Mis Raices: CHAPTER II: Christopher Arnold Eaton

I closed my last post with all of my grandparents. Today I will focus on my Paternal Great Grandfather, Christopher Arnold Eaton.

I never knew Arnold; he died 14 years before I was born, but from the stories the family told, I feel that I know the kind of man that he was. Arnold was a man of few words, but was still a warm and affable person. Dad has told me about hearing his deep bass, belly laugh from watching TV at the house in Muskogee.

Arnold loved to fish and was an avid fisherman later in life, fishing in the lakes and rivers in Seminole and later Muskogee. He was the first generation of Eaton to leave the farm and worked in the oil industry in its infancy. 3 generation later, many of his descendants still make their living in the oil and gas industry.

Christopher Arnold Eaton

Christopher Arnold Eaton was born on March 5, 1893 in Buckhart, Missouri (Douglas County) to Christopher Carriger Eaton and Rebecca Jane Ballew. He was the 6th of 9 children (more information on his siblings will be posted tomorrow). The family lived on a farm near Trail, Missouri (Ozark County) south of Buckhart near Brushy Creek. "Arnold" attended school in Buckhart up to the age of 9.

Undated photo of the Buckhart School, Douglas County, MO

In 1902 Arnold moved with his family to what was then known as the Indian Territory. They soon bought a farm near Stone Bluff (Wagoner) where Arnold and his siblings grew up and finished school. According to the 1910 Census, the Eatons were living in Moore, Oklahoma (Muskogee County). C.C. was listed as a farmer, and Arnold and his brothers were listed as laborers on the family farm. Sometime between 1910 and WWI, Arnold began working as a tool dresser with Tidal Oil Company in Haskell, Oklahahoma (listed on 1917 Draft Card). He would work in the oilfield for the remainder of his life.

Arnold was mustered into the U.S. Army on May 20, 1918. He was sent to Camp Jackson, SC for basic training. He shipped out to France in September with the Artillery. He was discharged at the rank of Sargent at Fort Pike, AR on April 20, 1919. Arnold did not talk of his war experiences much and little is known at this time of where his unit served in France.

Arnold in uniform from the "Oklahoma Spirit of '17"

After the war, Arnold returned to Oklahoma and met and married Stella Mae Livingston (b. 1901, Oklahoma), daughter of Ollie Livingston and Minta Mae Peavler of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. in the 1920 Census, Arnold and Stella are shown to be living with C.C. and family in Okmulgee. Arnold went back to work as a driller and the family moved from boomtown to boomtown. with the family growing along the way: Margaret Josephine (b. 1921, Beggs, OK), Joyce (b. 1924), Christopher Jr (b. 1928, Henryetta, OK), and Billy Jack (b. 1932, Cromwell, OK). In the 1930 census, the Eatons were living in Red Mound (Seminole Co.), Oklahoma. According to Arnold's WWII Draft Registration Card, the Eatons resided in Snomac (Seminole Co.), Oklahoma in 1942.


Arnold & Stella, circa 1950's

Arnold with grandson, Billy Jr in Seminole, OK, circa 1953

Bill Sr., Arnold, Billy Jr, and Jana visting the Monahans Sandhills, circa 1954

Arnold and friend showing off their catch, circa 1950's


Arnold shoveling snow in Muskogee, circa 1960's

Sometime between 1953 and 1960, Arnold retired from Gulf Oil and the family retired to Muskogee, Oklahoma. Arnold and Stella lived in Muskogee until his death on July 23, 1971. Arnold was interred at the Heritage Mausoleum at Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

On Wednesday afternoon I left Waco, Texas and drove to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Floral Haven Cemetery is a sprawling cemetery with numerous fountains, a veteran's memorial and an onsite funeral home. The Heritage Mausoleum is on the south boundary of the cemetery along 129th Street. The architecture of the mausoleum is fitting for the late 60's, when it was built.

Floral Haven Cemetery: Memorial Mausoleum

Front of Memorial Mausoleum

When you enter the chapel, Arnold's vault is to your right on the top row of the center column. An American flag rests in the vase on the vault surface. The flag looks to be decades old. The chapel has pews and a pulpit with vaults along the walls. I got to the cemetery around 6 in the evening and the light in the chapel was perfect. The chapel is climate controlled and very peaceful. I stayed for about a half hour before I had to get back on the road.