FROM NOTHING – TO SOMETHING: The Vernon Ted McCombs Story

By Lloyd D. McCombs

He worked and pressed himself to acomplish. Perhaps, taking a little more time for family relationships, would have helped. I remember him going to work on Christmas day. I hope readers will gain encouragement to press on, and reach higher spiritual and life goals. I trust they will carry on his driving force, contained in his motto - 'By Dab I Tan". It was interesting, being his son, and watching him become a more compleet man. Due to the conditions of his beginning, I marvell at the great gains he made. May God bless you, as you read of his life.

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If you want to be amazed at how much God can do,with with a life of little consequence, Read Here.

Time and directed effort with God's blessing, can build a considerable growth. During the Depresion, Vernon had a steady job, and modest steady income. (Errand boy, and beginner wages were not to great) We were blessed with shelter, food and clothing. Nothing fancy, but adequate. Many were forced to near desperate means to survive. Tough time to begina family. Small gain, upon small gain, slowly grow stability. One willing to work hard, can usually bring success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385012435

Lloyd D. McCombs

Son of Vernon Ted McCombs. I am mostly an average person, but very proud of the accomplishments of my father's life. I watched his life, up close, and personal. He told me stories of his life, that I found most interesting. I was also blessed to spend a lot of time among his family members, when he bought the farm in Oklahoma, near where he was raised.

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Copyright © 2024 Lloyd D. McCombs.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

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ISBN: 979-8-3850-1242-8 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1243-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023921656

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/03/2024

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – The Story

Chapter 2 – Family Tidd Bits

Chapter 3 – Family Homes

Chapter 4 – Du Mac Acres

Chapter 5 – Du Mac Acres Sale Booklet 1953

Chapter 6 – Letter to my Grandchildren

Resources:

1. Row Colcord Book --- The Story of Two Towns - A history of Row, Colcord and the Surrounding Area, Published by the Colcord Historical Society, 1985, 573 Pages

2. Delaware County Book (The Big Green Book) --- Heritage of the Hills: A Delaware County History, Delaware County Historical Society, 1979, 1064 Pages (still available)

3. Heritage of the Hills - Magazine of the Delaware County Historical Society, Bi-Annual Publication, 1981 to Present

Prologue

Why do we need a story about an illegitimate eastern Oklahoma Hill-Country kid? That’s a good question.

-------------------Well, why not? --- He developed into quite a man, of many talents.

When God has his hand in your life, things move along in a very different way. Things in your life work out much better. Read chapter 28 of Deuteronomy, in your Bible. Learn how different life can be, IN God’s plan.

He had an 8th grade log school house education, and more determination than most kids have. I expect that determination was largely brought on by the unkind treatment he received from others, because of his being illegitimate, and everyone knew about it, and no one let him forget it for a minute, in those days, he was fair game. Later in life, in a different location, this problem was greatly reduced. All but what he held inside.

But even so, he made a pretty good-sized mark in the world, before he graduated to his Heavenly Home. Not too bad for a no-body country boy. He had something that a lot people don’t have. Grit, determination and drive. The will to win, I would say. Whatever IT was, he had a bunch of IT. A Blessing and a Curse. It gave him the internal DRIVE to accomplish all that he did, but pressing so hard, for so long, broke down his health, so that his life ended after 48 years. He felt that he had to prove himself worthy of taking up space on God’s earth.

Chapter 1 – The Story

Ted Vernon Ford, (his birth name), was born February 22, in McDonald County, in extreme southwest Missouri. Just over ¾ mile west (as the crow flies) of the little town named Caverna, nearly on the Arkansas border and around 20 miles east of the Oklahoma State Line. (Photo 1)

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Photo 1 McDonald County Map (Red Line Pointing at Caverna)        (LDM Map)

Also, see a detailed land owner’s map of a portion of McDonald County, Missouri. (Photo 2)

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Photo 2 McDonald County Land Owners (RED Line Pointing at Caverna)        (LDM Map)

His mother’s name was Daisy Elizabeth Kirby. (DOB 10 Sep 1884, DOD 2 May1960 at 76 years old). The Kirby family home place was ¾ mile west of Caverna. (Photo 2 - Red Box) Members of the John Kirby family are shown in the following photos. (Photos 3A, 3B & 3C)

Ted Vernon Ford was conceived out of wedlock, and born February 22, 1904. Daisy was 19 years old. Many years later, I asked Daisy what she thought of Vernon’s birth father; her only reply was Not much, since he took no responsibility for his child.

His father’s name was, until recently, unknown. His family name was Ford, as indicated by Vernon‘s birth name. We thought, based on logical research, that he was a member of the Hardy Wilson Ford family, that lived 1/4 mile west and 1/4 mile north, of the Kirby family home place, ¾ mile west of Caverna, Missouri. (Photo 2 - Green box).

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Photo 3A Kirby Family        (LDM Photo)

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In 2021, a professional DNA Genealogist was hired to help unravel this mystery. Skipping some of the details of tracing, we get to the crux of the matter. Vernon’s ancestry has been genetically linked to the family of William Henry Ford Sr. of McDonald County MO. White Rock Township. The percentage of possibility of paternity, follows each, father and sons.

William Henry Ford Sr. (23%), Harvey Lafayette Ford (0%), Uriah Smith Ford (1 %), William Henry Ford Jr., (78%). In Conclusion, the father of Ted Vernon Ford, is most likely William Henry Ford Jr.

The time of conception was late May to early