REAGAN TEXAS FORMER RESIDENTS, PAGE 2 of 2 (L THROUGH Z)
FORMER RESIDENTS OF REAGAN
This is page 2 of the former reagan resident's home page. For names ending in A through K, go to Page 1 by clicking the following link.
Former Reagan Residents Page 1 (A through K).
John and Mildred Louise Land-
Mildred Louise was born in Seale, Texas on Feb. 8, 1927 ; Died at age 74 on Oct. 29, 2001
Her surviving relatives include her husband, John Land of Reagan; four sons and daughters-in-law, Billy Ray and Carol Land of Bradyville, Texas, James David and Susan Land of Navasota, Jimmy Leverne and Sally Land of Reagan and Ronnie and Debra Land of Hockley; a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Louise and Terry Ray Harp of Kerrville; her brother, Roger Taylor of San Antonio; and two sisters, Myrtle Brock and Evelyn Marlowe, both of San Antonio; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Frances LaBarbera
Mary LaBarbera
Ima Libbie Laird (1913-2001) passed away in Houson on
October 1, 2001. She was born January
13, 1913 in Reagan, Texas. Survivors include sisters
Edna Bryant of Waco and Irene Best of
Baton Rouge; brothers Wade Laird of Waco and Buck
Laird of Waco; numerous nieces and
nephews. Funeral services will be held at the Heritage
Funeral Home in Waco at 1:00pm
Thursday, with interment to follow at Waco Memorial
Park.
John and Mildred Louise Land. Mildred Louise was born Feb. 8, 1927 and died Oct. 29, 2001.
OBITUARY
Mildred Louise Land, Feb. 8, 1927 � Oct. 29, 2001
REAGAN, Texas � Services for Mildred Louise Land, 74, of Reagan are set for 11 a.m. Friday at the Bremond Funeral Home.
The Rev. E.W. Whitmire of the United Pentecostal Church in Calvert will officiate. Burial will be in the Nesbitt Cemetery in Bremond.
Mrs. Land died Monday at the Bremond Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Seale, Texas, she was a homemaker and a Baptist.
Survivors include her husband, John Land of Reagan; four sons and daughters-in-law, Billy Ray and Carol Land of Bradyville, Texas, James David and Susan Land of Navasota, Jimmy Leverne and Sally Land of Reagan and Ronnie and Debra Land of Hockley; a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Louise and Terry Ray Harp of Kerrville; her brother, Roger Taylor of San Antonio; and two sisters, Myrtle Brock and Evelyn Marlowe, both of San Antonio; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Lane-
3rd and 4th grade teacher in Reagan from 1945 to 1947.
"I was almost 18 years old, when I began teaching the 3rd and 4th grades in Reagan in September of 1945. The superintendent's wife, Mrs. A.B. Lewis, was a high school teacher but didn't want to teach the girl's physical education class. So, Mrs. Lewis taught my students math classes and I taught the girls P.E. classes. I also coached the girl's basketball team.
I remember most of the girl's names: Sallie B. Davison, Mayme Heflin, Norma Jo Allen, Gladys McCaleb, Charlcie McCaleb, Jean Bull, Ann Rees, Mary Lee Rees, Florence Fenner, Ruth Ann Davison, Frances Swinnea (Pee Wee), and others.
My greatest thrill came when my high school team played in a tournament in Chilton and we beat Chilton! My parents lived in Chilton and my daddy went to the grocery store and bought food for our team to eat in their back yard.
On rainy days when we could not play ball outside, the girls skated in the gym. I never learned to skate very well. One day I wore a new dress to school. We skated and the girls formed a train behind me. I was about to fall, so I grabbed one of the poles to stop me. When I did, I slid down at the pole, tore the sleeve out of my new dress and bruised my arm all the way down. The girls were all so apologetic, but it was just an accident. We had a good laugh (remember in 1945, teachers did not wear shorts or long pants to school).
My classroom had a brick-covered wood stovepipe in it. It was not used, but it was open and mice sometimes invaded my desk. When I arrived every morning, some of the boys would open the drawers to my desk and shake them. Sometimes a mouse would run out! Yuk!
One day, it rained in the morning. Then the sun shone brightly. We had a slide on the playground with wooden sides. At afternoon recess, the little girls slid down the slide (back then, they all wore dresses). Some of the girls got splinters in their thighs. I took a needle and picked them out. (can you believe that! Today I would be sued for that). Course, we didn't have a school nurse.
The school cafeteria was about a block from school (across from the Scroggins grocery store). The children always wanted to eat fast and go to store to spend their pennies or nickels. As well as I can remember, I required them to remain seated at least 15 minutes before they could leave (mean teacher?).This was during the war when so many things were rationed. Mr. Scroggins could get a box of Fleers double bubble gum only occasionally. Each child was allowed to buy only one piece. Marilyn Scroggins was in my class. When the Double Bubble came in, she would sing out, "Miss Lane, the Double Bubble is here! You can buy all that you want!"
I found a coupon in a magazine which said that with 150 Double Bubble wrappers, I could get 48 8X10 American history pictures free. I had all the girls saving their wrappers for me. They were great pictures! I had them laminated and used them on my bulletin boards for my next 33 years of teaching! When I retired from Western Hills High School in Fort Worth in 1983, I gave them to an American History teacher at Dallas Baptist University.
In 1946, I helped Cecil Phillips, our excellent 5th and 6th grade teacher, sponsor a bus tour to Huntsville to tour the prison, Sam Houston's home, and Sam Houston's grave. Cecil was an excellent Texas history teacher.
In 1946, the Reagan Senior class wanted to take a senior trip to Fort Parker on a Saturday for swimming and a picnic. Of course, they needed transportation. Clark Morris, a school board member, had bought one of the first pickups manufactured after the war. One student asked him if the seniors could borrow it to go to Fort Parker. He said, "Yes, if you have an adult driver". Yes, I was only 18 or 19 years old, but I was the adult. I drove with nine seniors in the back (with no restraints). We had a great day. Just before we left the park, they dunked me in at the edge of the lake. You guessed it, I had to drive that nice new pickup back to Reagan in my wet clothes! Thank goodness we had a safe trip. Looking back, I realize how foolish I was to take on this responsibility! Thank you Clark Morris!
In 1945, my boyfriend, who is now my husband, was stationed with the U.S. Army in Tokyo, Japan in the 32nd Military Government. He sent a whole Japanese parachute to me which I took to school and spread it out in the classroom for the students to see. The pupils were all so excited to see the parachute.
One of the highlights of my 2 year stay in Reagan was riding the Creeper, the train, from Marlin to Reagan. My roommate, Margaret Clark and I would ride the Greyhound bus to Marlin at 5:00 PM. We would eat at Houston's Caf�, then wait to go to a movie at the Palace Theater, walk to the train station and board the Creeper at about 12:30 A.M. That was a unique experience!
There were four teachers who lived upstairs at the home of Claude and Teenie Buell. Room and board was $35.00 per month for the first year, and $37.50 per month for the second year. My take-home pay was $112.00 per month. Mrs. Buell was an excellent cook. On Sundays, she made the best fruit salad and potato salad! Margaret Clark and I were roommates. Bertie Crow, the music and 7th and 8th grade teacher lived in the room next to us.
Fred DeVaney, the High School English teacher and Pastor of Marquez Baptist Church, had the room across the wide hall. He was the only one with a car!
Sibyl Burnett taught the 1st and 2nd grade pupils. Cecil Phillips taught the 5th and 6th graders. Luther Gresham once gave me a Christmas present and said, "Miss Lane, you won't like my present. My grandmother made an apron for you." It became a treasure because it was Luther's gift.
My fond memories of Reagan and my first two years of teaching could fill a book. I later taught three years at Hillsboro and 30 years in Fort Worth. In spite of the hundreds of pupils I've taught over the years, I still remember nearly all the names of my Reagan "kids."
I retired in 1983 at the age of 55. Long live Reagan, Texas!"
Mrs. Dorothy Lane Niesen (Reagan Teacher-1945 to 1947).
Dorothy Lane-
Former Reagan Teacher, Dorothy Lane (Niesen) (1945-1947) (on the left)and fellow teacher, Bertie Crow, the music and 7th and 8th grade teacher
Roland Lansford
Wallace "Boots" Lewis
Wallace "Boots" Lewis, 89, was born Jan. 29, 1910, in
Reagan, Texas , to Wallace and Amanda
"Mandy" (Snowden) Lewis. Boots was a long-time
resident of Altus and Jackson County. He
married Bernice Green March 5, 1994, in Altus. He
worked on the railroad and was a foreman
at the Altus Cotton Compress where he retired in 1985.
He was a member of the Mt. Zion
Church of God in Christ in Altus.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice, of the home in
Altus; a daughter, Earlene Lewis, Altus;
six grandchildren, Patricia Jenkins, Elvita Martin,
Wallace Lewis Foster, George Foster,
Beverly Foster and Amanda Holman; 15
great-grandchildren, and several
great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a
host of nieces, nephews and other
relatives and many friends. Wallace was preceded
in death by his parents; six sisters,
Eassie V. Horton, Cassie Mae Walton, Victoria Lewis,
Sarah Rendalle, Gertrude Robinson,
Pearleane Allison; a brother, Willie Lee Harris and a
niece, Mildred Thomas.
Wallace "Boots" Lewis
Sally Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Longbottom
(Mr. Longbottom was teacher and school
Principal)
Ed Lyn
Article in the March 3, 1904
Marlin Democrat indicated the Lyn family had a new
baby boy.
George Macdonald, grandson of Sibyl M. Burnett and son of her daughter Marian Burnett, lived in Reagan from 1935-45 and again from 49-52 while going to college at the University of Texas. George is a graduate of UT and currently lives in Grand Prarie, Texas.
(Left to Right)Young George Macdonald (driving the Wagon) and Fella
Barnes the Baptist preachers son. Photo taken in the late 1930's.
(L-R)Lynn David Hughes (son of Superintendent A.B. Hughes) and George Macdonald.
This great photo was forwarded by Patsy (Kelly) Gandy (1937 or 1938 timeframe). L-R: George Macdonald, Patsy Kelly, dog Mitzi, and Patsy's brother, Robert Kelly.
L-R: George Davison and George Macdonald; football players at Reagan in the early 40's.
Received the following email from George:
"Mr. Kubiak: My name is George Macdonald. I am the grandson of Sibyl M Burnett and son of her daughter Marian Burnett. (Graduated Reagan H.S. 1927). I resided in Reagan from 1935-45 and again from 49-52 while I was going to college at U.T.
Sibyl Burnett was married to J.R.Burnet (I believe was president of the old Reagan Bank at one time).
They divorced and my grandfather moved to Cisco where he was a judge and I think served in the Tex. legislature at one time. You would probably be able to verify that one way or the other.
My aunt was Eula Young a retired school teacher.
My great grandmother was a Moorehead whose family came from the Bremond, Franklin area.
I have been cleaning house and have run across some old newspaper clippings that go as far back as the 20's. The old store ads are interesting. If you are interested in any of of this material for your historical archives of Reagan, I'll be glad to forward you anything you might deem useful.
Sincerely: George S. Macdonald
E-Mail txlonghorn339@comcast.net
Address: 574-A Ave. J. East
Grand Prairie, Texas 75050-2548
Tel. # 972-647-9219
(We now have most of this material cataloged on the Reagan website thanks to the thoughtfulness of George Macdonald!)
George and Barbara Macdonald
MANSEL, F. W., Jr., b 10-24-1910, d 11-15-1935
MANSELL, F. W., Sr., b 9-17-1872, d 4-3-1962
Joe and Lucia Dechiro Margiotta
Children:
Vincent-Born August 3, 1934
Mary Stella- Born January 19, 1941 (my classmate)
Milton- Born May 22, 1944
Francis-Born May 7, 1947
Dorothy Marie Margiotta Hahn Jackson
Joe Margiotta
Tony Margiotta
Pat and Dora Abate Margiotta
Children:
Anthony Charles-Born October 25, 1930.
Dorothy Patricia- Born November 14, 1932
Basil- Born June 3, 1942
Annette Marie- Born January 22, 1944
William Payne Marlin- son of James & Emeline (Payne) Marlin, b 4-14-1855, d 10-5-1916
MARLIN, Sarah E. ("Sallie" E. Erwin) - wife of W.P. Marlin, b 9-22-1854, d 1-3-1923
Peter Marszaleknew and Annie Borekn, daughter
Pauline Leona Marszalek Born in Reagan
A. C. Martin
"I lived in Highbank from about 1932 till 1936 when my grandfather had a
section gang for the railroad repairing the ties, etc., on a particular
stretch of the rail line that ran thru Highbank.
We lived in the Section House that had wooden floors. Mother baked home
made
bread on a wood stove and you could smell that great scent once the
bread
began to bake. We had chickens so therefore no need of worrying about
mowing
the lawn in those days. My job was to cut the wood for kindling for the
next
morning. We had an open verandah screened porch. Water well in the side
yard
using a bucket to fetch a pail of water. One day a chicken fell in the
well
and my grandfather had to get the railroad section gang to bail out the
water. A tank car would come and bring us more water and the train
would come
so close to the end of the front porch that the house literally shook
each
time the rail car came.
Mother would heat stones to put between our sheets on the bed to get
them
warm before we went to bed in the winter time.
We had a three room school house. One grocery store was called Falsone
Grocery.
This building was a stucco type building I recall. A Phil Jones was the
telegrapher at the Rail Station.
One day some of us young kids were playing hide and seek and I was
locked in
the mail box on the side of the Rail Station. Luckily there were letter
slots
in each end and I could breathe. I was so scared at the time, but now
that I
look back it was a memorable occasion for me and my sister. The mail
box was
used for the mail sacks that were held there until the next train came
by
from Houston or from Waco.
To me those were the Good Old Days when people took time to visit one
another. Didn't hurry about as now. I'm nearing seventy-five years of
age and
like I said before those were the good old days. The children growing
up
nowadays have missed a lot in my way of thinking.
Thanks again for having such a great web site.
A. C. Martin
1514 Cheshire Lane
Houston Texas 77018
Paul Neumon Matthews of Reagan, Texas. He was the son of Cephas I. Matthews and Addie Mae Peeples Matthews of Reagan, Texas. My Dad's brothers were Cephas and Eldred of Reagan also.
MATTHEWS, Cephas I., b 4-13-1874, d 1-2-1948
MATTHEWS, Addie Mae Peoples. - wife of C. I. Matthews, b
8-13-1884, d 9-4-1964
MATTHEWS, Cephas Irl - son of C .I. & A.P. Matthews, b
1-20-1911, d 1-6-1970,
WW II @ Korea: Sgt., Medical Corps
Matthews, Paul Neumon , son of Cephas I. Matthews and Addie Mae Peeples Matthews.
Matthews, Eldred , son of Cephas I. Matthews and Addie Mae Peeples Matthews.
Robert E. Lee Matthews, b January 9, 1882, d May 22, 1949 at Reagan and buried in Waite Cemetery was one of six children of Isaac and Tennessee Matthews, including Mary Dubose, Samuel, Cephas Isaac, James, and John H. Matthews, who settled in Falls County near Reagan.
R. E. L., called "Lee", was married to Beulah Peeples, b January 29, 1896, d May 23, 1977 and buried in Waite Cemetery ‑ a daughter of Rufus Pinkney and Alice Peeples.
The couple reared three children:
Robert Edward Lee Matthews, Jr. (called "Bob") married Willie Roarck and had Martha Alice Matthews who married Jon Steen, D.D.S. ‑ an officer in the U.S. Army, former concert pianist, and a dentist; Judy Matthews who married Charles Brantner and had Kimberly Kay, Charles, Jr., and Kelly Kay Brantner; and Robert Edward Lee Matthews, III, who attended Sam Houston State University.
James Louis Matthews (called "Louie"), married Dorothy Virginia Swinnea. Louie has been Falls County Commissioner, is a song leader, and active in community affairs. Virginia has worked in several jobs, and the couple have two sons: James Louis Matthews, Jr., who has a B.A. and M.A. degree in Education and Business Administration; and Terry Matthews, who works on water lines and is married to Debbie Pate.
Gloria Matthews ‑ married Charles Spivey, an Air Force Pilot, who was killed in World War II. They had a son, Charles Spivey, Jr., who married Peggy (maiden surname unknown). Gloria married second to her brother‑in‑law, Patrick Spivey ‑also a World War II veteran, who owns a barbeque business. Their four children are: Sam Spivey, who was a White House Presidential Aide in 1971; Tarver Spivey, who is a Baptist minister; Jeannie Spivey, who is an elementary schoolteacher; and Beth Spivey, who attended college.
