The Canady Family - Family Histories

      Edward J. "Ned" and Lizzie Canady with Herman Eric, (Nathan, the other son, stayed in East Texas), came to Coleman County in 1887-88, settling near Atoka, where they bought a farm. Martha Elizabeth Bedell lived with her family near Content, called "Tokeen" by the oldsters (see Cary Family). Eric Canady and Martha E. Bedell were married in 1901 in Abilene. They moved near Atoka to the old Will Parker place. Harry Dixon was born here October 24, 1903. Then, they bought a small farm north of the Midway Methodist Church and cemetery, near the Bedells and the Ned Canadys. Harry attended Midway school. It was here that Harry's brother, Edward (Ned) and three sisters, Ella Ruth, Molly and Ruby (see Dodds Family) were born.

     It was in Harry's high school days that he met his future wife, Cleo Davis, daughter of Charlie and Annie (Butrell) Davis. Charlie came to Texas, settling at Groesbeck with his parents, the Thomas Davises, and their large family of children. It was here that Charlie and Annie were married. They had two daughters, Ethel and Cleo Stena, born in January 1900, when they first settled at Winters in 1903. Thurman Leslie was born in 1905, died as a baby from whooping cough, buried at Winters. In 1908, Wilma was born, Elmo in 1910 and Bertha in 1913. The older children attended Baldwin school until they moved to a place near Midway in 1914. The Charlie Davis family were farmers and also raised stock.

     Cleo Stena Davis and Harry Dixon Canady were married sitting in a buggy under a big oak tree at Content, on August 10, 1919. Cleo's sister, Connie, and a good friend, Walter Porch, were their attendants (see Cary Family). Cleo and Harry first lived in a small house on his Grandfather Canady's place, with Harry helping with the farming and stock. Cleo also helped Harry. They were both good at handling horses and Harry became pretty good at breaking wild horses, trick riding and rope spinning. They both learned to drive the Model T that came out in 1920, but soon traded and went back to their kind of transportation, riding their horses. They moved to Loraine, where he worked for an uncle of Cleo's, and where their first child, Stena, was born. Soon after, they returned to Coleman County to farm the home place where Harry grew up and to raise stock. His parents had moved to the Bedell home place. Doris was born on this place. Harry and Cleo attended the Midway Methodist Church, as well as their parents. They bought a small farm south of Novice, where H. D., Jr., was born, June 9, 1926. In February 1930, Willie Jack was born, Herman, September 13, 1933, and Warren, March 20, 1935. In 1936, the Harry Canady's moved to Glen Cove, living on the Clay Wilson place, where he worked for Mr. Wilson. Here, Sandra was born, February 17, 1941, and Gerald, July 20, 1945. The children attended Glen Cove, having to go to Talpa to complete the eleventh grade. Stena and Doris graduated from Talpa High School with honors. H. D., Jr., joined the Navy when he was seventeen, serving more than twenty years, and saw action in World War II and the Korean Conflict. Jack helped with construction of Hords Creek Lake and Dam, when he entered the Army, staying 20 years. Herman moved to Alabama when sixteen, later to Michigan, working in the auto industry. Warren graduated as valedictorian of his class from Talpa High, then moved to Abilene where he drove a truck hauling pipe and oil field equipment. Sandra graduated from Talpa High as salutatorian. She was Football Sweetheart one year. She worked for Tyson Jewelry and was Deputy County Clerk, while Lee F. Craig was County Clerk in Coleman. Gerald graduated from Talpa Centennial High School in 1963, attended college in California and joined the Air Force; returned to California to finish college.

     Stena married Charles Mitchell in 1942. (See Charles Mitchell); Doris married Elva Rogers of Ranger in 1943 and they make their home there; H. D. married Rosa Wilkins in 1948 (see Langehennig-Wilkins); Willie Jack married Elsie (Lisa) of Germany in 1954; Herman married Pat Lovass of Michigan in 1953, one son, Gerald. Herman was killed in an accident, October 9, 1969, in Arkansas; Warren married Robbie Dawson of Coleman in 1954; Sandra married George Leamons of Coleman in 1964, now living in La Porte, where he is a machinist and she teaches kindergarten; Gerald married Loadell Hekel of California in 1971, lives in San Jose.

     During World War II, Harry began his four years of work with the WPA; drove a caterpillar for Ivy Mayfield (formerly of Talpa) near Juno; and worked for CCRA dirt movers in the county, building roads, dug stock tanks and dug the Coleman Country Club lake. In 1945, Harry began driving the Talpa School Bus. Between runs, he worked for Wes Bomar at his service station and restaurant in Talpa or building horse corrals for Sonny and Jo Hennig's show horses. Harry was injured in a tractor accident, and in 1967, retired from driving the school bus after twenty-two years. Cleo began writing the Glen Cove News for the Coleman County Chronicle about this time.