Dedicated To The Everlasting Memories of Mom and Dad VanHoose Written by: Richard VanHoose                                                                                FOREWORD          When the VanHoose family gets together, discussion invariably arises about the family history. Out of these discussions has grown an interest on my part to the extent that I finally have attempted to record some of the rich and interesting history of the Dixon and VanHoose families. This meager beginning isn't by any means a finished history. It merely starts a collection of facts that I hope will be added to from time to time and eventually become a record that future generations can refer to with pride. My only source of information, other than Mitchell Hall’s book has been from Mom and Dad. They have been far too modest in telling about them selves.      Other members of the family I am sure know many interesting incidents relating to the family, and I hope it will be possible for them to be recorded. I shall be glad to receive and prepare any stories in a form similar to this. The beautiful picture of Mom and Dad on the inside cover was made possible by Russell.      At this Christmas season I sincerely hope that this little booklet will bring you much joy and that the New Year  will be a happy and prosperous one. Richard VanHoose  December 25,1949   THE DIXON FAMILY AND MOM Just how or when Mom's family came to America. is not known. The first available information is about Henry Dixon and two brothers, James and John who came from Ash County, North Carolina. to Grayson County, Virginia, then to Kentucky about 1805 or 1806. James settled on the Cumberland River in what is now Harlan County. John Dixon settled in what is now  Blackey,  Letcher County, in 1805. Henry was among the earliest settlers of Paintsville, Kentucky in Johnson County. According to Mitchell Hall's "History of Johnson County Families", Henry Dixon lived the rest of his life in Paintsville. He was a Baptist preacher who traveled from church to church preaching the "Gospel. The only instrumental music ever permitted in his church was from his own violin. It was understood though that there would be no "foot patting" when he played. This grand old man was known for miles around as a great minister of the Gospel The cherished violin, brought with him when he came to Kentucky, is still in the family, owned now by Uncle Don Dixon, great, great grandson of Henry Dixon and youngest brother of my mother. Henry C. Dixon, residing at Blackey, Kentucky, corresponds freely with my mother and manifests much interest in the early history of the Dixon family Henry C. Dixon has a brother, Wilburn. John Dixon mentioned above is their great grandfather. Since his family and my mother's family have established definite relationships, they know now that we all stem from the same family, Henry, James, and John. It is well established that Henry Dixon (b-? d-1854) was my mother's great grandfather. He married Joyce Farmer and they had 10 children, Mary Ann, Nancy Jane, Celia, Betty, Ruth, Sarah, Phoebe, William, Andrew F, and Mart, The son, Andrew F. (b-Feb. 22,1801 d-June 5,1881) married Abrigail Kelley (b-Apri1 8, 1808 d-June 6,1883).They had 7 children as follows: Farmer (b-May 11,1835 d-?), Julia (b-Mar. 17, 1838 d-Mar. 1838), Isaacs (b-Feb. 8,1839 d-Jan. 17, 1906), Charles F, (b-Nov. 12, 1842 d-Feb. 12, 1843) Joseph K. (b-Ju1y 2,1845 d-?), Sarah M. (b-Aug. 29, 1847 d-Dec. 17, 1874), Andrew J. (b-Nov, 25,1849 d-?). My grandfather, Isaacs Dixon, the son of Andrew F, married Ella Margaret May  (b-Dec. 6, 1846 d-May 17,1893).From this union came 11 strong and industrious children. They are as follows: EMMA (b-Sept. 17, 1866 d-Jan. 17, 1947) married MARION VanHOOSE, Dec. 29,1881, by George Walker. ALONZO (b-July 9,1868 d-June 6,1944) married MARY HAYES Jan. 9,1890, by Green Moore. TOBE (b-Sept. 28, 1870) married ELLA FOX, Dec. 23, 1896, by John Walker CLARK (b-Dec. 4,1872) married MINTA RICE, March 11,1897, by John Prater MINNIE (b-1875 d-Apr. 20,1896) GUY (b-Feb. 22, 1877) married MARY L. McKENZIE (d-Dec. 24,1898), by Burns Conley. Married again to MARGARETT SLONE, Oct. 1,1902 by David K. Daniels, ERIE (b-March 18, 1880) married to WARREN Mr. VanHOOSE, Mar_ 12, 1902 by James Elliott. DON (b-Dec, Jl, 1882) married EMMA HAYES, Dec. 24, 1902, by James Elliott. DUTCH (b-Feb. 28, 1885) married James McKENZIE, Mar. 24, 1906, by J. H. Hughes. A, C. (b-June 9, 1887 d-June 22,1887)(lived I3 days) DOLLIE (b-Feb. 18, 1889) married J. LANGLEY PRESTON, Mar. 9, 1910, by Farris VanHoose.  