Kraus-Everette Genealogy

Acord Notables and Anecdotes

 (last update 29 May 2003)

Anecdotes

Ghosts

William C.C. Akard (1826-1870) is said to be a southern sympathizer in the Civil War. He lived in Polk, Missouri and, according to a Bolivar, Missouri, researcher, lost everything in the war (Missouri was in chaos) and then went to Texas. There is a "haunted" house in Bolivar, Polk, Missouri, said to be haunted by its former owner, William C.C. Akard. The "ghost" appears as a stocky man dressed in the style of the 1800's. It is not malicious but does appear as a pod of very cold air that moves about the room, creaks the stairs, turns on lights repeatedly (rewiring didn't help). The researcher and owner of the haunted house found a picture of William's nephew, James J. Akard (a state representative and Captain of the militia) at the Polk County Library and thought there was a resemblance to the ghost. William C.C. Akard did in fact move to Dallas, Texas. The Federal Reserve Building stands where he house used to be. Akard Street in Dallas is named after him.

Legal Troubles

Cornelius C. 'Neal' Acord (1826-1873) and wife Elizabeth "Betsy" Ann Murray (1830-1882). Elizabeth's father died when she was young. Her mother remarried to Thomas Hankins when Elizabeth was 12 years old. Thomas was a man of some means but was injured in a fire in 1848, was declared lunatic and a guardian was appointed for the Hankins Estate, worth about $8,000. In 1849 the rest of the Acord family moved to Johnson County, Arkansas but Cornelius and Elizabeth stayed behind until following in 1857. Why the delay? In 1856, the estate was worth an estimated $3,000. The Hankins guardian filed suit in Chancery Court of Roane County, Tennessee accusing Cornelius and Elizabeth of squandering the estate to keep it from going to it's rightful heirs and demanding repayment. Apparently they fled to Arkansas and escaped judgment. And now you know the rest of the story. 

Musicians

Maria Louise "Lou" (Porter) Acord (1857-1923) was married William Albert 'Bill' Acord (1853-1918). Lou played the fife in the Rebecca's Ceremonial activities. She once made a flute from a corn cob. She was always very particular about her person and dress. She always combed her hair and powdered her face before she prepared the family breakfast. She once had a yellow bonnet with white tatting circling the ruffle on the crown, around the brim and around the tail of the bonnet. All the tatting made by Lou herself. The bonnet was always kept freshly washed, starched and ironed. A red-headed woman, Lou did have a quarrelsome disposition to go with her red hair. Her hair was so long she could sit on it. The family was musical and formed their own orchestra. Her son, Harlow Clarence, played the violin and mandolin. "Thula" was very popular as well as a fine musician. People in the Yale Community said that "Thula could make that fiddle talk!" Lou was a member of the "Daughters of Rebecca".

Poets

Myrtle Tennessee Acord  (1896-1946) was a school teacher at the Ferguson School, District #52, Hope Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma. She was also something of a poet. She wrote the following, entitled FAITH... I cannot see that little bird That sings so merrily, And yet I know he's just outside High in that big pine tree. He trills and trills until he fills My heart with ecstasy... I'm sure he sings his sweetest song Just so I'll cheerful be. I cannot see my Savior's face But, oh, I know 'tis true He lives on high, above the sky, Beyond the Heavenly blue. He whispers to me every day In song of bird or breeze that sighs. His love for me can hold me fast, That love that never dies. To live for Him from day to day Let Him your life control; Then you shall reach that happy place The safe, sure anchor of the Soul.

Celebrities

John William "Bill" Akard (1875-1947) was one of the greatest firearm shooting experts of all time. His reputation in the early 1900's was so powerful that he unknowingly stopped a bank robbery in his home town. He traveled extensively doing shooting demonstrations and shared the stage with his good friend Will Rogers. According to the Springfield Press, dated July 26, 1930 and Humbolt (California) Standard, May 27 1966, Akard discouraged notorious southwest outlaw Henry Starr from robbing the Fair Play, Missouri, bank in December 1907. Starr noticed an advertising poster of the Remington Arms Co. which employed Akard, advertising some of Akard's accomplishments. He recalled that he had been told by Akard in a meeting that he had a vast collection of firearms kept in his home at Fair Play. When informed by residents of Fair Play that Bill Akard did live there, and it was his home town, and that yes, he did have a "whole roomfull" of firearms in his home, and that yes, he was home now and would be for about a month, Starr and his companions decided the territory around Fair Play was extremely rough and escape from a posse would be difficult, especially with Akard being home with all those guns. So, they moved on 6 miles to Aldrich. He worked with Will Rogers who did a roping act, and Akard did a shooting act. The two of them were good friends. He liked to tinker in his shop in Fair Play and rebuilt guns, and even built a rotary lawn mower before the day of power mowers. Was a talented pianist, played classical, rag time, or hymns. While working for Remington he reworked the cartridge on the Springfield '03 rifle. That became the Springfield '06 rifle which became the company's standard weapon. Also developed a scatterload for shot guns and had it patented. Was only paid a small bonus for his invention, which could have been worth millions in royalties. He never cared a lot about money--made a lot, but spent it. He was known as the all around Shooting Champion of the World from 1905-1917. Had many recorded feats in marksmanship

