he enlisted in the U.S. Army 1845 in Cleveland, OH. Henry served as Sergeant in Capt. Walker’s 6th Infantry during Mexican War. Discharged at Fort Kearney, NE 1850 where he married Mary Williams – Vrendenburg. He worked for many years in both job and location in close proximity to the army and forts throughout the Indian Nations including; Fort Smith, Fort Towson, Fort Cobb, Fort Washita, and Fort Arbuckle.  Henry arrived ca. 1872 to the Flat.  He died at Courtney Dec 16, 1898, burial Courtney Cemetery.



Civil War 1861 - 1865
William Monroe Hogue 1820 – 1886
Union: According to Civil War Pension Records, William M. Hogue was mustered into service for the Union Army. He served with his brother in Company "C", 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Volunteers, on August 05, 1864. While encountering the enemy in North Carolina on November 01, 1864, William was wounded when a mini ball struck the tree beside him, sending bark into his face and destroying his right eye. He was discharged after his term of service had expired on December 22, 1864 at Knoxville.  William returned home to Brick Mill, Blount County, Tennessee and was treated for his injury there by Dr. Ross Lane. Died at Courtney, burial Bourland Cemetery.

Jonathon Peter Meekins (1840 – 1904)
Born 1840 Marlboro Co., SC, Peter  was a private in South Carolina’s 23rd Infantry for the Confederacy, wounded at the battle of Petersburg, and, believed to have been present when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.  Married 1874 to Margaret Dunbar in SC, removed to TX and then to Petersburg 1881.  Peter died at Petersburg 1904, burial Bourland Cemetery.

James Monroe Carnahan (1842-1923)
Civil War: Union. Pvt., Co. C, 63rd IN Infantry USA from 10 Feb 1862 - 3 May 1865. He shot in the wrist during the Battle of Bull Run and treated in a military hospital in Alexandria, VA.  Resided at Courtney, died at Paris, TX while visiting his son, burial Blossom Cemetery. 

Tommie Joseph Hancock (1812 – 1881)
Born Apr 11, 1813 in GA, Tommie married Bethany Weldon in 1836. Family settled late 1850s in Leake Co., MS, served in Confederate Army for Mississippi. Fled to Texas near the end of the war and settled at Petersburg 1875.  Tommie died at Petersburg Aug 27, 1881, burial Spanish Ft. Cemetery.

Ambrose Washington “Watt” Dorsett (1828 – 1877)  
Born Feb 22, 1828 in San Augustine, TX to John and Tabith Dorsett.  He served in the Confederate Army, Texas.  Watt married Martha Hancock 1865 in Waco, TX, arrived in Petersburg area Mar 1877.  Watt died at Petersburg ten months later Dec 14, 1877, burial Spanish Fort Cemetery.

Allen Lafayette "Fate" Holland ( 1842 - 1923)  Confederate serving for Louisiana.  Arrived on west end of the Flat 1904. Moved to Whitebead, OK.  

 



World War I 1914 - 1918
Robert Bourland  (1889 – 1948)
Robert Bourland was born Feb 12, 1889 to Chickasaw Bill Bourland and Lorinda Harkins.  Raised at Petersburg, Robert served in WWI as Pvt PROVO Guard Co.  Robert died July 25, 1948. Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Robert Gaston Spork (1897 – 1973)
Born  25 Jun 1897 at Courtney died 12 Apr 1973 the son of Charles and Agnes (Alden) Spork. Married Lizzie Groves dau of Wm M. and Nancy Groves.   Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Thomas Monroe Groves (1890 -  
Born 1890 Texas son of William M. and Nancy Groves.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.


Pony G. Hogue

World War II  1941 - 1945
Owen E. Longest (1914 – 1943)
Born Dec 1, 1914 at Petersburg to Herman and Annie Longest, raised at Petersburg. Owen was a Flight Officer in WWII serving with the 395th Bomb Group, 589th Bomb Squadron from Ephrata Army Air Base. He was one of 13 airmen killed when B-17F flying Fortress #42-30488 crashed 10 miles north of the airfield, near the community of Soap Lake, in Grant County, Washington. Died Jul 24, 1943, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Donald Aubrey “Sonny” Black (1925 – 1943)
Born Jan 30, 1925 at Frederick, OK to Fines Black and Alice Smith. Enlisted May 8, 1942 U.S. Marine Corps in Dallas, TX. Sonny was a radio gunner in a fighter plane when his plane was shot down. He survived and made it to Australia where he was sent back into action participating in battles in the Consolidation of the Southern Solomon Islands in 1943 from Feb 15th to May 31st, and again June 19th and 20th. He participated in the battle of the New Georgia Group Operation from July 20th to the 26th. On July 26th, 1943 Sonny Black gave his life in defense of his country when his plane was shot down over the Pacific. His remains were never recovered. His name  appears on a list of servicemen killed in action at the United States Military Cemetery at Fort William McKinley in Manila, Philippines, grave marker Bourland Cemetery. Awarded Purple Heart and Air Medal.

