Oklahoma Family Tree Stories
This beautiful sculpture of three redbud trees is located just outside the Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick Research Center in the Oklahoma History Center. Each leaf of the Oklahoma Family Tree memorializes an Oklahoma family with the family surname, first name(s), and the town or county where they lived. In addition, a short family history is preserved in the digital family history book at the base of the tree. Sponsoring a leaf is a special way to recognize your family history and benefit future generations at the same time. To find out how to honor your own family with a leaf visit the Oklahoma Family Tree Project page.
Stone Family
Family Tree Leaf
Stone, Jesse & Pearl
Pottawatomie County
Jesse Paxton Stone was born to William Henry and Frances (née McFerrin) Stone on May 13, 1883 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. William served in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War. He and Frances were married in Monroe County, Mississippi and moved to Johnson County about 1869. The family then moved to Sevier County, Arkansas where Jesse met his future wife, Nina Pearl Nalley.
Pearl was born on December 24, 1884 in Sevier County. Her parents were James Marion Nalley and Mahala Pitts of Paulding County, Georgia. James served in the Georgia State Militia during the Civil War.
Jesse and Pearl were married on January 8, 1905 in Sevier County. Their first three children, Odell, Olen, and Pat, were born in Sevier County. The family moved west of Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma about 1913.
The couple’s other children, Floyd, Dixie, Orbey, and Edith, were born in Pottawatomie County. Jesse was a hard working farmer who loved his family and truly enjoyed life. Pearl was a wonderful mother, cook, and spotless house keeper. Jesse and Pearl were members of New Hope Baptist Church. They lived their final years in Shawnee.
Jesse died on February 26, 1965. Pearl followed him in death on June 30, 1979. Both are buried at the Mission Cemetery in Tecumseh.