Robert Lee (Bob) and Willie(Bill)Vera Roark Matthews,
Jr. Willie(Bill) died on April 17, 2002.
Children:
Judy Kay- Born May 1, 1947
Willie Vera Roark Matthews, age 82, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at a Marlin Hospital. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20 at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phyllis Carey officiating. Interment followed in the Waite Cemetery.
Mrs. Matthews was born on February 13, 1920 in Groesbeck to Dill Worth and Martha Ann Polk Roark. She retired in 1987 from the Marlin I.S.D. after 27 years of service in the cafeteria. She was a member of the Reagan United Methodist Church, a 64 year resident of Reagan, loved to cook for her family and was an accomplished seamstress. She married Robert Lee Matthews on December 29, 1928 in Groesbeck and they farmed and ranched together for their entire married life. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ollie Prichard and brothers, Otis Roark and Alvie Roark.
Mrs. Matthews is survived by her husband of Reagan; son: Bobby Matthews and wife Sandra of Gause; daughters: Martha Alyce Steen and husband Jon of The Woodlands, Judy Kay Buckner of Cleveland, TX; sister, Nonie Esslinger of Athens; grandchildren: Jeffrey Steen, Brent Buckner, Kimberly Thorsen, Kelly Carroll, Stewart Clancy, and Jennifer Wilson; great-grandchildren, Cassie Carroll, Brittany Steen, Spencer Steen and Hunter Thorsen and Paige Wiseman.
Pallbearers were Jeff Steen, Brent Buckner, Stewart Clancy, Terry Matthews, Jimmy Matthews and Stanley Roark.
Honorary Pallbearers were Roger Pritchard, Bobby Neil Roark, Otis Roark, Joe Roark, Ronnie Roark, Charles Spivey, Sam Spivey and Tarver Spivey.
Memorials may be made to Reagan United Methodist Church, Reagan, Tx 76680.
Adams Funeral Home of Marlin was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Matthews, Jr. Funeral Services Held on Monday
Robert Lee Matthews, Jr., 88, of Reagan passed away Saturday, December 28, 2002 at a Marlin Hospital. Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Marlin, with Rev. Phyllis Carey officiating. Interment was in the Waite Cemetery.
Robert Matthews was born on October 7, 1914 in Reagan to Robert L. and Beulah Peeples Matthews. He was a self employed rancher and a life long resident of Reagan. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the Reagan United Methodist Church. He married Willie Vera Roark on October 29, 1938 in Groesbeck and she preceded him in death on April 17, 2002.
He is survived by a son, Bobby Matthews and wife Sandra of Groesbeck; daughters: Martha Alyee Steen and husband Jon of The Woodlands, Judy Kay Buckner of Cleveland, Texas; sister, Gloria Matthews Spivey of Shreveport; grandchildren: Jeffrey Steen, Brent Buckner, Kimberly Thorsen, Kelly Carroll, Stewart Clancy and Jennifer Wilson; great-grandchildren: Cassie Carroll, Brittany Steen, Spencer Steen, Hunter Thorsen and Paige Wiseman.
Pallbearers were Jeff Steen, Brent Buckner, Stewart Clancy, Terry Matthews, Jimmy Matthews, Stanley Roark and Mike Roark; Honorary pallbearers were Roger Pritchard, Bobby Neil Roark, Otis Roark, Joe Roark, Ronnie Roark, Charles Spivey, Sam Spivey and Tarver Spivey.
Adams Funeral Home of Marlin was in charge of arrangements.
Edward Lee (Eddie) and Doris Maulice Halton
Mathews
Children:
Edward Lee, Jr.- Born February 28, 1948
James Louie and Virginia Swinnea Matthews
Children:
James Louie, Jr- Born 11-14-46
"I went to Reagan elementary from the
3rd
through 6th grade (1958)." James L. Matthews, CPA
WOODLAND, Mary Alyce (Matthews) - lst wife of Asa G.
Woodland, Jr., and daughter
of John H. & Mary L. ("Mamie" Peeples) Matthews,
1919-1927
MATTHEWS, John H., b 3-25-1885, d 12-2-1948
MATTHEWS, Mary L. ("Mamie" Peeples) - wife of John H.
Matthews, b 11-16-1887, d 3-10-1980
PRINGLE, Beulah Matthews - wife of R.E. L. Matthews, b
1-29-1896, d 5-23-1977 (her second husband was a Mr.
Pringle)
MATTHEWS, R.E.L., b 1-9-1882, d 5-22-1949
MATTHEWS, Gwendolyn - daughter of Mr. & Mrs. R .E. L.
Matthews, Jr., b 12-25-1939, d 7-6-1940
MATTHEWS, Luther, b 5-11-1907, d 1-23-1972 - WW II:
Cpl., Co. G, I ARMD RECT.
Hub Mathews
MATTHEWS, Mary Ann, b 6-3-1954, d 6-3-1954
John and Maime Matthews
Daughter: Mary
Viola Matthews.
Viola Matthews worked as a housekeeper and maid for Sibyl Burnett and her family (Photo Taken in 1941) (Photo curtesy of George Macdonald, grandson of Sibyl Burnett).
James Decary and Jocie Mae Johnson McCaleb
James McCaleb was born July 26, 1905, the son of James Buchanan and Velura Ida Flowers McCaleb in Menard County, died Saturday, October 30, 1999 in a Midland hospital.
Mr. McCaleb married Jocie Johnson on December 22, 1928 in Marlin, Texas. They resided in Reagan where he was in charge of maintenance of the Reagan schools until 1960 when he moved with his family to Midland in 1960.
James McCaleb was then employed by the Midland Independent School District until his retirement in 1976. He was a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. McCaleb was school custodian and drove the school
bus)
Children:
Gladys Mae (born 12-18-1929), became a Baptist Missionary. Gladys McCaleb Emmons now lives in Littleton, Colorado
Charlcie McCaleb Laws now lives in Houston
Charlsey McCaleb
Billie McCaleb now lives in Port Neches
Glenda McCaleb Rhea now lives in Midland
Glenda McCaleb
Nona Mildred- Born
on February 9, 1941.
Nona was one of my classmates in the late 40's and
early 50's. Nona McCaleb Tarver now lives in Lubbock and recently visited with many of her former classmates at the 50th Reagan Reunion held in 2008.
Nona McCaleb (1953) Photos on right: Nona at Marlin High School
James Gary McCaleb
Gary McCaleb is now a minister in Dallas.
Pastor Gary McCaleb, Faith Baptist Church in Duncanville, Texas
e-mail: gary@duncanvillefaithbc.org
James Gary Jr. and Melissa Denice Britten McCaleb. James Gary McCaleb, Jr. is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Gary McCaleb of Dallas. Melissa Denice is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Britten of Claude.
Melvin M. and Louise McCaleb, Sr. Melvin McCaleb was born March 5, 1927 in Reagan, Texas and passed away on April 6, 2002 in Humble.
Melvin and Louise McCaleb had three sons, a step-son and a daughter including:
Melvin McCaleb, Jr. and wife Deborah
James McCaleb and wife Peggy
Rodney McCaleb
Jennifer Lloyd McCaleb and husband Bob
One stepson, Bert Polk and wife Connie;
McCARVER, Gerald C., b 6-9-1924 - no death
date
McCARVER, Doris B., b 8-16-1924 - no death
date
McCOLLUM, Claude C., b 4-19-1892, d 3-1-1968 - WW I:
Cpl., U. S. Army
McCOLLUM, Nadine Winzer - wife of C. C. McCollum, b
10-20-1899, d 2-13-1983
Robert Snell and Louisia Ann "Huddie" Hagens McCoy
Children:
Beatrice Hodges (married Frank Hodges)
Cliff McCoy
After Huddie's death, Eugenia Hagen
Price carried for the two children until R S McCoy
remarried Huddie's sister,Annie Hagen.
Robert and Annie had six children.
Charles Newman, recently sent me an email with the following family update:
"My mother in law, Beatrice Hagens McCoy Hodges, was the
daughter of Robert
Snell McCoy. R S and Huddie Hagen had two children Mrs.
Frank Hodges and
Cliff McCoy and after her death R S married Huddie's
sister Annie Hagen.
They then had six children who are listed in Falls County
Families.
I
married Frances Ruth Hodges the daughter of Beatrice and
Frank Hodges.
Huddie Hagens real name was Louisia Ann Hagens McCoy. After
Huddies death
her sister Eugenia Hagen
Price carried for the two children until R S McCoy
remarried her sister.
We, along with Robert Thigpen, have recently visited all
three Reagan
cemeteries and located all our relatives. Robert's
grandmother was Eugenia
Hagens Price who is buried in Covington cemetery.
We hope to fix the headstone of Huddie Hagen McCoy that is
in the Johnson
cemetery."
Jim Newman
McEACHERN, Mary Erma, 1904-1980
Helen Louise McKelroy Latta
McKelroy, Helen Louise ; graduated from Reagan High School as Salutatorian in 1945. She moved to Waco and attended business school. She worked for the City of Waco, the City of Lacy-Lakeview, and H & R Block. She moved to Mesquite, Texas in 1994. There she was very active in her church and served as part-time church secretary.
Helen Louise McKelroy Latta passed away January 6, 2009 in Mesquite, Texas. She is survived by her daughter,Linda Latta Butler of Mesquite, Texas and a son, Robert Galen Latta of Aurora, Colorado, 5 grandsons, 3 great-grandchildren, and her brother, Herman Joe McKelroy of China Spring, Texas.
MEISCH, Bruno F., b 1-21-1893, d 3-18-1978 - WW I: U.
S. Army
MEISCH, Edna Perdue - wife of B.F. Meisch, b
9-14-1902, d 8-8-1986
Harry Lee and Mamie Pennington Milam
The first son of William Jonas, Harry Lee was born in
Weimer, Texas on February 24, 1882 and lived there
until he was about 10 or 11 years old before moving to
Pine Island. He and Mamie Pennington were married on
August 13, 1905 in Hempstead by Oscar M. Smith.
Harry and Mamie had four children: Frankie
Lee Mamie Lucille Chalista Jane Harry
LeGrande.
They were living in Reagan, Texas (Falls County) when
Frankie Lee was born, but had moved back to Pine
Island before the other children were born. They lived
in the old original Milam home on Betka road for
awhile after returning to Pine Island. Later they
lived at the old Keeler/Wallgast place, on Cochran
road where he farmed for awhile.
They moved in with Mamie's mother after John Wesley
Prnnington, her husband, died to help run the house,
store, farm and post office. Harry Lee carried the
mail for the Prairie View post office where his mother
in law, Francis Pennington and later his wife, Mamie
were the postmistress. He also served as a Trustee on
the Pine Island School Board and was one of the
designers of the new two room Pine Island schoolhouse,
that was built east of the Pine Island church on
Brumlow Road, and opened in 1919 after his death. It
replaced the old school that was at the intersection
of Betka Rd and Brumlow Rd.. He was also an active
member of the Woodmen Of The World. His devotion to
his work at the post office was what killed him.
He, along with many people in the winter of 1918 -
1919, became a victim of the influenza epidemic. Just
as he begin to recover, an e arly cold wet norther hit
Waller county. That evening at train time he began to
worry about the mail pickup.
In those days, all of the trains didn't stop at the
depot and the mail sack was suspended on a pole beside
the railroad track. A strap tightened the sack in the
middle, dividing the sack into two separate pouches A
steel hook was extended from the train's mail car,
would catch the sack, in the middle as the train raced
past and the attendant would pull it into the train. A
wonderful system, except that sometime the train
rocked at the wrong moment and the hook hit one end
instead of the middle of the mail sack and only
knocked it off the pole and a considerable way down
the tracks.
One of Harry Lee's duties was hanging the mail sack on
the pole. He was worrying whether the mail sack had
been hung correctly by his replacement, as he got out
of bed and stood in the open front door waiting for
the train to pass so he would be sure the mail sack
was picked up. The door was on the north side of the
house and that short exposure to the fresh norther was
enough to cause him to relapse and go into the
pneumonia that killed him.
Dennis Newton and Mattie Miller
Daughters:
Mrs. Miller was born September 21, 1909 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas
Elvira Ann (Elvie) Moseley- was born in Richmond, Montgomery County, Alabama January 18, 1829. Elvira was the daughter of Mason Moseley and Lavina Mildred Shepperd. Elvira died 01/18/1890 in Reagan, Falls, Texas, at 61 years of age.
She was married to William Beauregard Hagens, born in Richmond, Montgomery County, Alabama 11/26/1822. William died 06/13/1891 in Reagan, Falls, Texas, at 68 years of age.
William married Elvira Ann (Elvie) Moseley in Upshur County, Texas, About 1851-1852. SEE WILLIAM BEAUREGARD HAGENS for more information.
Jack W. and Dorothy L. MOORE. Jack W., b 1-25-1910
MOORE, Dorothy L. - wife of Jack W. Moore, b
2-10-1921, d 10-8-1956
Henry W. MOORE. Henry was born on 1-26-1912, d 4-25-1939
MOORE, James Bruce, 1915-1960
MOORE, Jim B., b 8-6-1883, d 8-5-1961
Malda MOORE, wife of Jim B. Moore, b 8-28-1886, d
9-19-1925
Emma and R.T. MOORE. R. T.Moore was born 12-6-1856, d 6-4-1924
Lula M. and W. B. Moore, b 1-28-1870, d 6-18-1958
MOORE, Lula M. - wife of W. B. Moore, b 10-30-1878, d
7-26-1913 Children:
MOORE, Willie Ray - son of W.B. & Lula M. Moore, b
10-23-1902, d 9-28-1928
MOORE, Hubbard - son of W.B. & Lula M. Moore, b
12-21-1898, d 9-16-1899
MOORE, Brittain A., b 6-28-1900, d 10-21-1979
MOORE, Effie ("Pete"), b 12-7-1891.1 d
1-1-1959
MOORE, Pearl K., 3-16-1903 - no other date
MOORE, Marvin, b 12-14-1906, d 8-5-1939
MOORE, Wallace N., b 7-6-1877, d 11-22-1915
MOORE, Robert Calvin, b 9-29-1904, d 11-5-1907
MOORE, Leslie Lee - son of W .N. & O .J. Moore, b 9-26-1899, d 8-28-1903
MOORE, Luther, b 1-1-1846, d 2-23-1918 - inscribed "He died as he lived,
a Christian"
MOORE, Eliza A. wife of Luther Moore, b 11-3-1850, d 1-30-1926
"Seems that in the early 1880's my Moore and Jones family left Scott County, Mississippi and came to the community of Reagan. My grand father J.T. Jones in Mayfield, Ky. in 1929 told me that he had cousins living in Falls County, Texas and his Moore cousins had a drug store in Reagan. He did not tell me what part of Falls County his cousins Robert Bruce Jones and Charlie Jones lived in but I assumed it was Reagan.
How could I determine if any present day Reagonites know of these two families. Mrs. Eliza Moore was a sister of these two Jones men and her husband was Luther Moore."
Bill Jones
3082 Maple Ave.
Milan, Tennessee 38358
1 (731) 686-1197
E-mail: lawrance@charter.net
MOORE, Howard Edgar, 1880-1967
MOORE, Sallie Bette, b 9-13-1883, d 6-20-1948
MOORE, Hermie, b 12-31-1902, d 7-27-1927
MOORE, Otho Lee, Sr., b 2-8-1873, d 12-22-1956
MOORE, Elmo Rita, b 7-12-1880, d 12-17-1958
Mr. and Mrs. Britain Moore
(Ran a drug store; later built a restaurant on HW6
that served as the Greyhound Bus Stop for
a while; later burned down)
MOORE, Dozier, b 12-31-1867, d 1-9-1948
MOORE, Stella Frances, b 10-3-1873, d
5-16-1944
MOORE, Alice Pauline, b 10-5-1908, d
11-19-1924
MOORE, Luther Stan, 12-9-1939 - only date on tombstone
- TEXAS, Pvt., 360 INT,
90 DIV.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Moore
MOORE, Joe Alvin, b 4-6-1918, d 10-27-1966
William Ulmer and Anna Kirkpatrick Moore. Anna was the second child of Julius and Lula Kirkpatrick, born February 10, 1882 in Wilderville, Texas.
William Ulmer and Anna Kirkpatrick Moore were married on December 18, 1901. William was born December 18, 1878 in Lott, Texas and died November 28, 1956.William and Anna had one child:
Mildred Moore, born December 29, 1902 and died July 27, 1916.
