The K. M. Monkress Family

By Reba Monkress Casey

Elvira Minerva Monkress, daughter of John and Mariah McKnight, was born in Cowetta County, Georgia, on November 30, 1829, but while a child the family moved to Chambers County, Alabama. There she married Allen W. Spraggins on December 3, 1855. Mr. Spraggins died in Shreveport, Louisiana, shortly after the birth of their first child. The widow was met in Shreveport by her brother, Hiriam McKnight, and came to Cherokee County with him riding on horseback holding in her arms her child, only a few weeks old. That child was the late M. F. Spraggins, father of Allen and Newton Spraggins and Mrs. Kate Davidson. All now are deceased.

In 1865, Elvira married William Monkress. To this union four children were born, but two died in infancy. A daughter, Mollie Monkress Murphy, lived until 1942. Her home was Tipton, Oklahoma. K. M. Monkress, last surviving member of his family, was born December 4, 1870, southwest of Dialville, near Holly Springs. Three fallen rock chimneys remain on the spot that marks the location of the house. Several crepe myrtle trees stand as a monument to his birthplace. A half-brother, Charlie Monkress, is buried at Holly Springs. He was the father of Charlie Pearl Case and Virgil Polk Monkress, who operated a grocery business in Jacksonville until the time of his death on November 10, 1921. He was born August 1, 1868. He was married to the former Lavinia Albritton, who lives in Jacksonville.

K. M. Monkress was married to Nora Arnwine on December 4, 1902. She attended Jacksonville College. Classes met for a time in a building upstairs at the corner of Commerce and South Bolton Streets.

Her father, Jim Arnwine, married Martha Frances Pickens, who was the sister of Mrs. Wesley Love and Mrs. Mary Boles, on March 12, 1879, and they started their home in a large two-story house in the Turney community. He owned and operated a cotton gin. Cotton was hauled for miles in wagons to be ginned into bales. He also was a trustee of the community school, Shi-loh, for a number of years.

K. M. Monkress was in the grocery business in Jacksonville prior to the turn of the century. Later he purchased the livery stable owned by L. D. Byrd. "Drummers" who came to town on the local trains were considered the best customers. About 1903 they traded city life for the country and moved to their farm about five miles out on the Corinth Road. Mr. Monkress was engaged in farming, ranching and fruit growing. About this time Jacksonville was becoming known as the Tomato Center of East Texas. For a number of summers, he bought tomatoes for the late A. Y. Shoemaker. Many car loads of ripe tomatoes were sent to the markets of the north and east.

Mr. and Mrs. Monkress had six children. All lived to be grown. Harold Monkress lives on Corinth Road, and is engaged in the cattle business. Reba Casey, a retired teacher, lives in Jacksonville. She taught in the Jacksonville and Houston City schools. Jim Monkress lives in Fruitvale, Texas, and is in the antique business. The deceased children are: Mrs. Charlie Couch, Mrs. Frances Hudson and Willye Faye Monkress.

Two grandchildren living in this area are Ricky Monkress and Syble Joyce Wood. Mr. Monkress was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge. Mrs. Monkress died in 1918, Mr. Monkress on November 3, 1964.

K. M. and Nora Monkress just before their marriage in 1902.

K. M. Monkress home on Corinth Road. Picture taken of family about 1900. Home is not standing today.