Ellender E

Ellender E. “Ella” Gowen, [Jeremiah Benjamin Nunley9, [William Benjamin8, [William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], daughter of Jeremiah Benjamin Nunley Gowen and Hellen Roberts Gowen, was born June 14, 1872, according to her tombstone. Her birth occurred in Independence County, Arkansas. She was recorded as an eight-year-old in the 1880 census of Cowley County, Kansas. The 1900 census of Coryell County, Texas recorded her birth as in June 1876 in Arkansas.

On June 8, 1890, at the age of 17, she was married to William Lee Rotan, according to Ellis County, Texas Marriage Book F, in a double ceremony with her half-sister, Mary A. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hawkins who was married to James Harvey Lee. A. D. Brooks, minister of the gospel, performed the ceremony.

William Lee Rotan was born in Texas in August 1869. Glen Rotan wrote May 25, 2002:

“I'm trying to find an Ed Rotan who dad described as an uncle [I think he is actually William Lee's uncle, dad's great-uncle]. Dad told he was quite wealthy, lived in a big house in Waco and that the town of Rotan, Texas is named after him.

The other thing he mentioned about Ed Rotan was that he gave William Lee Rotan and “Ella” a large cook stove as a wedding gift. Dad and Aunt Ocie were talking about it one day. It had eight caps, two ovens, and three reservoirs. I've see a few wood cook stoves, but this thing must have been huge; I would guess it was ten or twelve feet long, and I don't want to think about what it weighed.

I came across the McCall manuscript you have on the Gowen website. Section 24 lists an Edward Rotan of Waco who was married to Kate Sturm McCall. Would this be the same person as the Ed Rotan that William Lee Rotan & family visited in Waco?

I keep finding references to James Edward Rotan [or Rotton, or Wroten], born 1844 in Sparta, Tennessee in White County. One source says: ‘James Edward Rotan was a successful businessman in Texas who served in the Civil war for the Confederacy.’ Could he be our kinsman?”

“Since I originally wrote I have come across a little more information about both James Edward Rotan of Sparta, White County, Tennessee and Edward Rotan, the husband of Kate Sturm. I am pretty sure they are the same person because (1) both were born in 1844, and (2) the mother of both is named Martha. There is also the indication in the book “Tennessee Cousins” where it says James Edward Rotan moved to Waco and was a successful businessman. Finally Edward and Kate's first son is named James, the second Edward. It's not absolute proof, but these seem to be pretty good indications.

Two things to remember: I think the Ed Rotan was William Lee's uncle, but it's also possible he was William Lee's brother, my father's uncle. And, I don't know whether or not this Ed Rotan is Edward the husband of Kate McCall; I'm trying to determine this. And there seem to be two "Ed" Rotan's in or around Waco in the 1880's, not including the two sons of Edward and Kate that are named Edward.

There's really no doubt that Rotan, Texas was named for Ed Rotan of Waco. The Texas State Historical Association has a page about Rotan, Texas on their site. It says:

"The settlement struggled to survive until 1906, when lots were staked for rapid development after the Texas Central Railroad decided to locate its western terminus there. . . . . The Texas Central built through the town in 1907. A post office application that year necessitated a name change, as there was already another White Flat post office in Texas, and the community was renamed for Ed Rotan of Waco, a major investor in the railroad. " The page is at:

Interestingly the Texas State Historical Association also maintains a page on Kate Sturm Rotan:

But I couldn't find one for her husband. But there are several references to him on various sites. A couple of Civil War sites list him as being in the Tennessee 16^th Infantry Regiment, Company K:

Edward, his mother, Kate, four sons, a daughter, and a couple of other relatives are buried in Oakwood Ceme-tery in Waco, Block 3, lot 66:

It shows "Miss Nettie Rotan" the daughter of "Ed Rotan" of McLennan County enrolled in Waco Female College for the 1880-1881 school year. I would think this would be Edward and Kate's daughter Antoinette, except that she would only be about ten years old for the 1880-1881 school year; hardly college age. So, there must be a second "Ed Rotan" in or around Waco that is wealthy enough to send his daughter to college.”

In 1891 William Lee Rotan lived at Milford, Texas where their first child was born. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 442, Jonesboro, Texas about 1900, according to Joseph Russell "Dutch" Pancake who had access to the records.

