Atoka County, Oklahoma - Biography: Charles Wilburn Burgess
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Submitted by: Lola Harris Withrow: lolawithrow@yahoo.com
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		      Burgess Family History

		   In memory of my grandparents, 
	     Charles Wilburn and Georgia Anne Burgess
		     By, Lola Harris Withrow

In early 1900, Charles "Charlie" Wilburn Burgess boarded a train in 
Anderson Co., South Carolina, with his wife, Georgia Anne "Annie", and 
four children; Marie Victoria, Julian L., Ruby and Lillian Burgess. 
After days of travel, the train stopped at the depot in Atoka, Indian
Territory, Ok. for a rest-break and Charlie and Annie agreed that this
was where they wanted to settle. 

Grandma loved to tell the story of their adventure to Indian Territory,
with only their children and valise in hand. All household item had to
be purchase after their arrival in OK. Atoka was located in the Choctaw
Nation, and in those days, it was the hub of much activity. 
The soil was rich, and perfect for farming. 

They rented a room at the local hotel and commenced to look for property
to buy. Dr. Fulton sold them land in, Bentley Township, seven miles East
of Atoka, OK., later to become the Harmony Community. The land  was 
heavily wooded, and grandpa had to hire men to clear the land for 
farming and to build a home. Earlier, one of his arms had been amputated
due to an accident, I believe that happened in South Carolina, so life 
was not easy for him, but he never complained about it. 

Charlie was a farmer, like his father before him. He was interested in 
community activities and stressed the importance of a good education. 
He was a tall man, near six ft., blue-gray eyes, and in his youth, his 
hair was black, with a full mustache. 
Charlie Burgess was a kind, gentle man, well loved and respected by all
who knew him. 

Georgia Anne "Annie" Burgess had a lovely flower garden, and spent 
much time working in it. Her garden was arranged to have flowers that
bloomed in early Spring, and into late Fall. The honeysuckle vine 
planted by the porch smelled so sweet, especially during the late 
evening hours. 

We often set on the porch in the evening, listening to the 
Whippoorwill 's call, while the damp smell of the woods lent a 
mysterious air to the surroundings. Grandma loved to tease my brother
and I by saying "we had better go inside before the  Will of the Wisp 
appears."

Grandma Burgess was a strong willed lady, and a strict Democrat of the 
F.D.R. type. Politics were most important to her, and always seemed to 
be included in conversation. Annie was short in build, auburn hair, brown 
eyes, and retained much of her youthful beauty, even into her late years.

In June 1911, their youngest child, Mary Thelma Burgess (my mother) was
born, in Atoka Co., OK.   

Charles W. Burgess was born July 5, 1869, in Anderson Co., South Carolina,
died Feb. 16, 1948 in Atoka Co., OK., buried in Bera Cemetery. 
Charles was the son of, William Wilburn Burgess and Samantha Ann Timms of
Anderson Co., S.C.

Charles married, Georgia Anne "Annie" Dorr in Dec., 1892 in Anderson Co., 
S.C. Georgia was born Aug. 30, 1873 in Anderson Co., S.C., died Jan. 12, 
1953 in Marlow, OK., at the home of her daughter, Lillian Burgess Dake, 
buried in Bera Cemetery, Atoka Co., OK. 
Georgia was the daughter of Mary Dorr.

SOURCE: [1] 1880 Census of Anderson Co., South Carolina, Hopewell Township.
[2] 1910 Census of Atoka County Oklahoma, Bentley Township.
[3] Bera Cemetery Records.
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