Excerpt from submission to Wright county Historical book, Volume II by Virginia Long-- " Wright county was the scene of bloody conflicts before, during and after the Civil War. Lawless groups of men called "Bushwhackers" killed, looted and burned, often without reason. William R. Prock, Jr., was killed by a group of these men while standing on his doorstep. This killing took place between May and August of 1865.

• Residence: 1850 - Wright county, Wright, Missouri, USA
  • Reference: 1850 United States Federal Census - SmartCopy: Oct 18 2016, 19:55:31 UTC

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Son of William Rufus Prock, Sr. and Agatha Maul.

Married first circa 1840 to Harriet Johnson, and second circa 1859 to Massey Jane Wilson.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 29 2019, 21:10:19 UTC

GEDCOM Note

Note from Virginia Lawson Long, Mt. Grove, Mo.

William R. Prock was born about 1811/1813 in Tn, probably Monroe Co. He came to Pulaski Co., Mo. (now Wright Co) before 1840, with family members. Some researchers say he was son of William and Agatha (Maul) Prock, I am not certain of this. William R. Prock married Harriet Johnson about 1841, in Wright Co. Harriet was the daughter of Spencer and mary Johnson. William R. Prock was a farmer and Wright Co. Judge.

Children of William and Harriet (Johnson) Prock: Mary Jane Prock, b. 1842, M. George Alexander "Alex" Wilson. Elvira T. Prock, b. 1844, John Franklin Prock, b. 1846, m. Sarah Elizabeth Todd, Julia Ann Prock b. 1848, married Harrison Rippee, William Spencer Prock, b. 1850, James Green Prock, b. 185, m. Susan Frances Summers, Daniel Preston Prock, b. 1854, married Mary A. Prock, Nancy Harriet, b. 1857, m. John Ryan, and Martha Arizona Prock, b. 1858, m. Moses Letterman. Harriet died at birth of twins, also one of the twins died at this time. If this is correct then she died in Mar 1858, at birth of Martha Arizona Prock. Other researchers have a daughter Adellaide, listed. Perhaps this is the twin that died.

Circa 1859, William R. Prock married for the 2nd time, to Massey Jane Wilson, a young lady just a year older than his daughter Mary Jane. William R. and Massey Jane are the parents of Julian Fraizer Prock and David Jefferson Prock.

Wright Co. Mo. was the scene of bloody turmoil during and shortly after the Civil War. Lawless groups called "Bushwackers" killed, looted and burned. This was often done without reason. William R. Prock was killed by a band of these Bushwackers, while standing on his doorstep, 1865-66. Exactly what happened is unknown, but this is one story handed down through the family: William was well liked, no enemies. One of his neighbors had tried for years to buy the Prock farm. William decided to trade farms, houses and all with the neighbor. About two weeks after the families had traded homes, men on horseback came to the Prock home. William went to the door to invite them to come in and was shot and killed. It was thought to be a case of mistaken identity as William's neighbor was killed a few days afterwards. William and Harriet are buried at old Pleasant Hill Cemetery, west of Hartville, Mo. After the killing of William, Massey Jane took her two sons to Sharp Co. Ar. They are there in 1870. Julian F. Prock married Amanda Bishop, David J. Prock married Nancy Butler. Julian and David and families migrated to Latimer Co. Ok, shortly after 1900. Many of their descendants live in that area. Several of William and Harriet's children remained in Wright Co. Mo.

Some of the other Prock families who came to Wright Co, Mo. from Monroe Co. Tn. were: Eligah and Abigail (Cogburn) Prock, Silas and Elizabeth (Townsend) Prock, William K. and Elizabeth Prock, Paul and Ellener Prock, Preston Prock, and John Franklin Prock.They are all related, but how?

Update 1997: William R. Prock died between May and Aug, 1865, this info form probate of Timothy Davis.

GEDCOM Note

1860 Census, Wright Co., Mo. Page 78
Wm. R. Prock M 47 White 1813 Tennessee Massey J. Prock F 19 White 1841 Missouri Elvira T. Prock F 16 White 1844 Missouri John F. Prock M 14 White 1846 Missouri Julia A. Prock F 12 White 1848 Missouri Wm. S. Prock M 10 White 1850 Missouri James G. Prock M 9 White 1851 Missouri Daniel P. Prock M 6 White 1854 Missouri Nancy H. Prock F 3 White 1857 Missouri Martha A. Prock F 2 White 1858 Missouri Julian F. Prock M 0 White 1860 Missouri

GEDCOM Note

William Rufus Prock Born 1813 in Tenn. Died 1865 in Mo. William moved to Missouri in the 1840's and was active in politics. He became a Wright County judge by Dec. 1848. In 1854 he bought land in Gasconade township. In 1856 he was appointed judge of probate. William was a Confederate soldier during the war. The Allsup gang killed William on his doorstep in 1865.

GEDCOM Note

William Rufus Prock Born 1813 in Tenn. Died 1865 in Mo. William moved to Missouri in the 1840's and was active in politics. He became a Wright County judge by Dec. 1848. In 1854 he bought land in Gasconade township. In 1856 he was appointed judge of probate. William was a Confederate soldier during the war. The Allsup gang killed William on his doorstep in 1865.