Ted Leroy "Teddy" Yochum (1906-1989), son of William Riley Yochum and Susie Lou "Lou" Acord, was a rodeo star in the 1930's and performed in Madison Square Garden. He also modeled western wear for the Sears and Roebuck catalog and did print ads for Camel cigarettes.

Murders

William G. Acord (1827-1864) son of John Acord and Sarah Turner. While serving as a private in Company E of the 11th Arkansas Infantry, CSA, in 1864 he was granted leave to go home to Johnson County to check on his family. He found that his wife Martha and five children had nothing more than a bag of corn to eat. He took the corn to his father's (John) grist mill on Little Mulberry Creek to grind it into meal. When he returned he was captured by bushwhackers in sight of his house. Martha hustled the children through a trap door to the attic of the house. As the family watched from a small 15x15 inch window, the bushwhackers tied William to a tree, spread-eagled, and used him for target practice until he died.

Elbert Acord (1893-??) son of William Acord and Della Abbott never married. He served in World War II. After the war he returned to Ft. Worth, Tarrant County, Texas where he worked as a Street Car Engineer. One night on the final run of the street cars, he was on his way to "put the car to bed" when he was hijacked and killed.

Military Service

American Revolutionary War

Cornelius Acord (1760-1839) served in the Revolutionary War enlisting on the 7th Day of December 1776 for three years or during the Revolutionary War, in Frederick County, Maryland in the Company commanded by Jonathan Morris of the Regiment Commanded by Col. John Quinsby in the line of the State of Maryland on the Continental Establishment. He continued in the service of the United States until the 8th day of December 1779 - when he was discharged from service at North Westpoint, State of New York. He fought in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown & Staten Island. 

War of 1812

Jonas Akard (1792-1840), son of Cornelius Acord (1760-1839), served in the Tennessee Militia during the War of 1812. He was transferred several times finally winding up in Capt. David S. Deaderick's Company, Artillery and participated in an expedition against the Creek Indians and the Battle of Talladega. After the war he settled in Missouri where he fought Indians and cleared land to establish Fair Play, Madison Township, Polk County, Missouri as a suitable place to raise his eleven children.

Joseph Acord (1793-??) served during the War of 1812 as a Private in Captain Allen Bacon's Company of the Second Regiment (Colonel Brown's) Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.

U.S. Civil War

Calvin Acord (1824-1880) was a Private in Company H of the 10^th Arkansas Militia at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was present at the 1862 muster in Clarksville, Arkansas. It doesn't appear that he joined a regular unit.

William Marion Stewart (1823-1863) father of Christopher Columbus Stewart who married Francis Marie Acord (daughter of Calvin Acord and Angeline Cook) served the Confederacy during the Civil War as a Third Sergeant in Company H of the Tenth Arkansas Calvary. He died during the war.

Angeline (Cook) Acord (1824-1905) was married to Calvin Acord (1824-1880). During the Civil War, Angeline was left alone with her small children and the farm to care for while her husband served his time in the Army. Bushwhackers came and took her food and killed her chickens and drove off her stock until she was desperate. Still her husband did not return and she was down to one slab of side meat and corn meal to feed her children, when she heard the bushwhackers were headed toward the farm again. She put the meat in a bucket and lowered it into the well to hide it. When the man could find nothing of value in the house and no animals to steal, they were about to leave when, unfortunately, one decided he wanted a drink of fresh water. Knowing he would discover the meat, Angeline began to flail him over the head with her broom, knocking him into the well. As his companions pulled him out of the well, a Yankee patrol came into the yard. The leader was so tickled at the sight of the tiny five foot tall woman fighting a half-dozen ruffians, he chased the men away and would not even let his men take her food. 

Cornelius C. Acord (1826-1873) and wife Elizabeth "Betsy" Ann Murray (1830-1882). Cornelius was a First Sergeant in Company H of the 10^th Arkansas Militia at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was present at the 1862 muster in Clarksville, Arkansas. It doesn't appear that he joined a regular unit.

