Family Group Sheet
NameJames ("Wildcat") McClain, 1C3R
Birthabt 1861, Rowan Co., Kentucky
BurialMcClain-Arnold Cemetery, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherDavid W. McClain (~1826-<1865)
MotherLucy Jane Riddle (~1832-)
Marriage31 Aug 1882, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseTheodosia ("Dosha") Lee Sparks
Birthabt 1864, Lewis Co., Kentucky
Death18 Mar 1943, Rowan Co., Kentucky
BurialMcClain-Arnold Cemetery, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherAlfred Sparks (1836-1916)
MotherIsabelle “Bell” Massey (1844-1916)
Children
SpouseT. Powell Hall , 1C3R
SpouseNancy Jane Black , 1C2R
3 FChina “Cheney” McClain, 2C2R
Birthlate 1888, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death25 Dec 1917, Rowan Co., Kentucky
4 FLucy McClain, 2C2R
BirthJan 1890, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseRussell Arnold , 2C2R
6 FDolan May McClain, 2C2R
BirthApr 1895, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseAndrew Roberts , 3C2R
Notes for James ("Wildcat") McClain
He was known as "Little James McClain, The Wildcat Man" because he would capture wildcats and then set up fights between the cats and local dogs, charging money to watch the fights. There is an article about him with a photograph on p. 84 of the Centennial Edition of the Rowan County News, but it contains no genealogical information. It's mostly a description of the wildcat fights.
Census
James is with his mother and stepfather Esau Hammons in the 1870 census, and with his sister Mary Elizabeth in the 1880 census.
Notes for Theodosia ("Dosha") Lee Sparks
Dosha (also spelled as Docia and Doshia) was orphaned or abandoned as a baby, and raised as a Sparks. Judging by the 1870 census, her birth surname was Lee, but I do not know the given names of either birth parent, so I have entered Lee as a middle name.
Her death certificate records Doshie McClain, born Feb 1863 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 18 Mar 1943 in Clearfield, Rowan Co., Ky, age 80 years 1 month, parents unknown, cause of death apoplexy, informant Amanda Lambert, Elliottsville, Ky.
Her death certificate records Doshie McClain, born Feb 1863 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 18 Mar 1943 in Clearfield, Rowan Co., Ky, age 80 years 1 month, parents unknown, cause of death apoplexy, informant Amanda Lambert, Elliottsville, Ky.
Census
1870 census of Lewis Co., Ky, Laurel precinct, enumerated 1 Sept, lists on p. 9 as family #64:
Sparks, Alfred, 35, farmer; Bell, 24; Sallie M., 4; William, 1/12; Malinda, 64; Lee, Dosha, 6. All born in Ky.
1880 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 1 June, lists on p. 15 as family #120/122:
Deboard, John W., 33, farmer, b. Ky England Ky; Rebecca, 26, wife; James A., 6, son; Joel H., 4, son; Sparks, Docia, 16, servant. All except John born Ky Ky Ky.
Sparks, Alfred, 35, farmer; Bell, 24; Sallie M., 4; William, 1/12; Malinda, 64; Lee, Dosha, 6. All born in Ky.
1880 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 1 June, lists on p. 15 as family #120/122:
Deboard, John W., 33, farmer, b. Ky England Ky; Rebecca, 26, wife; James A., 6, son; Joel H., 4, son; Sparks, Docia, 16, servant. All except John born Ky Ky Ky.
Notes for James ("Wildcat") & Theodosia ("Dosha") Lee (Family)
Rowan Co., Ky, marriage book A, p. 68, records the marriage on 31 Aug 1882 of James McLelan and Docia Lee Sparks.
Census
1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct 1, enumerated 23 June, lists on p. 19B as family #362/363:
McClain, James, 34, b. March 1866, farmer; Dosia, wife, 34, b. Jan 1866, married 18 years, mother of 6 children, 5 living; Ceora, dau, 17, b. Feb 1883; Luster, son, 13, b. May 1887; Lucy, dau, 10, b. Jan 1890; Mila, dau, 8, b. March 1892; May, dau, 5, b. Apr 1895. All born Ky Ky Ky.
I cannot find this family in the 1910 census.
In 1920 James and Lewis are enumerated in Kanawha Co., West Virginia, with James’ daughter Dolan and her husband Andy Roberts, but I have not found Dosha in that year.
In 1940 she is living in Clearfield, as Docie McClain, 76, widowed, in a household by herself, between those of her son Luster and his son Leslie.
McClain, James, 34, b. March 1866, farmer; Dosia, wife, 34, b. Jan 1866, married 18 years, mother of 6 children, 5 living; Ceora, dau, 17, b. Feb 1883; Luster, son, 13, b. May 1887; Lucy, dau, 10, b. Jan 1890; Mila, dau, 8, b. March 1892; May, dau, 5, b. Apr 1895. All born Ky Ky Ky.
I cannot find this family in the 1910 census.
In 1920 James and Lewis are enumerated in Kanawha Co., West Virginia, with James’ daughter Dolan and her husband Andy Roberts, but I have not found Dosha in that year.
In 1940 she is living in Clearfield, as Docie McClain, 76, widowed, in a household by herself, between those of her son Luster and his son Leslie.