William Lee Rotan appeared as the head of Household 42-42 in the 1900 census of Coryell County, Enumeration District 50, page 3, living near the residence of his father-in-law. The family was rendered as:

In later years the Rotans made their home at Sterling City, Texas, and in 1907 moved to Nolan, Texas. William Lee Rotan was elected a county commissioner there.

William Lee Rotan removed to California about 1934 and began work as an itinerant vegetable harvester, living in a tent. After a few months he sent for his family, and they joined him there.

Later they lived in Tulare and San Diego, California. William Lee Rotan died at Tulare in 1938, lying on a cot in his tent, according to Ellis Glen Rotan, a grandson. William Lee Rotan was buried at Visalia, California beside the grave of his sister, assumed to be Rebecca "Becky" Rotan Wrigley. Ellender E. “Ella” Gowen Rotan died November 29, 1942 following a heart attack and a stroke and was buried in National City, California in Glen Abbey Cemetery. She was a close friend of Nancy Olive McKelvain Preslar and requested to be buried near her in Glen Abbey, according to Glenn Rotan, a grandson of each. Also buried there were two daughters of Nancy Olive McKelvain Preslar, Ophelia Preslar and Tinnie Olive Presslar.

Thirteen children were born to William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. “Ella” Gowen Rotan:

Willie Dee Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born February 19, 1891 at Milford, Texas. Later he lived at Sterling City, Texas, and in 1907 his family removed to Nolan, Texas. In 1912 he and Ida Belle Howell eloped and were married. He died December 27, 1960 and was buried at Slaters Chapel Cemetery, Nolan, Texas, according to Patterson Funeral Home, Sweetwater, Texas, who officiated. In 1972 Ida Belle Howell Rotan continued to make her home at Nolan, living alone.

Leonard George Rotan, son of Willie Dee Rotan and Ida Belle Howell Rotan, was born September 24, 1917 at Nolan, Texas. He was married June 6, 1940 to Agnes Bernice Pendergrass who was born March 23, 1915 at Eskota, Texas in Fisher County. The wedding was performed in a double ceremony with Harry Dean Rotan and his bride. In 1972 Leonard George Rotan and Agnes Bernice Pendergrass Rotan lived on a dairy farm near Nolan, Texas.

Harry Dean Rotan, son of Willie Dee Rotan and Ida Belle Howell Rotan, was born February 12, 1919 at Nolan, Texas. He was married June 6, 1940, wife's name unknown. In 1972 he and his wife and two children made their home at Nolan, Texas.

Linda Ferriel Rotan, daughter of Willie Dee Rotan and Ida Belle Howell Rotan, was born about 1921 at Nolan, Texas. On June 1, 1940 she was married to Homer Faulkner and later divorced. In 1945 she was married to Matthew Barthel . In 1961 they lived in San Diego, California.

Vaudy Lynette Rotan, daughter of Willie Dee Rotan and Ida Belle Howell Rotan, was born about 1925 at Nolan, Texas. In 1943 she was married, husband's name Bartzett. In 1961 they were living in San Diego, California.

Lon Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1892. In 1960 he lived at Stratmore, California with his wife, six sons and three daughters. Following a separation from his wife Lon Rotan lived with his brothers. He died in California about 1969.

Lillian Rotan, daughter of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1894. She died at the age of two weeks and was buried at Hurst Springs, Texas.

Ed Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1895. He was married about January 1918 and died in an influenza epidemic October 12, 1918 at Desdemona, Texas.

Eunice Rotan, daughter of Ed Rotan, was born about 1918, probably at Desdemona, Texas. She was married about 1938, husband's name Staton. In 1960 they lived at Midland, Texas.

Beulah Rotan, daughter of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1897 in Coryell County, Texas. About 1918 she was married to Ben Sanders. He was born January 8, 1895 in Bowie County, Texas and was raised in Williamson County, Texas. After the death of his father in 1905, he moved to Nolan County, Texas to live with an uncle. While working there in 1915, he met Beulah Rotan. They were married in 1916.

Later in that year, they removed to Snyder, Oklahoma where he worked for Levitt Dairy. They returned to Nolan County in 1918, and he farmed there for the next eight years. About 1926, they relocated to Midland, Texas where he worked for Atlantic Roofing Company and Humble Oil Company.

Early in the 1930s, they removed to California and lived in San Diego from 1935 to 1944. Beulah Rotan Sanders suffered from arthritis, and her doctor recommended that they move to a dryer climate. They moved to Fresno, California.

