Wiley Jackson and Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes

Wiley Jackson Barnes came to Cass County, Texas, about 1858. Wiley served in the Civil War as a private in Captain W. E. (Bill) Duncan’s Black Cypress Rangers. After the war, Wiley married Minerva Sarah Dyson (also spelled Dison) who was the daughter of James M. and Sarah A. Bishop Dison. Wiley Jackson Barnes was born 15 June 1832 in North Carolina. He died 22 April 1897 in Cass County, Texas, and is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes was born 8 October 1844 in Alabama and died 29 August 1929 in Cass County, Texas. She is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

In 1875, Wiley Jackson acquired over 200 acres of land in the Hugh Guy Survey on the Cass-Marion County line one mile south of Avinger. Wiley and Minerva built their home on the Marion County side of their property.

The children of Wiley Jackson and Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes are:

1. Adella Barnes, born about 1866, Marion County, Texas. Married Charlie Orr and had one son.

2. Leander Barnes, born about 1868, died before 1880.

3. Toonie Slaughter Barnes, born 12 March 1870, Marion County, Texas, died 29 April 1946, Avinger, Cass County, Texas. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Married 1 November 1903 Lou Ella Wimberly, born 5 April 1883, died 2 March 1934, Avinger, Cass County, Texas. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery. Toonie and Ella had the following children: 3.1 Willie Barnes, born 13 July 1904, died 14 July 1904. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

3.2 Lizzie Barnes, born 3 June 1905, died 4 June 1905. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

3.3 Wiley Barnes, born 18 December 1906, died 17 January 1919. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery.

3.4 Beulah Barnes, born 25 April 1908, died 17 December 1965.

3.5 Sudie Barnes, born 17 January 1910, Avinger, Cass County, Texas, died 9 October 1964, Sour Lake, Texas. Married 11 January 1941 Perry Joyce.

3.6 Ray Barnes, born 12 September 1911, died 3 February 1973.

3.7 Jack Barnes, born 19 August 1913, died 7 November 1992. Married first Estelle Neely and second, Juanita Mosley.

3.8 Joe Barnes, born 25 April 1915, died September 1985. Married 19 December 1936 Winnie Joyce.

3.9 Meder Barnes, born 26 December 1916. Married 28 August 1937 Herschel Duncan, Marion County, Texas.

3.10 Nellie Barnes, born 26 September 1918. Married 19 December 1941 Noah Barney Jackson.

3.11 Toonie Slaughter Barnes, born 15 March 1921. 3.12 Lillie Barnes, born 9 July 1923. 4. Ora Sarah “Sweetie” Barnes, born 26 May 1872, SE of Avinger, Marion County, Texas, died 5 May 1942, Pruitt Lake Community, Cass County, Texas. Buried in the Avinger Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Ora Sarah married first James William Byler, born 17 March 1853, Creswell, Izard County, Arkansas, died June 1905, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. Buried in New Prospect Cemetery, Marion County, Texas (no marker). They had four children: 4.1 Lester Jackson Byler, born 10 December 1894, Nealin, Hopkins County, Texas, died 25 June 1987, Temple, Texas. Buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. In 1916 he married Lucy Prince Bishop. Their children were Willard, Ruby, Nellie, Gladys, and James.

4.2 Minerva Rachel Byler, born 3 September 1897, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas. Married 25 November 1917 Oscar Olin McKinney in Cass County, Texas. Their children are Merrilyn, Halbert and Elgerene. See separate sketch on Oscar Olin and Minerva Rachel Byler McKinney for details on this family. 4.3 Warren Tipton Byler, born 16 May 1900, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas, died 19 June 1932, Marshall, Harrison Co., Texas. Buried in the Avinger Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. 4.4 Clarence Jewel Byler, born 1902, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, died 1903, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas.

Ora Sarah Barnes Byler married second, Alan Thomas McCoy in 1913. They had no children.

5. George Warren “Bud” Barnes, born 22 February 1874, Marion County, Texas, died 2 September 1942, Avinger, Cass County, Texas. Buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Married Ellen Henderson in 1934. No children.

6. Martha Love “Lovie” Barnes, born 12 May 1876, died 9 November 1916. Buried in Harris Chapel Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Married David Solomon O’Dell. Their children were: 6.1 John Bunion O’Dell, born 23 January 1895. Married Leona Wilch.

6.2 Leta O’Dell, born 9 March 1897. Married Dave Collins.

6.3 Bessie Louella O’Dell, born 18 December 1898. Married Harvey Muckleroy.

6.4 Sam O’Dell, born 4 November 1900. Married Jessie Mae McDaniel.

6.5 Gracie Lee O’Dell, born 16 January 1904. Married George Rowe.

6.6 Josie Maurine O’Dell, born 6 September 1906. Married Vernon McCain.

6.7 Franklin Shepherd O’Dell, born 2 November 1908. Married Maurine Hicks.

6.8 Ernest Debbs O’Dell, born 19 June 1911. Married Cleo Brown.

7. Minnie L. Barnes, born about 1879, died 1918, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. Married first, Will Griffith and had a son Charles Griffith. She married second, Ernest Allen.

8. Elizabeth Albertine Barnes, born 19 February 1881, Avinger, Cass County, Texas, died 9 January 1965, South Gate, California. Elizabeth married first Marshal Reavis 10 February 1901, Jefferson Marion County, Texas. They had a son: 8.1 Carroll Gordon Reavis, born 17 December 1905, Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, died 1970, Waco, Mc-Lennan County, Texas After Marshal’s death, Elizabeth married 23 January 1916 Ira Festus McAdams, born 9 Sep 1881, Atlanta, Cass County, Texas, died 9 June 1930, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. Elizabeth and Ira Festus McAdams have two daughters: 8.2 Mittie Lena McAdams, born 29 September 1917, Waco, McLennan County, Texas, died 11 December 1946, California.

8.3 Ida Clarice McAdams, born 25 January 1919, Waco, McLennan County, Texas, died 12 September 1970, South Gate, California.

As the widow of a Confederate Civil War veteran, Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes collected a pension from the State of Texas until she died in 1929.

By: Marilyn Laverne Morris Russell Great great-granddaughter of Wiley Jackson and Minerva Dyson Barnes 6718 FM 307, Midland, Texas 79706-4911