He was the son of James Addison CATON, bn 1834, VA, and Julia A. Gertrude (Butler), CATON.
He married Siddie Rheuamie McGehee, 23 Aug. 1887, in Delta Co. TX.
Old Brother" Caton, as he is known to his innumerable friends, was born in 1862 in Cooper County, Missouri. There he grew to young manhood, and remembered back as he tells of the time when the "Bluecoats," part of Custer's army, passed through his town on their way to the badlands of South Dakota.
He left his old home state of Missouri in 1886 for Texas. He was there only one year when he met and married SIDDIE MCGEHEE.
Caton, a farmer, made a few crops in Texas, moved to Oakland, Indian Territory, and made a crop, then back to Texas and in 1895, he moved to a place near Allen, OK and has lived in Pontotoc County since that date, with an exception of only four years.
Grandpa Caton is definitely an Ada pioneer. He said he used to haul freight from Allen to Purcell through the site where Ada now stands when it was nothing but tall grass.
Never living actually in Ada until three years ago, Caton is well known in most of the rural communities of the county.
In 1912 Caton built a home near Oakman, eight miles northeast of Ada. He lived there and farmed his 90 acres until his original home burned in 1937. He then rebuilt on the same plot, selling 40 acres of his land and retiring almost completely from farming because of his age.
Rev. Caton, a Free Will Baptist preacher since 1902, has probably married and buried as many people in the county as any other preacher. Even at 85, he still performs these ministerial duties. He married a couple in his home only last week.
He has pastored at nearly every small community in the northern part of the county. His first pastorate was at Sikes school, where Atwood now stands. Other places where he pastored are Black Rock, Happyland, Cedar Grove, Yeager, Center, Culley west of Sasakwa, Pecan Grove, Stedman(?), McCalls Chapel, and Big Springs south of Wewoka.
He was pastor of the Oakman church, his home community, for 19 years. Last year at age 84, he was recalled as pastor with an assistant to take his place if he was unable to appear.
All his positions as pastor were not at separate times, however. Preaching in the "good old way," Caton would have four or five churches at the same time preaching in there only about once a month.
He would arrive on Saturday in the community where he was pastor and hold one service that day, another on Sunday morning, another Sunday evening.
During the summer session, he would hold revival meetings from two to five weeks long in each community he pastured.
He did all this in addition to raising a crop at home and most outstanding of all, he has yet to accept a fee for his preaching services. If money was given him, he would turn right around and give it to someone who needed it worse.
Ten years ago, on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, a surprise celebration was planned for Mr. and Mrs. Caton at their home place in Oakman. On the morning of the celebration, people started arriving unexpectedly and by noon, more than 150 people of friends and associates arrived to help them celebrate.
The re-marriage ceremony on the Golden Wedding Anniversary was performed by their only son, MARION L. CATON, now at Wewoka, also a Free Will Baptist minister. They have one other living child, a daughter, Mrs. ETHEL CLAYTON, of Ada.
They have 11 living grandchildren, of whom, three, EARL, MURRAY and LEONA COLLINS, were raised by the aged couple after their mother's death; and 12 great-grandchildren.
During the interview with my grandfather (I am one of the grandchildren), he said that if it weren't for caring for his bed-confined wife, "I guess I would still be preaching."
Because of his age and not too good health, this sounds a little preposterous. But those who know him, and know of his iron determination, will say that he probably would be.
(Taken from Aug. 31, 1947 front-page article in the "Ada Evening News" with a photo of the couple.)
-------
Note:
One daughter, Middie Collins, died probably in August, 1919...as an old church Minute from Center Ass'n in Pontotoc Co., has this notation: " Bro. J. N. Caton arrived and announced the death of his daughter, Sister Middy Collins, and Bro. Coggins left with him for his home."