Clark Simson and Juanita Briggs Morris
Clark graduated from Reagan High School and married Juanita Morris. Clark and Juanita had three children:
Benjamin Louis Morris, born May 14, 1941
Michael Clark, Born November 18, 1944 Beverly Kay,
Born February 16, 1948.
Clark is retired as Director of the City Water Department of Marlin, where he worked for many years and Juanita was employed at First State Bank of Marlin. They continue to reside in Marlin.
Benjamin Louis Morris (Benny), born on May 14, 1941, attended Reagan Elementary and Marlin High School and A&M University.
Ben then went into the oil industry and worked in Coleman County as an oil exploration engineer for many years.
Ben married Carol Board and had one daughter, Jennifer Ann Morris and now has two grandchildren. Ben and Carol are now divorced. Ben also has a son who recently returned from Iraq and is living in Waco.
Ben is now retired and living on a Brazos River plantation where he enjoys the wonders of nature with his children, grandchildren and friends.
Benjamin Louis Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Moudy lived out on a farm about a mile north of Reagan. They had six children but all but two (Boyce and Royce) were grown and living in Oklahoma. I recall Boyce was the black headed of the two and Royce was red-headed. Both were good athletes and students. One day, they didn't come back to school and we never knew what happened.
Recently, I got an email from Boyce's daughter explaining the matter.
According to
Karyn Moudy Walters, Boyce Moudy's daughter,
"My grandparents deserted my dad (Boyce Moudy) and Uncle Royce that same year in the middle of the night and never came back. The boys (youngest of 6 kids but the only 2 left at home) hitchhiked to Oklahoma and lived with different siblings until the age of 17 when both entered the Armed Forces. My Dad married my Mom when he was 18 (1957) and had the 3 of us in 4 years. We moved to Florida (after living in Boston since 1958) in 1980 and my folks are still together today. Hope all is well with you and yours. I am attaching a recent picture of my Dad. He is still an athlete at the age of 64 years young! "
Royce and Boyce Moudy, Reagan, 1952
Boyce (Bill) Moudy, After leaving Reagan, moved to Oklahoma, joined the military and now resides in Florida.
Elvira Ann (Elvie) Moseley
William Beauregard and Elvira Ann (Elvie) Moseley Hagens. William Beauregard Hagens was born in Richmond, Montgomery County, Alabama 11/26/1822. William died 06/13/1891 in Reagan, Falls, Texas, at 68 years of age. Elvira was born in Richmond, Montgomery County, Alabama January 18, 1829 and died 01/18/1890 in Reagan, Falls, Texas, at 61 years of age. She married William Beauregard Hagens in Upshur County, Texas, About the 1851-1852 timeframe.
Joseph Mayo NEAL was born on 28 Jun 1858 in Rocky
River, Van Buren Co, TN. Christened in methodist. Died
on 27 Oct 1932 in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX. Buried in
Laurel Land Cem, Dallas, TX. Joseph May Neal was a
station manager for the Southern Pacific Railroad and
a lay minister for the Methodist Church. He was a
member of the Gibraltar Masonic Lodge. Joseph Mayo
Neal moved from Tennessee to Bell County, Texas in
1873-1874. Prior to moving, he attended Burritt
College at Spencer, Tennessee. At the time of his
death he was living at 237 South Windomere in Dallas,
Texas. He married Mary Vianna "Mollie" WHITTENBURG
(Neal) on 20 Jul 1876. Mary Vianna "Mollie"
WHITTENBURG (Neal) was born on 18 Feb 1861 in Belton,
Bell Co, TX. Christened in Methodist. Died on 29 Sep
1952 in Minden, LA. Buried in Laurel Land Cem, Dallas,
TX.
They had the following children:
Marcellus Blount NEAL. Marcellus Blount NEAL was born
on 21 Mar 1878 in Bell Co, TX. Died on 24 Aug 1904. He
married Maude PRICE.
Lina Bell NEAL (Norwood)- born on 5 May 1880 in
Dublin, Erath Co, TX. Christened in Methodist. Died on
13 Jan 1956 in Marlin, Falls Co, TX(?) Austin State
Hosp. Buried in Calvary Cem, Marlin, Falls Co, TX. She
married James B NORWOOD on 24 Oct 1896 in Falls Co.,
Tx. James B NORWOOD was born on 12 Jan 1867 in Falls
Co., Tx. Christened in Methodist. Died on 30 Sep 1933
in Abilene, Taylor Co., Tx. Buried in Calvary Cem,
Marlin, Falls Co, TX.
They had the following children:
Ella Inez NORWOOD (Towers)"Daisy"
James William NORWOOD
Ora Lee NORWOOD (Winfrey)
Charles NORWOOD
Mildred NORWOOD was born on 19 Dec 1908 in Marlin,
Falls Co, TX. Died on 29 Mar 1911 in Marlin, Falls Co,
TX.
Roy Lynn NORWOOD
Lilla Ethell NEAL was born on 23 Nov 1882 in Mt. Airy,
Erath Co, TX. Died on 24 Dec 1910.
Lena May NEAL (Bettenson)-Lena May NEAL (Bettenson)
was born on 3 Feb 1884 in Mt. Airy, Erath Co, TX. Died
on 24 Apr 1975. She married Ray BETTENSON.
Lee Ora NEAL -Lee Ora NEAL was born on 8 Jan 1886 in
DeLeon, Comanche Co, TX. Died on 18 Mar 1971. She
married S A WAITE.
Lottie Edna NEAL (Jones) -Lottie Edna NEAL (Jones) was
born on 27 Jul 1888 in Hico, Hamilton Co, TX. Died on
5 Feb 1975 in DeQueen, ARK. She married I G JONES Dr.
Charles Samuel NEAL-Charles Samuel NEAL was born on 17
Mar 1890 in Carbon, Eastland Co, TX. Died on 11 Dec
1951. He married Myrtle L STEAKLY (Neal).
Baby Boy NEAL was born on 3 Jul 1892 in Carbon,
Eastland Co, TX. Died on 10 Jul 1892.
Joseph Mayo Jr NEAL-Joseph Mayo Jr NEAL was born on 23
Sep 1893 in Carbon, Eastland Co, TX. Died on 24 Jul
1969. He married Marion BRIGGS.
Lucy V NEAL (Berley)-Lucy V NEAL (Berley) was born on
5 Dec 1896 in Marlin, Falls Co, TX. Died on 5 May 1985
in Minden, LA. She married John Douglas BERLEY.
Lois NEAL (Anderson)-Lois NEAL (Anderson) was born on
31 Dec 1900 in Reagan, Falls Co, TX. Died on 6 Feb
1976 in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX. She married Louis C
ANDERSON.
Burnett NEAL-Burnett NEAL was born on 26 Mar 1903 in
Reagan, Falls Co, TX. He married Carabel HICKS (Neal).
James F. and Margaret J. Vaugn NEWBURY, Born: 01 Apr 1838, Oak Hill, Wilcox County, Alabama.
Died: 19 Nov 1912, Falls County, Texas. Buried: Johnson Cemetery, Reagan, Falls County, Texas. Served in the Confederate States of America
(Company "F" 53rd Alabama Cavalry).
Married Margaret J. VAUGHAN on 11 Apr 1858 in Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama; married at the home of Beckham VAUGHAN by A. C. RAMSEY, M.G.Margaret (Maggie)
was born on 30 Mar 1838 in Wilcox County, Alabama. She
died on 28 Jan 1908, Falls County, Texas and is
buried in the Johnson Cemetery, Reagan, Falls County, Texas.
Children:
James F. NEWBURY Jr. Born: 20 Nov 1859, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama
- Died: 30 Nov 1859, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama
Emma W. NEWBURY , Born: about 1862
Died in Falls County, Texas
Clara Cole NEWBURY,
Born: 29 Aug 1865,
Diedin Falls County, Texas
Vaughan W. NEWBURY
Percy NEWBURY
PEARSON, Audrey L . b 7-27-1933, d 3-6-1980
PEARSON, Mary B. - wife of A. L Pearson, b 5-29-1931
PEARSON, Billy Wayne, b 12-5-1934, d 1-12-1965
PEARSON, Fred B., b 10-13-1896, d 4-27-1985
PEARSON, Alice P. - wife of Fred B. Pearson, b
5-31-1898, d 3-26-1963
Harry Lee Milam and
MAMIE P. PENNINGTON mamie was born on February 20, 1883. She did not
actually have a middle name and used the P. (for
Pennington) as a middle initial. She was raised in the
Pine Island community where the family lived in the
old farm house on Betka road until she was fourteen
and they moved into the house attached to the store
and Prairie View postoffice.
Mamie and Harry Lee Milam were married on August 13,
1905 in Hempstead by O.M. Smith. Harry and Mamie had
four children, Frankie Lee, Mamie Lucille, Chalista
Jane and Harry LeGrande.
Mamie and Harry Lee Milam were living in Reagan,
Texas (Falls County) when Frankie was born, but had
moved back to Pine Island before the other children
were born.
After Mamie finished high school, she attended
business college in Mckinney Texas. After finishing
school she worked as a postal clerk at the Pine Island
Post Office. This experience and training served her
well in later years when she scored higher on the
Civil Service Examination for Post Master then all of
the other applicants, including her brother
James.
Harry died four years later in 1918 and she was able
to raise the four children on her own. As late as
1930, along with the post office, Mamie was still
keeping a small herd of milk cows for milk and butter,
a chicken yard for meat and eggs, raised sun flowers
and kafircorn for chicken feed and had two vegetable
gardens.
Mamie was one of the more progressive citizens in the
area, as she had gas lights installed in the new house
and post office. Later she had electric lights long
before power lines were brought to the area. She had a
gasoline powered electric generator installed along
with a system of glass storage batteries to furnish
electric lights for the house and post office.
After the post office was merged with the Hempstead
post office in 1938, she went to work as a clerk in
the Waller County Court House. In 1940 she moved to a
house that she owned in Hempstead and sold the old
home place to A.W. Randall. In later years she moved
to Houston, where she worked for the "Harris County
Medical and Dental Bureau" until her eyes failed and
she could no longer see to work.
Mamie died April 27, 1970 at the age of 87 and Harry
Lee died on October 26, 1918 at the age of 36. Harry
Lee and Mamie are both buried in the Pennington plot
in the Hempstead, Texas cemetery.
Joseph Mayo and Mary Vianna "Mollie" Whittenburg
Neal
Joseph Mayo Neal was born on June28, 1858 in Rocky
River, Van Buren Co, TN. Christened in methodist. Died
on 27 Oct 1932 in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX. Buried in
Laurel Land Cem, Dallas, TX. Joseph May Neal was a
station manager for the Southern Pacific Railroad and
a lay minister for the Methodist Church. He was a
member of the Gibraltar Masonic Lodge. Joseph Mayo
Neal moved from Tennessee to Bell County, Texas in
1873-1874.
In the 1890's, the Neals moved to Reagan, Texas where
their last two children (Lois and Burnett ) were
born.
At the time of his death, Joseph Neal was living at
237 South Windomere in Dallas, Texas.
Joseph married Mary Vianna "Mollie" Whittenburg on
July 20, 1876. Mary Vianna "Mollie" WHITTENBURG (Neal)
was born on 18 Feb 1861 in Belton, Bell Co, TX.
Christened in the Methodist Church. Mary died on
September 29, 1952 in Minden, LA and is buried in
Laurel Land Cemetery, Dallas, TX.
They had the following children:
Marcellus Blount NEAL
Lina Bell NEAL (Norwood)
Lilla Ethell NEAL was born on 23 Nov 1882 in Mt. Airy,
Erath Co, TX. Died on 24 Dec 1910.
Lena May NEAL (Bettenson)
Lee Ora NEAL
Lottie Edna NEAL (Jones)
Charles Samuel NEAL
Baby Boy NEAL was born on 3 Jul 1892 in Carbon,
Eastland Co, TX. Died on 10 Jul 1892.
Joseph Mayo Jr NEAL
Lucy V NEAL (Berley)
Lois NEAL (Anderson)
Burnett NEAL
Newbury, James F. and Margaret (Maggie) Vaughan.
James Newbury, a former Confederate soldier, was born April 1, 1838, at Oak Hill, Wilcox County, Alabama
and died Nov19, 1912 at Reagan, Falls County, Texas. James is buried at the Johnson Cemetery at Reagan. James Newbury and has family were members of the Reagan
Methodist Church. By 1890, James entered into a partnership with Thomas C. HAGENS to buy a cotton gin, become a land speculator, and a cotton farmer in Reagan. At one time he owned 850 acres of land and 13 lots in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. James Newbury was a Confederate soldier
(Company "F" 53rd Alabama Cavalry).
He married Margaret J. (or possibly E.) VAUGHAN on 11 Apr 1858 in Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama; married at the home of Beckham VAUGHAN by A. C. RAMSEY, M.G. Margaret was born on 30 Mar 1839, Wilcox County, to parents, Beckham and Ann WARD Vaughn, natives of South Carolina.
Margaret died on 28 Jan 1908, in Reagan, Falls County, Texas
and is buried in the Johnson Cemetery, at Reagan, Falls County, Texas.
Children of James and Margaret include:
James F. NEWBURY Jr., Born: 20 Nov 1859, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama; Died 30 Nov 1859, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama
Emma W. NEWBURY, Born: about 1862;
Married: R.T. MOORE of Falls County, Texas
Clara Cole NEWBURY; Born: 29 Aug 1865 in Alabama; Died: 05 Nov 1904 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas.
Married: Thomas C. HAGENS 03 Dec 1882 Reagan, Falls County, Texas. Clara's Husband, Thomas Cogborn HAGENS was born on Nov. 26, 1822 to
William Beauregard HAGENS (born 26 Nov 1822 in Montgomery County, Alabama and died 13 Jun 1891 and was buried in Covington Cemetery at Reagan, Falls County, Texas). William was a son of Thomas C. HAGENS and unknown wife Hagens. William married c1852 in Alabama or Upshur County, Texas to Elvira Ann MOSELEY born 18 Jan 1829 in Alabama and died 19 Jan 1896 at Reagan, Texas. Elvira was a daughter of Mason MOSELEY (1805-1870) and Levinia Mildred SHEPPARD (1810-1848) of Alabama. William Beauregard HAGENS enlisted in the Confederate States Army in Gilmer, Texas as a Private in Company B of the 10th Calvary, Ector's Brigade of the Trans-Mississippi Army. William and Elvira came to Upshur County, Texas where six of their children were born and in about 1868 they moved to Falls County, Texas with several families that had also been in Upshur County.
Irma Lee HAGENS, Born: 01 Sep 1883 in Texas.
Died: 11 Aug 1921 Anson, Jones County, Texas.
Married: W. M. WARD 28 Jun 1917.
Eula Ann HAGENS Born: 04 Nov 1889 Tarbox (Reagan), Falls County, Texas.
Died: 16 May 1963 Anson, Jones County, Texas. Married: James Spurgeon REEVES 07 Jun 1910 Anson, Jones, Texas. Her Husband, James Spurgeon REEVES Sr
was born 05 Oct 1885 Anson, Jones County, Texas and
died on March 2, 1964 in Big Springs, Howard County, Texas.
Vaughan W. NEWBURY was Born: 1868/69 in Alabama
and died in Reagan, Texas.
Bill Paske
Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Pearson (3 miles east of
town)
Children: Billy
Mr. and Mrs. Pecina
Children: Mike
Sam Perdue
The transcript below is part of an interview with
Lizzie Wyche Powers b 1866 in TX.
It will be of
interest to descendants of Elijah Powers who "joined
the Robertson colony in Tennessee and came with
General Robertson to old Nashville in 1834", then
moved to East Texas in 1835, and came to Falls County,
TX in 1844.
She talks about the family of Elijah Powers who had
sons William Powers, Lewis B. Powers, Andrew Jackson
Powers, Elijah Powers, and Francis Powers.
Interview with Mrs. Lizzie Powers, Mart, Texas. (white
pioneer).
"I was born in 1866 at Bedias, Texas , in Grimes
County. My father ,
Dr. George Wyche, with his family, came to Texas about
the year 1859
from the State of Mississippi. He was a plantation
owner and sold his
plantation with the slaves and came to the new state
of Texas, seeking
a better climate for the health of his family."
