Henry Sonville VanCleave

of Rule, Texas
He came from Alabama to farm in Haskell County
Family history and photos submitted by Kay Robertson

Henry Sonville VanCleave was born 6 Feb 1836, in Gunthersville, Marshall Co., AL., to George Washington VanCleave and Nancy Evans. He died in Rule, Haskell County, Texas, 20 April 1910 and, according to family records, is buried in Rule Cemetery there. Henry's first wife was Sarah Eva Patterson, the daughter of Spencer Patterson and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. She was born in Marshall County, AL., on March 4, 1845 and died in Ellis Co., TX., on 29 Jan 1871, after giving birth to twins. Henry married a second time to Martha Virginia "Jennie" Penn who also died giving birth to twins on Feb 13, 1886 in Ellis Co., TX.

Haskell County beckoned and Henry arrived in the county where he farmed in the Rule area. He was pleased to see his children marry & begin their families. His son, Calvin Edgar, married Fannie Lee Flowers, and was in business with Calvin's father-in-law, Gaston D. Flowers in Rule. They owned a furniture store and also sold caskets. Calvin opened the first movie house in Haskell County. Henry's daughter, Susie Frances, married Charles James Robertson in Rule and they raised a family of 9 children.

Henry Sonville VanCleave had served in the Civil War in the 9th Regiment, Co. K Infantry, out of Marshall County, Alabama. He participated in several engagements including the Seige of Yorktown, and was wounded during a battle at Gaines Mill. He was also present at Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and other historic locations. His life was one that saw adventure, sadness and fulfillment. His gravesite is unmarked but it is hoped it can be located so that a Confederate States Army marker can be placed there.

Children & Grandchildren

Children of Henry Sonville VanCleave and Sarah Eva Patterson:

Thomas Henry VanCleave b. 23 Sep 1868 Gunthersville, Marshall Co., AL d. 23 June 1918, Boerne, Kendall Co., TX. m. Alice Brown; buried at Itasca Cemetery, Hill Co., TX

Charlie Brian VanCleave b. 2 Dec 1870, Gunthersville, Marshall Co., AL d. 26 Dec 1879, Bee Creek, Ellis Co., TX

William Fenton VanCleave b. 29 Jan 1871, Gunthersville, Marshall Co., AL d. 20 Jun 1948, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX. Buried in Laurel Land Cemetery, Dallas, an avid pilot and builder of airplanes. (See newspaper article)

Sallie VanCleave (twin to William Fenton) b. 29 Jan 1871 Gunthersville, Marshall Co., AL d. before 1900. m. George A. Gregory who also d. before 1900. Sallie and George burial place not known.

Children of Henry Sonville VanCleave and Martha Virginia Penn:

Calvin Edgar VanCleave b. 26 Feb 1882, Bee Creek, Ellis Co., TX d. 13 Jul 1923, Rule, Haskell Co., TX. m. Fannie Lee Flowers, daughter of Gaston D. Flowers & Edna Hearndon. Calvin opened the first movie house in Haskell County.

Susie Frances VanCleave b. 19 Jul 1884, Bee Creek, Ellis Co., TX d. Plainview, Hale Co., TX. m. Charlie James Robertson 6 Aug 1905 in Rule, Haskell Co., TX.

Children of Susie Frances VanCleave and Charlie James Robertson (grandchildren of Henry Sonville VanCleave):

Thelma Ruth Robertson b. 21 May 1906, Haskell Co., TX; d. 31 Jul 1976 Plainview, Hale Co., TX; m. Albert Oran Norris
Charles and Susie VanCleave Robertson, Haskell County, Texas
Susie VanCleave and Charles Robertson married in Rule on 6 Aug 1905.


Haskell Robertson b. 17 Jul 1908, Haskell Co., TX; d. 21 Mar 1909, Rule. Probably buried at Rule Cemetery.

George Henry Robertson b. 20 Mar 1910, Haskell Co TX; d. 8 Jul 1974, Plainview, Hale Co., TX; m. Lelia E. Thompson 9 Dec 1935 Plainview, Hale Co., TX

Nary Nell Robertson b. 12 May 1913, Bishop, Nueces Co., TX; d. 10 Jan 2001 Plainview, Hale Co., TX; m. Dent Oran Jones 8 Sep 1934 Petersburg, TX.

Mildred Robertson b. 9 Nov 1915, Rule, Haskell Co., TX; d. 25 Feb 2001, AZ; m. Zay Herman Pruitt 15 Sep 1934, Petersburg, TX; buried at Rolla, Morton Co., TX.

Charles Worth Robertson b. 17 May 1918, Plainview, Hale Co, TX; d. 29 Jul 1980, Plainview, TX; m. Clydie Lorraine Wylie 28 May 1938 in Plainview.

Calvan Robertson b. 27 Jun 1921, Plainview, Hale Co.; d. 25 Sep 1977, Dumas, Moore Co., TX; m. Barbara Glenn McFarland 3 Feb 1945 Plainview.

Margaret Pearl Robertson b. 23 Oct 1929, Plainview Hale Co., TX; d. 13 Feb 1927 in Plainview. Buried at Plainview Memorial Park, Hale Co., TX.

Madelyn Joyce Robertson b. 23 Oct 1929 Plainview, Hale Co., TX; d. 13 Jan 2003 in Plainview; m. Darrell Brown 5 Apr 1946 in Plainview. Both buried in Plainview.

From the genealogy files of Kay Robertson ©, 2008

Do you have information about the Rule, Texas, VanCleave family? Are you related? Perhaps you know the burial place at the Rule Cemetery. If so, Kay Robertson invites you to e-mail her for exchange of family information and data and to help her with her mission to place a CSA Marker on the gravesite of Henry S. VanCleave. kayrobertson1 at yahoo.com