MEARS: Marquis Lafayette 'Mark' Mears

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KEDEY/KIDDY - MEARS - MELTON - SHARP -YOUNG

Marquis Lafayette 'Mark' Mears

My Great Great Uncle

s/o William F. Mears and Frances Elizabeth Young


Marquis Lafayette 'Mark' Mears

--b. October 30, 1841 Cannon Co., TN
--d. February 20, 1916 Rush, Marion Co., AR
----buried DeSota Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
--m/1
--abt 1861 Marion Co., AR
----b. September 29, 1820 Kentucky
----d. August 11, 1905 Marion Co., AR
------d/o John B. Ingram and Mary ?
--m/2 Docia Elnora 'Dosh' CROSS
--abt 1906 Marion Co., AR
----b. December 19, 1876 Arkansas
----d. March 12, 1943 Kansas
------d/o John Cross and Mary LEWIS

* * * * *

Background Information

According to his son, Col. Clifton L. Mera, Mark's real name was Marquis Lafayette. Mark was 12-13 when his parents and siblings migrated to Arkansas. From all that I've heard about Mark, he was quite the fellow!

During the Civil War, like his brothers in Arkansas, Mark fought with the Confederacy. After the war, all that Mark had left was an old mare as the Confederate soldiers were allowed to keep their mounts. When he arrived home, he discovered that his wife had been robbed by bushwackers and had just barely managed to keep herself and their two young children alive.

However, this did not keep Mark down and for his day he managed to become a successful man. He had a water powered grist mill for grinding grain on the headwaters of Water Creek and a commercial apple orchard. Also, he had a water powered sawmill at the mouth of the creek, where it flowed into the Buffalo River. He also owned some cotton producing bottom land and a water-powered gin. As you can see, Mark was a man who made a way - where others would have given up!

* * * * *

Mark's House and Barn

A Mears cousin, jwfruge, writes:

The house is located in Southern Marion Co., AR., Caney community, on Water Creek. About 15 miles south of Yellville off Hwy. 14. It is about 1/4 mile from the Caney Church of Christ. The property joins the Searcy Co. line and is near the old town of Maumee, Ar. (the store there belonged to Henry and Laura Mears Fletcher son---Stell). The natural stone building is still there. Since it was so near most of the "business" and postal things were done there.

The old barn sets on the bank of the creek. Their source for water, and storage for milk, butter and etc. (no refrigeration) was a large spring and it had cut a large area into the rock ledge it come from. I don't have a picture of it, but feel sure I can get one. I've carried many buckets of water up the hill, and taken many foods to place in the spring. His house and my home place are in Marion Co., but my grandparents were in Searcy.

Mark was living in the house when he died, as far as i know. Grandma (Elberts wife) went with him when "Uncle Mark" sent for them in the middle of the night when he was dying. Grandma died in 1964 and lived with us in later years of her life.

Mark and Catherine (Ingram) Mears Home and Old Barn
Known as 'Maude Davenport' Place and 'Old Water Swimming Hole'

Home of Mark and Catharine Mears Barn of Mark Mears

* * * * *

Memories by Mark's Son, Col. Clifford Mears

From his son, Clifford, we have these stories about Mark:

". . . the time he met a bear coming to meet him on a path in the woods. Not knowing for sure what to do and having been told never to run from a bear, he just took off his hat and waved it at the bear and said 'Boo!'. The bear moved aside a few feet and they both continued on their way.

Another time he arrived home, after dark, with the horses and wagon. As he approached the house, his wife (Katy) called to him that a panther was on the roof. He dashed inside with his rifle and located the animal by listening to it walking on the clapboard roof. He aimed the gun, fired through the boards and the panther tumbled down."

Mark married first about 1860-1861 to Catharine 'Katy' Ingram who was born 1830 in Kentucky. She was the d/o John B. and Mary Ingram. They had 4 children. Katy died in August 1905 in Marion Co., AR and was buried in the DeSota Cemetery.

After Katy's death, Mark married Dosie Elnora Cross who was 35 years younger than he was. Mark was 65 and Dosie was close to 30. Clifton Mears, who contributed much of this information and had the gravesite of William F. Mears preserved, was born of this union.

About his birth, Cliff writes:

"Mark wanted to name his youngest son, 'Ponce de Leon' after the famous Spanish explorer. I don't know if it was because I came along so late in his life after he married my Mother, a much younger woman, that he thought he had found the 'Fountain of Youth' for which Ponce de Leon searched. However, my Mother insisted on a compromise which resulted in mybeing named 'Clifton Leon'. Thank goodness, otherwise I might have gone through life being called 'Ponce' instead of Cliff which isn't a whole lot better when you think of it."