The Ass'n was meeting beginning, August 21, 1919. Does any of her family know where she is buried? And, was "Middie" a nickname? How would her name on her tombstone be inscribed? If known, please link. (wvy)
=====
He married Siddie Rheuamie McGehee, 23 Aug. 1887, in Delta Co. TX.
Old Brother" Caton, as he is known to his innumerable friends, was born in 1862 in Cooper County, Missouri. There he grew to young manhood, and remembered back as he tells of the time when the "Bluecoats," part of Custer's army, passed through his town on their way to the badlands of South Dakota.
He left his old home state of Missouri in 1886 for Texas. He was there only one year when he met and married SIDDIE MCGEHEE.
Caton, a farmer, made a few crops in Texas, moved to Oakland, Indian Territory, and made a crop, then back to Texas and in 1895, he moved to a place near Allen, OK and has lived in Pontotoc County since that date, with an exception of only four years.
Grandpa Caton is definitely an Ada pioneer. He said he used to haul freight from Allen to Purcell through the site where Ada now stands when it was nothing but tall grass.
Never living actually in Ada until three years ago, Caton is well known in most of the rural communities of the county.
In 1912 Caton built a home near Oakman, eight miles northeast of Ada. He lived there and farmed his 90 acres until his original home burned in 1937. He then rebuilt on the same plot, selling 40 acres of his land and retiring almost completely from farming because of his age.
Rev. Caton, a Free Will Baptist preacher since 1902, has probably married and buried as many people in the county as any other preacher. Even at 85, he still performs these ministerial duties. He married a couple in his home only last week.
He has pastored at nearly every small community in the northern part of the county. His first pastorate was at Sikes school, where Atwood now stands. Other places where he pastored are Black Rock, Happyland, Cedar Grove, Yeager, Center, Culley west of Sasakwa, Pecan Grove, Stedman(?), McCalls Chapel, and Big Springs south of Wewoka.
He was pastor of the Oakman church, his home community, for 19 years. Last year at age 84, he was recalled as pastor with an assistant to take his place if he was unable to appear.
All his positions as pastor were not at separate times, however. Preaching in the "good old way," Caton would have four or five churches at the same time preaching in there only about once a month.
He would arrive on Saturday in the community where he was pastor and hold one service that day, another on Sunday morning, another Sunday evening.
During the summer session, he would hold revival meetings from two to five weeks long in each community he pastured.
He did all this in addition to raising a crop at home and most outstanding of all, he has yet to accept a fee for his preaching services. If money was given him, he would turn right around and give it to someone who needed it worse.
Ten years ago, on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, a surprise celebration was planned for Mr. and Mrs. Caton at their home place in Oakman. On the morning of the celebration, people started arriving unexpectedly and by noon, more than 150 people of friends and associates arrived to help them celebrate.
The re-marriage ceremony on the Golden Wedding Anniversary was performed by their only son, MARION L. CATON, now at Wewoka, also a Free Will Baptist minister. They have one other living child, a daughter, Mrs. ETHEL CLAYTON, of Ada.
They have 11 living grandchildren, of whom, three, EARL, MURRAY and LEONA COLLINS, were raised by the aged couple after their mother's death; and 12 great-grandchildren.
During the interview with my grandfather (I am one of the grandchildren), he said that if it weren't for caring for his bed-confined wife, "I guess I would still be preaching."
Because of his age and not too good health, this sounds a little preposterous. But those who know him, and know of his iron determination, will say that he probably would be.
(Taken from Aug. 31, 1947 front-page article in the "Ada Evening News" with a photo of the couple.)
-------
Note:
One daughter, Middie Collins, died probably in August, 1919...as an old church Minute from Center Ass'n in Pontotoc Co., has this notation: " Bro. J. N. Caton arrived and announced the death of his daughter, Sister Middy Collins, and Bro. Coggins left with him for his home."
The Ass'n was meeting beginning, August 21, 1919. Does any of her family know where she is buried? And, was "Middie" a nickname? How would her name on her tombstone be inscribed? If known, please link. (wvy)
=====
He was the son of James Addison CATON, bn 1834, VA, and Julia A. Gertrude (Butler), CATON.
