Barham BOLES

The following bio was taken from page 118 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Gloria Riley

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Barham Boles, born November 4, 1893, lived all of his life in Rusk County. He inherited his father’s strength of character and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He married Edna, daughter of John William and Manda Louise (Banks) Pinkerton, on April 4, 1914. They lived on a farm at Lawsonville and Barham owned a mercantile business. Boles Mercantile was the typical country store with two gas pumps and at one time housed the Lawsonville Post Office. He gave credit in his store on everything but gasoline. He said people needed food and clothing but they didn’t need to run up and down the road. The land that Barham owned had a special history. In the woods was an old cemetery. Buried there is one of the South’s greatest surgeons, Dr. Albert Miles. Dr. Miles died in 1894 in New Orleans where perhaps he is remembered among the medical world. Barham took care of the old cemetery and he said years ago people from far away used to come visit Dr. Miles’ grave. The old Barham Boles’ home is now in ruins and no doubt little exists of the old cemetery. Barham was a gentle, quiet, tender man who loved children and always had time for them. He entertained his grandchildren for hours trying to teach them their ABC’s backward (he recited them as fast backward as forward) and with his many riddles. He died September 2, 1961 yet he lives today in the heart of this loving grandchild. He is buried in the Concord Cemetery next to the Concord Baptist Church where he was a faithful member. Grandmother (Edna), born in 1899, at this writing resides in Henderson They were blessed with seven children. Vida married (1) F. S. Buckalew, (2) F. Quebedeaux; Kathryn “Kay” died 1975; Bill died 1962; Ray married (1) Bonnie Evans, (2) Loraine Mathis; Judy married Joe Matlock; Fay died 1977, married Lavell Gibson and Yvonne married Dan Cobbs. This family history has been taken thru six generations starting with William Boles whose grandson Samuel settled in Rusk County in 1856. Each generation becomes more numerous and space does not permit the listing of all. Therefore the seventh generation will be skipped and only one of the eighth generation will be mentioned. This has been written for my niece and godchild, Jenna Matthews (8th generation) born May 19, 1972. Written by Ruth Cohlmia