John William (Hutsenpiller) Hutsen (1867-1935)

Great Grandfather - Maternal Side

I can say without a doubt that most of us know the story of John William Hutsen from Aunt Minnie Bell Hutsen Pittman's story "Gone But Not Forgotten". This is an abbreviated account of that with mostly data that I can verify. His younger years were in turmoil to say the least.

John William Hutsenpiller was born on March 21, 1867 in Pond Run, Scioto County, Ohio to Benjamin F. and Hester A. Evans Hustsenpiller being the oldest of their three children. He was called Willie and William (See 1870 U.S. Census). The couple divorced when John was just 12 years old (see previous post on Benjamin).

1870 U.S. Census

According to the 1880 U.S. Census, John was living with his mother and both siblings in Lower Nile Township, Ohio and while he is only 14  he was a farm laborer and was known as William.

1880 U.S. Census

Hester remarries in 1882 to John Rogers who apparently had a son, Hiram. Family lore dictates that Hiram owed John some money and promised to repay him but failed to do so. An altercation ensued over the money and Hiram wound up being shot.

John feared being arrested so he fled Ohio to Kentucky when he was only 16. He started using the name John Hutsen instead of William Hutsenpiller at this point since he believed he was being sought for the shooting. He found work on a farm and communicated with his grandmother and brother by letter. John later found his way to Louisville, Kentucky where he found work in a sawmill from 1883 until 1892. This is when he moved to Mouldin, Missouri and found work in their sawmill.

The work only lasted a year until the mill closed so he was again a farm laborer. He found work at the Thomas and Jane White family farm. Jane had a daughter and son from a previous marriage to William Turner. John married Rose Etta Turner on April 15, 1894. Together they had the following children:

1. William Ralphus Hutsen (1895-1969); married Cora Cornelia Van Wey
2. Ethel Hutsen (1896-1897); died after falling out of her high chair
3. Lillie Mae Hutsen (1897-1916); married Frank Stephens
4. Nellie Jane Hutsen (1900-1983); married Arthur Idrill Bond
5. Minnie Belle Hutsen (1902-1993); married Thadios Gilbert Pittman
6. Reatie Willibee Hutson (1905-1945); married Della Valentine
7. Flora Elvada Hutson (1906-2014); married E.E. Johnson
8. John William Huston, Jr. (1908-1919); shot in a hunting accident
9. Eugene Lilenstein Hutsen (1909-1968); married Mary Bernice Lucas
10. A.D. Hutson (1911-1990); married Nellie Lou Hayes
11. Loneita "Nita" Hudson (1913-2014); married Charley Johnson
12. Fannie Bee Louise Hutsen (1915-1974) Ralph Lucas, brother of Mary Lucas
13. Cleburn "Rayburn" Hudson (1918-1988); married Georgia E. Duffy

By Spring of 1901, John and Rosie had decided to move to Texas. It took them, along with Rosie's parents and sibling, over two months to travel by wagon. The Whites did not stay since they were still farming in Missouri. First John and Rosie lived in Blossom, then Post Oak on a small farm. In 1905 they moved to Como, TX and Greenville, TX where John worked in a coal mine for 3 years. By 1908 the growing family moved to Albany, TX which was another coal mining town.

In 1909, John, Rosie and the children all moved to Mt. Pleasant, TX so that he could work at a sawmill again. In the spring of 1910, John was made manager of the White Oak Creek mill so by the fall the family moved to Bogata so the children could attend school. John was awarded the contract to build the railroad dump at Bogata which afforded him with enough money to buy house and a little acreage where fruit trees and a garden where planted. In addition, John rented a black land farm where he grew cotton and corn.

1910 U.S. Census

The spring drought of 1914 caused John and his oldest 6 children and go to Oklahoma to pick cotton that summer. They returned home in the fall. By the next year, John sold this farm and moved 7 miles outside of Bogata. It was 100 acres of sandy land. He raised cotton, corn, and peanuts which was for the cows, mules, and hogs. Turnips, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, beans, onions, and radishes were in the garden. In addition there were chickens, geese, and turkeys raised. When there was a surplus, John would peddle his wares to nearby farms. It was hard work and took it's toll on John when he came down with lumbago. It took him nearly a month to recover.

1920 U.S. Census

1921 found John and Rosie moving to El Dorado, Arkansas. By this time he owned a Model T but did not want to leave his mules behind. The wagon was loaded with furniture and driven by the older children while the Model T had the three youngest. The family stayed there for about 5 years before relocating to Texarkana. 

1930 U.S. Census

John had high blood pressure and on the morning of April 23, 1935 Rosie found he had died peacefully in his sleep. He was buried in Eylau Cemetery in Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas.

Death Certificate

Sources:

1. "Gone But Not Forgotten" by Minnie Bell Pittman
2.  1870 U.S. Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Nile, Scioto, Ohio; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: 
3. 1880 U.S. Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Nile, Scioto, Ohio; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: 
4. 1910 U.S. Census - Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 3, Red River, Texas; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image
5. 1920 U.S. Census - Year: 1920; Census Place: Garvinsville, Red River, Texas; Roll: T625_1841; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 146; Image: 
6. 1930 U.S. Census - Year: 1930; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Roll: 84; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm: 2339819
7. Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982; Ancestry.com