He married Siddie Rheuamie McGehee, 23 Aug. 1887, in Delta Co. TX.
Old Brother" Caton, as he is known to his innumerable friends, was born in 1862 in Cooper County, Missouri. There he grew to young manhood, and remembered back as he tells of the time when the "Bluecoats," part of Custer's army, passed through his town on their way to the badlands of South Dakota.
He left his old home state of Missouri in 1886 for Texas. He was there only one year when he met and married SIDDIE MCGEHEE.
Caton, a farmer, made a few crops in Texas, moved to Oakland, Indian Territory, and made a crop, then back to Texas and in 1895, he moved to a place near Allen, OK and has lived in Pontotoc County since that date, with an exception of only four years.
Grandpa Caton is definitely an Ada pioneer. He said he used to haul freight from Allen to Purcell through the site where Ada now stands when it was nothing but tall grass.
Never living actually in Ada until three years ago, Caton is well known in most of the rural communities of the county.
In 1912 Caton built a home near Oakman, eight miles northeast of Ada. He lived there and farmed his 90 acres until his original home burned in 1937. He then rebuilt on the same plot, selling 40 acres of his land and retiring almost completely from farming because of his age.
Rev. Caton, a Free Will Baptist preacher since 1902, has probably married and buried as many people in the county as any other preacher. Even at 85, he still performs these ministerial duties. He married a couple in his home only last week.
He has pastored at nearly every small community in the northern part of the county. His first pastorate was at Sikes school, where Atwood now stands. Other places where he pastored are Black Rock, Happyland, Cedar Grove, Yeager, Center, Culley west of Sasakwa, Pecan Grove, Stedman(?), McCalls Chapel, and Big Springs south of Wewoka.
He was pastor of the Oakman church, his home community, for 19 years. Last year at age 84, he was recalled as pastor with an assistant to take his place if he was unable to appear.
All his positions as pastor were not at separate times, however. Preaching in the "good old way," Caton would have four or five churches at the same time preaching in there only about once a month.
He would arrive on Saturday in the community where he was pastor and hold one service that day, another on Sunday morning, another Sunday evening.
During the summer session, he would hold revival meetings from two to five weeks long in each community he pastured.
He did all this in addition to raising a crop at home and most outstanding of all, he has yet to accept a fee for his preaching services. If money was given him, he would turn right around and give it to someone who needed it worse.
Ten years ago, on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, a surprise celebration was planned for Mr. and Mrs. Caton at their home place in Oakman. On the morning of the celebration, people started arriving unexpectedly and by noon, more than 150 people of friends and associates arrived to help them celebrate.
The re-marriage ceremony on the Golden Wedding Anniversary was performed by their only son, MARION L. CATON, now at Wewoka, also a Free Will Baptist minister. They have one other living child, a daughter, Mrs. ETHEL CLAYTON, of Ada.
They have 11 living grandchildren, of whom, three, EARL, MURRAY and LEONA COLLINS, were raised by the aged couple after their mother's death; and 12 great-grandchildren.
During the interview with my grandfather (I am one of the grandchildren), he said that if it weren't for caring for his bed-confined wife, "I guess I would still be preaching."
Because of his age and not too good health, this sounds a little preposterous. But those who know him, and know of his iron determination, will say that he probably would be.
(Taken from Aug. 31, 1947 front-page article in the "Ada Evening News" with a photo of the couple.)
-------
Note:
One daughter, Middie Collins, died probably in August, 1919...as an old church Minute from Center Ass'n in Pontotoc Co., has this notation: " Bro. J. N. Caton arrived and announced the death of his daughter, Sister Middy Collins, and Bro. Coggins left with him for his home."
