Genie Fern Dent

Genie married Dan C. Burns [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
James Elrod Dent

James Elrod Dent, 85, was born December 16, 1918 in Milam, TX and passed away September 30, 2004 from injuries sustained in a car accident. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WW II in the 65th Field Artillery Battalion and also served 22 years in the Army Reserves. Mr. Dent retired from Sun Oil Company after 30 years of employment and was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his son, James Elrod "Roddy" Dent, Jr. and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Fern T. Dent; children, Beth Philp and husband Jimmy, Reggie T. Dent, Genie Burns and husband Dan; grandchildren, Abigail, Rebecca, and Jayme Philp, Sunnie Dent, Kristal and Alisha Burns. The Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 9, 2004 at St. Philips Methodist Church, 5501 Beechnut, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10, 2004 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances in honor of James Elrod Dent be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 2909 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77025. Earthman's Bellaire Chapel 6700 Ferris Bellaire, TX 77401 (713) 667-6505

James married Fern Torian about 1935. Fern (daughter of Arthur Henry Torian and Mary Sparks) was born on 4 Aug 1920 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; died on 23 Jun 2010 in Arlington, Texas; was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
FERN TORIAN DENT, age 89, passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Arlington, TX. She was born August 4, 1920 in Beaumont, TX. Fern was a gifted artist, loving mother and a life long member of the UMW. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, James Elrod Dent; son, James Elrod "Roddy" Dent, Jr. Fern is survived by her son, Reggie T. Dent and wife Tessa; daughters, Beth Philp and husband Jimmy, and Genie Burns and husband Dan; grandchildren, Abigail, Rebecca, and Jayme Philp, Sunnie Dent, Kristal Barron and Alisha Hobbs and husband Richard; great grandchildren, Kylie Barron and Aeden Dent; older sister, Wilma Glazener; younger brother, Frank Torian; and numerous other loving relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m, Saturday, June 26, 2010, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m, at St. Philip's United Methodist Church, 5501 Beechnut St, Houston, TX. Fern will be buried next to her beloved husband on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 4:00 p.m, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, in Beaumont, TX. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in honor of Fern to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1910, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 1920, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 1930, Beaumont (District 42), Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

Came to Beaumont during the Spindletop oil boom days of 1901-1905

Census:
boarding house on Highland Avenue

William B Darr 54
Nettie Darr 42
Pearl Duplantis 24
Ella Derr 22
Colie Derr 4
Emma Duplantis 6
Willie Duplantis 3
William R Webster 66
John W Howe 45
Arthur Torian 23
Frank Kemp 20
Charlie V Arman 32



Census:
Arthur H Torian 33 TN KY KY
Mary Torian 29
Bertha E Torian 6
Mary W Torian 2 [2 9/12]
Mildred Torian 0 [11/12]


Census:
Anchor Street
Arthur H Torian 43 TN USA USA m at age 24
Mary Torian 38 TX TX LA m at age 20
Evelyn Torian 16
Wilma Torian 13
Mildred Torian 11
Farn Torian 9
Frank Torian 2 2/12
Joe Abott 26 lodger


Died:
d.c. b Tennessee, age 51, married, teaming contractor, self emp, 592 Anchor Street, Bmt, 51 years, father Frank Torian, mother Virginia Brewer, military, unknown.
pulmonary embolism; fracture both femurs, fell from ladder.
informant: Mrs. A.H. Torian

Arthur married Mary Sparks on 24 Dec 1910 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. Mary (daughter of Worthy Crindon Sparks and Bertha Adeline Kline) was born on 24 Nov 1890 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; died on 5 Jun 1971 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Killed in an automobile accident in 1951, along with her grandson Roddy Dent

Died:
d.c, Mary Torian, age 80, 592 Anchor Street, housewife, widowed, b Beaumont; father W.C. Sparks, mother Bertha Kline, informant A.F. Torian.
crushed chest and mutiple fractures, automobile turned over (1 car accident). 2:00 p.m., June 5, 1971, Cardinal Drive and Interstate 10, Beaumont.

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