James Crindon Echels

Notes:

Birth:
Name: James Crindon Echels
Date of Birth: 28 Jan 1938
Gender: Male
Birth County: Jefferson
Father's Name: Joe Crindon Echels
Mother's Name: Christine Stidham
Roll Number: 1938_0003


Buried:
headstone
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cribbs/magnolia/echels_james_crindon.jpg

Died:
Was killed in an airplane crash near the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a pilot for Eastern Air Line, but was piloting a private plane at the time.

James married Barbara Carolyn Travis [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sue Ellen Echels
2. B. Terry Lynn Echels

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1940, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

Crindon's Father, Joe Howard Echels, was killed in an accident on his way home from work at Spindletop when Crindon as only a year old. His Mother, Lucy Sparks Echels went back to teaching school in South Park, Crindon and his mother moved back home to live with her parents, Worthy Cryndon and Bertha Kline Sparks.

Went to South Park School and graduated in 1928 when went to work for Magnolia Refinery. Because of the Depression when single men were "laid off." Crindon took a job on the pipe line being built in the near East. He was in Iraq and Syria for two years (1932-34), on his return home, he married Christine Stidham who grew up in Electra, Tx. and graduated from Electra High School in 1929.

Crindon and Christine were married on 26 day of November 1934 and they followed pipeline construction in Central and South Texas and in Pennsylvania until 1937 when they moved back to Beaumont and bought a home on Adams Street.

James Crindon was born on 28 day of January 1938 and Crindon went to work for Magnolia Refinery where he stayed until his retirement in 1972. Edwin Altion was born on the 8 of January and the Echels family continued to live on Adams Street until the death of Crindon's Grandparents. In 1947, Crindon and Christine remodeled the "old home place" and his Mother, Lucy, lived with them there.

In 1967,Crindon and Christine built a new home on Chateau Circle in the Amelia area of west Beaumont and were living there when Crindon's Lucy, died in 1975. Crindon and Christine are veteran travelers. They have been in every one of the 50 states and in 22 foreign countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They are active in Robert Avenue Methodist Church and in the South East Texas Historical and Genealogical Society.

JAMES CRINDON ECHELS
James Crindon Echels grew up in South Park and played in the South Park Greenei Band. He married his school sweetheart, Barbara Travis in 1957 soon after their graduation. "Jimmy" was always interested in flying. He began to do agricultural flying soon after he got his pilot's license. During part of this time, he worked for the Beaumont Police Department and as a dispatcher for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.After the birth of their 2 daughter, Sue Ellen on the 22 day of December 1957 And Terry Lynn on the 6 of November 1959, they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where Jimmy was a pilot for Eastern Air Lines. He was killed in a private plane crash nearthe Charlotte on the 3rd. of October 1964.On the 1 of July 1972, his widow, Barbara, married John Earl DeVillier of Grove and they raised her 2 girls and John's children, Louis and Eileen. This family is very close to us and we consider John our son-in-law, and his children our other grandchildren.Sue is married to James Edward Thibodeaux and they live in Grove. They have a son James Crindon who was born on the 7 day of February 1983.

Terry is married to Richard Gore and they lived in San Antonio with their 2 children: Amy Carol who was born 20 of January 1981 and Michael John who was born 22 December 1982.

EDWIN ALTON ECHELS Edwin grew up in South Park and graduated from South Park High School in 1961. He was active in Choral music and won first place in State U. I. L. Contest that resulted in a music scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin where he graduated in 1967.During this time at U. T. he spent a whole semester with the Madrigal Singing Group of 17 students touring 12 countries in Europe and Asia.Edwin Married Janie Elkins in 1964 and they had 2 children, James Stidham, born 20th day of July 1967 and Erin Ailene born 23 day of April 1969.Edwin worked as a District Director for the Boy Scouts of America in Austin. Luling and San Marcos for 3 years then came back to Beaumont in 1970 to teach music in Forest Park High School. After 4 years of teaching, he went to "greener" pastures and is now employed at Chevron Refinery in Port Arthur, Tex. Edwin and Janie were divorced in 1983 and he is now married to Elaine McCoy and they live at 8655 Crestview Circle, just around the corner from his parents.Edwin's son, James Stidham graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989 and he is employed and lives in Austin. Edwin's daughter, Erin is married to Donald Ray Chachere Jr. and they live in Deer Park. (Houston area) They have an infant son, Donald Ray Chachere III.

