From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Ardelia Ellen Jackson (17 April 1853 – 24 February 1899) was the daughter of James Everts and Diana Jane Jackson. Their homeplace was located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Audelia Road and Walnut. She first married May 22, 1869 John Chenault, but her father disliked him so much he ran him off.
Diana (her mother) sent Ardelia Ellen to the orchard to pick some fresh peaches to make a cobbler, but she never returned to the house. That is when she eloped with John Frederick West (born 10 February 1852) and married 23 January 1877.
Ardelia played the organ for church and school. Her family were all musicians.
Her father, James E. Jackson, and her husband, John, built a General Store at the southeast corner at the intersection of what is now Audelia Road and Forest Lane. They thought the name Ardelia such a pretty name they named the store for her. The community there was always called Ardelia. In later years someone changed the spelling to Audelia.
There was a post office in the store, and Mr. Sarver took care of the mail, which was put in a barrel. Mail was brought from Richardson to Audelia. Mr. George Mercer bought the store from Mr. West, and he then operated the postoffice. In a few years the mail was delivered by rural routes.
There was a grist mill located at the back of the store; and a gin was located at the northeast corner of the crossroad.
Benjamin Prigmore gave the land for the Jackson School that was located on the northwest corner of the intersection. The teachers were Ardelia, Sophia Jackson, Dora Lane Jackson, Lena Hoskins, Flo Blank, Minnie Thorp, Sallie Harris, Ben Davis and Mr. Dunlap. The teachers were paid $50 per month.
The West children were: (Annie) Mildred Elizabeth West born 25 November 1877 and died 13 August 1959, married Will Dixon; (Jennie) Diana Jane West born 29 July 1879, married Charlie Jones; Mary Ellen West born 5 April 1883 and died January 1946, married Abner Pulliam; Lucy N. West born 13 December 1887 and died 21 December 1887.
By Mary Jackson Sutherland, Garland