Ben Sanders died there from a stroke in 1961 and was buried in California City, California, according to their son, Troy Sanders.

In September 1992 Beulah Rotan Sanders lived in South Carolina. She died in Ridgeway, South Carolina about 1995 at the age of 98. She retained a sharp mental acuity at her death.

James Sanders, son of Ben Sanders and Beulah Rotan Sanders, was born in December 1917 and died 18 months later.

Troy Sanders, son of Ben Sanders and Beulah Rotan Sanders, was born in 1924 in Nolan County. He was the father of two daughters in 1960 when he lived in Alameda, California. In 1972 he lived in Oregon.

Jerry Otis "Bud" Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born in 1901. He was namesake of his grandfather, Jeremiah Benjamin Nunley Gowen and his uncle, Charles Otis Gowen. He was married about 1924 and became the father of two sons, one of whom was killed in World War II combat. In 1972 he lived in Midland, Texas.

Weldon Rotan, son of Jerry Otis "Bud" Rotan, was born about 1927. In 1972 Weldon Rotan lived in Midland, Texas with his wife and two children.

Claud Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan and namesake of his uncle, Claud Franklin Gowen, was born about 1903. He remained unmarried throughout his life. In 1960 he lived at Stratford, California where he operated a cafe with his brother, Guy Rotan. Claud Rotan died at Midland, Texas in 1967.

Guy Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1905. He remained unmarried throughout his life. In 1960 he operated a cafe with his brother, Claud Rotan at Stratford, California. He died in Lamesa, Texas about 1958 and was buried at Midland, Texas.

Rush Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born in 1906. He was married about 1926. In 1960 he and his wife, two sons and a daughter lived in Midland, Texas.

Foy Rotan, son of Rush Rotan, was born about 1929. In 1972 he lived in Midland, Texas with his wife and children. He died before 1992.

Ocie Rotan, daughter of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born in 1907 in Nolan County, Texas. She was married about 1925 to Ambrose Woodul at Lamesa, Texas. Later the couple was divorced. She worked as a switchboard operator at Plainsman Motel and was employed in the Pink Pantry at Medical Arts Hospital. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Phythian Sisters, the '48 Delphians and the Lamesa Garden Club. Ambrose Woodul died at Lamesa in 1980. Ocie Rotan Woodul died August 31, 1992 in a rest home in Lamesa after a lengthy illness. She was buried in Lamesa Memorial Park. She had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Lavoris Woodul, daughter of Ambrose Woodul and Ocie Rotan Woodul, was born at Lamesa about 1926. About 1948 she was married to Bart Truitt. In September 1992 they lived in Lamesa.

A son, unnamed, was born to Ambrose Woodul and Ocie Rotan Woodul about 1931 and lived only two weeks.

Wynell Woodul, daughter of Ambrose Woodul and Ocie Rotan Woodul, was born at Lamesa about 1933. About 1953 she was married to Edward Wood. In September 1992 they made their home in Lamesa.

Jasper "Jack" Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen, was born about 1910. He was married about 1938, but no children were born to the union. In 1960 he lived in Fresno, California. He died before 1992.

Ellis Geanks Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. “Ella” Gowen Rotan, was born May 5, 1913, according to Ellis Glen Rotan, a son. About 1942, during World War II, he was married to Esther Myrtle Jones.

“Because of the war, Dad could not get a day off to apply for a marriage license. They waited until the next holiday he had off, July 4, and drove to Las Vegas with a few family members, were married there and drove back that evening so he could go to work the next day. Mom’s was born Stillwell, but while Mom was a child, my divorced Grandmother moved twice and changed their name to Jones.”

Ellis Geanks Rotan lived at National City, California and worked at the Consolidated aircraft plant in San Diego. Following World War II, they removed to Jonesboro, Arkansas. In 1962 they removed to Summersville, Missouri. In the summer of 1972 they removed to Phoenix, Arizona.

In the summer of 1973 they returned to Summersville. In the following year they moved to Springfield, Missouri. In 1975 the relocated to Ventura, California. In January 1976 they made a move to Oildale, California, near Bakersfield.

Ellis Glen Rotan, son of Ellis Geanks Rotan and Esther Myrtle Jones Rotan, was born at Jonesboro, Arkansas January 28, 1958. He was graduated from North High School in Oildale, California. In September 2000 he was living in Raytown, Missouri.