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11099554/person/-510774099/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum
owner of tree: Erich David Zimmerman, Knoxville TN


Census:
905 Adams Street (same house in 1935)
James C Eckles 30
Christine Eckles 27
Jennie Eckles 2


Buried:
From: Edwin Echels
Date: 12/27/14 11:49:38
To: lumoto1@gmail.com
Subject: Comments (Headstones)

Comments (Headstones): I am the chairman for the Toledo Bend Cemetery in Newton, County. My Mom, (Christine Stidham Echels) and Dad, Joe Crindon Echels willed their bodies to the U. of Texas willed body program at the medical branch at Galveston. I had a granite bench made and places at the entrance to the Toledo Bend Cemetery. Inscribed on the bench is:
Joe Crindon Echels Christine Stidham Echels
and their birth and death dates. My wife (Elaine McCoy Echels) and I (Edwin Alton Echels)will have another granite bench with our names and dates place their when we die.

Edwin Echels
edwin8@windstream.net

Note: Findagraves erroneously shows him buried at Magnolia Cemetery.

Joe married Elsie Christine Stidham about 1937 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. Elsie was born on 6 May 1913 in Texas; died on 13 Oct 2006 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; was buried in Toledo Bend Cem, Newton Co, Texas (memorial bench). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
From: Edwin Echels
Date: 12/27/14 11:49:38
To: lumoto1@gmail.com
Subject: Comments (Headstones)

Comments (Headstones): I am the chairman for the Toledo Bend Cemetery in Newton, County. My Mom, (Christine Stidham Echels) and Dad, Joe Crindon Echels willed their bodies to the U. of Texas willed body program at the medical branch at Galveston. I had a granite bench made and places at the entrance to the Toledo Bend Cemetery. Inscribed on the bench is:
Joe Crindon Echels Christine Stidham Echels
and their birth and death dates. My wife (Elaine McCoy Echels) and I (Edwin Alton Echels)will have another granite bench with our names and dates place their when we die.

Edwin Echels
edwin8@windstream.net

Note: Findagraves erroneously shows her buried at Magnolia Cemetery.

Notes:

Died:
killed in an accident on his way home from work at Spindletop.

Joseph married Lucy May Sparks on 7 Jul 1909 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. Lucy (daughter of Worthy Crindon Sparks and Bertha Adeline Kline) was born on 18 Jan 1886 in Jefferson Co, Texas; died on 27 May 1975 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; was buried on 30 May 1975 in Magnolia Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1943, 3925 Howard, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; mother's d.c.

Notes:

Source: "History of the Sparks Family" Yellowed Pages, Vol XIX, No. 4, 1989

Teacher in South Park schools for 44 years, leaving only for a two-year period to have her only child, Crindon. Also during that time her husband (name unknown) was killed in an accident on Highland Avenue, as he was returning home from work at Spindletop oilfield on his motorcycle, which collided with a wagon team that carried no light.

Crindon married Christine Stidham and build a new home in Amelia in Beaumont around 1967, at which time Lucy sold the old homestead on Howard St, and lived with them after her father died in 1946 and until her death in 1975.

Before her death, she wrote a brief account of what she remembered about her family's move to Beaumont" It was in the month of Febuary 1890 and even then the mosquitoes were very bad. The oxen had broken out from the pen, and it was about n before the could be rounded up. The furniture was loaded in the ox-cart, and we traveled in another wagon pulled by the horses. We stopped overnight at the home of my papa's sister, Mrs. Fred Gentz, which was about half-way to Beaumont."
She also recalled some of the experiences she had at the lakeshore house: "I remember our house there. It has an open hallway with two rooms on either side, and at the back end there was a kind of porch around an underground cistern - it helhe rainwater, but the water was as cool as well water. We had a young Negro man (his name was George Lazenby) who lived with us. His mother had lived with us, too, but she died before I could remember. He moved with us to Beaumont but soon made friends in town and moved in with them. For two or three years he would come and visit us -- to get some of "Miss Bertie's cooking."

