Volume 10 , Issue 13

Pioneer John J. Whitney, Woods County, OK

This bio was written by Pauline Whitney for the Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County history book, published 1976, and appeared on page 748.

John J. Whitney left his home in Iowa in 1890. After spending some time in Texas and Kansas he came to Woods County. In 1901 he settled on a claim east of Waynoka in the Galena Township.

On December 21, 1902 John Whitney was married to Cloy McCray at the old town of Augusta. Cloy McCray had come to the Galena area with her parents in 1890. She had attended Northwestern Normal School and had taught school at Griever and Twin Oaks before her marriage. They established a home on the claim, NE1/4 of Section 19-24-14. John and Cloy Whitney had three daughters, Edna, Cecile and Mildred and a son, Vernon.

Later the Whitney's bought the SE1/4 Section 19 and this half section of land was owned and operated by their son. The Whitney's also bought the SE1/4 Section 18 across the road from the original claim from Walter Cope and this land was owned and operated by Edna and her husband.

In 1939 they also bought another quarter of land which was NW1/4 Section 21-24-14. This place was owned by Cecile and her husband. All the Whitney children attended Highland rural school in Woods County.

In 1928 John and Cloy established a home in Alva. John Whitney passed away on August 4, 1959 at the age of 88 years and cloy passed away on January 18, 1970 at age of 89. Mildred lived in the home that the Whitney's bought when they moved to Alva.

During the 1920's, Mr. Whitney built an outdoor platform at the farm place, and for several years held old time country dances. This furnished recreation and entertainment for both young and old in the surrounding communities.

In the late 1930's jack rabbits became numerous and were destroying crops in this area. Rabbit drives were organized. Since the Whitney place was located about the center of Galena Township the hunters would form lines around the outside of the area, and armed with clubs they would drive the rabbits to the center and kill what they could. Lunch was always served when they reached the center.

Edna Whitney married Fred Denker and after living in the Enid area, in in California, and then in the Waynoka area, they made their home in Alva. They had two children, John B. and Freda.

Cecile Whitney married Estel Haltom and they lived in Hopeton. They had three daughters, Leatrice, Dorothy and Ava.

Mildred Whitney married Glenn Curtis and they lived in Alva. They had one daughter, Sharon.

Vernon Whitney married Pauline Johson and after living on the home place for several years they moved and lived in Waynoka. They had four children: Everette, Lowell, Janice and John. (written, compiled by Pauline (Johnson) Whitney).
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