FRANK WHITAKER

The following bio was taken from page 441 of the book entitled" Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Frank Whitaker was born in the Community of Longbranch on the Rusk-Panola County line. His father was Howard A. Whitaker, who bought the land where Frank was born and raised in the 1860’s.

Frank met and married Sallie Giles, who was raised in Panola County. Frank was one of a few experienced oilfield roughnecks when the East Texas Boom began. Later Frank served Rusk County as a constable. Afterwards he was a farmer and a cotton weigher. Frank and Sallie had eight children.

Floyd Whitaker, a daughter, married J.F. Turlington. She had one child. Her husband, known as "Felton," was a member of the Henderson Police Department and retired after many years of service. Floyd Turlington still lives in Henderson.

Howard "Slim" Whitaker, a son, married Sue Coats. Slim has worked and lived in Henderson for many years and is now retired from the State Highway Department after thirty-seven years of service. Slim and Sue have no children.

Douglas Whitaker, a son, married Nelwyn Thrasher. They have lived in the Chalkhill Community for a long time. Douglas retired from Sears and Roebuck Company after over thirty-five years of service. He served on the Tatum School Board for many years. They had one child, Terry Whitaker, and he and his family live in Chalkhill Community.

Fay Whitaker, a daughter, married Albert Brown. They ran a service station at the four-way stop in Tatum, Texas. This station was a meeting place for the old timers for over forty years. They have now retired but still live in Tatum.

Jack Whitaker, a son, married Mary Lee from Georgia. Although they formerly lived in Henderson, during which time Jake worked for General Telephone, they have now moved to Georgia to be close to Mary's family. They have three children.

Lois Whitaker, a daughter, married Emmett Frazier. They now live on the old Whitaker homeplace. They are retired and have spent a great deal of time learning about the Whitaker family. They have no children.

John Ed Whitaker, a son, has lived in Tatum most of his live. He has one son and two grandchildren.

Neil Whitaker, a daughter, has two children. Her daughter, Martha McDougal has moved back to Rusk County and is now living in Henderson. Her son, Roy Strong, is an active businessman in Houston. Nell is married to Ernest Brubenman. They live in Henderson and are now retired and enjoy traveling in their motorhome and seeing the sights of Texas.

Most of Frank and Sallie Whitaker’s children still live in Rusk County, and it looks as though another generation of the Frank Whitaker family will be residents of Rusk County also.

Submitted by Martha McDougal