The only thing known to me about my mother' s grandparents on her mother’s side, is that they were Caleb and Sarah Pelfry May. My mother was born on Rush Fork of Tom's Creek near Paintsville, and lived on the same farm until she married Dad, March 12,1902.During this 22 year period she lived a rich and colorful life. Their 528 acre hill farm was a challenge to the entire family. When Mom was 13 years of age she lost her mother, a loss that is hard to overcome in any family, but Mom, though seventh in a family of eleven children, took charge and carried out the duties of a mother to the best of her ability. Determination to carry out her mother's wishes was so great that was a feather bed, quilts, blankets, pillows, and slips went to every member of the family when married, just as her mother had done for Uncle Alonzo and Aunt Emma before she died. Mom's duties were not limited to household affairs which included weaving and clothes making, she did her part of the outside work too. Being large dealers in live stock, naturally made it necessary to raise lots of corn and hay. Stories of how she and the others worked together in the field preparing, tending, and harvesting the crops would read like a story book. Feeding and caring for great numbers of mules and oxen was real drudgery, and often Mom has told me of nearly being killed by mean bulls and stallions. I remember as a small boy on the farm, several close calls with mean bulls. Mom always handled them without fear even though she was subjected to much danger. To take on such a great responsibility at the age of 13 naturally deprived her of the opportunity to live as others did. The most important loss perhaps was her schooling. Knowing Mom as we do today it is easy for us to realize that she would not be satisfied with 6 at 7 short terms of school. But as the picture looks now the early practical training and experience that she gained as head of a large family, along with her undying devotion to her deceased mother and greatly loved and respected father, carried over into her own family in a way offsetting the loss of her early formal schooling. No doubt, Mom's determination that her children would go to school, stems from her own feeling of inadequacy. "For all your days prepare,     And meet them ever alike: When you are the anvil, bear-­     When you are the hammer, strike."  Edwin Markham Mom has said literally a thousand times, "I know how handicapped I have been without an education. If there is anyway I can help my children to do better, I'm going to do it. "Mom did it too. As usual she sacrificed. Many dollars that rightfully should have been hers for just the bare necessities went to her children. Mom has been a colorful mother. Perhaps most meaningful to me has been her love and devotion Her constant vigil for right over wrong has never ceased. Her ability to manage and get things done contributed much to my family, life and early childhood training. Even though Mom's early life is filled with incidents of sacrificing and hard work, she did manage to have her share of recreation and fun. Perhaps most outstanding was her love for riding horses. She always rode side saddle and still thinks women who ride astride should be spanked. Mom's competitive spirit often brought on races and consequently many narrow escapes, but in all her riding experiences she was never seriously hurt. Only twice was she thrown--once her horse fell and on the other occasion the saddle turned. Bean stringings, quilting parties, candy pullings, and other types of every day fun were a part of her early life. Mom's advice--yes, it seems to have stuck..........  I remember such things as "Son, your clothes may be patched and sometimes ragged but they must always be clean and neat. "I don't want you fighting other children, it isn't right, but if you have to fight and you feel you are right, fight to win." "Hard work never hurt anyone." "Don't be too loud and boisterous--it is a sign of bad training." "Son are you going to Sunday School and Church today?" "Have you got your lessons?" Mom joined the United Baptist Church when she was 21 and has remained a member of that church throughout the years. She has been a good Christian mother and an inspiration to all who have known her. TWO TEMPLES A builder builded a temple, He wrought it with grace and skill; Pillars and groins and arches All fashioned to work his will. Men said as they saw its beauty "It shall never know decay. Great is thy skill, 0 builder: Thy fame shall endure for aye." A mother builded a temple With loving and infinite care, Planning each arch with patience,    Laying each stone with prayer. None praised her unceasing efforts    None knew of her wondrous plan For the temple the mother builded    Was unseen by the eyes of man, Gone is the builder's temple, Crumbled into the dust; Low lies each stately pillar,    Food for consuming rust. But the temple the mother builded    Will last while the ages roll, For that beautiful unseen temple    Is a child's immortal soul.  Hattie Vose Hall Continue To The VanHoose Family And Dad VanHoose Genealogy Return Home Graphics By: Good Tidings Graphics