"In 1883, I married Mr. Sam Powers, who was a ranchman
and lived ten
miles north-east of Marlin, in the vicinity of Big
Creek. He was a
grandson of grand-father Elijah Powers who joined the
Robertson colony
in Tennessee and came with General Robertson to old
Nashville in 1834,
where he lived for a year and then moved to East
Texas, and in 1844,
came to Falls County and settled on a league of land
which the Mexican
government gave him, when Mexico was giving the
colonists land for the
settling of the state.
"Grandfather Powers had five sons, William, who died
in Falls County;
Lewis B., who took part in a number of Indian fights
and died in Fall
County, also; Andrew Jackson, who was killed in the
Indian fight
following the Marlin-Morgan massacre. I will tell you
about this fight
as it has been handed down through the times to us,
from the other two
brothers who were also in this fight. In the
excitement of the battle,
Jackson was wounded and fell off his horse. His
brothers and
companions stopped and tried to put him back on the
horse.
"The horse was so frightened that he plunged so they
could not get him
on the horse. He told them 'that he knew he was killed
and for them to
leave him and save themselves, before they too were
killed.' The two
brothers were William and Lewis who were in this
fight, and the story
has been handed down by them. Jackson was killed, but
his
self-sacrifice for his companions will live as long as
there is a
Powers left to tell the story.
"This fight was between the settlers and the Indians,
on the high-way
between Waco and Marlin, ten days after the
Morgan-Marlin massacre;
the whites were led by Captain Benjamin Bryan of
Bryans Station and
the noted Indian chief, Jose Maria, led the Indians.
This fight
occurred in 1839.
Other sons of Grandfather Powers were Elijah and
Francis, the father
of my husband. Francis settled in Falls county and
engaged in ranching
until he enrolled in the Confederate army. He served
the duration of
the war. He returned and helped in the organization of
Falla County.
He died in January of 1877. He reared a family of six
children. His
eldest son, Joe, was a stockman of Falls county who
moved to [DEL:
Archer :DEL] Edward county, where he died. Tom,
another son, moved
to Archer county. My husband, Sam, lived near Mart. A
daughter, Mary,
married William Waite of Reagan; another son, Frank
moved to Falls
County and still another son, John, lived at Reagan.
All these are
deceased."
QUEEN, F. Lucille Bruce, b 10-26-1901, d 5-4-1977
PERDUE,William T., b 8-16-1862, d 6-22-1923
PERDUE, Claudia E. - wife of W.T. Perdue, b 3-22-1866,
d 10-31-1954
PERDUE, Bertrand B., b 6-16-1894, d 2-23-1971
PERDUE, Annie Lee - wife of B. B. Perdue, b 6-28-1897,
d 10-15-1953
Joseph and Siotha Phillips; lived in Reagan during the 20's. The Phillips had 12 children including:
Sarah Etta Lettus Nettie Ella Bell Isaac Millard Frank Floyd Hardy P. Connie Hester Claude P. Clara P. Halie.
PRUETT, C. A., b 9-16-1847 in Conecuh County, Alabama; d 4-9-1903 - "Joined
Reagan Baptist Church August 1876"
Charles Lewis Peyton - born 11 JUN 1888 in Reagan, Falls Co, TX ; died 17 MAY 1932 in Falls Co, TX. Married Martha Caroline Stallworth. Had
seven children including:
Peyton, Agnes, May, 1880 Peyton, Sallie L.,
born Aug, 1881
Peyton, Marian, born Aprl, 1894
Peyton, Rosaborn Oct, 1886
Peyton, Charles L., born June, 1888 Peyton, Callieborn Dec, 1889 Peyton, Andrew, born 1892
PRICE, Walter R., b 12-14-1883, d 4-18-1960
PRICE, Vivian R. - wife of W.R. Price, b 2-26-1888, d
10-8-1963
PEEPLES, Rufus P. - son of J. W. & M.A.E. Peeples, b
10-22-1855, d 10-19-1920
Mrs. Martha Powell
Daughter:
Elles (died as a teenager)
Mr. and Mrs. Pringle
Daughter: Buela (Married a Mathews)
Thomas J. Pruett. The Old Settlers list him as "Pvt,
Co A, Harrison's Bgde, Wheeler's Div,
enlisted Falls Co, TX Sep 61, lived in Reagan." His
service records show that he was
recruited by Capt Harrison in Falls County on Sep 10,
1861. He was sick in Nashville until
able for duty on Nov 3, 1861. He was present for duty
through the last official records in
Feb 1864. He was present at the 1898 Ranger reunion
and was still alive when Sam Gott died
in March of 1914. He is buried in the Covington
Cemetery near Reagan, TX, but there are no
dates on his gravestone.
POOL, Eugine C., Jr., b 3-26-1925 - lived 22
hours
Helen Pruitt
ODESSA � Helen Ruth Pruitt, 63, of Odessa, a housewife, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at her residence.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Martinez Funeral Home with the Rev. William Tatum officiating.
Burial will be at the Ector County Cemetery.
She was born in Reagan, Texas.
SURVIVORS: Sister, Ladell Smith of Dallas; brothers, Quincy Bledsoe of Greensboro, N.C., Horace Bledsoe of Austin and Garland Bledsoe of Odessa.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Purgudny
Mr. and Mrs. Pulak
Children: Rose Alice
Arvil William and Lola Lee Williams Railsback. Arvil Railsback was born on July 23, 1912 in Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas (son of Ambrose Wade and Mattie Ella (Railsback) Railsback. Arvil moved with his family to Howard County where he met and married on November 3, 1932 to Lola Lee Williams, b July 18, 1913 - a daughter of William Luther and Mary Lee (Madry) Williams.
After the birth of their first child, they moved to Falls County, Texas, where Lola had been born. They began farming in the Mustang Prairie community, where they united with the New Hope Baptist Church by transferral of letter. They subsequently moved to the Alto Springs Community.
Arvil and Lola have five children:
Dorothy Jean Railsback, b June 27, 1934 in Howard County - married April 18, 1952 to Lloyd Dale Cox.
Margie Lee Railsback, b January 29,1937 at Mustang Prairie, Falls County, Texas - married first to Melvin V Jackson, and married second to Warren L. McGuire.
Donald Earl "Pete" Railsback, born October 14, 1939 at Alto Springs, Falls County, Texas - married September 29, 1961 to Janice LaNelle Pyle, and resides in Tyler, Texas.
Luther James Railsback , born February 8, 1943 at Alto Springs, Falls County, Texas. James began the first grade of school in Kosse, Texas; but in 1950, it was determined that Falls Countians should attend school in Falls County, and he attended the Reagan school for grades two through seven - graduating in 1961 from Marlin High School. He majored in Business Administration at North Texas State University - receiving his BBA degree in 1965. In 1965, James took the CPA exam, and was licensed in 1967 - working in Public Accounting in Houston and Waco, before returning to Falls County about 1978, to establish his own business.
On January 21, 1967, James was married at Groesbeck, Texas to Carolyn Ann McClinton, b May 8, 1946 in Waco, Texas(daughter of Clifford J. and Odalia (Jordan) McClinton). James and Carolyn now reside at Alto Springs, Falls County. Texas and he is self-employed as a CPA and rancher. They have one son:
Timothy Randall Railsback, b January 3, 1974 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas.
Doris Glenda Railsback, b November 16, 1950 in Marlin - married June 13, 1970 to Wendell Clay Little.
Aubrey Raiford
RAIFORD, Harry Ivin, 1904-1930
RAIFORD, Hazel (Buell) - wife of Harry Ivin Raiford,
1904-1962
RANKIN, Minnie M. - daughter of R .B . & A .J. Rankin, b 5-10-1872, (i 9-5-1878)
RAY, Charles E., b 1-28-1943, d 1-29-1943
RAY, Patsy R., b 8-22-1936, d 8-22-1936
RAY, C. Boyd, b 3-12-1910, d 1-21-1969 - WW II: Lt.,
U. S. Navy
RAY, Alma Anderson - wife of C. Boyd Ray, b 9-21-1909
Judge William Reason Reagan-(March 17, 1830 to 1898).
The town of Reagan was named after Judge William
Reason Reagan, who donated land for the
town in 1873 just after the Waco and Northwestern
Railroad completed the section of track
between Bremond and Ross.
William Reagan was the fifth of six children of
Timothy and Elizabeth (Lusk) Reagan, was
born in Sevier County, Tennessee, on March 17, 1830
and later lived in Knoxville, Tennessee,
until 1845.
The children of Timothy and Elizabeth (Lusk) Reagan include:
John Henninger Reagan, b. 8 Oct 1818, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee,
Richard Black Reagan, b. 1820, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee,
Joseph Daniel Reagan, b. 18 Jan 1823, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee ,
Morris R. Reagan, b. Abt 1826, , Sevier County, Tennessee,
William Reason Reagan, b. 17 Mar 1830, , Sevier County, Tennessee
and
Sarah R. Reagan, b. 1831, , Sevier County, Tennessee.
When Texas became a state, William
Reagan and his father travelled to
Texas to join up with John H. Reagan, William's
brother.
John Henninger Reagan, brother of William Reason Reagan,worked as a surveyor from 1839 to 1843, licensed to practice law, headed up the Confederate States of America Post-office Department,became head of the Texas Railroad Commission, and served in Congress.
In 1849 William Reagan became a citizen of Texas and
by 1850, he resided in Henderson County
with John H, Joseph Daniel, and a sister, Sarah.
William
attended McKinney College in Red River
County.
In 1854, William Reagan received a land patent of 640
acres in Falls County and moved to
Marlin where he taught school in the old Union Church
for a couple of years. William
continued to study law in his spare time, and was
admitted to the bar in 1857.
In the Civil War, William Reagan volunteered for the
Thirtieth Texas Cavalry. Later he
served as enrolling officer of Falls County and once
took the mail to Richmond (His older brother, Jon H. Reagan was head of the Confederate Post Office).
In 1865 he was appointed county judge for Falls
County. By 1871 he owned 2,846 acres and a
town lot in Falls County. He donated land for the
town of Reagan on July 1, 1873 and the
following year he moved to the town named after him
and lived there for five years. Then in
1879 he moved to Georgetown, apparently to improve
opportunities for his children's
education. He continued to practice law.
Reagan was a Methodist and a Democrat. He married
Elizabeth Stanley of Fairfield, Texas, in
1856, and they had three sons and a daughter:
William Reason Reagan, Jr., b. 1857, , Falls, Texas
John B. Reagan, b. 1859, , Falls, Texas
Morris R. Reagan, b. 1861, , Falls, Texas
Timothy Reagan, b. 1864, , Falls, Texas
Sarah E. Reagan, b. 1866, , Falls, Texas
Elizabeth died in 1868. Reagan married Sarah
M. Harper of Robinson County in 1873; they had two
daughters and a son:
M. L. Reagan, b. 1874, , Williamson, Texas
Thomas H. Reagan, b. 1875, , Williamson, Texas
Alice L. Reagan, b. 1878, , Williamson, Texas
In 1874, Reagan resided in Williamson County and
owned 271 acres of land, but by 1890
he was no longer in Williamson County. He left Texas
or died before 1900. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (New York:
Southern, 1880). Dallas Herald, July 24, 1858.
Roy Eddins, ed., and Old Settlers and Veterans
Association of Falls County, comp., History
of Falls County, Texas (Marlin, Texas, 1947). Ben H.
Procter, Not Without Honor: The Life of
John H. Reagan (Austin: University of Texas Press,
1962).
Rev. Lewis and Grace Elizabeth Haffner
Risinger Methodist Minister in Reagan in the late
1940's
(lived directly across the street from the
Kubiaks's.
Children:
Roberta Louise (Bobby)-Born January 7, 1942
Elizabeth Grace- Born January 4, 1946
Bonnie Sue- Born June 27, 1949
Edward Walker Robbins-born March 25, 1861 first son of Elijah King and Clotilda Allie Bradley Robbins.
ELIJAH KING ROBBINS FAMILY
ELIJAH KING ROBBINS, born in 1840;
CLOTILDA ALLIE BRADLEY, born in 1842 CHILDREN:
EDWARD WALKER ROBBINS, born March 25, 1861. Died May 29, 1944
Married Lula Thames (Feb. 2, 1891) Born Oct. 16, 1869. Died June 8, 1946. Children:
Ruth, born 1892
Clotilda, born 1894
Annie Lula, born Jan. 8, 1899
Edward Tyler, born 1901
William King, born 1904
MARTHA ROBBINS, born in 1864;
Married William Watson on December 4, 1889;Children:
Annie Clo
Mary
William
MINNIE ROBBINS, born in 1867,
Married John T. Moore, in June 1908. Children:
Minnie Lee
Martha
John T.
ALLIE ROBBINS.
Married Frank Lowrey, June 1911;
3 children
HENRY ROBBINS;
Married Mary Bailey December 9, 1912;Three children:
Harry
Bob
Elijah King
JAMES ROBBINS;
Married Kate Leiser June 1908;
One son.
The following historical biography of Ed Robbins comes to us curtesy of his grandson, Ben Peek and son of Annie Robbins Peek. thepeeks@ktc.com
ALABAMA, the �Cotton State,� produced many native sons who moved to the exciting new land, Texas. But Alabama, too, had its day when it offered attractions to settlers from the east.
Georgia-born Elijah Robbins settled in Conecuh County, Alabama and there married Martha King. Little is known about this family, but evidences are they were of more than moderate means. By 1850, Martha was widowed, living on a farm near Belleville, rearing their ten-year-old child, Elijah King Robbins.
On February 22, 1860, Elijah King Robbins was married to Clotilda Allie Bradley, the daughter of Ely and Allie Simpson Bradley. They were married at Belleville.
The Bradleys were a well-to-do family that had originally come to Conecuh County from South Carolina. Clotilda�s grandfather was Samuel Bradley; her grandmother was Mary Presswood Bradley. All of the Bradley family had large holdings in land and slaves. Part of the family estate was allegedly misused by a Julien Sidney Devereux, who had married one of the Bradley daughters. Suits were filed against him, but as he had left the state and it never became known in Alabama where he had fled to, recovery was not made. It was later determined he had gone to Texas.
After Elijah and Clotilda were married, they lived near Belleville with her sister Barbara, who had married Daniel Robbins. Census reports in 1860 valued Daniel Robbins real estate at $40,000, and his personal property at $30,000. Elijah Robbins� personal property was valued at $20,500 at that time; he was not shown as owning any real property.
At the time of their marriage, Elijah was 20, Clotilda, 18. As they were both well off financially when they married, Elijah had taken the entrance examination to go to the University of Virginia. Events would change these plans.
Civil War loomed on the horizon, and it was to greatly affect the lives of the Robbins family, economically and in many other ways; it�s effects left a lasting impression on their descendants.
On January 7 of the following year, the Alabama Secession Convention convened at Montgomery. Four days later they voted to secede. They adjourned on March 21, after drawing up a new state constitution.
Four days after this convention adjourned, on March 25, 1861, the Elijah King Robbins� first child, Edward Walker Robbins was born.
The actual fighting in the war began on April 12, and Elijah answered the call to arms on May 12 by joining the Confederate Cavalry. His young family continued to live at the Daniel Robbins Plantation. Young Ed Robbins was seven weeks old when his father went off to war.
Elijah King Robbins served as a First Lieutenant in the Second Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Ferguson Brigade, Co. H. This brigade was commanded by General Samuel W. Ferguson and was part of Polk�s Corps. This unit received the most attention for their valor in the Atlanta campaign. Lieutenant Robbins was described by his daughter-in-law Mrs. Henry Robbins as having been a �brilliant officer.�
One family record states that he was in North Carolina at the time of Lee�s surrender. Although two-thirds of Alabama was untouched by the enemy two months before the close of hostilities, when the surrender came, Alabama was as thoroughly destroyed as Georgia or South Carolina. The Union Army spent one week in destroying the property around Selma. The night marches of the enemy in the Black Belt were lighted by the flames of burning houses. Northern Alabama had suffered during the early part of the war. The Yankees did not come into the southern part of the state until later in the war.
�...not until early 1865 was an invasion experienced by the people of Conecuh. A regiment of cavalry advanced from the direction of Milton, Florida via Andalusia and struck the railroad at Gravelle...upon the arrival of a train, it was easily captured with all its passengers. Proceeding southward towards Evergreen along the line of road these undisputed masters of the situation found much pleasure in firing upon defenceless (sic) citizens. They entered Evergreen without encountering the slightest resistance and proceed to rob the surrounding plantations of mules and horses. Proceeding still southward they burned the depot building at Sparta depot and the jail at Sparta. The lurid glare of these burning buildings, at night struck terror into the hearts of defenceless men and women.
