biography – Page 18 – Texas History Notebook

Rev. White Parker

One of Quanah Parker’s sons was White Lewis Parker. He was born in 1887 to Quanah Parker (1846 – 1911) and Maheheet-To-Wook-Ky (1862 – 1914), one of the wives of Quanah Parker. In the Comanche tradition, Quanah Parker had more than one wife.

Rev. Parker was drawn to ministry as a young man, having first served as an interpreter for missionary J. L. Reid who was then a missionary on behalf of the Dutch Reformed Church. Parker attended Cooks Theological school in Phoenix, Arizona. After he completed his studies, he joined the Methodist church. Parker later served as pastor of churches in Broken Bow, Kildare, Ponca City, Kingfisher and various other congregations in and around Comanche County, Oklahoma.

José Francisco Ruiz

José Francisco Ruiz was one of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was one of three Mexicans to do so, with the others being José Antonio Navarro, his uncle, and Lorenzo de Zavala. A total of seven were invited but only these three were able to attend. Navarro and Ruiz were born in what is now Texas whereas de Zavala was born in Mexico. His date of birth is sometime said to be September 1,1780. However, his actual date of birth is not known but he other accounts hold that he was likely born in San Antonio de Bejar around the middle of January, 1783 because he was baptized shortly thereafter. His parents were Juan Manuel Ruiz and María Manuela de la Peña. His family was engaged in ranching. This was during the period in which that area was governed by Spain and José was sent to Spain for his education. Upon his return to the area shortly after 1800, he served as a school teacher. The school was organized in the family home.

Dick Sparks: Early North Texas Cowboy

The Waco News Tribune issue of December 14, 1946 carried a short article about the death of Dick Sparks, a former slave and once said to be the oldest resident of Wichita County at age 117. Dick had been confined to Wichita General Hospital for about six months, the article said, causing him to leave his home and property in Electra for what would be the last time. His Electra residence had been a gift from rancher Tom Burnett for “faithful services rendered” when Dick retired his first time. It was upon his leaving the Burnett Ranch that he was given his home.

S. W. T. Lanham

Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham was born July 4, 1846 in Woodruff, South Carolina to James Madison Lanham (1815 – 1869) and Louisa D’Aubrey Tucker Lanham (1820 – 1898). Samuel was the second of about ten children born to the couple. His first three names, Samuel Willis Tucker, came from his maternal grandfather. Samuel enlisted in the 3rd South Carolina Regiment of the Confederate Army when he was fifteen or sixteen years old and served throughout the entire war. His regiment primarily served with the Army of Northern Virginia and also participated in some engagements in Tennessee. His rank was sergeant when the war ended and he surrendered with his group in North Carolina.

Big Tree, Koiwa Warrior

Neither the year nor place of his birth is precisely known, but he is believed to have been born around 1850. He is most often mentioned along side other Kiowa warriors such as Satank and Satanta. Big Tree (Ado-ete) is associated with numerous raids including the Kiowa attack of May, 1871 on the Henry Warren wagon train. Big Tree was arrested later that month, tried in June of that year in Jacksboro in the court of Judge Charles Soward. The prosecutor was future Texas governor S. W. T. Lanham. The Kiowa defendants were represented by a local attorney named Joseph Woolfolk.