Died:
d.c., Lucy Mae Echels, age 85, retired schoolteacher, 8635 Chateau Circle, Beaumont, widowed, died Milam Nursing Home #1,
father, W.C. Sparks, mother Bertha A Kline
informant, son: J.C. Echels

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 23 Jun 1870, Sparks and River Settlement, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 7 Jun 1880, Jefferson Co (District 41), Texas
• Possessions: Dec 1889, South Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: 1904, 2 blks w of Railroad Ave, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: 1914, 4 blks e of Highland ave, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 1930, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Other-Begin: 22 Mar 1936, Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

Worthy was born on north shore of Lake Sabine. His daughter Lucy was also born there. Battle of Sabine Pass fought in 1863, when Worthy was only 7. He said roar of the cannons was plainly heard at the Sparks homestead on that September day. He also remembered wild game was plentiful; and when chickens, ducks, geese and alligtors inhabited the marshlands in the open fields adjoining the Sparks brother's farm. Alligators were a source of income: Worthy said they could earn $12 a night hunting 'gators.'

Other children were born at 4025 Howard Street, Beaumont, Texas.

Worthy and brother James Chester were leaders in getting several other citizens to build the first schoolhouse in South Park. Later when the school district was formed, he served as a trustee. County records show that he served many times he election judge in county and state elections.

All deceased members of Worthy's family are buried in family plots at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont.


Census:
12 Jul 1860 Precinct No. 5 Sabine Pass
residence 378
James Court 30 mail carrier 500 Louisiana
Julia 24 TN 1856 Tennessee
Mary E 8 1852 Texas
Henry C 6 1854 Texas
Julia A 4 1856 Texas
William F 2 1858 Texas
Elias M 6/12 1859 Texas

residence 379
John Sparks 49 1811 North Carolina farmer 320 2100
Malinda Sparks 41 1819 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 19 1841 Texas
John F Sparks 14 1856 Texas
Sarah C Sparks 11 1849 Texas
Arabella H Sparks 8 1852 Texas
James C Sparks 6 1854 Texas
Worthey C Sparks 4 1856 Texas
Henry E L Sparks 8/12 1859 Texas

residence 3
Samuel Lee 38 1822 Denmark stock raiser 4,000
Eliza 16 1844 Texas


Census:
Residence 77
Coats (Courts) J.M. 40 1830 Louisiana 400, 2,000 farmer
Julia 34 1836 Tennessee
Mary 18 1852 Texas
Clifton 16 1854 Texas
Nasthentha 14 1856 Texas
William 12 1858 Texas
Madison E. 10 1860 Texas
ekner 8 1862 Texas
James 5 1865 Texas
Anna 3 1867 Texas
Lisa 8 1862 Texas

residence 78
Sparks M (Melinda) 51 1819 at home Tennessee widow
James 17 1853 Texas farm laborer
Worthy 14 1856 Texas
John 27 1843 Texas farmer

residence 79
Spark, C (Caroline) 50 1820 SC keeping house widow
Edwin 23 1847 Louisiana
Joseph 16 1854 Texas
Oscar 14 Texas
Court T.J. 27 1843 Texas (Thomas Jefferson - bro of James Court)

residence 80
Brewton W.P. 33 1837 Tennessee
Sarah (Sparks) 22 1848 Texas (Dau of Melinda)
Grace 5 1865 TX
Silas F. 8/12 1869 TX

residence 81
Lee, Samuel 52 1818 farmer 1580 Denmark
Jane E. 27 1843 Texas
Emma 3 1867 Texas


residence 82
Smith. T.J. 34 farmer 500 Indiana (Later would marry Mary Ellen Courts
Sarah 25 Texas
Electra 3/12 Texas


Census:
Note: It appears the first page is the Sparks Settlement. And the 2nd page seems to be the Port Neches, Grisgsby Bluff area, a few miles north.