�The people of Belleville, having learned of the capture of their sister village Evergreen, a body of mounted citizens proceeded in that direction, for the purpose of reconoitering. When they had come within three or four miles of Evergreen, they suddenly encountered a small band of Spurlin�s command, that had been sent forward upon the Belleville road to guard against any sudden demonstration on the part of the citizens, while the chief command was moving along the dirt road towards Sparta. The squad had dismounted near the Bradley Plantation in a sudden curve of the road, to burn a wagon which had just been captured, when the Belleville deputation road suddenly upon them. The surprise was equally shared in by both parties, but evidences of precipitate flight having been first given by the recointering Bellevillians, nothing was left the invaders but hot pursuit. With a clattering pell mell the citizen soldiers, still clinging to the shotguns fled back towards home. A 16-year old boy whose horse fell lame was captured by the invaders. He was later sent to a prison camp.
�The extreme northern portion of Conecuh County suffered somewhat from the depreciation of Wilson�s raid during the following month.
�These raids were the prelude of a scene of chaotic confusion throughout the country.
�...with the crops just springing into luxurious promise the slaves were liberated and left their homes...utter lawlessness prevailed...the returning soldier, battered and lame, was confronted by the wreck and ruin of war.�
Young Ed Robbins had this recollection from the end of the war: He recalled that near the end of the war, some Union troops on a foraging expedition came to the family home. He remembered seeing one of the soldiers from this group depart from their house carrying away the family�s last piece of meat, a ham. This vivid scene was long remembered. He would have been about four years old.
The last fights on Alabama soil occurred at Girard, Alabama and in the vicinity of Columbus on April 16, 1865.
The first years of reconstruction were not so harsh, as administered by President Johnson. But in July 1868, the state went into the hands of the reconstructionists, and hard times became worse.
Cotton crops were very poor for the first four years; county and state taxes were raised by the carpetbaggers. Thousands of landowners were unable to pay the taxes assessed and their farms were sold by the state. In some cases where costs and fines were added to taxes, it amounted to confiscation.
After the war, Daniel and Barbara Robbins moved up to Monroe County with their large family. Elijah and Clotilda, who had three children in 1867, with the birth that years of Minnie, to join Edward, 6, and Martha, 3, lived on their farm in Conecuh County. The 1870 census shows that the Robbins told the census taker their son was called �Eddy.�
Elijah Robbins evidently lost much of his personal fortune in the war.
One day when Eddy was a young boy at home, Aunt Barbara was making soap for them, in one of the big iron pots used for that in those days. She went into the house for something and left him to do the stirring, telling him to use his right hand and always stir to the right because it wouldn�t make soap if you did otherwise. The young boy could hardly wait to be left alone, because he wanted to use his left arm and stir to the left, just to see if it would make soap. �Of course it did,� he later recanted. This was a favorite story to be retold many times.
Most of the farmers and tenants of that period were unable to send their children to school and pay tuition. The reconstructed school system failed almost at the beginning. Consequently, tens of thousands of children grew up ignorant of schools, most of them the children of parents who had some education. Young Ed Robbins was able to receive six years of education in the public schools, above average for that period.
Little is known about the kind of work Ed Robbins found during these reconstruction days. It is reported he worked in a sawmill for a period of time. Hickory, poplar, ash, beech and pine were native to the area and probably provided the basis for the lumber industry there.
There were three other children born into the Robbins family, Allie, Henry and James.
Census reports in 1870 and 1880 show many former slaves who had taken up the name of Robbins. The freedmen did this only when they really liked the people for whom they had worked. Many of these ex-slaves had probably belonged to Daniel and Elijah Robbins.
Ed Robbins left Alabama at the age of 16 and settled in Reagan in 1882 joining his cousin, George Robbins, who lived there with his family.
Located in the southeast part of Falls County, Reagan had been founded in 1873 with the building of the Waco and Northwestern Railroad. The townsite had been donated by W. R. Reagan, former county judge, and had been named for him. By 1880, Reagan had a population of 250, Davis Barclay had a cotton gin and gristmill, Thomas Yarbrough operated a general store and H. A. Keeling was postmaster.
One of the biggest crops in the history of the county was harvested in 1882 and everyone was prosperous. Perhaps a hint of such prosperity sounded good to the young Alabaman; it could have encouraged him to come to Texas.
Prosperity dimmed in 1887 when the county suffered from a severe drought.
Ed Robbins attended Toby�s Business School in nearby Waco and began to keep books for businesses in Reagan.
While working alone late one night, a young Negro man came into the store. He said he wanted to buy some tobacco and when Robbins turned around to get it, he attacked him with a knife, slashing him on the neck, narrowly missing the jugular vein.
Romance entered Ed Robbins� life when he met Lula Thames.
The young lady from Hempstead was teaching school between Reagan and Marlin, rooming with the Luther Moore family. They were married on February 2, 1891 in Hempstead.
The Robbins family began to grow in several years with the birth of a daughter, Ruth, in 1892. Clotilda was born in 1894 and on January 8, 1899, Annie Lula was born. Mrs. Robbins� mother, Mrs. Matilda Ann Thames also lived with them a great deal of the time.
The young family visited with Mrs. Robbins� grandmother, Mrs. Ann Morrison in Hempstead nearly every summer until she passed away in 1901. On those trips, they were able to visit with other relatives, such as Aunt Vessie Whiteside, �Granny�s sister,� and got to feast on the famous watermelons of that area.
Mrs. Thames, widowed for many years, always dressed in black when she went out, as was the custom in those days. She also had a black cape and black bonnet-type hat which she wore.
Two boys were soon born into the family, first Edward Tyler in 1902, and then William King in 1904.
In 1906, the Robbins moved from the smaller home they had bought in the northeast section of Reagan, to a two story home which was their last residence. It was on a two and one-third acre tract of land. The large home and land were purchased for $1,000. The Robbins purchased most of their furniture from the R. T. Dennis Furniture Co. in Waco. They only had to purchase the living room furniture when they moved into their larger home.
Mr. Robbins also owned other acreage, which he farmed.
Living with the Robbins family about this time was Ed�s brother, Henry, who had come to Reagan from Alabama. Henry married Mary Bailey of Anniston, Alabama, in 1912, and at their Reagan home reared three boys, Harry, Bob and Elijah King.
Reagan was, by 1910, a busy community of 600 persons and now had a bank and lumberyard. Saturdays would find the town bustling with activity as the nearby cotton farmers came to town to market, filling the sidewalks with people.
The active little town also had a good school system. Ed Robbins was by now a school trustee, and a member of the board that hired Ben S. Peek as school superintendent in 1912.
Recreation for the five Robbins children was much simpler than that for the youth of today. The three girls used to like to take walks together, going down the railroad tracks to Fish Creek, or farther on down to what they called �the cut.� Fish Creek also offered recreation for the Robbins boys for fishing and swimming.
On Sunday afternoon, the young people would gather at the railroad station to watch the train come into town. Once a year, a circus came to Reagan, attracting people from all over the area. And there was Willard the Magician, a famed performer of his time, who also stopped in Reagan. Altogether, though, their entertainment was much simpler and people looked forward to visiting one another, and the company of their neighbor at a church gathering or picnic. Churches, and there were two, the Methodist and Baptist, created a large part of the social life of the town.
Each of the children in the family had his or her task to do in helping to run the house. It may have been to bring in wood, run errands, clean the upstairs, work in the garden or pull weeds. The family was all taught to work together.
Coal oil lamps furnished light for the family at night; a new gas light was tried, but didn�t work too well, so coal oil lamps were again pressed into service. When electricity came to Reagan later on, it was, of course, wired to the house. As there was no refrigeration or ice available, a cooler, or cloth covered box, was used for milk and butter.
Beef was purchased twice a week in Reagan from Mr. Guffie, the butcher. One of Annie�s chores was to go to his market on the day he butchered to pick up the family�s beef. Hogs were killed when a norther came in; the men would have to work butchering the hogs until the work was completed, with the biting, cold north wind blowing around them. The slabs of bacon and ham were then kept in the smokehouse until they were needed.
In addition to their vegetable garden, the Robbins of course had their own cows and chickens. Sugar cane was raised for syrup. A man would come around once a year to make the cane into syrup.
During years of farming, cash income from the farm occurred only during the fall season, after cotton was harvested. A number of items, such as flour and sugar, were bought in bulk at that time.
The family always started the day with a big breakfast, with such things as ham, rice, grits or potatoes, eggs, or even fried chicken. Hot biscuits were served every morning. Since Ed Robbins often went out to his acreage to work, this was a farmer�s breakfast. Mrs. Robbins prepared deserts every day, and if it was something like a pie, it had to be eaten that day because of the lack of refrigeration.
A terrific rain storm struck the area in 1913, causing severe flooding on the Brazos. Mr. Robbins had gone into Marlin on the train the morning it struck. Marooned in Marlin, it was several days before he could return, and then only by walking the railroad trestle over flooded Big Creek. This was known as the second great Brazos flood.
About that time, it was discovered that a Negro occupant of their servants quarters had smallpox, and the whole family had to be inoculated. The man had not appeared for several days and his wife had been ironing in the Robbins house before they revealed what had happened.
In 1915, Grandma Thames died while visiting her sister Florence, Mrs. H. C.. Willis of Nacogdoches. Then 73 years old, she died of a ruptured appendix. The doctor said she was too old to have surgery. Maltilda Ann Thames died March 10, 1915 and was buried beside her mother, Mrs. Morrison.
Ed Robbins worked to offer as much education as possible to his children. Ruth attended the University of Texas, as did the two boys, Edward and Bill. Clo and Annie went to Waco to attend Baylor University.
The first to be married was Clo, to Charlie Barclay. Annie married the Reagan school superintendent, Ben Peek, and Ruth married Joe W. Vanham, a Uvalde rancher. Edward chose as his wife, Lois McCarver of Hearne and Bill became the husband of Helen Meroney.
As the pace began to slow in the Robbins� house, so too did life in Reagan. The advent of the automobile allowed farmers and other citizens to go to Marlin and Waco to shop.
In addition to being a long-time trustee of the Reagan schools, Ed Robbins also served for many years on the Falls County Democratic Committee and was a ranking member of that body. For many years, he was a precinct chairman and was a delegate to the state convention on several occasions. His background in the turbulent reconstruction days had made him a very loyal democrat. Along with J. E. Davis, he was one of the party leaders of the area.
Typical of the stormy precinct conventions that used to occur is told in a story of an argument between Ed Robbins and J. E. Davis. At this particular meeting, they were trying to decide whether to endorse or not to endorse the state candidate and the platform of the National Convention.
Both became quite angry over some remarks and had a battle of words. �I�ll have you know I�m a loyal democrat,� Mr. Robbins emphatically retorted. Both stomped around and pounded the floor with their walking canes as was usual at a meeting of this kind.
They parted friends.
County government was the local government. Interest centered on the local and state government. Matters relating to the federal government were rarely mentioned as this level of government scarcely touched their lives. World War I was an exception.
A staunch democrat, Ed Robbins was a great admirer of President Woodrow Wilson and U. S. Senator Tom Connally of Marlin. He was one of Connally�s strong supporters in the county and worked for his interest. Connally and Robbins were also very good friends.
Although he had obtained but six years formal education, Ed Robbins, who possessed a keen interest in the education of his neighbors� children, as well as his own, was especially recognized for his knowledge of the history and folklore of Falls County. An avid reader, he had attained his own education where his formal training ended. His own library included many history and reference books, including a number of texts on both the Civil War and World War I. He helped to organize the Reagan Masonic Lodge in 1915 and was the secretary continuously until it closed many years later, for lack of a suitable location for meetings.
In later years, Ed Robbins could often be found playing dominos in the back of Lonnie Robbins blacksmith shop. Some of the older men gathered here.
The big Robbins home was often filled with footsteps and noise from their nine grandchildren. Many afternoons were spent looking through the large stack of old comic papers stored by Mrs. Robbins in a big trunk on the back porch. Unaccustomed to all of the wonders of rural life, they spent many active hours at their grandparents.
Edward Walker Robbins died on May 29, 1944 shortly after suffering a heart attack at his home in Reagan. He had been troubled with a heart ailment for a number of years.
The Robbins oldest daughter, Ruth became a widow the following year with the death of her husband Joe on July 25.
Ed Robbins� widow, Lula, survived him two years. She died on June 8, 1946 in a Marlin hospital after a lengthy illness. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin. Assisting at the funeral services was her uncle, the Reverend Hubert C. Willis of Madisonville.."
J.P. Robbins
ROBBINS, George B., b 1-21-1849, d 1-17-1931
ROBBINS, Alabama Riley - wife of G.B. Robbins, b
12-24-1851, d 6-29-1920
Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Robbins
ROBBINS, Thomas Alonzo, b 12-18-1877, d
7-29-1957
ROBBINS, Maggie Iola - wife of T. A. Robbins,,, b
1-23-1881, d 8-9-1963
Henry and Mrs Robbins.
The following story about Mrs. Henry Robbins comes to us curtesy of Donna Joan Wyatt Bradley. Joan Wyatt was the daughter of Rev. William Ray Wyatt, the Reagan Methodist minister from 1947 to 1952.
"Mrs. Henry Robbins was a widow who lived in a two-story home across the road from the Baptist parsonage and was a good neighbor to the Wyatt family. She was a gifted pianist, had taught piano lessons, and listened carefully to the Wyatt girls across the street as they practiced piano lessons so she could critique them. Mrs. Robbins would often come over to our house at our request to play the piano for us and she was an excellent musician. Joan Wyatt remembers vividly one particular song the Wyatt girls always requested -- it was a song about a milk maid apparently because the highlight was when Mrs. Robbins would stroke the ivories with flat fingers of one hand and make them sound exactly like milk hitting the tin milk pail.
Mrs. Robbins also had a persimmon tree in her yard which the Wyatt girls were given permission to sample and a multitude of beautiful flowers around her well-kept home. Joan and Jessie Wyatt were still small children and were often given permission to climb the wide staircase to play in Mrs. Robbins' wonderful attic, where she had old trunks full of vintage clothing, shoes and hats which we used to play "dress up". What fantasies we conjured up!"
Willie Robbins
Austin (Charlie) Robertson
Austin Robinson was
an early Falls County pioneer,
arriving in 1851 as one of five overseers for the
initial Churchill Jones Falls
Plantation. Austin Robinson was born in VA Feb 28,
1828 and died in Falls Co. Aug 8,
1897. Charlie is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Marlin .
Austin Robinson, (The Old Settlers
list him as "Pvt, Co A, Harrison's Bgde, Wheeler's
Div, enlisted Falls Co, TX 7 Sep 61,
lived in Reagan." Austin Robinson's service record
reflects that he was enlisted by Capt
Harrison in McLennan County on Sept 1, 1861. He was
present and due back pay on May 14,
1863. He was present for the last official record in
Feb 1864. Austin Robinson was
wounded at Salt River, KY in (the first week of)
October, 1862. Shot through the side, he
was "left on the field to die at the hands of the
enemy." He was captured and taken to
Bardstown where he recovered until being exchanged at
Vicksburg in the Spring of 1863.
He fought with the Rangers for the remainder of
the war and surrendered in North
Carolina.
A. Austin Robinson. Austin Robinson was an early Falls
County pioneer, arriving in 1851 as
one of five overseers for the initial Churchill Jones
Falls Plantation.47 Austin Robinson
was born in VA Feb 28, 1828 and died in Falls Co. Aug
8, 1897. He is buried in Calvary
Cemetery, Marlin.
The Old Settlers list him as "Pvt, Co A, Harrison's
Bgde, Wheeler's Div, enlisted Falls Co,
TX Sep 7, 1861, lived in Reagan. Austin Robinson's
service record reflects that he was
enlisted by Capt Harrison in McLennan County on Sept
1, 1861. He was present and due back
pay on May 14, 1863. He was present for the last
official record in Feb 1864.
Austin
Robinson was wounded at Salt River, KY in (the first
week of) October, 1862. Shot through
the side, he was "left on the field to die at the
hands of the enemy." He was captured and
taken to Bardstown where he recovered until being
exchanged at Vicksburg in the Spring of
1863. He fought with the Rangers for the remainder of
the war and surrendered in North
Carolina.
Saryann Naomi Rogers married William M. Newton.
Their children:
1) Larkin Newton born about 1852 in Falls County,
Texas.
2) Buck Newton born about 1854 in Falls County, Texas.
