Robert Lee “Bob” McCall (1896-1989) – A Historical Timeline
Robert Lee “Bob” McCall was my Great Grandfather. I always knew him as “Grandpa” and would climb up into his lap and listen to his pocket watch he kept in the front pocket of his overalls. I remember many meals over at my Great Grandparents house where “supper” was served at near noon and was the last meal of the day.
Here’s a timeline I’ve put together for his life, to try to get a sense of the major events that happened while he was living. I hope to add more to it as I gather more information about him.
Historical Timelines: Robert Lee “Bob” McCall
| YEAR | LOCATION | EVENT |
| 1896 | Shark, Yell Co., Arkansas | Born: 22 May 1896 |
| 1900 | Danville, Yell Co., Arkansas | US Census: Listed in the Census as Robert L. (age 4) living with his parents John H. McCall (age 27) and Ollie (age 26), and brother George D. (age 2). Living with them is Lucy Hickey, servant. |
| 1910 | Herring, Yell Co., Arkansas | US Census: Listed in the Census as Robert L. (age 14) living with his parents John H. McCall (age 37) and Olive (age 35) and siblings George W. (age 12), Sina (age 8), Prue (age 6), Buford (age 4), and Troy (age 1). |
| 1916 | Gravelly, Yell Co., Arkansas | Mother dies: Martha Olive Johnson (d. 8 Dec 1916) He was 20 years old. |
| 1917 | Gravelly, Yell Co., Arkansas | Service: Registered for draft, Army – World War 1, 5 Jun 1917 |
| 1918 | Gravelly, Yell Co., Arkansas | Father remarries: Martha Azle Mercer (b. 1 Dec 1892 in Danville, Yell, Arkansas) 22 Sep 1918. He is 22 years old, his new stepmother is 25. |
| 1920 | Gravelly Village, Gravelly Hill, Yell Co., Arkansas | US Census: Listed in the Census as Bob (age 23) living with his parents J.K. McCall (age 47) and step-mother Azle (age 26) and siblings Dewey (age 21), Sina (age 18), Prue (age 15), Buford (age 11), Troy (age 10), Fay (age 7), John (age 4) and Jim Bill (age 4 months). Living with them is Ray Cornealius, boarder. |
| 1920 | Gravelly, Yell Co., Arkansas | Married: Etoyl Montgomery (b. 18 Aug 1896) 7 Jan 1920 “They met in Gravelly, Arkansas where they went to school together. Married in Gravelly, Arkansas.” |
| 1920 | Gravelly, Yell Co., Arkansas | Son: Tommy Lee (b. 30 Nov 1920) |
| 1923 | New Mexico | Moved to New Mexico. “When living in New Mexico they were farmers.” |
| 1923 | Carlsbad, Eddy Co., New Mexico | Son: Robert Wayne “Pete” (b. 26 Nov 1923) |
| 1928 | Carlsbad, Eddy Co., New Mexico | Son: Harold Dean (b. 22 Dec 1928) |
| 1930 | Precinct 9, Otis, Eddy Co., New Mexico | US Census: Listed in the Census as Robert L. (age 34) with his wife Etoyl (age 30) and Children Tommy Lee (age 9), Robert Wayne (age 7) and Harold Dean (age 1.25). His occupation is listed as a farmer, house is owned and valued at $14000. Age at his marriage was 23 for him, 22 for Etoyl. |
| 1938 | Oregon | Moved to Oregon and lived outside Eugene. Etoyl’s brother Lyle had already moved to Oregon. “[They moved to Oregon] because he lost everything he had. It was during 1932 – 1933 depression.” |
| Stayton Marion Co., Oregon | “They farmed strawberries, beans, beets, plums, peaches.” When they first bought their land near Stayton, Oregon, the area had been nicknamed “starvation acres” because no one could get it to produce. I was told that there were some large trees removed off the property with stumps so large that it took dynamite to get the stumps out. | |
| 1944 | San Francisco, California | Son dies: Tommy Lee (d. 19 Sep 1944) and is buried in Eugene, Lane Co., Oregon. “He was aboard a Coast Guard carrier in San Francisco, CA. He was sent to the boiler room to do some work and the boiler blew up and he was found near the door, but was unable to get out.” |
| 1966 | Stayton, Marion Co., Oregon | Died: 7 Mar 1989 at 92 years of age. Buried in the Lone Oak Cemetery in Stayton, Marion Co., Oregon. |
| 1992 | Stayton, Marion Co., Oregon | Wife dies: Etoyl Montgomery (d. 21 Jun 1996) dies 5 months shy of her 100 year birthday. Buried in the Lone Oak Cemetery in Stayton, Marion Co., Oregon. |
If you’re related to this family or have more information about them including stories, pictures and dates and family member names, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or email me directly from the About Us page.