James Nathaniel Hembree (1864-1854)

Great Grandfather - Paternal Side

Fess, Dorothy, Johnny, Clara, James

I am rushing to get this written before Hurricane Harvey makes a mess of things and I loose internet service. I am so far behind at this point but I am pushing forward with what information that I have in order to have 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks.

Some of my information has come from Aunts and Uncles who remember our great grandfather, other info is what I have been able to gather. Bob Hembree who I have not heard from in years and was in ill health the last time we emailed back and forth was the "Hembree Family Expert". He was able to give me a head start on this entire line. According to him there were 2 James N. Hembrees.

James N. Hembree was born on December 2, 1864 in White River, Barry County, Missouri as the fourth of eight children to Ephraim F. and Mary Ann Clark Hembree. This is where the family lived, worked, and attended school. By the 1880 U.S. Census, James is living on his parent's farm with his brothers and sisters. He also works on the farm and attends school but can not read or write. (Note: I found a marriage license for James N. Hembree and Mary Margaret Harbet where James' brother-in-law vouches for the ages of the bride and groom. It is dated December 13, 1886 but unknown which James N. Hembree this is.)

Since the 1890 U.S. Census is missing and nothing is contained in the newspapers that I have been able to find so far, I can only say that James was in New Lewisville, Arkansas and married Clara A. Chatman there on June 8, 1894. The marriage license states that he is from Bollinger, Louisiana. Another mystery to follow!

James and Clara had the following children:

1. Child that died soon after birth
2. Vina N. Hembree (1898-1919); never married
3. Child
4. Darthya Esther Hembree (1901-1986); married Fess Cornelius
5. William "Bill" Joel Hembree (1905-1989); married Lucille
6. John "Jack or Johnny" Hembree (1910-1996); married 1st ?, married 2nd Ruth Thompson

They were living in Barry County, Missouri during the 1900 U.S. Census. On June 2nd they are living in Liberty Township where James is shown as renting a farm, living in a house, has been married for six years to Clara. She has had two children but only one, Vina, is living. He and Clara can both read and write. On July 2nd, they are again mentioned in the census as living in Flat Creek Township with the same statistics.

By the 1910 U.S. Census, James and Clara are living in Damon, Latimer, Oklahoma with Clara having given birth to 5 children, only 3 living: Vina, Darthya, and William. Uncle Bill is helping out on the farm which is rented.

In the 1920 U.S. Census, the family is living in Wilson, Choctaw County, Oklahoma renting a tenant farm on Will Dunevan's farm. 

The 1930 U.S. Census shows them in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma as renting a house at 906 D Street and James is a carpenter.

1940 U. S. Census shows they are living with "Jack" L. Hembree at 626 Eubanks Street in Houston, Texas. James is not working and has been unemployed for 62 weeks.

From family history: 

James and Clara continued to live on Eubanks until his death September 10, 1954. The cause of death is listed as senility.  She died a month later, I have heard from a broken heart.

James has been characterized as different things by different family members. I can tell you that he smoked a pipe and always looked dapper in his vest. It is reported that he took the bus daily to go see the "hoochie" girls dance while Clara was busy at the church. He would stomp his cane on the floor until someone brought him what he wanted and would spit tobacco on the floor. 

James Hembree

Clara, Dorothy, Bill, James (seated)