3) Nancy Newton born about 1856 in Falls County,
Texas.
4) John Henry Newton born about 1864 in Falls County,
Texas.
5) John S. Newton born about 1866 in Falls County,
Texas.
6) Fannie Newton born about 1870 in Falls County,
Texas.
7) S.L. Newton born about 1873 in Falls County, Texas.
8) Ida A. Newton born about 1879 in Falls County,
Texas.
Nathaniel Franklin Rogers, b August 9, 1827 in Morgan County, Alabama, d January 16, 1878 at Reagan, Falls County, Texas and buried in the Rogers Cemetery there - was the eldest child of Larkin R. and Mary A. (Aycock) Rogers who came to Texas in 1845 with their children, settling in East Falls County "on Blue Ridge (which is present-day Stranger). In 1849, Nathaniel F. moved to Reagan, Texas, and on January 31, 1850; in Falls County, he married Tennessee Huff- man, b April 29, 1835, d February 9, 1920 and buried by her husband - a daughter of Solomon and Sarah Huffman - natives of Tennessee, and where Tennessee was born.
Nathaniel was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a farmer by occupation. Although his educational advantages were limited, he was a great reader, a close observer, and interested in all current events. He was a Mason, and described as a "genial, whole-souled gentlemen - respected by all classes of people."
Nathaniel Franklin and Tennessee (Huffman) Rogers had sixteen children - six dying in infancy.
The ten children known to have lived past infancy were:
Henry Thomas Rogers, b July 9,1853, d October 17, 1927 - married in Falls County, Texas on December 14, 1875 to Mary Elizabeth Marlin, b March 8, 1856, d March 9, 1922 - a daughter of Rufus Anderson and Martha Louise (Gentry) Marlin, and a grand- daughter of John and Mary Celia (Menefee) Marlin.
William C. Rogers, b November 26, 1855, d February 22, 1933 - married Mary Floyd Phillips, b August 21, 1862, d March 5, 1930.
Rosa Estelle Rogers, b November 28, 1857 - married J. W. Wells - a farmer of Erath County, Texas. No further information.
Paulina Rogers, b February 20, 1860 - married J. W. Stewart - a merchant in Limestone County, Texas. No further information.
Tishua A. Rogers, b November 8, 1863, d September 9, 1883 - married in 1879 to David L. Wardlaw, b 1857 in Arkansas - a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Crawford) Wardlaw.
Alpheus L. Rogers, b July 7, 1870 - no further information.
John E. Rogers, b January 7, 1874 -no further information.
Wilburn Rogers - a twin to Frank - was born September 10,1876. No further information.
Frank Rogers - a twin to Wilburn - was born September 10, 1876. No further information.
Nathie F. Rogers - a daughter, b April 11, 1878, d February 22, 1885 and buried in the Rogers Cemetery at Reagan, Falls County, Texas by her parents.
Nathaniel Franklin Rogers laid out the new town of Reagan in 1871 after William R. Reagan donated land for the new townsite, which was named for him. The present building of the First Methodist Church in Reagan was erected in 1893 after fire had destroyed the earlier church on September 27, 1892, and the new site was donated by Tennessee (Huffman) Rogers - by then the widow of Nathaniel Franklin Rogers
Nathaniel & Tennessee Huffman Rogers are buried at the
Rogers Family Cemetery
at Reagan, Falls County, Texas.
John Pleasant and Lida Woodland Saxon- pioneer
settlers of Reagan (their first child, Samual
Sanford, was born in Reagan in 1877
Children:
Samual Sanford-born in Reagan on July 10, 1877 and
died in Waco on December 26, 1967.
Ernest Wesley (E.W. Pete)- Born in Reagan on September
9, 1903 and died in Marlin on May 25,
1989.
Ernest Wesley (E.W. Pete) Saxon was born in Reagan on
September 9, 1903 and attended the
Reagan schools. Pete was a high school track star as a
miler, he went to state. I remember
Pete as the guy who ran the soda shop near the highway
during the 40's and 50's; very
popular with all the Reagan school kids. Pete died in
Marlin on May 25, 1989.
Alice Saxon (Winzer)
George Jefferson and Mary Emma Culver
Scroggins Children:
Mary- Born October 9, 1918
Georgia Anna- Born August 8, 1923
James Verlin (J.V.) and Edna Lillian Kinkel Scroggins
(Ran the Scroggins Grocery Store and the ice
house)
Children: Billye Scroggins Parten
Marilyn Yvonne Scroggins
Marilyn
was born on December 27, 1935
(excellent pianist)
Georgia Lorene- Born on
Christmas Day, December 25, 1940 (one of my
classmates)
Georgia Scroggins
Sally Kay- Born December 18, 1945
Rose Mary- Born July 7, 1949
Frank Salvato
Walter Len and Alma lqagmon Shaunfield. Walter Len was born in 1899 and died in 1939. Alma was born in 1897 and died in 1974.
Charles & Leah Frances (Carter) Shaunfield
Children: Twins- Enoch Wesley and George Wallace
Shaunfield
SHAUNFIELD, John Keith, b 4-25-1867, d 5-24-1938 - son
of Charles & Leah
SHAUNFIELD, Sarah E. ("Sallie" Davis - wife of John
Keith Shaunfield, b 9-20-1879,
d 12-31-1966
Charles and Leah (Carter) Shaunfield
Children:
Enoch Wesley
Enoch Wesley and James Clairemond DUKE (Tem)SHAUNFIELD. Tem was born on February 11, 1880 in Buena Vista, Monroe County, Alabama, and died 1948 in Falls County, Texas. Tem married Enoch Wesley SHAUNFIELD on May 22, 1896 in Falls County, Texas. Enoch Wesley SHAUNFIELD was the son of Charles SHAUNFIELD and Leah CARTER.
Enoch Wesley and Tem Duke Shaunfield
E.W. Shaunfield Groceries (Photo taken in the late 1930's). Joe Dudley Shaunfield, salesman and Wesley Shaunfield. Store was located on the corner next to the post office.
E.W. Shaunfield Groceries. Shown in front of the store are Joe Dudley Shaunfield, salesman, Dub, and Wesley Shaunfield. Store was located on the corner next to the post office.
Children of Enoch and James DUKE SHAUNFIELD:
Walter Lynn SHAUNFIELD, born March 2, 1899 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas; died 26 June 1939. He married Alma WAGNON.
Mary Wesley SHAUNFIELD, born February 29, 1908 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. She married Seth BRANTNER.
Jack SHAUNFIELD, born October 3, 1910 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. He married Ila Belle SMITH
Jack Shaunfield and Homer Kelly. Photo taken in 1918.
Jack and Ila Belle Smith Shaunfield
Jack Shaunfield (October 3, 1910- October 4, 1989) was born in
Reagan, Falls County, Texas. He married
Ila Belle Smith (1913-1990). Jack and Ila Belle Smith Shaunfield had one son, Jackie Shaunfield (1947-1998). The couple lived in Reagan most of their lives and attended the Reagan Baptist Church.
Jackie Shaunfield, Reagan School Photo, 1953.
Jackie Shaunfield and Dan Heatherington. Photo taken in June 1961.
Charles Shaunfield- carpenter
and
and lay minister who built the Methodist Church in Reagan.
George Wallace Shaunfield
Charles William and Irma Sharp Shaunfield
"Dear Mr. Kubiak,
I just found your webpage about Reagan and I was delighted. You
mention many
of my relatives and Covington cemetery where many of them are buried.
My
father, Charles William Shaunfield was born in Reagan in 1899 and he
married
my mother, Irma Sharp there in 1919. Although you do not mention my
grandfather, George Wallace Shaunfield, who moved from Alabama to
Reagan when
he was a young boy, you do mention his twin brother. My grandfather
and his
brother were individually owners of two general stores in Reagan. They
were
competitors. My great grandfather, Charles Shaunfield, was a carpenter
and
and a lay minister. He built the Methodist Church in Reagan. I was
very
glad to see the children standing front of it for their picture. My
mother's
father, Rev. Thomas Columbus Sharp, was pastor of the Methodist Church
in
1917-19. My mother met my father while she was attending Reagan High
School.
I was born in Marlin, but my parents moved to Port Arthur when I was
only a
few months old because my father's cousin, Walter Lynn Shaunfield was
there.
I don't know if you are familiar with the booklet written many years
ago by
Charlie Tillery, my father's first cousin, about the Hetherington and
Broughton families. Although the exact date of Charles Richard
Broughton's
death is unknown, he calculated that it was about 1897. As for the
death of
Mary R. Snell Broughton, he estimated with less accuracy that it was
between
1890 and 1895.
My father's mother was Margaret (Maggie) Hetherington. I am working on
the
genealogy of my family and it was very interesting for me to find what
you
have done."
I have a question about the permission of the Spanish government to
Austin to
settle in Texas. I know that Mexico won its independence from Spain in
1821.
Would that then be a valid permission if it was given in 1822?
Congratulations on all the work you have done. Thanks very much.
Sister Paulette Shaunfield, CCVI
Joe (Dud) Shaunfield Photo taken in 1945
Tim W. Shaunfield
December 30, 1923 - March 11, 2010
Tim W. Shaunfield was born Dec. 30, 1923, in Reagan, to Walter L. and Alma Wagnon Shaunfield. He was a graduate of Texas A & M University where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1949, and he practiced in that field for over 30 years, working for Lumus Corporation in Houston. He retired in 1982 and moved back to Falls County where he has lived since that time. He was a most scholarly man who loved to read and to debate the scriptures. Mr. Shaunfield translated the new testament from the original Greek to English. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Louisville during World War II, receiving 14 battle stars. He was a member of the Eastside Church of Christ in Marlin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Kate Shaunfield in 2003. Tim was survived by nephews, Miles and Randy Shaunfield of Rosebud, and Benny Shaunfield of Lake Limestone.
Charles Rose (Charlie)and Bernice Fuller Short
(Ran a Sinclair Service Station on Highway 6)
Children:
Norman Ross- Born on August 18, 1940. Married Jo Kubena in 1962 and lives in Rosenberg Tx.(Fort Bend; HW59).
Norman Short, 6th Grade, 1953
Joe-married Sally Scroggins and lives near Riesel, Texas.
Joe Short, 1952
Annette Short (Spedora)
Mike and Francis (Sweney) Short
SMITH, Norman G., 1888-1954
SMITH, Cleo W. - wife of N.G. Smith, 1887-1976
MURILLO ELIZABETH (HARLAN) SMITH was born December 26,
1908 near Reagan Falls County. She currently resides
in Walters, Oklahoma. She is the only living child of
James Henry , born November 18, 1839 who was a veteran
of the Army of the Confederacy. She is also the aunt
of William Elihu Harlan, Jr. who also belongs to the
club.
Loraine Covington Smith- Born in Reagan on January 4, 1911.
Melinda Smith
Dear Mr. Kubiak...My mother is Loraine Covington Smith, who was born in Reagan January 4, 1911. Her mother was Frances Raiford, known as Fannie Raiford...Her father was Robert Ewell Covington. The Raifords and Covingtons were both longtime Reagan families (The McCoys, Lairds, Dukes, Shaunfields are also related to us) so we were quite surprised to find your website. Could you tell us more about your research? My mother is very interested in knowing more about the old families that may still have ties to the community, and she thought perhaps she could help you fill in some of the gaps of family names that seem to be missing on your website. Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you. (Melinda Smith)
SMITH, Teddy James, Jr., b & d 7-8-1984
SPROTT, Alston, b 8-31-1847, d 9-7-1910 - aged 63
years, 7 days
SPROTT, Sarah Elizabeth (May) - wife of Alston Sprott,
and daughter of James R. May, b 4-16-1867 in Atlanta,
Georgia, d 1-16-1958
SPROTT, Alston Dunn, b 10-27-1893, d 11-6-1971
SPROTT, Thomas Benjamin, 1883-1927
SPROTT, Estelle (Dickens) - wife of Thomas B. Sprott
(2nd husband, Louis LeSassier). and daughter of
Charles N.& Salome Aurelia (Barganier) Dickens, b
12-18-1893, d 9-27-1978
SEGREST, Ollie (Sprott) - wife of John Segrest, and
daughter of Alston & Sarah E. (May) Sprott, b
11-21-1890, d 2-11-1921
Ashley Stanley
Tim Stanley
Martha Stanley
Ryan Stanley
Martha Caroline "Callie" Stallworth - married Andrew Peyton 1858 - 1940. Children include:
Peyton, Agnes, born May, 1880 Peyton, Sallie L., Daughter, born Aug, 1881 Peyton, Marian, Daughter, born Aprl, 1894, Peyton, Rosa, Daughter, born Oct, 1886
Peyton, Charles L., Son, born June, 1888 Peyton, Callie, Daughter, born Dec, 1889 Peyton, Andrew, Daughter, born Jan, 1892,
G.C. Stone
John and Lula Krysinski Snider.
In 1942, John and Lula Snider bought a farm 2 miles
west of Reagan where they farmed and
raised a big family. In the early 50's, they moved to
Bremond where the spent the rest of
their lives on a small farm just outside of town.
(both deceased)
Family:
Angie Snider Norbitt Snider- currently operates a
farm and a barber shop in Bremond
L.B. Snider- Attended Reagan schools, met with a tragic horse accident that put him in a coma in the Marlin Hospital for over 160 days. He did recover, but had to learn to speak and walk all over again. Died in Bremond at the age of 40.
Aloysius John (Al) Snider-Born June 22, 1940.
Currently works in Houston as a manager for
Texaco.
Mildred Snider- Born August 15, 1942- Currently
operates an antiques store in Calvert
(Millie's Antiques).
James Dalton and Hellen Hilliard Springer (Moved away
in 49)
Children:
Linda Ann - Born September 3, 1940 (one of my
classmates in the 3rd grade)
Sandy and Jessie Mae Mason Stewart
(Colored family that lived just north of the Methodist
Church).
Children:
Robert
Charles Stewart,
Arthur Stewart,
Charlie Raymond Stewart,
James Earl- Born August 10, 1945
Hattie Mae Stewart
Ida Mae Stewart- Born August 14, 1947
Annie Richey Stone, sister of Julia Ann Richey Stone, was the third wife of
Adolphus Wakefield Stone. She was born in 1851 in Texas. Adolphus is buried at McClanahan Cemetery.
Clyde and Daisy Stone. Clyde was the younger brother of George Cousins Stone
His brother, Clyde Stone was a grade or two behind George Stone and attended Reagan schools until the high school closed. He then transferred to Kossee High School.
Mr. And Mrs. George Cousins Stone, Jr. George Cousins Stone was in the last graduating class at Reagan.
Children:
Beverly Ann Richey was the sister of Julia Ann Richey Stone.
Julia Ann Richey Stone, 2nd wife of
Adolphus Wakefield Stone, was born Aug. 29, 1849 in Hineston,Rapides Parish, LA., the daughter of Abel Richey & Elizabeth Jones. She died Dec. 20, 1932 in Reagan,
Falls Co., TX. & is buried in Hog Island Cemetery, Falls Co., TX. She was
83 years, 3 months, & 20 days old at the time of her death.
Kie and Willie Storemski (2 miles SE of town)
(Farmer)
Children:
Teresa Storemski
Daniel Storemski
Dan Storemski, 1953
Louise Storemski
Willie Storemski
March 10, 1910 � Jan. 26, 2001
BREMOND � Services for Willie Snider Storemski, 90, of
the Reagan community in Falls County,
Texas, are set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's
Catholic Church in Bremond. Mrs.
Storemski died Friday in Marlin.
She was born in Marlin and was a homemaker. She
attended Wooten Wells schools and was a
member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Holy Rosary
Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kie
Storemski.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel
and Alice Storemski of Reagan; two
daughters and a son-in-law, Theresa Wisnoski of
Houston and Louise and Roy Erwin of Reagan;
a brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Natalie Snider
of Willis, Texas; a sister and
brother-in-law, Christine and Frank Knapik of Bremond;
seven grandchildren; nine
great-grandchildren; and four
great-great-grandchildren.
