Kellogg Ranch Cemetery

This graphic/image above copyright property of vikimouse

While doing some research, I was reading some of the stories in the "Mills County Memories", page 282 (c) By the Mills County Historical Commission and learned that the names of some of the people buried at the Kellogg Ranch Cemetery (Farm to Market road 2005, 8 miles northeast of Goldthwaite, Texas) near North Bennett Creek close to Caradan, Texas I do not know much more about the cemetery or the ranch but will add information as I come across it If you have any additional information, please write me, Sharon Ivy

Mills County Memories Page 282 Compiled and (c) by the Mills County Historical Commission 1994 In an Family History Article titled, "Wiley Jones I and Elizabeth Guest Hester" on Page 282 in the "Mills County Memories", submitted by Alberta Downey Davis was the following information noted: ". . . Wiley developed poor heath and died January 1, 1894. He was buried on Kellogg Ranch at a site he choose. (Picture of Wiley Jones I and Elizabeth Guest Hester) Two other graves are also by Wiley's grave. One belonging to Mary Ellen Oxley, daughter of John Enoch and Barbara Hester Oxley. The other grave is of a sister-in-law of Wiley J. Hester, II. (Correction of information pretaining to the maiden name of the wife of Wiley Hester - "Elizabeth Gass") One night a severe electrical storm came up and the family crowded into the cellar. Mary Ellen sat under the ventilation pipe. Lightening struck the pipe outside the cellar, went down and killed her instantly. . . . To obtain photocopies of this article or more information about the cemetery, book or how to contact the submitter, Please contact Caroline Schwartz, Chairperson of the Mills County Historical Commission either by phone or regular US Mail. Sorry at this time she is not on the internet. Contact information is on the Mills County Historical Commission web page back to top

Wiley Hester Grave Site Family researcher, Joe David sent in this photo and description: (photo from collection of Joe David) Joe wrote "I remembered that I had a picture of my Grandfather Elbert Tefertiller and another descendant of Wiley Hester taken at the grave site. Elbert is on the left and "Windy" Hester is on the right. I have never been able to determine who "Windy" is, or if that is a nickname(I suspect it is. I remember them talking about him being quite a talker). The photo is dated Dec 1963(processing date, not when it was taken). The tombstone is obviously much newer than 1894 and it is speculated that perhaps Alberta Davis's father Albert Downey put it there at a later date." Back to Wiley Hester

Update from Joe David about the article, "Wiley Jones I and Elizabeth Guest Hester" on Page 282 in the "Mills County Memories" "Regarding the info on Wiley Jones Hester: At the time Alberta Davis submitted the information there was every reason to believe that Wiley Jones Hester's wife's name was Elizabeth GUEST. Since then we have learned that it was actually Elizabeth GASS. She was the daugther of Samuel Gass and Priscilla Williams. She and husband Wiley are included in her mother Priscilla's will. Elizabeth Gass Hester was born 12 Mar 1831/32 in Franklin County, TN. I have Wiley Jones Hester's birth date as 30 July 1829. As far as we know, their exact marriage date and location have not been documented. There is an old family document that says they had a child born about 1852 in MO who died in infancy. There is deed and mortgage records that indicate they lived in Wright Co, MO from Sept. 1854 to Sept. 1857. In 1850 Wiley was still unmarried in living with his family in Benton Co, AR for that census, and Elizabeth was enumerated with her family in Wright Co MO. I assume they were married about 1851, probably in Wright Co., MO, since that is where the Gass family lived and Wiley and Elizabeth also. By 1860 the Wiley Jones Hester family was in Grayson Co, Texas." Joe Back to Wiley & Elizabeth Gass Hester