Volume 11 , Issue 31

Looking Back ... Great Grandpa J. R. Warwick

Besides being born April 9, 1857, at Frost, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, John Robert Warwick was later a pioneer citizen of Woods (M) county, Oklahoma Territory.

John R. Warwick came from a long line of fighting stock, and he was never known to be afraid. Panics, hard times, sickness, death itself could come along during his life, but he remained calm. John Warwick lived on the theory that the sun set --but that it later arose!

John Robert Warwick was one of a family of 11 Children, four of whom survive him. He was also raised in the Methodist faith.

John's sense of humor never failed, nor his hospitality, as no one, either friend or outcast, ever went away hungry. Much of his determined character may have come down to him through a family trait, as revealed in an old history of West Virginia. It tells of his ancestor, Major Peter Hull who, coming from England in 1772, settled in this same valley where John Warwick later was born. Of this Major Hull the historian wrote. "He was of great influence, but very domineering."

This spirit which had run through the family for generations led him to independence of action later when he came to Kansas and taught school at Coldwater, waiting for the opening of Oklahoma's Cherokee Strip for settlement. He "made the run" Sept. 16, 1893. As he was accustomed to the water and wood in abundance on the wooded hills and plains of West Virginia, he looked first for wood and water when looking for a homestead. He staked a claim 7 miles south of Alva, on Eagle Chief, but learning by experience that more abundance lay in the level wheat lands--he sold his wood-and-water farm and bought level wheat land 5 miles south of Alva. [also known as the 3/4 Quarters that was in dispute in Gene McGill's Trust.]

Here is where John R. and his wife, Signora Belle Guinn Warwick lived until 1929 when they moved to Alva. John's wife preceded him in death three years, almost to the exact time of his death, dying in November, 1934. John R. Warwick loved his chewing tobacco and eventually died of cancer of his jaw.

John Robert Warwick loved land and became a large land proprietor. He also was vice-president and director of the Hopeton State Bank, Hopeton, Oklahoma, for many years. Until the day he died John took care of his own business and managed his farms South of Alva; East of Freedom at Fairvalley; and North of Waynoka along Hwy 14.
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