STRICKLIN, Ross, b 9-20-1884, d 4-9-1945
STRICKLIN, Nettie, b 1-3-1895 - no death date
STRICKLIN, J. C., b 12-13-1855, d 1-13-1937
STRICKLIN, Nannie - wife of J. C. Stricklin, b
12-1-1862, d 5-23-1936
STRICKLIN, Edd, b 5-12-1875, d 4-4-1942
STRICKLIN, Fannie Lee - wife of Ed Stricklin, b
1-22-1894, d 12-21-1969
Guy Wesley and Minnie Kathryn Jones Stricklin
Children:
Kathryn Ann - Born July 26, 1938
Ruby Jean- Born July 3, 1940
Ruby Jean Strickland
Martha Ruth- Born March 25, 1945
Martha Ruth Strickland
Received the following information from Ann Stricklin Byer:
" I (Ann Strickland Byer) am the oldest, then Jean then Martha. Before Jean and I started to school,we lived out from Highbank. The bus I rode into school in the first and second grade was a pickup with a camper top on the back. There was no flood control then so when the Brazos River got out, all the Highbank kids got to go home early. I had to stay in Reagan with my grandmother (Mammy).
The first night I was there we had Dr. Pepper, cheese, crackers and onions and played Flinch. That was when they hung onions in the rafters of an outbuilding so Mammy had to get them as I was afraid of chickens. The next morning we had ham, biscuits and red-eyed gravy. I thought that was wonderful. Our parents, Guy and Kathryn, bought the house next door to the Morrris' about the time Jean started to school, I think.
I am seven years older than Martha so I guess she was born just before moving into Reagan or right after. I was in Mrs. Burnett's last first and second grade class. We had inspection every morning. We would put our hands on a Kleenex or handkerchief and someone would come around and see that our nails, ears and teeth were clean. Mid morning and I think in the afternoon we would go down the street to the cafateria for grapefruit juice and I guess a cookie or something. I was so afraid of Mrs. Burnett. She had taught my father and his brother and sister. They said if she got mad she hit you with an eraser. Every day we had writing class of push/pulls and circles.
When Jean started to first grade Miss Truett, from Kosse, took Mrs. Burnett's place. Miss Phillips, a school teacher, moved from Buell's to my grandmother's house after the death of my grandfather. I don't remember what grade I was in, but she asked for me to get to go to the prison in Huntsville with her class. I got to go and I saw them make license plates and one of the boys sat in the electric chair.
The summer before my seventh grade, our parents were divorced. Our grandmother, Mother's mother, had moved in with us. Mother thought she was not going to be able to keep the Reagan house and had already looked into renting a duplex in Marlin. Can you imagine five females in a duplex after being used to a house.
Luck was with her however and she was able to refinance and stay in the house. Jean and I had already started to school in Marlin. One day Mr. Tate called all the Reagan kids, seventh grade and below, into his office and told up we would be going back to Reagan. That included the Highbank kids in our grades. I was so excided to get back to Reagan School. I guess we started back on a Monday and Betty Kirkpatrick and Delores Kindred came down the street to meet us. Mr. Calvin Whatley was my teacher but I don't remember Jean's.
During the previous years, I had been taught by my aunt, Daddy's sister, Billye Gene, and Kay Kelly, the wife of Daddy's cousin Tom Kelly.
One year a Mrs. Hanks, wife of our principal, was our teacher and she brought an avacado to school because we were studying where they were grown. That was the first time I had eaten avacado and did not care for it at the time.
I remember the Cole's. I did not know what he did but she was our GA leader. I remember Charlie Short having the bus station and Sinclair station. We could buy fifty cents worth of gas and really go places. We used to go to the gym and skate. You had to wear lace-up shoes as the skates had a key to tighten them on with.
Pete's Place was where we got off Bus 14 and went every Sunday after lunch. I remember when the Mr. & Mrs. Alston had the first TV that I had seen. It was so snowy. Then the next one was the Morris', We did not get a TV until our mother married the manager of Rush-Gardner-Bartlett, Gene Dickerson. That was the spring of my Junior year. They bought a house in Marlin and we moved to Marlin during the Thanksgiving holidays of my Senior year.
I met my husband, Lester Byer, when we were Seniors. There were about four homerooms in our grade but we were not in the same one until that last year. We dated and married September 21, 1957.
Our daughter, Lee Ann, was born October 3, 1958. Lester went to work at the Blackland Watershed between Riesel and Mart. For a year they constructed a watershed in Sonora, Texas, the only town in the county and about 90 miles north of Del Rio.
In l960 the three of us moved to Sonora for Lester to take over the project. Our son, Keith, was born in Sonora June 28, 1963. I worked in the Sheriff/Tax Collector's office from l965 until January, 1973. They closed the Sonora project in December, 1972, and he was transferred back to Riesel to manage the watershed here.
Our daughter, Lee Ann, married Robert (Bobby) Stewart and they live in Riesel. They have two boys, Michael and Daniel. The three guys are into mud racing so you can imagine where we are every Saturday night of that season. Our son Keith is in Moscow, Russia. He is married to Viktoria (Vika) and they have a daughter, Olga, and a son Caleb (Sasha). They come to the states every other Christmas and every summer and we go there on the alternate Christmas'.
Jean had two girls, Lisa and Dawn. Jean teaches kindergarten in Marlin.
Martha had two boys, Michael and David. Martha owns Accent Floors in Killeen.
Lester, Jean and I have tried retirement but could not last because we had no outside interests. Jean had taught in Waco schools but came to a much more relaxed atmosphere in Marlin. Lester and I worked for the USDA. Him over 30 years and me about 12. He went to work on the yard crew for McLennan Community College (MCC) in Waco and has since has transferred to their Highland Ranch. He loves to work outside. I work three days a week at the EXXON station in Riesel.
There have been some mini-reunions this past year starting with Jessie Wyatt contacting people on e-mail. While Bro. Wyatt was in Reagan our back yards joined and Jane was my age and Jessie was Jeans. I think Joan was older than Martha. Everyone has really enjoyed them. Seems like there have been different people at each one and Jean and I have renewed many old friendships.
SEE YOU AT HOMECOMING EVERY EVEN YEAR.
SWINNEA, Homer R. - a Twin to Oma Roy Swinnea - buried
in Stranger Cemetery, and son of Thomas S. & Julia I.
(Varnado) Swinnea, b 7-4-1901, d 3-29-1970
SWINNEA, Lucy Virginia (Adams) - wife of Homer R.
Swinnea, and daughter of Robert Pleides Orion &
Cynthia Temperance (Crouch) Adams, b 2-18-1903, d
11-30-1983
(2 miles east of Reagan)
(Farmer)
Children:
Homer Rob - Born May 28, 1938
Homer Swinnea, 6th Grade, 1953
Albert Millard Tacker
Albert Millard Tacker was born December 20, 1937, to Albert M. and Edie Zost Tacker in Otto, Texas. He attended schools in McClanhan, Reagan and Marlin. He graduated from Marlin High School in May of 1956.
On June 6, 1959, he and Bonnie B. Cummings were married in Texas City, Texas to this union, daughters Tamara and Cindy were born.
Albert dedicated 20 years of faithful service (June 1956-July 1976) to the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Control Radar Maintenance Technician and received many decorations and awards and letters of appreciation and accolades for his outstanding accomplishments. Upon the occasion of his retirement, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Albert was stationed at Lackland AFB, Texas; Keelser AFB, Mississippi; Guam, MI; Gray AFB, Texas; Bergstrom AFB, Texas; South Vietnam; Walker AFB, New Mexico; Thailand; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; and Frederick MAP, Oklahoma during his service time.
After retirement, Albert attended T.S.T.C. in Waco and received his diploma in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. He was then employed by Command Aire Corporation as a Q.C. Inspector until May 1982. In August 1982, he went to work at the Baylor University Physical Plant as a Refrigeration Technician. He retired from Baylor Physical Plant Operations in March 1999. He received the Outstanding Craftsman Award from Baylor University in 1992.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents Albert M. Tacker, Sr. and Edie Martha Zost Tacker. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife Bonnie Cummings Tacker; daughters Tamara and husband Tim Shanks of Texas City, Texas and Cindy and husband Paul Ward, Sr. of League City, Texas; grandchildren Jaime Shanks, Holly Shanks, Paul (P.J.) and wife Kristy Ward, and Blaine Ward; great grandchildren Nathan Ward and Joey Ward; brother Charles and wife Vincent Tacker of Highbank, Texas; sister Ann and husband Bill Dunburg of Rye, Texas, and numerous other relatives and friends.
Elaine Tarter
Fletcher and Effie (Swinnea) Tate. Fletcher and Effie had three children: a son, Chester Tate, a daughter Mary Beth Tate Malcik and a second daughter, Margaret Tate Hay.
Margaret Tate was born on Jan. 11, 1930 in Reagan, Texas. She attended school in Reagan, graduating from Marlin High School. She then continued her education at North Texas and Baylor University. At the age of 21, Margaret married Hugh Thompson Hay on March 31, 1951.Hugh and Margaret had two children:
Scott Hay Ann Tate Rekieta
Margaret Tate Hay taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church for over 30 years and was a teacher at Presbyterian Day School for many years. Margaret was an avid bridge player until poor health permitted her not to.
Margaret Tate Hay died at the age of 77 on Friday, April 13, 2007. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Marlin, with Rev. Jimmy Phillips officiating and she was burried at Marlin's Hillcrest Cemetery.
Preceding Margaret in death were her parents, Fletcher and Effie Swinnea Tate and a brother Chester Tate.
Chester Wright (Pop) Tate
Talmadge Dewitt and Doris Ruth Taylor ( Mrs. T.D.
Taylor was my 3rd Grade Teacher)
(Lived in Marlin and commuted to Reagan for one
year)
TANKERSLEY, George, b 1-5-1833, d 12-11-1884
TANKERSLEY, Flora A. (or J.) - wife of George Tankersley, b 7-4-1843, d 2-27-1924
TILLERY, John Preston, b 6-8-1856, d 8-9-1929 - a son
of Alfred & Harriett
(Vines) Tillery
TILLERY, Mary Rebecca (Hetherington) - wife of John
Preston Tillery, and daughter of John Monroe *
Margaret Ann (Broughton) Hetherington, b 2-28-1873, d
9-10-1951
Mary Truett (Kosse)
1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Roland Guy and Hazel Pauline McCarver Turnipseed
Roland Guy and Hazel Pauline McCarver Turnipseed
Imogene on the left, Milton on the Tricycle
Children: Dorothy Imogene- Born in McClennon County on
March 12, 1937. Imogene currently
lives in Rosebud, Texas.
Dorothy Imogene Turnipseed
Hazel Frances- Born December 9, 1939 in Reagan. died
in 1997
Hazel Francis Turnipseed, 6th Grade, 1953
Milton Guy- Born December 23, 1943 in Reagan. Attended Reagan and Marlin schools and active in the Reagan Methodist Church. Milton married Peggy Jeanett Krueger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie H. Krueger of Temple and a graduate of Troy High School and Temple Junior College. Milton was a 1962 graduate of Marlin High School where he was active in sports. He went on to graduate from Temple Junior College and Baylor University.
Milton and Peggy now live in Walburg, Texas near Georgetown.
Milton Turnipseed
Glenda--currently lives in Austin
Frank Tusa
Jacob and Ingrid Tusa.
Jacob grew up in Reagan, Texas and earned a judging team scholarship at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. There he received an Associates Degree and was a member of their Livestock Judging Team. Jacob earned the 10th High Overall award at the North American Junior College Livestock Judging Contest, 7th High Overall at the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, 1st Placings Overall at the Sioux Empire Judging Contest, and 13th High Overall at the American Royal.
Jacob then went on to attend Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in Animal Science. While at A&M, Jacob was a member of TAMU's National Champion Livestock Judging Team. One of his proudest accomplishments was being awarded 3rd High Individual at the North American Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Kentucky and 2nd High Individual at the National Western Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest in Denver, Colorado.
Jacob operates a local Reagan business known as the Tusa Show Cattle company and serves over 100 major customers nationwide.
Jacob has an interesting website at:
http://www.tusacattle.com
Jacob and Ingrid Tusa of the Tusa Show Cattle Company
Fred and Eddie Van Cleave. Fred played varisity football at Reagan and was in the graduating class of Reagan High School in 1940.
Fred Van Cleave (photo taken in 1939).
Sunday, May 26, 1996, this fine looking bunch of Class of 1940 Reagan Graduates gathered for breakfast at Los Pepe's Restaurant. Ten members were present including (L-R) Fred Van Cleave, Buddy Morris, Mattie Lou Earls, (Behind her), Cecil Johnson, Pollyanna Woodland, (behind her) Oran Ward, Annette Short, Frank Salvato, Willis Davis, and Billye Scroggins.
WAITE, Helen Elizabeth - daughter of W .E. & Mary
Wa4.te, b 8-28-1902, d 6-11-1912
WAITE, W. E., b 4-27-1856, d 12-5-1916
WAITE, Mary M. -'Powers) - wife of W. E . Waite, b
9-16-1860, d 3-22-1922
DILLARD, Frankie Waite - wife of Edward Howard, and
daughter of W. E. &
Mary M. (Powers) Waite, b 1-22-1883, d
7-3-1972
DILLARD, Edward Howard, b 12-21-1882, d
3-6-1922
WAITE, Samuel Aubrey, b 9-3-1884, d 2-12-1916
WAITE, Joe A. - lst husband of Beth Ward, b 2-19-1894,
d 12-27-1932
John Lewis WALKER was born on Jul 8 1858 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. He died on Jun 2 1939 in Krum, Denton County, Texas.
He was married to Nancy Caroline MCCARTY on Feb 25 1883 in Erath County, Texas. Children were:
Alfred Henry "Henry" WALKER, John Flavious WALKER, Robert E. Lee WALKER , Samuel L. WALKER , Eva WALKER-Born in Reagan on August 9,
1893, married Homer Edward Inmon. Eva
died July 9, 1975 in Krum, Denton County, Texas.
, James Bryant WALKER , Mary Ethel WALKER Mae WALKER Joe Weldon WALKER
Wayne T. Wagnon, nephew of Mrs. W. L. Shaunfield,
attended Reagan Schools. Entered the Marines in 1944,
trained in San Diego, Cal.; served on Iwo Jima, in
Hawaii and Japan.
BR>
Casey Walden- missionary of the
First Baptist Church in Reagan, Texas. Casey worked with the Vietnamese during the war. The following is an except from an investigative report published back in the 70's:
"The Hmong have been the most fertile group for conversion of all the ethnic minorities," says Baptist missionary Casey Walden of First Baptist Church in Reagan, Texas.
"The reasons are twofold. First, they have suffered tremendous persecution. Second, their traditional culture speaks of a returning Messiah who will deliver them from their oppression. The mythology led the Hmong to visualize a man in a military uniform driving up in a Jeep, rather than a Messiah descending from the clouds.
"Sometimes we evangelize the Hmong via short wave radio. I even saw several villages convert to Christianity at a crusade. Someday in the near future we may need a revival tent so big it will have to be made by aliens from outer space," Walden says with obvious pleasure.
John Lewis Walker was born on Jul 8 1858 in the Hog Island region of Falls County, Texas. He died on Jun 2 1939 in Krum, Denton County, Texas. He was married to Nancy Caroline McCarty on Feb 25 1883 in Erath County, Texas.
Children include: Alfred Henry "Henry" Walker John Flavious Walker Robert E. Lee Walker Samuel L. Walker Eva Walker James Bryant Walker Mary Ethel Walker Mae Walker Joe Weldon Walker.
Eva Walker was born on Aug 9 1893 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. She died on Jul 10 1975 in Denton, Denton County, Texas. Parents: John Lewis Walker and Nancy Caroline McCarty .
She was married to Homer Edward Inmon on Dec 19 1911 in Hemming, Cooke Co., Texas.
Children of Homer Edward and Eva Walker Inmon included: Ethel Mae Inmon
Ernest Glen Inmon
Mary Lea Inmon
Winnie Maxine Inmon
Allen Ray Inmon
Betty Jean Inmon
Robert E. Lee Walker was born about Jun 1888 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas. He died about 1906 in Falls County, Texas.
T. and Jo Walling
Orin Ward
Francis Ward
WARD, Henry W., b 6-4-1855, d 2-23-1936
WARD, Samuella, b 10-4-1872, d 9-26-1962
WARD, Harry L., b 1-9-1899, d 2-24-1978 .WARD,
Charles, b 1-26-1858, d 8-12-1944
WARD, Edmonia - wife of Charles Ward, b 11-6-1861, d
12-31-1938
WARD, Robert Luther, b 2-9-1887, d 3-20-1958 - WW 1:
Pvt., Co. C, 56th
Infantry
Wallace Ward - born May 4, 1920, in Reagan, Texas
WARD, Bessie Mae, b 6-4-1889, d 6-5-1963 CABANISS,
Frank, 1879-1938
William Lewis Wardlaw, settled his family in the Reagan area in 1857 after some years in Greene County, Alabama and then Bradley County, Arkansas. The only �firm� location information I have is that the plantation was �near Reagan� and about �five miles from the falls.� I know that the falls �moved� after a flood in the 1860s. He died there in the fall of 1862 and his widow, Elizabeth, died there three years later. They had many children, my great-grandfather, Newton Jasper Wardlaw, being the second youngest son. After their mother�s death, he and the other younger siblings went to live with their Uncle Addison Wardlaw in Ellis County, near Italy, Texas. The oldest daughter, Martha, married George Long and ended up inheriting the �homestead� portion of the plantation. Their daughter, Pinkie, married a member of the Tacker family. The many Tackers in Falls County today are the result of this union.
