John Keener “J.K.” McCall (1872-1966) – Biography
John Keener “J.K.” McCall was my 2nd Great-Grandfather.
While my sister was in college she took a class on the subject of genealogy. As part of her family research she collected a few items that made great additions to my collection of family history material. One of these items was a typed letter from Mable T. Overnolts, president of the Santiam Historical Society and Museum committee in 1991. She wrote the following in response to my sister’s inquiry about J.K. McCall and his wife Miss Azle:
1985 E. Cedar St.,
Stayton, OR 97383-1437
April 03, 1991
Dear Lisa,
Your letter of May 20th to the Stayton Public Library was passed on to our Santiam Historical Society at 260 N. 2nd Ave, Stayton, OR. The Library has moved into their new building at 515 N. 1st Ave., tele 503 769 3313 as of spring of 1990.
You are in luck. I am Mable T. Overnolts (retired R.N.) now president of the Santiam Historical Society and Museum committee. We have taken the building vacated by the Library that was built in 1927-1928 by the Stayton Community women’s club, and turned it into a much needed museum.
We, my husband Marvin & I, sold our east lots in Stayton to JK & Azle in 1957 where they built a fine three bedroom house at 847 E. Virginia St.
After the Oct 12, 1962 storm in our area that “downed” trees and buildings, Mr JK McCall broke out with a case of “Shingles” over his left scapula (shoulder blade) area and up the neck into his hair line. He suffered untold agony for nearly a year, and was not very well there-after.
He loved to go hunting with his sons into the John Day river area of central northern Oregon and fishing in the Lakes Wikiup, Paulina, Diamond and others of Central Oregon in the Mt. Jefferson area.
Of the children, I believe Jack (Buster as I knew him) is gone, Faye Fasholtz Ware is gone as of (Oct 7, 1912-Aug 4, 1988), surviving her are sons Charles of Seattle, John of Yakima, Wash; She was buried in Lone Oak cemetery here in Stayton. Robert Lee McCall born May 22, 1896 died March 7, 1989 at age 92. Born at Gravelly, Ark., moved to New Mexico in 1923 then to Eugene, OR. 1933 and came to Stayton in 1943. Farmed east of town about 4 miles out. He was a farmer and Army veteran of World War I. He married Etoyle Montgomery on Feb. 7, 1920 in Ark.
Survivors include wife;, sons, Robert W. of Stayton, Harold Dean of Baker, sisters, Sina Skinner of Carlsbad, NM, G. Dewey of Stayton, half brothers Charles W. of Stayton and Jim Bill of Cottage Grove.
Hope this is of help to you. A contribution to the Santiam Historical Society would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely, (Signed Mable T. Overnolts)
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