William G. Acord (1827-1864) was a Private in Company H of the 10^th Arkansas Militia at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was present at the 1862 muster in Clarksville, Arkansas. He later enlisted as a private in Company E of the 11th Arkansas Cavalry, CSA.  Killed while on leave in Johnson County, Arkansas.

Francis Marion Acord (1832-1864) was a Private in Company H of the 10^th Arkansas Militia at the outbreak of the Civil War.  He was present at the Feb 1861 muster in Clarksville, Arkansas, along with his brothers. However, he enlisted in Company I with his Horner in-laws instead of Company H with his brothers. After the militia became irrelevant the Horner brothers enlisted in regular confederate units, all except Francis. Francis followed the lead of his Horner in-laws and on 14 Jan 1864 enlisted in the Company K of 2nd Arkansas Union Infantry. He later died at Lewisburg Ridge, along with his brothers-in-law Andrew and pleasant Horner orphaning his two sons leaving his sons John Samuel Acord and Christopher Columbus Acord orphans. John and Samuel were taken in by their Horner grandfather Spencer Horner. Within weeks, Spencer was killed by bushwhackers and their uncle John Turner Horner took them and the remnants of the Horner family to Missouri as refugees.

John H. Akard (1832-1883) son of Jonas Akard and Elizabeth Hopkins served the Union during the Civil War as a Sergeant in the 8th Missouri Calvary.

Amzi Davison (c1832-c1863) was married to Louisa Akard daughter of Henry Akard and Lavinia Jones. When the Missouri Legislature voted to secede from the Union, Amzi left their farm near Fair Play to go to Bolivar to join the Missouri Home Guards. The Missouri Home Guards were Union sympathizers who went to seize the county courthouses. Amzi was wounded at the courthouse in Bolivar and died about two weeks later.

Louisa Jane "Jane" Akard (1835-1904) was married to Amzi Davison. According to Amzi and Louisa Jane's oldest son, William Henry Davison (who was 9 years old when the Civil War began), his father left their farm near Fair Play to go to Bolivar to join the Missouri Home Guards. (The Missouri Legislature had voted to go with the South and the Missouri Home Guards were Union sympathizers who went to seize the county courthouses.) Before he left, Amzi told his oldest son, William Henry, that if anything happened to him to take the whole family, put them in the wagon and get out of there. Stop only to rest the horses. The family consisted of Louisa Jane Akard Davison, who was pregnant with Elmira, and the children: Mary, William, Frank, Julius, James. Amzi was wounded at the courthouse in Bolivar and died about two weeks later. William Henry did as instructed. He said the river, (must have been the Sac River) was in flood and as they were crossing it one of the horses stumbled and fell into the water. He thought they would all be swept away and drowned but the horse recovered and they reached the far bank safely. Apparently, the family moved about nine miles south of Fair Play which must have been a safer neighborhood for Louisa Jane. She is listed on the Polk County Rebel List in spite of the fact her husband was killed in service to the Union. The surviving Akard men apparently were Confederate and Louisa Jane was under suspicion. She and the family survived on a pension from the Union Army service of her husband Amzi Davison. They are both buried in the Akard Cemetery on the south side of Fair Play, Polk, Missouri.

Christopher Columbus Acord

William C. Acord/Echard (c1837-???), son of David Acord and Elizabeth Hartley, fought for the CSA during the Civil War. Serving as a Private in Captain Ward's Battalion, Alabama Light Artillery, along with his older brother Columbus. They both survived the war and returned to Madison County, Alabama.

James Jasper Akard (1838-1919) son of Joseph Dell Akard and Keziah Dunnegan, enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Missouri Reserve Corp in July 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War.  He transferred to Company A of the 8th Missouri State Militia Calvary in December 1861. In May 1863 was promoted to Captain of his company and held that position until discharge on 25 January 1865. He received a musket ball in October 1864 in his right hip while "skirmishing around Jefferson City", which he carried till his death.

Samuel Acord (1838-1922) son of Cornelius Acord and Sarah Stewart, served the Union during the Civil War in Company G of the 14th Missouri State Militia Volunteer Calvary. He entered as a First Sergeant on 13 April 1862 in Springfield, Missouri. The 14th was disbanded on 3 March 1863 the company became Company L, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. On 1 Jan 1864 Samuel was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Jasper A. Eubanks (c1842-c1889) husband of Anna Eliza 'Annie' Acord (daughter of Cornelius C. Acord and Ann Elizabeth Murray), served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Judge Thomas H. B. Dunnegan (1842-1889) son of Priscilla Akard and Mathew Dunnegan, served the Union during the Civil War in the 4th Corp, Company A of the 8th Missouri State Militia Calvary serving until serving until 27 January 1865. After the war he was appointed county clerk of Polk County, Missouri. For two years he was deputy sheriff and collector, and in 1868 was elected sheriff and collector, holding the office until January 1873. From 1878 to 1882 he was associate judge of the county court and in 1888 was again elected to the same position. For about fifteen years he was a member of the Bolivar School Board.