The Ass'n was meeting beginning, August 21, 1919. Does any of her family know where she is buried? And, was "Middie" a nickname? How would her name on her tombstone be inscribed? If known, please link. (wvy)
=====
He married Siddie Rheuamie McGehee, 23 Aug. 1887, in Delta Co. TX.
Old Brother" Caton, as he is known to his innumerable friends, was born in 1862 in Cooper County, Missouri. There he grew to young manhood, and remembered back as he tells of the time when the "Bluecoats," part of Custer's army, passed through his town on their way to the badlands of South Dakota.
He left his old home state of Missouri in 1886 for Texas. He was there only one year when he met and married SIDDIE MCGEHEE.
Caton, a farmer, made a few crops in Texas, moved to Oakland, Indian Territory, and made a crop, then back to Texas and in 1895, he moved to a place near Allen, OK and has lived in Pontotoc County since that date, with an exception of only four years.
Grandpa Caton is definitely an Ada pioneer. He said he used to haul freight from Allen to Purcell through the site where Ada now stands when it was nothing but tall grass.
Never living actually in Ada until three years ago, Caton is well known in most of the rural communities of the county.
In 1912 Caton built a home near Oakman, eight miles northeast of Ada. He lived there and farmed his 90 acres until his original home burned in 1937. He then rebuilt on the same plot, selling 40 acres of his land and retiring almost completely from farming because of his age.
Rev. Caton, a Free Will Baptist preacher since 1902, has probably married and buried as many people in the county as any other preacher. Even at 85, he still performs these ministerial duties. He married a couple in his home only last week.
He has pastored at nearly every small community in the northern part of the county. His first pastorate was at Sikes school, where Atwood now stands. Other places where he pastored are Black Rock, Happyland, Cedar Grove, Yeager, Center, Culley west of Sasakwa, Pecan Grove, Stedman(?), McCalls Chapel, and Big Springs south of Wewoka.
He was pastor of the Oakman church, his home community, for 19 years. Last year at age 84, he was recalled as pastor with an assistant to take his place if he was unable to appear.
All his positions as pastor were not at separate times, however. Preaching in the "good old way," Caton would have four or five churches at the same time preaching in there only about once a month.
He would arrive on Saturday in the community where he was pastor and hold one service that day, another on Sunday morning, another Sunday evening.
During the summer session, he would hold revival meetings from two to five weeks long in each community he pastured.
He did all this in addition to raising a crop at home and most outstanding of all, he has yet to accept a fee for his preaching services. If money was given him, he would turn right around and give it to someone who needed it worse.
Ten years ago, on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, a surprise celebration was planned for Mr. and Mrs. Caton at their home place in Oakman. On the morning of the celebration, people started arriving unexpectedly and by noon, more than 150 people of friends and associates arrived to help them celebrate.
The re-marriage ceremony on the Golden Wedding Anniversary was performed by their only son, MARION L. CATON, now at Wewoka, also a Free Will Baptist minister. They have one other living child, a daughter, Mrs. ETHEL CLAYTON, of Ada.
They have 11 living grandchildren, of whom, three, EARL, MURRAY and LEONA COLLINS, were raised by the aged couple after their mother's death; and 12 great-grandchildren.
During the interview with my grandfather (I am one of the grandchildren), he said that if it weren't for caring for his bed-confined wife, "I guess I would still be preaching."
Because of his age and not too good health, this sounds a little preposterous. But those who know him, and know of his iron determination, will say that he probably would be.
(Taken from Aug. 31, 1947 front-page article in the "Ada Evening News" with a photo of the couple.)
-------
Note:
One daughter, Middie Collins, died probably in August, 1919...as an old church Minute from Center Ass'n in Pontotoc Co., has this notation: " Bro. J. N. Caton arrived and announced the death of his daughter, Sister Middy Collins, and Bro. Coggins left with him for his home."
The Ass'n was meeting beginning, August 21, 1919. Does any of her family know where she is buried? And, was "Middie" a nickname? How would her name on her tombstone be inscribed? If known, please link. (wvy)
=====
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