7 Jun 1880 District 41 Justice Precinct No. 2
Page 1

residence 1
Gentz Fred 35 Dec 1845 laborer Prussia Prussia Prussia
R. Belle 28 Aug 1852 TX NC TN
Welby 8 Jun 1872 TX NC TX
H.M. 7 Feb 1873 TX NC TX
M.J. dau 6 1874 TX
J.W. son 4 1876 TX
Buler 2 dau May 1878 TX
J. Lee 4/12 son Jan 1880 TX
Charlotte 77 mother widow Prussia NC TX
(census taker just carried the NC down the columns.
Only person from NC is Belle's father.

residence 2
Lee, Samuel 62 farmer Denmark Denmark Denmark
E. Jane 36 Oct TX NC TN
Emma A. 12 Jul 1868 TX
Hayes, Eliza Black 19 Jan 1861 servant Texas Texas Alabama
Eddy, Albert 37 Jul 1843 carpenter Ireland Ireland Ireland
Sparks, William E. 27 Mar 1853 TX

residence 3
Melinda Sparks 61 Mar 1819 TN VA TN
Worthy 24 Mar 1856 TX NC TN
James 26 son Dec 1854 TX NC TN
Ella 23 Nov 1857 dau-in-law TX TN PA
Thomas George, Black 8 1872 servant TX

residence 4
Sparks, Caroline 60 May 1820 self widow SC VA SC
Sparks, J.M. 26 Aug 1854 son TX

residence 5
Kilgore, James S 28 1852 Mar Michigan Michigan Michigan
Elizabeth 50 Oct 1830 mother wid Michigan Michigan --
Columbus 28 25 May 1855 brother Texas Michigan Michigan
Susan F. 20 Feb 1860 sister Texas Michigan Michigan
Eugenia 17 Jun 1863 sister Texas Michigan Michigan
Swift, Fuller 3 May 1877 nephew Texas Michigan Michigan
Swift, Ida 3/12 Feb 1880 niece Texas Michigan Michigan

residence 6
Brewton, W.P. 47 Aug 1833
Sarah C. (Sparks) 30 Dec 1850
Grace 15 Feb 1865 TX
Silas F. 10 Oct 1870 TX
Esther 8 Dec 1872 TX
Almond 6 Apr 1874 TX
Inas 3 dau Aug 1877 TX
John Smith 14 June 1866 TX TN PA

residence 7
Gray, H.L. 33 head Sep 1847 Michigan VA MI
Gray, S.E. 33 wife Aug 1847 LA PA Indiana
Carey, Coy 11 son May 1873 TX Indiana Louisiana
Clara 7 dau Mar 1873 TX Indiana Louisiana
Gray H.E. son 9 Sep 1871 TX MI TX
Smith, T.F. 21 Apr 1859 TX TN PA
Courts, E.M. 20 1860 TX unk TX
___________
page 2
8 Jun 1880

residence 8
Yantz (Gentz), Wm Apr 42 1838 farmer Prussia Prussia Prussia
Susan 31 Jan 1849 wife TX GA LA
Leuvinia 12 Jan 1868 dau
William Y. 10 Jan 1870 son
H.L. 6 mos Nov 1879 son

residence 9
J. T. Rogers 28 Aug 1852 TX TN TX
Izzie J. Rogers 27 Aug 1853 TX NY LA
C. O. Rogers 3 Dec 1877
Wm. A. Rogers 1 Sep 1879
Levina Keith 68 Feb 1812 mother-in-law tx ga tn

residence 10
Keith, O 39 Feb 1841 Self TX OH LA
Margaret 39 Jun 1841 TX TN TN
George 7 Jun 1873 son LA TX TN
William O. 5 Mar 1875 son
Berry, Lethean female 11 Jan 1869 servant TX Prussia Prussia


Possessions:
written by James Willis Sparks, posted to ancestry.com
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3139485/person/-1696529283/story/1?pg=32817&pgpl=pid

In the winter of 1885 they had an epidemic of Yellow Fever to hit the Sparks Settlement that took a heavy toll of both children and adults. On August 20, 1886 (shortly after Mary Kate was born) a severe hurricane struck the section, the brunt of it felt at Sabine Pass. Discouraged, the families on the Lake decided to move nearer Beaumont. They dismantled most of the Aurora house and took them along.