William J. Akard (1843-1882) son of Joseph Dell Akard and Keziah Dunnegan served the Confederacy during the Civil War in the 11th Arkansas Confederate Infantry.

William Anderson Achord (1843-1903) son of Enoch Achord served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Tennessee.

James M. Akard (1845-1929) son of Henry Akard and Lavinia Jones served the Union during the Civil War as a Corporal in the 2nd Missouri Light Artillery.

World War I

Edwin Wilson Acord (1887-1949) son of William Albert Acord and Mariah Louise Porter, was drafted during World War I from Johnson County, Arkansas.

Alford Newton Acord (1891-1953) son of Jefferson David Acord and Martha Ann Morgan, is a veteran of World War I.

Clayton David Acord (1894-1942) son of John Columbus Acord and Ida Ellen Heath, is a veteran of World War I.

Fred Sizemore (1894-1965) son of Ephraim P. Sizemore and Louvicy Ann Acord, served during World War I as a private in Company C of the Development Battallion. In 1920 he was in the military hospital at Fort McPherson, Fulton County, Georgia.

Sydney Barnes Acord (1895-1990) son of Christopher Columbus Acord and Mary Hester Williams served in the US Army during World War I.

	Zed Porter Ritchie (1896-1980) [son of Vicy Jane (Acord) Ritchie] was a veteran of World War I. He was sent to France, but when he got there the war was over.
	Norman Herbert Schamp (1898-1987) husband of Vera Lee Acord. Enlisted in the U.S. Army AEF Quartermaster Corps, 306th Company on 18 May at Ft. Douglas, Utah. He was honorably discharged 19 July 1919. He first served in the Infantry in the trenches and then became the company cook. He was the cook at the Army Quartermaster Depot at Recey-sur-Ource, Cote-d'Or, France on 2 Oct, 1918.

Sidney Barnes Acord (1895-1990) served in the U.S. Army during World War I.

World War II

Elmer Dean Yochum (1911-1942), son of William Riley Yochum and Susie Lou "Lou" Acord, served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enlisted on 25 March 1941 in Los Angeles, California. He was inducted as a Private First Class into the the 303rd Engineering Battalion Aviation in Kansas.  He was killed in action at Bataan, Philippine Islands on 26 January 1942 at the age of 31. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action at the Battle of Bataan and a Purple Heart posthumously. His last known status was missing. His monument is at the World War II American Cemetery, Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines.His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads...

Albert Lee Yochum (1913-1994), son of William Riley Yochum and Susie Lou "Lou" Acord, served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, European Theater. He was in the invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennnes and Rhineland. He was a Signal Corps Repeaterman and Lineman in the front lines in the European theatre, receiving several decorations and citations, including four bronze battle stars.

Virgil Lee Acord (1914-1985) son of Joseph Marion Acord and Mary Bertha Ethel Yates is a veteran of World War II.

Otto Argus Acord (1914-1996) son of William Gordon Acord and Olevia Mae Russell served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Ona Nolan Acord (1916-1944) son of John Columbus Acord and Ida Ellen Heath, served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was employed by the Halliburton Cementing Company in Marlow, Oklahoma when he went into active service with the 45th division. In 1942 he transferred to the Air Corps, 338th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy. In 1944 the War Department announced that he was missing in action in the European Theater while piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress on a raid over Germany on January 29th. Fourteen months later his body was recovered and he was buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. He was awarded a Purple Heart posthumously. 

Dewey Acord (1916-2000) son of James T. Acord and Ethel Sexton served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Gerald Kenneth Barrett (1916-1950) son of Sam Calvin Barrett and Edna Mae Acord (Daughter of John Columbus Acord and Ida Mae Heath) served during World War II as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Air Corps.

Voyd T. Boitel (1917-1967) son of Peter L. Boitel and Orlena Acord (daughter of Christopher Columbus Acord and Mary Hester Williams) was a veteran of World War II.

Conley Marion Acord (1917-1986) son of James T. Acord and Ethel Sexton was a veteran of World War II.

Jack Yochum (1917-1985) son of Susie Lou Acord and William Riley Yochum served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II.

