Eighth Generation (Continued)
Family of William Henderson STANLEY (1120) & Virginia Rebecca Jean "Jennie" THOMASON

1774. Mac L. STANLEY. Born in 1874 in White Co., Tenn.1371 Mac L. died in 1951, he was 77.1371

Mac L. married Mary DAUGHERTY.

1775. Mary F. "Mollie" STANLEY. Born in 1876 in White Co., Tenn.1371

Mary F. "Mollie" first married Tom DOWNEY.

Mary F. "Mollie" second married R. BURLESON.

1776. William H. "Matt" STANLEY. Born in 1877 in White Co., Tenn.1371

William H. "Matt" married Eva ABERNATHY.

1777. Rosa Ann STANLEY. Born in 1879 in White Co., Tenn.1371

Rosa Ann married Albert WALDRUM.

1778. George Henry Franklin STANLEY. Born on 18 Dec 1881 in White Co., Tenn.1371 George Henry Franklin died in Grayson Co., Texas on 16 Aug 1970, he was 88.1371

George Henry Franklin married Mary May CASE.

1779. Oscar Demp STANLEY. Born on 8 Nov 1883 in White Co., Tenn.1371 Oscar Demp died in Taylor Co., Texas on 22 Feb 1965, he was 81.1371

1780. Sallie Elizabeth STANLEY. Born on 6 Jun 1886 in White Co., Tenn.1371 Sallie Elizabeth died in Taylor Co., Texas on 27 Mar 1965, she was 78.1371

Sallie Elizabeth married William C. BURLESON.

1781. Lee Rastus STANLEY. Born on 28 Jun 1888 in Sparta, White Co.,Tenn. Lee Rastus died in Taylor Co., Texas on 2 Jan 1973, he was 84.1371 Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Merkel, Texas.

Lee R. Stanley Family of Merkel, Texas, by Vernon and Mary Faye Lipham Stanley
Lee was born in Sparta, White County, Tennessee, June 28, 1888. The eighth child of ten born to William Henderson and Virginia Rebecca Jane "Jennie" Thomason Stanley. Lee came to East Texas with his family, when only a few months old. The ninth child, Jodie Eldridge was born in 1890 in Texas.
Lee came to West Texas to visit his Mother who was staying with his sister, Sallie Burleson and family; married Mable Coats at Stith in Jones County September, 1908. They lived the remainder of the years in West Texas in Taylor and Jones County except for the year 1918 when Vernon was born. Vernon was born in Bells in Grayson County, Texas. Lee died in Midland, Texas and is buried in Merkel, Texas, Rose Hill Cemetery, January 2, 1973.
On returning to West Texas in 1919, Lee and partners bought the farm in Jones County, known today as the Stanley Farm, as an oil investment. Lee had always operated the farm and upon retirement, Vernon bought his farming interest. Later, he bought the interest of his partners. Oil was discovered in 1949 and still producing in 1999. We later bought two adjoining farms.
Vernon was the third son and middle child born to Lee and Mable. The first son died soon after birth and Howard died in 1974, in Midland and burned in Merkel. Joyce and Geraldine were the fourth and fifth children.
Lee was thirty when Vernon was born. Vernon was 38 when his and Mary's son Stacy was born. Stacy was 36 when his and Lisa's son Duncan was born in 1993.
Lee and Vernon always enjoyed their horses. Vernon roped at rodeo's in his single days and went as far as Roby, Texas to rope, some 35 miles away. His bachelor uncle Demp Stanley was his traveling buddy.
Vernon and Mary have lived on the ranch, pumped in the oil field and raised cattle, all these soon to be 50 years, June 5, 1999, except for the first 10 months when we lived in Abilene.
During World War II, Vernon served, 1942 - 1946 in the U S Air Corps in North Africa and in the China Burma India Theatre of Action. His older brother Howard served in the Seabees in the Pacific. Vernon had always been the country boy, raising cattle, riding horses and the plow. While he was away others helped with the farming and the caring of the livestock Even his sisters helped Demp to feed in the cold while Lee was sick. Joyce was the only one of the four that could drive, Demp, Mother, Joyce and Geraldine, so she was able to provide transportation with Vernon's car. The snow and mud is less apprreciated when feeding, but a necessity to grow another crop so that we can enjoy these beef stakes. Someone said when visiting for about 2 weeks, they didn't want any ole ham, they wanted beef. If you've missed out on this shocking feed and hauling the bundles in the hot sun, you have no idea how good a cold biscuit and onion sandwich can be about ten o'clock in the morning!
The picture above shows Lee on his horse Sparky with Vernon standing by his side here on the ranch. This was about 1968 and made by Mary. The other picture is of our big gusher #2 well in the Stanley Field, Jones County, Texas, during the blowout from Canyon Reef Formation on May 5th., 1950. Mary, my wonderful wife, made this from the front porch of the house. The flowing volume during the blowout was estimated in excess of 5000 barrells daily. It was brought under control within 15 hours and later completed as a discovery producer, on May 22, 1950 an official potential of 1002 barrels daily through a half inch choke. Total depth was 4235 feet.
It's been long hard working life but we sure have enjoyed it. We want to thank you for being able to participate in this historical undertaking about White County, Tennessee. My grandfather, William Henderson Stanley spent some 20 years there from 1869 when they came from Cherokee County, Ga. to 1889 when they left for East Texas. We and our families are proud to have been a part of that time. 967


In Sep 1908 when Lee Rastus was 20, he first married Mable COATES, in Stith Co.,Texas.

They had the following children:
i. Vernon (1918-)
ii. Unnamed Son
iii. Howard (-1974)
iv. Joyce
v. Geraldine

Lee Rastus second married Ethel BARBEE.

1782. Jodie Eldridge STANLEY. Born on 28 Jul 1890 in Grayson Co., Texas.1371

Jodie Eldridge first married Martha BRADLEY.

Jodie Eldridge second married Cordie WHEELER.

1783. Emma Leona STANLEY. Born ca 1892 in Grayson Co., Texas.1371

Emma Leona first married Leroy WARE.

Emma Leona second married Joe STROOPE.

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