The J. W. Bearden Family

Facts provided by J. Wesley Bearden

J. W. Bearden came to Jacksonville in 1855 from Tennessee at age 18. Shortly afterward, the Civil War began and he joined the Confederate Army. Following the war, he returned and married Martha Chitwood.

The Beardens had nine children, but only three lived to rear families, they being James P., Will and Henry. Descendants of J. W. recall he told them many stories of the Civil War and the hardships endured by the Confederates. Sometime, he said, they had only parched corn to eat. On one occasion, they had some delicious soup. As J. W. was finishing a second bowl, he found puppy's feet in the bottom.

J. W. Bearden lived in Corine community most of his life and is buried there, having died at age 73. He had a brother, Frank, and a sister, Minerva.

Will Bearden married Tabbie Ewing. They had four children, Lottie, Mamie, Elvis and Maxine. They also had six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Henry Bearden married Annie Reynolds and they had eight children, who were Clyde, Ruby, Mattie, Etna, Preston, Alvis, Laurie and Adalene.

James P. Bearden married Mary Morris and they had nine children, Etta, Wesley, Minnie, Pearl, Charlie, Chesley, Vergie, Ocie and Irby. All are deceased except Wesley, Ocie and Irby. He was a postmaster and farmer, and also carried the mail to Cuney twice weekly and picked up mail to be dispatched.

One of James P. Bearden's sons, Wesley, married Pearlie May. They had two children, Theda Myrl and Doyce. Wesley was born in Corine in 1892. He recalls that for entertainment as youths, they fished, hunted and went swimming in the "old swimming hole" at Mill Seat. He picked cotton for two years in order to buy four acres with a boxed house on it before marrying. In 1923, he bought 85 acres in Lakeview. The property had a two-story log inn on it, this having been used as lodging for farmers going from Larissa to Nacogdoches with their cotton to be ginned. Later, he dismantled the old inn and used the logs and lumber to build a one-story barn, which still stands, although the material in it is over 100 years old.

He built his present home in 1924 and he and Pearlie May lived there until her death in 1962. Wesley Bearden and Mrs. Jewel Hudson were married in 1964.

Theda Myrl Bearden married Joe Singletary, and Doyce Bearden married Ruth Chancellor. The Doyce Beardens have two daughters, Ta Juana Lu and Lisa Ann.

J. W. Bearden, forbear of the Bearden family, came to Jacksonville from Tennessee in 1855.

Chesley Bearden, left, and Wesley Bearden, right, with their automobiles in 1923.