George McVey Bickett

John Motley Doak was born July 6, 1858, on the Cook Ranch, Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., TX, and died July 26, 1949, at Medical & Surgical Clinic, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, at age 91. Buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX. He is the son of Jonathan A. Doak of Virginia, and Mary Elizabeth Zumalt of Gonzales Co., TX.

Arrie Franks was born February 18, 1872, in Atascosa Co., TX, and died September 23, 1948, at Medical & Surgical Hospital, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, at age 76. Buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX. She is the daughter of Daniel Gandy Franks of Plum Creek, Caldwell Co., TX, and Julia Zerilda Elkins of Guadalupe Co., TX.

John Motley Doak and Arrie Franks were married December 19, 1889, in Dryden, Pecos Co., TX.

John Motley Doak was born July 6, 1858, on the Cook Ranch, Jourdanton, Atascosa Co., TX.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows J. A. Doak (age 55) born in Mississippi, with Real Estate of $500 and Personal Estate of $4,000 and who cannot read and cannot write, is a Stock Raiser, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are the following, all born in Texas: a female, Mary E Doak (age 34), who cannot read and cannot write, who is Keeping House; Josephine Doak (age 16), who cannot read and cannot write; W. A. Doak (age 14), who cannot read and cannot write; Josephine Doak (age 16), who cannot read and cannot write; John M. Doak (age 12), who cannot read and cannot write; Boyd M. Doak (age 4); Martha Ann Doak (age 5/12, March); and Adam Zumolt (age 18), who cannot read and cannot write, a Farm Laborer.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows John B. Spears (age 45) born in Alabama, and with Real Estate worth $200 and Personal Estate worth $3,000 is a Stock Raiser, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are: Elizabeth M. Spears (age 34) born in Alabama, who is Keeping House; Bethema Spears (age 8) born in Texas; Leonard W. Spears (age 7) born in Texas; Martha L. Spears (age 1) born in Texas, and L. A. Franks (age 23) born in Texas.

John Motley Doak and Arrie Franks were married December 19, 1889, in Dryden, Pecos Co., TX.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 5, 1900, shows John M. Doak (age 41) born July 1858 in Texas to Unknown-born parents is a Stock Raiser owning his own home and living in Val Verde Co., TX. Living with him is his wife of 9 years, Arrie Doak (age 29) born February 1871 in Texas to Texas-born parents, with the only child born to her still living. Also living at home is daughter Edna M. Doak (age 2) born November 1897 in Texas to Texas-born parents.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 26, 1910, shows John M. Doak (age 51) born in Texas to United States and Pennsylvania-born parents is a Stock Ranch Ranchman owning his own farm free of a mortgage and living in Val Verde Co., TX. Living with him is his wife of 20 years, Arrie Doak (age 38) born in Texas to Texas-born parents, with the only child born to her still living. Also living at home is daughter Edna M. Doak (age 12) born in Texas to Texas-born parents.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on February 9, 1920, shows John Doak (age 59) born in Texas to Texas-born parents is a Ranch Farmer owning his own farm free of a mortgage and living in the City of Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Ara Doak (age 48) born in Texas to Texas-born parents.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 5, 1930, shows John M. Doak (age 71) born in Texas to Mississippi and Texas-born parents and first married at age 31 is Retired and owning his own home at 313 Pecan Street, City of Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Arrie Doak (age 58) born in Texas to Texas-born parents and first married at age 18.

The 1940 U. S. Census taken on April 14, 1940, shows John M. Doak (age 81) born in Texas, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 8 years of School, is a married Retired Ranchman who owns his home worth $10,000 and is living at 313 Pecan Street, City of Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Arrie Doak (age 68) born in Texas, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 8 years of School.

Arrie (Franks) Doak died September 23, 1948, at Medical & Surgical Clinic, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, at age 76. Buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX.

The Del Rio News-Herald, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, Friday, September 24, 1948

Mrs. John M. Doak Succumbs Thursday

Last Rites Saturday Afternoon

Death Claims Wife of Pioneer Ranchman Here

Mrs. Arrie Franks Doak, 75-year-old wife of John M. Doak, died in a local hospital shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Doran Chapel with Rev. J. Presley Pound, rector of St. James Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be made in Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Doran Funeral Home. Mrs. Doak was born February 18, 1873, in Atascosa County, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel G. Franks, pioneers of the county. She married John M. Doak December 19, 1889, in Dryden, Texas. In 1896, the family moved to the old California Ranch on Devil's River and after several years, leased a ranch for a year before buying the present ranch. Survivors include her husband, John M. Doak; her daughter, Mrs. Edna Waldrop; a sister, Mrs. Dannie Shields of El Paso and a number of nephews, nieces and grand nephews.

John Motley Doak died July 26, 1949, at Medical & Surgical Clinic, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, at age 91. Buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX.

The Del Rio News-Herald, Del Rio, Val Verde Co., TX, July 27, 1949

John M. Doak, 91-Year-Old Pioneer Ranchman, Succumbs Thursday

John M. Doak, 91, colorful pioneer cattleman, died in a local hospital about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Doran Chapel with H. Conger Jones officiating. Burial will be made in Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Doran Funeral Home. Doak was born on a ranch 12 miles west of Pleasanton July 6, 1858, the son of Jonathon Doak, organizer of the famous D. O. K. brand. He spent the first four years on the ranch in the days of Indian raids and similar pioneer hardships. His family moved to a place on the Frio River when he was four and in 1872, when he was 18, he decided to take a herd of horses up the trail with two neighbor boys, John Smith and Jim Currie. His father staked him to 175 horses and the three began their drive to Dodge City. A stampede played havoc with their herd and they returned home to wrangle sheep in the winter of 1879. In 1886, Doak worked on a ranch at the head of the Guadalupe River, working there until 18xx, when he helped move a herd of cattle into the Dryden country. He took a job as a cowpuncher and worked on the ranch of the Pecos Land and Cattle Company for 10 years, becoming foreman after two years. When the ranch was sold, Doak bought the cattle and ran them on the land until they were moved to the old California Ranch near Comstock, After he was there a year he bought the ranch he owned at the time of his death, approximately 15,000 acres on Sycamore Creek which he leased to L. Ryet. Doak has not been active in the ranching business for more than 2x years. He married Miss Arrie Franks at Dryden December 19, 1889. Mrs. Doak died September 23, 1948. Several years ago Doak and his friend, the late W. J. Lauderdale, collaborated on a book, "Life on the Range and Life on the Trail." A daughter, Mrs. Edna Waldrop and two brothers, R. M. Doak of Anderson and R. L. Doak of San Antonio survive. Pall bearers will be xxxxxxx.