* * * * *

Memories by Mark's Nephew, Columbus McCabe

Back in 1969, his nephew, Columbuus McCabe wrote me a letter with the following description:
"Mark was a big eatter. His favorite dish was big biscuits, corn pone and fat back with a lot of it.

Uncle Mark belonged to some lodge and they had a meeting one day. He came by and got me (his nephew, Columbus McCabe) to go with him as he did not want to go alone. Uncle Mark came by in his buggy to pick me up. We went to one of those fancy hotels for dinner where they served their meals in those little plates, which was supposed to be the entire meal. Well Uncle Mark took the plate of biscuits and emptied the entire plate on his. The waitress took the plate and filled it again and passed it on to the others. She then set the plate out of Mark's reach. Uncle Mark would take one biscuit in a bite. After he had eatten everything on his plate, he called the waitress over and thanked her. He then told her that her 'nicknacks' were very nice and good, NOW BRING ON YOUR DINNER! Ha! Ha!"

* * * * *

Burial

Mark died in 1916 at age 74 and was buried at the DeSota Cemetery next to his first wife, Katy. It is located near Caney in Marion County, Arkansas. The intersection of the Maumee Road and the old Yellville-Marshall Road (now called Caney) was formerly known as Mears Fork.

DeSoto Cemetery Entrance

Graves of Mark L. Mears and wife, Katy Ingram

The Maumee Road crosses Water Creek at the lower end of the Mears property on which Mark's old house was still standing in 1980 when visited by Colonel Clifton L. Mears.

* * * * *

Special Thanks

First of all must thank Col. Clifton Mears who I was luckly enough to correspond with around 1980. Also, thanks to Arkie Sullivan, Shelby Mears and B. D. Fletcher.


Children of Mark Mears and Kitty Ingram


  1. Mary Elizabeth (Mears) Davenport


    --b. November 20, 1862 Marion Co.,AR
    --d. January 14, 1948 Arkansas
    ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
    --m. Francis L. 'Frank' DAVENPORT
    --1885 Marion Co., AR
    ----b. November 5, 1852 Chickasaw Co. MS
    ----d. June 11, 1935 Searcy Co., AR
    ------buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
    ------s/o William T. Davnport and Mary CAUTHORN

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Frank's Tombstone


    Children of Mary Elizabeth Mears and Frank Davenport


    1. Lafayette 'Fate' Davenport

      --b. April 4, 1890 Searcy Co, AR
      --d. August 11, 1930 Pulaski Co., AR
      ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      --m. Sarah Maude BUTLER
      --November 29, 1916 AR
      ----b. February 24, 1896 Marion Co., AR
      ----d. September 28, 1980 Craighead Co., AR)
      ------buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      ------d/o John Butler and Maargarette RAY

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Lafayette and Maudes's Tombstone


    2. Ely Barton 'Bart' Davenport

      --(May 15, 1892 Marion Co., AR - December 23, 1950 Boone Co., AR)
      ----buried Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Marion Co, AR
      --m. Margie Lula KEETER October 31, 1932 Marion Co., AR
      ----(February 1, 1892 Marion Co.,AR - August 21, 1973 Marion Co,. AR)
      ------buried Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      ------d/o J. S. Keeter and Mary Jane ?


    3. Raymond Davenport

      --(March 1894 Marion Co, AR - November 10, 1911 Marion Co,. AR)


    4. Solomon Davenport

      --(July 18, 1896 Marion Co,. AR - July 1896 Marion Co, AR)


    5. Paul Davenport

      --(July 18, 1896 Marion Co., AR - June 1986 Oklahoma City, OK)
      --m. Delia YARBROUGH in Tomahawk, AR


  2. John William Mears

    --b. January 14, 1864 Sylvia, Marion Co., AR
    --d. January 22, 1918 Arkansas
    ----buried Burnes Cemetery (today Watercreek Cemetery), Marion Co., AR
    --m/1 Nancy Elizabeth HOLLIMAN
    --September 15, 1888 Searcy Co., AR
    ----b. abt July 1873 Arkansas
    --m/2 Polly Ann MANUEL
    --June 22, 1893 Searcy Co., AR
    ----b. January 7, 1871 Marion Co., AR
    ----d. June 24, 1953 AR
    ------buried Burnes Cemetery (today Watercreek Cemetery), Marion Co., AR

