My beloved Great Uncle. Family Bible says he was born Dec 2, 1867, not Jan 15, 1863 which is what the newspaper had when they celebrated his 101st birthday. Uncle George probably got a good laugh at that one! He was such a colorful character.
Census records:
Jul 1870 Age 1, Clearspring, LaGrange, IN
Jun 1880 Age 11, Clear Creek, Stafford, KS
Jun 1900 Age 27, Judkins, Woodward, OK
May 1910 Age 39, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Jan 1920 Age 52, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1930 Age 57, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1940 Age 73, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Uncle George would regale the nieces and nephews with stories of his early days on the Oklahoma frontier. Once while hunting near the Texas border about 1895, a young man probably not over seventeen, rode into their camp. He said he was on his way to Texas where he had a job. He ate supper and spent the night. His name was Will Rogers.
Written Nov 5, 1995 by nephew, my Uncle Rags: "Dad (Dick Ragsdale) visited Uncle George in the 1960's and found the old man living in an old car in his own front yard. The house having become uninhabitable due to age and George's being unable to carry out needed upkeep. Dad made sure that George had a social security income and was moved into an 'old folks' home where he would end his days in comfort."
Woodward, Oklahoma newspaper article by the State Staff: Services Monday For Pioneer, 100
WOODWARD --- Services for George Knox Tousley, 100, Oklahoma pioneer who fought Indians and was acquainted with famous marshals and outlaws, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Armstrong Funeral Home Chapel. Tousley died Thursday in Woodward Memorial Hospital. Tousley was born December 9, 1864 (sic) at Terre Haute, Indiana, and helped his father move freight for the army from Dodge City to Camp Supply and to Adobe Walls at Mobeetie, Texas. Tousley attended school at Fort Dodge, Kansas. He settled on a claim south of Arnett in 1893. He knew Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson when they served as U.S. marshals and he was acquainted with outlaws of the area, including the James brothers [Jesse & Frank]. The pioneer told colorful stories of his experiences fighting Indians in the late 1880's. He witnessed the moving of the Woodward Episcopal church from Fort Supply in 1894. General George Custer attended the church, according to state history. Tousley was a farmer, hunter and trapper. In later years he raised and trained bird dogs. Survivors include one stepson, Luther Brown, Vici, and nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Paul Shaw for stone photo and to Mary Lambert, who first listed and graciously transferred memorial.
Census records:
Jul 1870 Age 1, Clearspring, LaGrange, IN
Jun 1880 Age 11, Clear Creek, Stafford, KS
Jun 1900 Age 27, Judkins, Woodward, OK
May 1910 Age 39, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Jan 1920 Age 52, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1930 Age 57, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1940 Age 73, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Uncle George would regale the nieces and nephews with stories of his early days on the Oklahoma frontier. Once while hunting near the Texas border about 1895, a young man probably not over seventeen, rode into their camp. He said he was on his way to Texas where he had a job. He ate supper and spent the night. His name was Will Rogers.
Written Nov 5, 1995 by nephew, my Uncle Rags: "Dad (Dick Ragsdale) visited Uncle George in the 1960's and found the old man living in an old car in his own front yard. The house having become uninhabitable due to age and George's being unable to carry out needed upkeep. Dad made sure that George had a social security income and was moved into an 'old folks' home where he would end his days in comfort."
Woodward, Oklahoma newspaper article by the State Staff: Services Monday For Pioneer, 100
WOODWARD --- Services for George Knox Tousley, 100, Oklahoma pioneer who fought Indians and was acquainted with famous marshals and outlaws, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Armstrong Funeral Home Chapel. Tousley died Thursday in Woodward Memorial Hospital. Tousley was born December 9, 1864 (sic) at Terre Haute, Indiana, and helped his father move freight for the army from Dodge City to Camp Supply and to Adobe Walls at Mobeetie, Texas. Tousley attended school at Fort Dodge, Kansas. He settled on a claim south of Arnett in 1893. He knew Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson when they served as U.S. marshals and he was acquainted with outlaws of the area, including the James brothers [Jesse & Frank]. The pioneer told colorful stories of his experiences fighting Indians in the late 1880's. He witnessed the moving of the Woodward Episcopal church from Fort Supply in 1894. General George Custer attended the church, according to state history. Tousley was a farmer, hunter and trapper. In later years he raised and trained bird dogs. Survivors include one stepson, Luther Brown, Vici, and nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Paul Shaw for stone photo and to Mary Lambert, who first listed and graciously transferred memorial.