Carroll Joseph Acord (1919-1988) son of Joseph Marion Acord and Mary Bertha Ethel Yates is a veteran of World War II.

Marvin Yochum (1919-1944), son of William Riley Yochum and Susie Lou "Lou" Acord, served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army 137th Infantry in World War II. He was killed in action in France on 15 July 1944 at the age of 24.

Hartsel Acord (1919-1997), son of Charles Perry Acord and Ada Brashar, served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a First Sergeant in the 96th Infantry Division (Deadeyes), 383rd Regiment, Cannon Company and fought in the Battle of Laytte, Battle of Philippines Islands, and Battle of Okinawa.

Garland Eugene Acord (1921-1979) son of George Calvin Acord and Dollie Jane Linton is a veteran of World War II.

Paul Nichols (1921-1999) husband of Velda Schamp (daughter of Norman Herbert Schamp and Vera Lee Acord served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enlisted in September 1942 and entered basic training at Schofield Barracks Oahu, Territory of Hawaii in October 1942. He was then assigned to Searchlight Battalion Headquarters Base in Kaneohoe, Hawaii. He lived on the windward side of the island from November 1942 until October 1944. He was sent on a Task Force to Ulithi Island, and on to Guam, Marianas Islands, November 1944 until September 1945. He was discharged November 1945 in Pennsylvania.

Hershel Acord (1922-2006 ), son of Charles Perry Acord and Ada Brasher, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Chief Petty Officer submariner in the Pacific Theater. One cruise was to Tokyo Harbor, Japan in 1943 looking for the Japanese battleship Yokomato.

William Dearl 'Bud' Hefner, son of Ed Hefner and Vicy Jane Acord, served as a Corporal in the US Army during World War II.

William Osrow "Roe" Yochum (1923-??), son of William Riley Yochum and Susie Lou "Lou" Acord, served as a Private in the U.S. Army during World War II, Pacific Theater. 

William Davis Murray (1925-1944), son of Robert Murray and Bertha Heath (daughter of Martha Ann Acord and William Henry Heath), served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was killed in the invasion of Normandy, France in 1944.

Other

James Hoyt Davis (1933-1988) son of James Monroe Davis and Sarah Lavada Acord (daughter of John Turner Acord and Sarah Zulema Kozier served in the U.S. Air Force.

Public Service

Henry Akard (1813-1949) son of Jonas Akard and Elizabeth Hopkins. Served as Justice of the Peace, Polk County, Missouri for a term of two years starting in 1837.

James Jasper Akard (1838-1919) son of Joseph Akard and Keziah Dunnegan. 1866, Missouri State Legislature, two terms; 1876-1878, Sheriff, Polk County, Missouri; 1878-1800 Collector, Polk County, Missouri; 1886-1889 Court Clerk, Polk County, Missouri.

Thomas H. Dunnegan (1842-????) son of Mathew Dunnegan and Priscilla Akard. 1872, Associate Judge, Lawrence County, Missouri

William Albert "Bill" Acord (1853-1918) ran the Family Grist Mill on Little Mulberry Creek, Acord Hollow, Johnson County, Arkansas after his grandparents, John and Sarah Turner Acord, moved to Texas during the Civil War.  After his father Calvin died he was appointed postmaster at Cobbsville, Arkansas on 24 Jan 1881. He was a Justice of the Peace for nearly 30 years, in "Hill Township". He estimated he had united over 2,000 people in Marriage. As a special deputy he once recognized a criminal by a scar on his face, hiding in a snake pit of a Road Show. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and was appointed special agent for the Mason's Fraternal Accident Association of America, and was authorized to organize local membership in the town of Eubank Mills. He owned several farms in Johnson County, in what is now Ozark National Forest. He had 14 children, and one died at birth.

Walter Monroe Acord (1892-1966), son of John Columbus Acord and Ida Ellen Heath, joined the Oklahoma City Mounted Police in 1919. Mounted on horses, in full dress uniform, these police patrolled the downtown area of the city at night. Wife Elsie said "The Mayor's idea looked good, but was very impractical. Imagine, a policeman clomp-clomping the streets, warning of his approach so he could be shot down at will, allowing the burglar to continue his business unmolested." Walter served in the Detective Bureau many years, mostly in the Narcotics Division. He was captain of the Vice Squad for 5 years. He had many newspaper clippings and pictures of his liquor raids during Prohibition days. He was with the Highway Patrol almost 7 years before he retired in 1959.

William Dearl Hefner (1923-1994) son of Eddie Lee Hefner and Vicy Jane Acord served in the Oklahoma State Legislature representing the county of Wagoner.