Nov 20 – Pat Chase, Author

Members, please note: this meeting includes our annual election of officers. Your attendance in-person or via zoom is important to ensure we have a quorum for the vote.

The Hopkins County Genealogical Society is pleased to welcome Pat Chase, local author and long-time HCGS member, as guest speaker for our November meeting. Pat will share the story behind his book Jonathan Knight – Pathfinder of American Roads.

Pat has lived in Sulphur Springs for more than forty years and has served on the HCGS Board of Directors. Originally from Knightstown, Indiana, Pat’s curiosity about his hometown’s namesake led him to undertake an extensive research journey. When he discovered that no biography existed about Jonathan Knight—the man for whom the town was named—he decided to write one himself. His research carried him across Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania as he pieced together the remarkable life of this early American engineer.

Jonathan Knight (1787–1858) was a self-taught mathematician, civil engineer, and Quaker who helped develop the National Road and served as Chief Engineer for the B&O Railroad. He later represented Pennsylvania as both State Senator and U.S. Congressman and was known for his anti-slavery stance and agricultural innovations. Knightstown, Indiana, was named in his honor.

Although the book is not about Hopkins County, it reflects Pat’s passion for history and research—values we share at HCGS. Copies of Jonathan Knight – Pathfinder of American Roads are available through our HCGS Bookshop for purchase.

Oct 16th – Major David W. Wims, USAF, Ret. 

Tools of the Trade – Captain Samuel H. Walker and the Percussion Revolvers of 1836-1860

Join us Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Research Library, 611 North Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX, for a program by Major, (Ret.) USAF, David W. Wims: “Tools of the Trade – Captain Samuel H. Walker and the Percussion Revolvers of 1836-1860.”

David W. Wims was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and graduated from High School in Houston, Texas. He attended University of Houston and East Texas State University, where he was awarded a BA in English and History. He attended graduate school at North Texas State University.

David joined the U. S. Air Force in 1973 and in 1986 he was awarded a BS degree in Computer Science from ETSU and also Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force on the same day at ETSU. From 1986 to 2004 he served in various positions with the U.S.A.F. in Montana, South Dakota, New Mexico and Alabama. In 2000 he was awarded a MA in Military History from the University of Alabama. He was also in-service in Missouri, Tennessee and Eskan Village, Riyadh the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In 2004 David retired from active duty with the Air Force, but began teaching until 2022, when he retired from both and moved back home to Mt. Vernon, Texas. Since then he has been involved in western re-enactments, wild west shows and anything related to all periods of American history, but especially the Colonial era and early frontier post Revolution – not to mention the restoration of his grandparents natural rock house built in 1939 in Mt. Vernon, Tx.

With such an extensive history, how could this man not be interesting to listen to? In addition to period clothing he will bring guns and artifacts for “show and tell.” We can hardly wait to hear and see his presentation!

Sep 18th – Retired Lt. Col. Everett DeWolfe 

Former Air Force One Navigator to Share Memories of 9/11

Our program is by Retired Lt. Col. Everett DeWolfe. He was the Navigator for Air Force One on 9/11 and will be talking about his experiences that day. Lt. Col. DeWolfe spent 28 years in the Air Force with twelve of them being on the crew of Air Force One. Lt. Col. DeWolfe was the first and only navigator to serve as the operations officer of the 1st Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, whose mission was to fly our nation’s leaders worldwide. Before joining the crew of Air Force One he spent eight years flying our nation’s leaders from the Vice-President on down. His passengers included Vice-Presidents George H. W. Bush, Don Quayle and Al Gore. He also flew Secretaries of State George Shultz, James Baker, Lawrence Eagelburger, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell. Lt. Col. DeWolfe joined the crew of Air Force One in October of 1993 and served as instructor and evaluator navigator until he retired in April of 2005. After retiring from the Air Force, DeWolfe worked for L3 Communications (now L3Harris) until he retired in 2020.

Mr. DeWolf has shared his story with several other groups in our area this year, many of whom charged an admission fee. We are so fortunate to have him speak to us only a week after the 24th anniversary of the events that had profound consequences across the globe, and his presentation is free to society members, non-members and the general public. We hope to see you in person or on zoom!

May 15th – Kenny Sivard

Kenny Sivard is coming from Oklahoma to bring us the story of the “Battle of Honey Springs,” a Civil War battle fought in Indian Territory. He may even augment his talk by dressing in period costume!

Kenny is a 7th generation resident of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Currently he is the president of the McCurtain County Historical Society and serves on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society where he sits on the organization’s Research and Publications Committees. He also serves on the executive board of the Friends of Fort Towson Historic Site and the board of directors of the Friends of Honey Springs Historic Battlefield. Kenny was formerly a history writer for the Oklahoma Edge Magazine and has written history articles for the McCurtain Gazette newspaper for over ten years.

Apr 17th – Gerald Davis

Gerald Davis was born in 1965 in Clarksville to Loreane Reeves and Hertis Davis. He has been doing genealogy for at least 46 years. He will be speaking to us about North East Texas slaves and the history of Texas.

Gerald says his research has taken him all over Texas (Red River, Lamar, Cass, Marion, Hopkins, Fannin, Grayson, & Harrison Counties), Oklahoma, Arkansas (Hempstead, Lafayette, Sevier, Miller, & Little River Counties), Louisiana (Caddo, Bossier, & DeSoto Parishes), Mississippi (Adam, Wilkinson, Yazoo, Issaquena, Hinds Counties), Tennessee (Montgomery, & Davidson Counties), and Kentucky (Todd, & Christian Counties). He has family dating back as early as July 1818 in Spanish Texas, coming out of Madison County, Alabama.