James and his younger brother, Worth Cryndon (born 3/23/1856 first to be born at the Sparks Settlement) bought a 34 acre tract of land three miles south of Beaumont (now called South Park) located near the public road to Grigsby's Bluff (now Port Arthur Highway), and each of the brothers started building a new home where they were destined to spend the rest of their lives. Deed records at the Jefferson County Courthouse show that the Sparks brother's purchased this property jointly for the sum of $600, paying $200 down in December 1889 and balance in two equal notes of $200 due in 1891. (Would you believe that while I am typing this it has been 100 years ago, January 27,1991. Just think how things were then and what it is now. I some time wonder if their time wasn't the best. Family was closer and lived as a family. Now it s such a rat race, and every one going their own way and have very little time for a family or friends. Hopefully some one will keep up with us Sparks's in years to come.


The two Sparks brothers owned and farmed the 34 acres jointly until 1898. In December 21, 1904 following the death of James the property was divided. We have no record saying when James Christian died. The above indicate that he died in 1904, but his granddaughter, said her father, Arthur Worthy (James's oldest son) always said he was 14 years old when his father (James) died. James Leslie (James's Grandson) was born in 1904 he said his Grandpa was already dead when he was born. He didn't know when, and only knew his Grandma Ella. He was born in Beaumont and Maggie and Arthur were living with Ella at the time. They lived in Beaumont till 1911, Leslie was seven years old.This would indicate that it was in December 1904 they decided to divide the 34 acres.Court records reflect that 17 acres (east half) were deeded to Ella Sparks, widow of James Christian and her four children Arthur Worthy, James Chester, Lura and Clara Alice. (this also indicate that the other three children, Iloa Janet, Mary Kate, and James Christian Jr. were all deceased at this time.) The remaining 17 (west half) were retained by the Worthy Cryndon family. This extended from Adams Street on the north to Lavaca Street on the South, and fronted on what is now Howard Strayer. (Worthy made this road to his home and called it Howard Street, and when the City took it over they kept the name Howard.I guess it was good that the Sparks's were carpenters, as much building they did over the years. Jim built a large house out of cypress wood, the house stood for many years.

List of carpenters that I know of:

1st generation John Sidney

2nd " James Christian

3rd " Arthur Worthy

4th " ?

5th " James Willis

6th " Alfred Ricky

Deed record show that on November 18, 1895 the Sparks heirs received $3,300 for the 150 acres John Sparks bought 42 years before, for $375.


Residence:
Sparks, A. Howard, h. W.C. Sparks
Sparks, Ella (wid J.C.) r ws Railroad ave, 1/2 mile s of limits. 5
Sparks, John L. carp. r. 109 River Front 4
Sparks, John L., jr., lab, h 109 River Front 4
Sparks, John M., switchman, T. & N.O. yrds, r 1790 McFaddin ave. 4.
Sparks, Worthy C., r 2 blks w of Railroad ave, 1/2 mile s of limits. 6


Residence:
Sparks, A. Howard clk P O, bds 895 Highland ave
Sparks, Chester, oil producer, bds Samuel M Hobert, Port Arthur rd
Sparks, Ella (wid J Coleman), res 1/2 blk w of Port Arthur rd 3/4 mil s of Highland ave
Sparks, Ethel Miss, bds 492 E Buford
Sparks, James C, carp, res ws Port Arthur rd, 3/4 mi s of Highland ave (5)
Sparks, John L, carp, res 492 E Buford (4)
Sparks, Pearl Miss bds 793 Bonham
Sparks, Wm C, lab, bds 492 E Buford
Sparks, Worth C, gardener, res 4 blks e of Highland ave, 2 blks s of Avan ave (4)

Census:
W C Sparks 74
Bertha Sparks 62
Lucy M Echels 44 daughter
Crendon Echels 19 grandson
Grace Sparks 18 granddaughter
Boyd Sparks 17 grandson

Worthy married Bertha Adeline Kline on 18 Feb 1885 in Jefferson Co, Texas. Bertha (daughter of John Frederick Kline and Emaline Adaline Schmidt (Smith)) was born on 26 Nov 1868 in Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas; died on 23 Sep 1943 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; was buried on 25 Sep 1945 in Magnolia Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
d.c. age 75, born Sabine Pass, Texas, married
3925 Howard (Lucy's address) died at this address
residence Beaumont 53 years.
parents: father: J.F. Kline, Germany; mother Emaline Ann Klines, b Johnson's Bayou, Louisiana
informant, Mrs. Lucy Mae Echols