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Burnes (now Watercreek) Cemetery

    John William's Tombstone Polly Ann's Tombstone


    Children of John William Mears and Polly Ann Manuel


    1. Bonnie 'Bammie' (Mears) Seaton

      --b. May 19, 1895 Searcy Co., AR
      --d. September 1987 St. Francois Co., MO
      ----buried DeSota Cemetery, Marion Co, AR
      --m. Ben L. SEATON
      ----b. March 22, 1882 AR
      ----d. October 15, 1966 Searcy Co, AR


      Children of Bonnie Mears and Ben L. Seaton


      1. Glennie Agnes (Seaton) Lawrence

        --b. Decmeber 27, 1919 Marion Co., AR
        --d. April 17, 1995
        ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co. AR

        Glennie' Tombstone


    2. Della Catherine (Mears) Bratton

      --(October 16, 1897 Marion Co, AR - December 27, 1985 San Diego, CA)
      --m. Otto BRATTON May 21, 1914 Searcy Co., AR
      ----(abt 1893 AR - bef 1981 California)


    3. Nella Melinda Mears

      --(October 8, 1899 Searcy Co., AR - aft June 1900 Searcy Co. AR)


    4. Shelby Ray Mears

      --b. January 6, 1902 Marion Co., AR
      --d. October 31, 1977 Searcy Co., AR
      ----buried Anderson Flat Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      --m. Ruth Lucille REEVES
      ----b. October 9, 1913 AR
      ----d January 15, 1987 Searcy Co., AR
      ------buried Anderson Flat Cemetery, Marion Co., AR

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Anderson Flat Cemetery

      Shelby and Lucille's Tombstone


    5. Mary Beulah (Mears) Still

      --(November 27, 1903 Marion Co., AR - January 23, 1981 AR)
      --m. Jeffrey Gilbert STILL
      ----(March 1899 Marion Co., AR - May 1979 AR)


    6. Okla Isabelle (Mears) Shipman

      --(November 9, 1906 Marion Co., AR - August 1, 1982 Washington)
      --m. Donald Alf SHIPMAN
      ----(August 11, 1903 - Decmeber 26, 1961 Washington)
      ------s/o William Martion Shipman and Ibbie LANGSTON


    7. Ollie Myrtle (Mears) Whitson

      --(April 14, 1910 - ?)
      --m. William Henry WHITSON February 4, 1927
      ----(June 23, 1907 Marion Co,. AR - bef 1995 Paden, Ok)


    8. Lois (Mears) Fletcher

      --(October 20, 1912 Marion Co., AR - June 20, 1980 California)
      --m. Clarence FLETHCER
      ----(April 20, 1907 - June 28, 1967 California)


  3. Anna Eliza 'Annie' (Mears) Manuel

    --b. November 19, 1866 Marion Co., AR
    --d. November 23, 1939 AR
    --m. Bailey Blassingame MANUEL
    --February 15, 1891 AR
    ----b. abt 1870 AR
    ----d. 1899-1900 Searcy Co., AR


    Children of Anna Eliza Mears and Bailey Manuel


    1. William Eliza 'Willie' Manuel

      --b. September 11, 1891 DeSoto, Marion Co. AR
      --d. Decmeber 25, 1959
      --m. Mary Alice HORTON
      --abt 1911 probably Searcy Co., AR
      ----b. 1894 AR


    2. Isabelle Manuel

      --b. December 1892 AR
      --m. Allie LEWIS


    3. Rosa 'Rosie' (Manuel) Lockhart

      --b. April 24, 1894 AR
      --d. October 27, 1945 Oklahoma
      --m. George Grover LOCKHART
      --December 18, 1909 Searcy Co., AR
      ----b. 1886 AR
      ----d. 1956 OK


    4. Myrtle Manuel


    5. Isabel Manuel

      --b. March 1896 AR
      --m. Willie LEWIS


    6. Ivada Manuel

      --b. June 1899 Searcy Co., AR


  4. Laura Angeline (Mears) Fletcher

    --b. November 8, 1868 Searcy Co. AR
    --d. February 11, 1954 Marshall, Searcy Co. AR
    ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co. AR
    --m. Henry Franklin FLETCHER
    --October 18, 1891 Marion Co., AR
    ----b. December 10, 1868 AR
    ----d. February 19, 1952 Maumee, AR
    ------buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co., AR