Gerald is a 1984 graduate of Clarksville High School. He attended Paris Jr college in 1989. In 1992 he relocated to Ft. Worth, Tx. In January of 2011 he moved back to North East Texas (Clarksville). Since 2017 he has been living in Lamar County and often fills in when needed at the Lamar County Genealogical Society library.

Mar 20th – Emily Coffman Richardson, Ed.D

Our speaker, Emily Coffman Richardson Ed.D., is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in Denton, Texas. She began her genealogy journey alongside her mother, searching courthouse records and cemeteries for their Ohio and Pennsylvania ancestors. After retiring from a career in higher education in 2019, she moved to Texas and revived her mother’s genealogy business, Kinsearchers. Her work includes lineage society applications and solving family tree conflicts, particularly name discrepancies.

Emily is currently serving a two-year term as president of the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS), beginning January 1, 2025, after previously holding roles as secretary and Director-at-Large. She also oversees the production of the new TxSGS podcast, Lone Star Family Trails. In addition to her leadership roles, Emily chairs programming for the Robson Ranch Genealogy Club and teaches genealogy courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of North Texas. She frequently lectures at genealogy societies across Texas.

A dedicated storyteller, Emily is working to preserve her ancestors’ histories—a request from her mother, who focused on the research side. She is completing a four-volume work on the descendants of her 5th great-grandfather, Melchior Yoder, who arrived in the U.S. in the 1750s. This project is part of her role as coordinator for the non-Amish branch of the Yoder Family Newsletter. Emily will be speaking on collateral research.

Collateral Research: Using Nine Children and DNA to Develop the Story
Thorough genealogical research often requires exploring individuals beyond direct ancestors—collateral relatives such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings of grandparents and great-grandparents. Examining their lives can provide crucial context, uncover hidden family connections, and help resolve  gaps in research.

Feb 27th – Patty Massey Williams

This meeting has been rescheduled to Feb 27th due to the expected weather.

Have you ever wondered what life was like in the 1800s?  Well, it often began with a shiver! Rich or poor, in city dwelling or farm laborer’s cabin in the western frontier of Texas, the first step out of bed was likely to leave you cold. The wealthier class would have coal or wood burning fireplaces in their bedrooms, but these were rarely lit. Come and explore with Eliza Bullard Butler the practicalities of living in East Texas during the Victorian Era.

Patty Massey Williams, a sixth-generation American, descends from ancestors who fought in every war since the American Revolution. She earned a Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and taught for 37 years, spending 27 years in early primary education (Kindergarten through Second Grade) and the last decade training teachers to integrate advanced technologies into their classrooms.

Patty now presents historical interpretations for schools, genealogical and historical societies, and events like the Spirits of Oakwood Cemetery in Tyler and Voices of Longview’s 150th Celebration. She has published award-winning historical articles.

She is an active member of the Tyler chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy, currently serving as chapter President. Patty also serves on the Oakwood Historical Cemetery Preservation Committee and is a member of the Smith County Historical Association.

Raised in Hawkins, northeast of Tyler, Patty’s ancestors have lived in Wood, Hardin, and Brazoria counties for generations. After marrying her college sweetheart, Monty Williams, they settled in White Oak to raise their two daughters, Laura Horn and Joanna Schinkle. Their families remain in East Texas, and the grandchildren cherish time at Meme and Gramps’ house.

Patty’s love for reading and family history research began with her grandmothers in the 1960s, continued by her parents through the 2000s, and now rests with her as the family historian. Her home is filled with cherished antiques and heirlooms. Passionate about teaching the true stories of our ancestors, Patty says, “I am continuing this legacy for my own children and grandchildren.”

Jan 16th – Jerry Tittle

Jerry’s topic will be:  “Growing Up in the Franklin County Jail with Dad Sheriff and his Grandfather Sheriff Before That”.

He was born and reared in Mt. Vernon, Tx. While his dad Junior Tittle, was sheriff of Franklin Co , Jerry lived in the family quarters on the bottom floor of the Franklin Co Jail. Jerry graduated in 1964 from Mt. Vernon High School. He put his college days at East Texas State College on hold after a brief time, and he and his high school sweetheart, Sue Martin were married December 1965. They recently celebrated 59 years together. Jerry enlisted in the US Army to serve from January ,1967 to January ,1970, spending 13 months in Korea and 23 months in Seattle, Washington. After the Army Jerry, Sue and their young daughter Holli, relocated to Sulphur Springs. Jerry used his Montgomery G.I. Bill to earn a BA degree in English and Journalism, and later a MS degree in Counseling and Guidance, all from East Texas State, later named East Texas State University. Jerry worked a couple years as Sports Editor and Sunday Feature writer for the News Telegram in Sulphur Springs. Going forward, Jerry and Sue had two additional children Jeff and Sloane. Jerry taught 10th grade English for five years and was a school counselor for 27 years, all at Sulphur Springs High School, where he retired in 2012. After that date , Jerry worked as a Middle School Counselor for 6 years at Princeton ISD. Jerry says he always longed to write, but watching life play out through a keyhole in a locked jailhouse door was where he really honed his craft.