My beloved Great Uncle. Family Bible says he was born Dec 2, 1867, not Jan 15, 1863 which is what the newspaper had when they celebrated his 101st birthday. Uncle George probably got a good laugh at that one! He was such a colorful character.
Census records:
Jul 1870 Age 1, Clearspring, LaGrange, IN
Jun 1880 Age 11, Clear Creek, Stafford, KS
Jun 1900 Age 27, Judkins, Woodward, OK
May 1910 Age 39, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Jan 1920 Age 52, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1930 Age 57, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1940 Age 73, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Uncle George would regale the nieces and nephews with stories of his early days on the Oklahoma frontier. Once while hunting near the Texas border about 1895, a young man probably not over seventeen, rode into their camp. He said he was on his way to Texas where he had a job. He ate supper and spent the night. His name was Will Rogers.
Written Nov 5, 1995 by nephew, my Uncle Rags: "Dad (Dick Ragsdale) visited Uncle George in the 1960's and found the old man living in an old car in his own front yard. The house having become uninhabitable due to age and George's being unable to carry out needed upkeep. Dad made sure that George had a social security income and was moved into an 'old folks' home where he would end his days in comfort."
Woodward, Oklahoma newspaper article by the State Staff: Services Monday For Pioneer, 100
WOODWARD --- Services for George Knox Tousley, 100, Oklahoma pioneer who fought Indians and was acquainted with famous marshals and outlaws, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Armstrong Funeral Home Chapel. Tousley died Thursday in Woodward Memorial Hospital. Tousley was born December 9, 1864 (sic) at Terre Haute, Indiana, and helped his father move freight for the army from Dodge City to Camp Supply and to Adobe Walls at Mobeetie, Texas. Tousley attended school at Fort Dodge, Kansas. He settled on a claim south of Arnett in 1893. He knew Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson when they served as U.S. marshals and he was acquainted with outlaws of the area, including the James brothers [Jesse & Frank]. The pioneer told colorful stories of his experiences fighting Indians in the late 1880's. He witnessed the moving of the Woodward Episcopal church from Fort Supply in 1894. General George Custer attended the church, according to state history. Tousley was a farmer, hunter and trapper. In later years he raised and trained bird dogs. Survivors include one stepson, Luther Brown, Vici, and nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Paul Shaw for stone photo and to Mary Lambert, who first listed and graciously transferred memorial.
Census records:
Jul 1870 Age 1, Clearspring, LaGrange, IN
Jun 1880 Age 11, Clear Creek, Stafford, KS
Jun 1900 Age 27, Judkins, Woodward, OK
May 1910 Age 39, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Jan 1920 Age 52, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1930 Age 57, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Apr 1940 Age 73, Irwin, Woodward, OK
Uncle George would regale the nieces and nephews with stories of his early days on the Oklahoma frontier. Once while hunting near the Texas border about 1895, a young man probably not over seventeen, rode into their camp. He said he was on his way to Texas where he had a job. He ate supper and spent the night. His name was Will Rogers.
Written Nov 5, 1995 by nephew, my Uncle Rags: "Dad (Dick Ragsdale) visited Uncle George in the 1960's and found the old man living in an old car in his own front yard. The house having become uninhabitable due to age and George's being unable to carry out needed upkeep. Dad made sure that George had a social security income and was moved into an 'old folks' home where he would end his days in comfort."
Woodward, Oklahoma newspaper article by the State Staff: Services Monday For Pioneer, 100
WOODWARD --- Services for George Knox Tousley, 100, Oklahoma pioneer who fought Indians and was acquainted with famous marshals and outlaws, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Armstrong Funeral Home Chapel. Tousley died Thursday in Woodward Memorial Hospital. Tousley was born December 9, 1864 (sic) at Terre Haute, Indiana, and helped his father move freight for the army from Dodge City to Camp Supply and to Adobe Walls at Mobeetie, Texas. Tousley attended school at Fort Dodge, Kansas. He settled on a claim south of Arnett in 1893. He knew Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson when they served as U.S. marshals and he was acquainted with outlaws of the area, including the James brothers [Jesse & Frank]. The pioneer told colorful stories of his experiences fighting Indians in the late 1880's. He witnessed the moving of the Woodward Episcopal church from Fort Supply in 1894. General George Custer attended the church, according to state history. Tousley was a farmer, hunter and trapper. In later years he raised and trained bird dogs. Survivors include one stepson, Luther Brown, Vici, and nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Paul Shaw for stone photo and to Mary Lambert, who first listed and graciously transferred memorial.
Inscription
Married June 20, 1900
