Rector Sod House Readout OK
Milton A. Rector (1855-1951) and his wife Charlotte “Lottie” Ann Senate (1861-1952) homesteaded in Readout, Harper County, OK. See the Land Entry Case File post here for details found in the paperwork. Under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act, Milton acquired 160 acres as the head of his household.
Sod House
The Harper County (OK) Historical Society published a 2-volume set entitled, Sage and Sod in 1974. In the first book, family histories are presented alphabetically. Ralph Rector submitted the story of his father and mother, Milton and Lottie Rector, (page 338). Regarding the homestead, Ralph wrote:
In the spring of 1902 we moved to a claim located three miles east and one-half mile north of the present site of Rosston. The land was still untamed. During the digging of our dugout, we lived in a 12-foot x 14-foot tent lined with 1-foot x 12-foot boards three high.
We built a two room soddie [sod house] in 1905 and a soddie for our chickens the following year. The frame house was built in 1915.
At the time that Milton Rector filed his final homesteading paperwork (January 15, 1907), he described his 160-acre homestead thus:
- sod house, 14 feet x 24 feet, inside
- stable, 16 feet x 40 feet, under construction
- hen house, 12 feet x 14 feet
- 65 acres under cultivation
- 12 fruit trees
- 100 forest trees
- 1 mile wire fence
- total value of $1000.00
Rector Sod House
This photo belongs to a descendant of Milton Rector. My long-time-Rector-cousin-collaborator, Cindy Glade, sent this copy to me several years ago. My notes indicate that John Rector is standing in the wagon. Perhaps the family members in front of the sod house are: Milton, Harry, Ross, Lulu, Lottie, Ralph and Mabel.
If you own the original photograph, let me know and I will give ownership credit.
What to Research Next
Are there additional photos of the Milton A. Rector family or the frame house?
What else do we know about the lives of Milton and Lottie?