Luther W. Young (1903 – 1968)
Born Mar 25, 1903, served in WWII, died Apr 28, 1968.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Nat L. Smith (1925 – 1988)
Born Dec 28, 1925, served WWII PFC US Army. Nat married Clara Lee Blankenship of Courtney Apr 29, 1975.  He died Sep 20, 1988.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Lee Grimes (1920 – 1992)
Born May 21, 1920, died May 11, 1992.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Arthur Milton Werline (1924 – 1993)
Born Jan 10, 1924 to John Arthur Werline and Viola Keener.  Married Ima Bell Farrow. Served WWII S1 US Navy. Died Apr 21, 1993, Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Lloyd George Thomas (1918 – 2005)
Born 27 Oct 1918 at Courtney, son of Edgar and Mabel Thomas, served WWII TEC 5 US Army. Died 23 Feb 2005, burial Bourland Cemetery.

Edmond Frank Thomas (1915 -
Born December 28, 1915, at Courtney, Mr. Thomas died October 19, 1999, in the River Valley Health and Rehab. He was the son of Edgar and Marie Singleton Thomas. Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Fleet over 30 years, last serving on the U.S.S. Tirante. He served in Korea and traveled throughout the world. Mr. Thomas was Past Master of Masonic Lodge #753 in Nocona, Texas, and a member of the Courtney Methodist Church. He and Virginia Lee May were married on April 8, 1944. Mr. Thomas married his second wife, the former Irene Pruitt, on March 27, 1994. 

Lloyd McCarty (1914 – 2000)
Born October 21, 1914, in Love County, the son of Leo and Ella Sanders McCarty. Raised at Courtney, Lloyd married Bessie Barton Welch Dec 24, 1943 at Belleville. Served in the U.S. Army, 96th Division, during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart in addition to the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars. He was a farmer/rancher and of the Baptist faith. Lloyd died Aug 27, 2000 a resident of Courtney.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Marvin Thomas Fondren (1912 – 1998)
Born Jul 14, 1912, the son of Hilton Fondren and Alice Mae Whitehead, served in WWII Pvt US Army. Died Nov 26, 1998, burial Petersburg Cem.

Baker W. Longest (1918 – 1981)
Born Sep 6, 1918 the son of Herman and Annie Longest, died Jun 26, 1981, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Sexson C. Longest (1923 – 1996)
Born Apr 10, 1923, served in WWII TEC 5, US Army, died Sep 20, 1996, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Myles E. Taylor (1921 – 1983)
Born Jan 14, 1921, served in US Army, died Sep 19, 1983, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Buel Calvin Langford (1915 - 1979)
Born Jan 27, 1915 to William Langford and Sallie Eakin, served in WWII as PFC US Army, died Aug 11, 1979, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Wayne A. Eakin (1919 – 1991)
Born Jan 24, 1919 at Petersburg, attended school at Petersburg and Ringling, served WWII as Capt US Army. Married Joyce Throckmorton 1947, member of Courtney Methodist Church, died Apr 13, 1991 at his home in Petersburg, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Luie B. Watkins (1907 – 1976)
Born Jan 29, 1907, served WWII Pvt US Army, died Feb 12, 1976, burial Petersburg Cemetery.

Harvey G. Grant
Served in WWII

H.G. “Tankie” Spivey
Served in WWII


Darwin Glenn Baxley
Served in WWII

Korean War
Robert L. “Bob” Davis (1929 – 2002)
Born Aug 11, 1929 in Cabot, AR to Robert Henry and Dorthiel Pruitt Davis, served in the Korean War. Member of Courtney United Methodist Church, married his wife Mary Sep 1988 in Gainesville, TX.  Bob died Jan 10, 2002, burial Petersburg Cemetery.


Vietnam War
Billy Roy Pruitt (1936 - 2002)
Born Aug 7, 1936 in Ringling, joined US Navy serving 22 years and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. Served in Vietnam War. Died Apr 21, 2002 in Abbeville, AL, burial Bourland Cemetery.

More Information Needed:
Jerry Francis Howard (1939 – 1984)
Born Jun 26, 1939, served in U.S .Army, died Mar 18, 1984.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Gerald Lee “Jerry” Allen (1937 – 1988)
Born Nov 16, 1937, SFC US Army, died Jul 26, 1988.  Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Jack Thomas 
Burial Bourland Cemetery.

Clarence Watkins
Burial Bourland Cemetery.



Back to History Contributions