    Photos - Courtesty of Pat Sullivan
    Left: (About 1913) Laura (Mears), Henry Fletcher, Clara, Cleo and Arka
    Right: Laura (Mears) Fletcher

    Laura (Mears), Henry Fletcher, and Children Laura (Mears) Fletcher

    Henry Fletcher, Laura (Mears) Fletcher, Mary (Mears) Davenportt

    Henry Fletcher, Laura (Mears) Feltcher, Mary (Mears) Davenport

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Laura and Henry's Tombstone


    Children of Laura Angeline Mears and Henry Fletcher Davenport


    1. Stell E. Lee Fletcher

      --(September 1, 1892 Maumee, AR - October 12, 1945 AR)
      --m. Ethel McCLAIN September 4, 1920
      ----(July 21, 1896 AR - September 11, 1974)
      ------d/o George McClain and Julie DAVENPORT


    2. Albert Fletcher

      --b. September 19, 1894 Marion Co, AR
      --d. September 19, 1894 Marion Co,. AR
      ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co. AR

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Albert's Tombstone


    3. Leonard M. Fletcher

      --b. January 13, 1896 Mammee, AR
      --d. November 25, 1962 Maumee, AR
      ----buried Caney Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      --m/1 Lucy LANGSTON
      ----(abt 1901 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)
      --m/2 Ruby LYNCH

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Caney Cemetery

      Leonard's Tombstone


    4. Cora Catherine Fletcher

      --b. October 23, 1898 Maumee, AR
      --d. Decmeber 15, 1898 Maumee, AR
      ----buried Desota Cemetery, Marion Co., AR

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Cora's Tombstone


    5. Joseph L. 'Joe' Fletcher

      --(January 9, 1900 Marion Co., AR - April 24, 1975)
      --m. Ora ?


    6. Clara Elizabeth (Fletcher) Strunk

      --(January 12, 1903 Maumee, AR - July 2, 1980 Los Angeles Co., CA)
      ----buried Lake Elsinore Cemetery, Lake Elsinore, CA
      --m. Urban Quinton STRUNK September 22, 1923 Maumee, AR
      ----(August 8, 1898 AR - September 25, 1983 San Bernardino Co., CA)
      ------buried Lake Elsinore Cemetery, Lake Elsinore, CA


    7. Arkansas 'Arkie' (Fletcher) Sullivan

      --(March 11, 1906 Marion Co, AR - February 7, 1999 Baxter Co., AR)
      ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co,. AR
      --m. Hugh Cash SULLIVAN January 29, 1923 Searcy Co., AR
      ----(September 18, 1900 Overton Co., TN - 1980/85 Searcy Co., AR)


      Children of Arkie Fletcher and Hugh Sullivan


      1. Douglas Sullivan

        --b. September 29, 1925 Marion Co. AR
        --d. bef 1999


      2. Laura Patricia Sullivan

        --b. November 8, 1932 Marion Co., AR
        --d. January 8, 1934 Marion Co. AR
        ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co. AR

        Laura's Tombstone


    8. Cleo (Fletcher) Ele

      --(April 13, 1910 Marion Co,. AR - May 23, 2001 Nowata Co., OK)
      --m. John ELE September 22, 1923
      ----(April 27, 1901 - May 1979 Nowata Co., OK)


    9. Lester Fletcher

      --b. October 30, 1916 Marion Co, AR
      --d. October 31, 1916 Marion Co, AR
      ----buried DeSoto Cemetery, Marion Co, AR

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Lester's Tombstone


    Children of Mark Mears and Docia Cross


  5. Colonel Cliton Leon Mears


    --b. April 28, 1907 near Gilbert, Searcy Co. AR
    --d. June 17, 1994 Albuquerque, Bernalilo, New Mexico
    --m. Helen Ann MATHES
    --June 21, 1940
    ----b. July 7, 1909 Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH
    ----d. October 17, 1989
Clifton L. Mears taken 1976 Clifton L. Mears with General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Patride J. Hurley
Left: Colonel Clifton L. Mears taken 1976
Right: General Dwight D. Eisenhower - Colonel Clifton L. Mears - General Patride J. Hurley

Col. Mears was the campaign organizer for Eisenhower in New Mexico in both the 1952 and 1958 presidentail campaigns and served on the President's Traffic Safety Advisory Committee after the election.

All three, Eisenhower, Hurley, and Mears, served together in the 1920's and remained close friends until their deaths. (as written on back of picture sent to me by Cliff in 1980)


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Last modified 12 Jun 2008
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