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Henry Lee Doss, son of Hamlet Doss, was born in Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama, in 1833, The Love of his life was Wiltha Ann Clements, daughter of Gabriel Clements and Barsheba McGee. Wiltha was born in the same county of Alabama and together they had, 6 children, here we see 5. John Hamlet, Mary F, Bashaby E, Henry Lee Jr., Mary A., Julius Asbury, was born in Tuscaloosa ,Alabama, but all the rest was born in Missouri. |
| 1873, Lawrence Co., Missouri |
| John Hamlet Doss and his family heard about the Oklahoma Territory opening up. And there were there when the gun went off, to ride and claim their piece of land. John was about 18 at the time. In that Indian Territory, he found Isabel L. Clark. Together they built a dug out, and started working the land. When thng got a little better and a few harvest under their belt, they built their home. First born was Henry Leroy Doss b. 1888, than came along Mattie, 1890, James Richard, my Grnadpa and Olie Glen, Elizabeth, Irene Wealthis, Velma. Ida. Living in Oklahoma the family did, what they always did, Farm and raise horse. They were a Christian family that worked hard, and loved hard. With no ice box like we have today, they would keep their milk in a large can and tie a rope to it and lay it in the stream that ran through their property. Their garden was full of all the things for the table and with chickens, and rabbits, cows and horses, and mules, they had their hands full. The Doss's prided themselves to be good breeders of find horses and people would come from all around to buy. Their main crop was corn. Being a very close family, they were not only family, but friends. There was never a time in their lives that they didn't help each other visit, and celebrate all the holidays together. It was like this as long as the lived. James, my Grandfather saw my Grandmother one day at a Church gathering. He thought she was really cute, but he was shy and didn't say anything. Grandmother, spotted him about the same time and knew he lived cross the way from where she lived. So one day, while James was plowing the fields, she made a few sweet biscuits and a large can of water, and walk over to where the tree that was between them and stood. As James came round he saw her, and pulled into the shade of the tree. She said, it looked as if you needed a drop of water, I know you've been working hard all day out in the sun. He took the can and a sweet biscut. That was the begining of a long life together. They raised 5 kids of their own and help raise 4 others. Grandma's name was Josephine Simmons, and when times got hard, like you see in the Grapes of Rath, they, the Simmons and the Doss's traveled together. They were proud people and worked hard. Jobs were hard to find, but the would pull into a ranch or farm along the way and pick, almonds, oranges, apples, cotton, grapes, what ever they had to do. While traveling, they would park behind bill board signs and set up camp. Some times all they had to eat was biscuts or cornbread and Mamas homemade gravy. When traveling it was hard to come by milk and meat. But when I asked my Grandmother what it was like, she would always reply, it was the good time. I guess, it's true, when you are raising a family, and you all become so close, it would be the good times. I was told, one time on one of their trips to California, they were driving a old bus. It had a back door that was easy to open and the car was filed with kids, 5 of theirs and 2 others. Suddenly, Lotus, the oldest girl in the family yelled out, Cliff is gone. The bus came to a stop and turned around, now that wasn't easy since all the roads then were very narrow, sometimes just wooden planks accross the desert. Well they turned around and sure enough, there was Cliff, sitting in the middle of the road, lookin as if he saw Santa Claus, for he was so happy they came back to get him. With a big face of tears running down everyone face. They scoop him up and back again on the road. Grandpa tied a rope on the back door so that would never happen again. Being part of this family has taught me allot about life, and about living. Knowin you are never alone when you have a good loving family. That life is precious and that each day is a gift. And that God is not a word but the Creator. They taught us to be honest at all times, to be a hard worker, that the good times are now, and that nothing can stop you from continuing the journey. Family is everything to me, as it always has been with them. Thank you for comin by and staying awhile. Just grab up someone close you and give them a hug. And when your shopping or walking down the street, smile at those who pass by. It just could be, their your distant cousin. |