Melvin Rotan, son of William Lee Rotan and Ellender E. Gowen Rotan, was born about 1913. He was married about 1938. In 1972 he lived in Medford, Oregon. He died before 1992.

Charles Otis Gowen, son of Jeremiah Benjamin Nunley Gowen and Hellen Roberts Gowen, was born in 1872 in Texas, according to the 1880 census of Cowley County, Kansas. He appeared there as a six-year-old living in his father's household.

"In 1892 Charles Otis Gowen, then 19, accompanied Harve and Lizzie Lee and me on a Christmastime visit to Harve's parents, William Green Lee and Mollie Lee, and Aunt Melissa Morris who lived at Farmersville, Texas. On the return trip Charles Otis developed pneumonia and died shortly after our arrival back at the home of Harve Lee."

Cynthia Diera Gowen, daughter of Jeremiah Benjamin Nunley Gowen and Hellen Roberts Gowen, was born in 1876, according to her son, Charles Otis Price. She appeared as a three-year-old living in her father's household in the 1880 census of Cowley County, Kansas.

She was brought back to Texas by her father when he returned about 1881, locating at Clarksville, Texas, and she remained in Texas for the next 20 years.

Her next place of residence in Texas was in Farmersville in 1889, and it is believed that she met James Reuben Price there.

He was enumerated there in the 1880 census of Cooke County, Texas living in the household of an uncle. On November 3, 1893 he became her husband, according to Ellis County, Texas Marriage Book G, page 587. A. D. Brooks, minister of the gospel, officiated.

James Reuben Price was born in Missouri, perhaps in Bakersfield, a village once known as Watersville in Ozark County. It is believed that he "hired out" as a teamster in Bakersfield to drive a wagon to Texas for James Edward Hughes. While associated with the Hughes family he fell in love with Nora Hughes, daughter of James Edward Hughes, and they were married about 1889.

Nora Hughes Price, who was born at Bakersfield, became the victim of a childbirth tragedy which also claimed the life of her baby about 1891. Two years later James Reuben Price, the young widower, took Cynthia Diera Gowen as his second wife.

During the childhood of James Reuben Price his father, name unknown, a widower was remarried to a widow Kerr of Bakersfield. Thus James Reuben Price became a half-brother to Sam Kerr. Sam Kerr was the father of Governor-Senator Robert Kerr, Oklahoma oil millionaire. When the father of Sam Kerr was ambushed and killed near Bakersfield, the boy was sent for a time to live with relatives in Ada, Oklahoma.

In 1895 James Reuben Price moved his family to Coryell County, Texas to settle in the Pancake community near his father-in-law's location. While in residence there three of his children were born.

Over the objection of her father, Cynthia Diera Gowen Price and her husband made plans to remove to Missouri. In 1901 James Reuben Price located near Richland, Missouri in Pulaski County. Two more children were added to the family there.

In 1906 James Reuben Price moved to Bakersfield where he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives. He died in 1944 and was buried in Bakersfield Cemetery. She died in 1945 and was buried beside her husband.

Leona Price, daughter of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born in 1894 in Coryell County, Texas. She was deceased prior to 1960 and was buried at Bakersfield, Missouri.

Donna Viola Price, daughter of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born in Coryell County December 13, 1896. About 1916 she was married to Clifford R. Fusselman. In 1960 the couple made their home at Dewey, Oklahoma.

Zula Fusselman, daughter of Clifford R. Fusselman and Donna Viola Price Fusselman, was born about 1920. She was married about 1942 to Kenneth Steward, and in 1960 they lived in Dewey.

Janet Fusselman, daughter of Clifford R. Fusselman and Donna Viola Price Fusselman, was born about 1922. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Bud Fusselman, son of Clifford R. Fusselman and Donna Viola Price Fusselman, was born about 1924. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Charles Otis Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born May 12, 1899 in Coryell County, Texas. He was a namesake of his uncle, Charles Otis Gowen. He was married about 1920, wife's name Anna, probably in Ozark County, Missouri. She was born in 1904. Charles Otis Price farmed at Elijah, Missouri for over 60 years. He continued to make his home there in 1972. He died in Springfield, Missouri May 31, 1976 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [Lou Gehrig Disease] after two years of paralysis. The malady seems to be genetically transmitted in the Price family which has had other ALS victims among its members. Anna Price in February 1985 lived at Nixa, Missouri. She died there in a nursing home January 30, 1994 at age 89.

