Charlie Edward Ochsner

Charlie Ochsner

Charlie and Crystal Ochsner collection

• December 19, 1898 - Born in Joliet, Illinois.
• 1907 - Arrived with his parents in Oklahoma.
• January 30, 1911 - Father died when he was 12.
• December 31, 1929 - United with Chattanooga First Baptist Church by baptism.
• September 6, 1930 - Married Crystal Gladys Goodwin.
• Four children born.
• September 27, 1947 - Received the Ochsner homestead.
• April 20, 1960 - Mother died when he was 61.
• September 3, 1974 - Moved to Chattanooga.
• January 8, 1992 - Died at Southwestern Hospital in Lawton (age 93).
• Buried in Chattanooga Cemetery.

Charlie registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. World War I ended in November, so he was never called to serve.

When Charlie and Crystal married in 1930, Charlie's mother moved to Chattanooga and let them live on the farm. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Ochsner farm consisted of 160 acres of land. The main crops were wheat and cotton. In addition to crops in the field, there was livestock that needed to be tended to. Farm families provided most of their own food including butchering their own meat. They would grind their own sausage wrapping it in cloth feed sacks. Meat was stored in the smoke house after it had been rubbed with salt and liquid smoke to let it cure. In addition to farming and livestock, the Ochsner farm had over 400 chickens and turkeys that required constant care. There was also a large peach orchard on the west side of the house along with a family garden. This was in the days before freezers so everything had to be eaten, canned, or given away.

Some time around 1947, Charlie's mother either tried to give Charlie the farm or sell it to him. This action triggered a recall of Henry's will of 1911. The court of 1947 found that Henry's will, which left his entire estate to his wife Anna, was invalid. In order to resolve this issue, Charlie's mother, sister, brothers, and their spouses all signed a decree transferring their interest in the homestead to Charlie. In turn, Charlie assumed full financial responsibility and physical care of his mother for the remainder of her life. Many families would not have been able to reach an agreement like this so amicably. That the Ochsners did is a great testament to their integrity, as well as the trust and love that they had for each other.

Charlie was the chairman in the Chattanooga area to obtain support for the Oklahoma Children's Home. The Home sent trucks to collect eggs, feed, clothing, food, or anything people were able to contribute. As chairman, Charlie was to contact people to let them know when the truck was coming. Women canned food and collected other items. The men donated wheat and feed for stock raised at the Ranch. Charlie hauled a truckload of animals to the Ranch once a year that were donated by people. Charlie was awarded a plaque from the State Baptist Chilrden's Home for dedicated service.