Onis Price, son of Charles Otis Price and Anna Price, was born in Bakersfield, Missouri about 1925. He was married about 1945, wife's name Joy. In 1960 he was residing with him family at 1020 South Banks Street, Pampa, Texas where he was an oilfield employee. He continued there in 1985 and in 1995.

Charles Price, son of Onis Price and Joy Price, was born in Pampa in 1946. He was married about 1969, wife's name Shari. In 1995 they and their two sons lived at Canyon, Texas where he was the minister of the First Baptist Church.

Ellen Price, daughter of Onis Price and Joy Price, was born in Pampa in 1949. She was married about 1969 to Clint Sampley. In 1995 they and their two children live in DeSoto, Texas.

Charlotte Price, daughter of Onis Price and Joy Price, was born in Pampa in 1951. She was married about 1970, husband's name Brown. Following a divorce, she and her two children live in Dallas, Texas.

Jo Price, daughter of Onis Price and Joy Price, was born in Pampa in 1954. She was married about 1974 to Rob Carter. In 1995, they and their two children live in Canyon.

Harold Price, son of Onis Price and Joy Price, was born in Pampa in 1959. He was married about 1982, wife's name Kim. In 1995 Harold Price, Kim Price and their two children continue in Pampa.

Juanita Price, daughter of Charles Otis Price and Anna Price, was born in Bakersfield in 1926. In 1944, she was married to Neil Satterfield. In 1960 they lived in Ada, Oklahoma. In 1985 they operated Neil's Shoes and Clothes Center Dress Shop there. In 1995, they continued in the shoe business in Ada and in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Sue Satterfield, daughter of Neil Satterfield and Juanita Price Satterfield, was born in Bakersfield, Missouri in 1946. She was married about 1968 to Ron Frederick. In 1995 and in 2001 they lived in Seminole, Oklahoma where they, members of Gowen Research Foundation, are active in the research of their family history. She was a teacher in the Seminole public schools.

Shirley Satterfield, daughter of Neil Satterfield and Juanita Price Satterfield, was born in West Plains, Missouri in 1949. She was married about 1969 to Alton Wood. In 1995 they lived in Konawa, Oklahoma where they were schoolteachers. Children born to them include:

Carolyn Satterfield, daughter of Neil Satterfield and Juanita Price Satterfield, was born in West Plains in 1956. She was married about 1975 to Mark Pasqualino, a corporation pilot. She became a captain with United Airlines. In 1995 they lived in Rockford, Illinois. No children were born to them.

Frank Price, son of Charles Otis Price and Anna Price, was born in Bakersfield, Missouri in 1928. He was married about 1952, wife's name Jeannie. In 1960 they were living at 416 North Powell Street, Pampa. In 1985 and in 1995, he lived in Springfield, Missouri.

Don Price, son of Charles Otis Price and Anna Price, was born at Elijah, Missouri about 1930. In 1960 he lived at Nixa, Missouri where he was a school teacher. In 1985 and in 1995, he and his wife, a banker, continued there.

James William Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born September 29, 1901. In 1985 he lived in Tucson, Arizona.

Holly Everett Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born January 3, 1903. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Lloyd Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born August 6, 1905, probably at Richland, Missouri. In 1960 he was operating a grocery store at Elijah, Missouri. He died before 1985. His widow lived at West Plains, Missouri in February 1985.

Claud Reuben Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price and namesake of his father and his uncle, Claud Franklin Gowen, was born July 13, 1907 in Ozark County, Missouri. He died prior to 1985. His widow lived at Bakersfield, Missouri in February 1985.

Joe Bill Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born February 10, 1914 at Pryor, Oklahoma. He was married about 1937, wife's name Gerry. In January 1960 he lived at Hayti, Missouri where he operated a Western Auto Store. No children had been born to Joe Bill Price and Gerry Price in 1960. He died prior to 1985. In February 1985 Gerry Price lived at West Plains, Missouri.

Ruth Pauline Price, daughter of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born May 2, 1918 in Bakersfield. In 1985 she lived at Fulton, Missouri.

Mitchell Price, son of James Reuben Price and Cynthia Diera Gowen Price, was born about 1920 at Bakersfield. Of this individual nothing more is known.

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