At some point, around the mid-1870s, Newton Jasper Wardlaw and his younger brother, David Lewis Wardlaw, after taking some courses at Tehuacana College near Mexia, returned to the Reagan area. In 1878, my great-grandfather Newton married Nancy J. Cody, who had recently arrived from Arkansas with her mother and step-father, Mark Barbee. Her father, David Cody (apparently a kinsman of William F. Cody) died at the Battle of Shiloh. After a short time, the Wardlaws and Barbees moved from Falls County to Runnels County in west Texas. But my great-granduncle, David Lewis Wardlaw stayed and married Tishua Rogers. She died shortly after the birth of their only child, Herbert, and is buried in the Rogers Family cemetery in Reagan.
At some point David Lewis Wardlaw went into partnership with his in-laws in Kosse and then Reagan with a store known as Wardlaw & Rogers. I was hoping you might have some information about this business. On a visit to Reagan in about 1975, I spoke with a very elderly lady sitting with two elderly gentlemen on the porch of one of the few remaining �downtown� buildings there. After some deep thought, she recalled that she had once �dated� Davis Lewis Wardlaw by agreeing to let him give her a buggy ride home from church. She said the relationship ended that same day when he attempted to hold her hand during the ride home. She told him that �she wasn�t that kind of girl� and that was the end of that. Later, Davis Lewis Wardlaw moved on to Quanah, Texas where, besides other jobs, he was the United States Marshall.
Pauline Leona Warhol
(Oct. 25, 1908 � Jan. 5, 2001)
Pauline Leona Warhol, 92, of Bremond died Friday in
Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
She was born in Reagan, Texas, and was a longtime
resident of Bremond. She was a homemaker
and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the
St. Mary's Rosary Society.She was
preceded in death by her husband, Pete L. Warhol; and
two infant sons, Adam Warhol and Frank
Warhol.
Ruth Warner
WATTS, Baby Buford Marvin - Son of Buford Erskine &
Hela Mae (Moore) Watts,
b 10-30-1943, d 11-8-1943
WATTS, Buford Erskine - son of Buford Morgan & Mabel
Agnes (Erskine) Watts,
b 6-30-1919, d 3-7-1945 - WW II: PFC, 9th Marines, 3rd
Marine Division (killed in action)
Calvin A. and Julia B. Calvin Whatley
(Principal and teacher at Reagan Schools). The
Whatleys currently live on a small farm just
outside of Troy between Temple and Waco.
WHITE, Lewis W., b 3-20-1913, d 1-31-1974
WHITE, Billy C., b 6-7-1938, d 1-7-1984
Alice Saxon Winzer
Joyce White
Joyce White, Reagan, 1953
WHITE, William Ed, b 10-24-1891, d 2-24-1952 - WW I:
Pvt., U. S. Army
WILLIAMSON, Ed Hart, b 12-11-1898, d
12-22-1964
WILLIAMSON, Lillie - wife of Ed Hart Williamson, b
5-31-1906 - no death date
WILLIAMSON, Baby, b & d 1-1-1928
WINZER, Milton Lee,, b 3-7-1874, d 10-29-1904
WINZER, Nettie Iola - daughter of J.S.M. & M.L. Winzer, b 2-16-1899, d 11-11-1908
(surveyed in 1963 by Norma Rutledge Grammer as b 2-16-1899, d 11-11-1903)
Nadine Winzer, daughter of William Pickens and Lela Elizabeth Moore Winzer married Josh Crump and secondly Claude McCollum.
William (Bill) Pickens Winzer Jr., son of William Pickens and Lela Elizabeth Moore Winzer, married Alice Saxon. They had a son, Jack Warren Winzer.
Jack Warren Winzer, son of William (Bill) Pickens Winzer, Jr. and Alice Saxon Winzer. Jack Winzer, lived above the Reagan Post office in the early 40's and was a good friend of George Macdonald. Photo taken in the spring of 1950 when Jack Winzer was a
freshman at Tarletin Jr. College (now Tarleton State).
Jack Warren Winzer, son of William (Bill) Pickens Winzer, Jr. and Alice Saxon Winzer, standing beside his jeep. Jack's good friend, George Macdonald learned to drive on this old jeep. On one driving lesson,
George put the jeep in a deep ditch and they had to be towed out!
William Pickens and Lela Elizabeth (Moore) Winzer
William (Will)Pickens Winzer was born Dec 21, 1860 on a farm near Preston in Webster County, Georgia . He was the youngest child of Elijah and Mary McJunkin Winzer. He came with his immediate family, grandparents, John Saunders and Elizabeth Morrow McJunkin to Grimes County, Texas in 1867.
William Pickens Winzer (December 21,1860-June 25, 1955
standing on Railroad Street (main) in Reagan in front of his building housing the Moore Drug Company. The old building is currently used as the Reagan Post Office.
Will's Mother, Mary McJunkin Winzer, died in 1869 during the Yellow Fever epidemic when Will was only 8 years old. His older sisters probably took care of him till one of them, Mattie married James C. Tubb and at the age of 19 he was a farm laborer living with her and her husband in Grimes County.
Will moved to Reagan in the early 1880's. In 1883, Will married Mary E. Runnels in Reagan. A year later, his wife died and the one son by that marriage, Edward (a baby) went to live with his Mothers relatives.
Will's first purchases of land in Falls County TX are around 1899-1900. He had no one to help him out so it took him a long time working as a laborer and bartender to save enough money to purchase his own farm. After that he prospered and became a rancher, President and organizer of the Reagan State Bank and served on the Reagan School Board.
Will built the first and only 2 story building in Reagan, still standing, if in a dilapidated state and now used as the Post Office. It once housed an apartment and the Moore Drug Company. He had little or no formal schooling but he was able to read and write and keep math records.
Will married Lela Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Luther and Elizabeth Ann Jones Moore of Morton (Scott) Mississippi on December 18, 1893 in Reagan. Lela Moore was born on May 30,1874 and died September 25, 1923.
Will and Lela had six children:
Ola Lee Winzer who married Henry Earl Kelly, the Southern Pacific station agent in Reagan Bess Winzer who married Lee Shirley, a cattle buyer and trader from West Texas Nadine Winzer who married Josh Crump and secondly Claude McCollum William Pickens Winzer Jr. who married Alice Saxon Maurice Moore Winzer who married Dorothy Marie Davis from Princeton, Texas and Elizabeth was the youngest child (just 8 years old when her Mother died). Elizabeth Winzer went off to live with Bess after college and married Clark Anderson of Princeton, Illinois.
Will was financially able to send all his children to at least 2 years of college (including the girls). His wife had insisted that Will educate his daughters too but I suspect that he agreed eagerly as he certainly felt his lack of a formal education.
Will's second wife, Lela Moore, died in 1923 in Dallas in a hospital. She had taken ill and her daughter, Ola Winzer, took her to Dallas for additional medical diagnosis. It turned out to be a ruptured appendix and in those days that was sure death. Lela died in the hospital on Sept 25, 1923.
Granddaughter, Patricia Ruth Kelly (daughter of Henry Earl Kelly and Ola Lee Winzer)Gandy's fondest memories of life in Reagan revolved around Sunday dinners at his house (before it burned) and then upstairs in Will's apartment atop the Moore Building (currently the Reagan Post Office building).
"I sometimes spent the night with him and then rode with him in his car out to the farm. He went to the farm every day and I can remember him riding his horse when he was in his 80�s. The night before, he would tuck me into a cozy bed, wake me in the morning, fix a breakfast of bacon, biscuits and eggs for both of us and off we would go.
To this day when I smell an oak fire burning in a neighbor�s fireplace, memories of those simple, wonderful years are evoked and thoughts of my dear Grandfather come flooding back to me. Never too important to talk with or care for children, principled, but forgiving of our small indescressions; he was a beacon of joy to the small children."
Ola Lee Winzer Kelly, Husband Henry Early Kelly (the Southern Pacific station agent in Reagan), and children, Patricia Ruth and Robert Milton.
Ola Lee Winzer, Daughter of William Winzer, Reagan pioneer.
Henry Earl Kelly came to Reagan from Boyce, Texas in the 1920's and met and married Ola Lee Winzer, one of six children of Reagan pioneer, Will Winzer. Henry and Ola had two children: Patricia Ruth and Robert Milton.
L-R: George Macdonald, Patsy Kelly, dog Mitzi, and Patsy's brother, Robert Kelly. Photo taken in 1938-1939 timeframe).
Pat recalls,"I went back to Reagan many times to visit my Grandfather, my Aunt Nadine and Uncle Bill and their children Betty Sue Crump and Jack Warren Winzer. Jack and I were the same age and visited together quite a lot. I sometimes stayed a night or two on the farm but I usually stayed with my grandfather, Mr. Will as he was called by all who passed him on the street. In his later years. his daughters did not want him to drive but he did anyway for a really long time. When I visited, he would let me drive him to Bremond to get a shave and a haircut when there was no longer a barber in Reagan.
Mr. Will is my kin but I would claim him even if he were not. His children loved and respected him and so did his grandchildren. I am sure there are others who did too because I never heard him say an unkind word about another person. I did hear him �cuss� a mule one time, mildly but he never mistreated an animal, a child nor an employee. He was a Gentleman in the truest sense of the word, beloved by all of us who knew him well. I am proud of my Grandfather.
He died June 25, 1955 in a hospital in Marlin, TX. He was care for in his later years by his daughter Bess Winzer Shirley. He was 94 years of age. He lived a full and exemplarily life of playing by the rules but not getting rich except in the devotion of his family, the respect of his friends and service to his community. He was my grandfather, this MR WILL. �
Henry Earl and Ola Lee and their children,Patricia Ruth and Robert Milton moved to Riesel in 1940 and then to Waller, TX later that summer. The Kelly family remained in Waller until daughter, Patricia went away to college. Ola Lee Kelly later moved in with patricia in Deer Park after Henry Kelly died.
WINZER, Mary E. Runnels- first wife of William P. Winzer, born February 18,1864, died in Reagan on January 15, 1884 at the age of 19. Will and Mary Runnels were married in 1883 in Reagan. Mary Winzer died a year later and the one son by that marriage, an infant Edward Winzer went to live with his Mothers relatives.
SHIRLEY Bess Winzer, b 12-22-1896.9 d 5-5-1985
WINZER, J.S. Mack, b 9-8-1868, d 3-23-1935
WINZER, Mamie L. - wife of J. S. Mack Winzer, b
1-24-1874, d 9-4-1940
Porter Woliver
Andrew G. and Rosa Woltman
A.G. Sr. and Polly Anna Jones Woodland
Children:
A.G. Woodland Jr.
Aldredge "Bubba Woodland (19XX to January, 2002)-
Buried in Blue Ridge Cemetery
Children:
Sandra Woodland
Children:
Michelle Woodland Martin
Mabel Wornat
WORTHINGTON, John B., b 11-15-1920, d
2-19-1983
WORTHINGTON, Florence McEachern, b 12-5-1924, d
1-25-1978 - wife of John B.
Worthington
Rev. William Ray (W.R.) Wyatt was born on August 30, 1913 to William Robert and Lillian Wilmot Wyatt in Waco, McLennan County, Texas. W.R. Wyatt was the sixth of six children. W.R. Wyatt married Dorthy Evelyn (Brown) Wyatt on February 19, 1933.
Reverand W.R. and Dorothy Brown Wyatt (photo taken in 1947).
Dorothy was born in Galveston on October 4, 1915 to Porter James and Dewitt Jeanette Bryan Brown. Porter J. Brown was born on November 22, 1890 and died in a construction accident on December 14, 1933. His wife, Dewitt Jeanette Bryan Brown was born on June 10, 1889 and died December 24, 1961.
Dorothy Brown Wyatt, wife of Rev. Wyatt, is shown here in a four generations photo. Dorothy is the baby in this picture.
Shown in this picture are Dorothy's parents, Porter J. and Dewitt Jeanette Bryan Brown.
Photo taken in 1933 shortly before Porter's death in a construction accident.
This photo, taken in 1940, shows Rev. W.R. Wyatt and four daughters, Jessie, Jane, Jean and June.
The Wyatt family grew with the addition of Joan shown in this family photo of 1948.
William Ray and Dorothy Brown had a total of five daughters:
Dorothy June Wyatt Nesbit resides in San Antonio, Texas with
husband, Adrian Nesbit. Rev. Wyatt is deceased and his wife,
Dorothy Evelyn Brown Wyatt currently lives with them and in their
good care will be 90
years old this October 2005.
Delores Jean Wyatt Kemp resides in Salado, Texas with husband Leroy
kemp.
Doris Jane Wyatt Davis died on July 4, 2005 and is now buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jessie Dean Wyatt Anastas Innmon resides in Austin, Texas.
Donna Joan Wyatt was married for 40 years to Russell Meyer, who died in 2001 in Arlington, Texas, and is now married to Richard Bradley. Joan and Richard Bradley live on a farm near Lake of the Ozarks in Linn Creek, Missouri.
Rev. William Ray (W. R.) Wyatt was the Baptist Minister at the Reagan Baptist Church from the summer of 1947 through the summer of 1951. This photo of Rev. and Mrs. Wyatt was taken just after the snow of 1950.
Dorothy Brown Wyatt and her five children. Photo taken in 1950.
The following family update was sent to me on 1/24/05 by Jessie Wyatt Innmon who now lives in Austin.
"Rev. W. R. Wyatt was always a bi-vocational pastor. His
skills were in
carpentry and bridge construction.
We were in Reagan from Summer 1947 to summer 1951.
I will never forget the summers when our home was full of
Mission students
from Baylor. In the evenings after dad got off work, we
went to the black
community way out in the country, the Mexican community and
the Polish
community. Riding in the back of dad's pickup with tall
wooden side-boards,
we picked up kids from every farm house on the way and went
to old schools
or community centers to hold Bible Schools. This gave me a
heart for
missions.
Some of the Mission students were characters. Mary Bayless
could do the
Tarzan yell and as soon as a house was barely in site she
would yell.
Little kids came running from everywhere.
Another summer visitor was Mildred McWhorter who gave her
career to working
with street people in Houston.
Sam Longbottom who was Reagan principle for a short time
served with his
wife Marion in Viet Nam and then Hawaii before retiring.
One missionary's off-spring served in Brazil for thirty
years before
retiring.
Sally Bee Davis, a beautiful Reaganite of nineteen years
was so interested
in Missions that she joined us. One tragic day, one of our
Baylor students
and Sally Bee went to Marlin to pick up supplies with
Sally's two year old
nephew. There was a tragic accident and Sally Bee was
killed, her nephew
lived and the Mission student suffered many serious
injuries but lived This
was a very dark day for Reaganites..
The members of First Baptist were very close and had so
many great
fellowships together, of course over food.
Our next move in 1951 was to Mineral Wells where dad was
contractor and
builder as well as pastor of Immanuel Baptist. This is
where June and Jean,
the two older girls left home for college.
We moved to Fort Worth in 1955 where dad worked for a
bridge construction
firm as superintendent, drove a cab for one year to pay
college tuition and
pastored Melody Hills Baptist Church.
After we three younger ones left home, Dad and mom were
called to California
to the mission field. Dad pastored in Corona for a couple
of years and they
were on the pastorate to Mt. Whitney Baptist Church in Lone
Pine, California
for seven years.
Mom and dad moved back to Lake Whitney to build their
retirement home but
dad was sent to Potosi, Mo and Wyoming for three years to
work of Brown &
Root as superintendent. On weekends and Wednesday
evenings, mom would have
food ready and they would drive great distances between
ranches for him to
preach at small country churches.
Mom and dad retired once more to enjoy life on Lake Whitney
but soon, Cedar
Creek Baptist Church was seeking a pastor. Dad had been
with this older
church for several years when he began building a steeple
for the little
church.
He had his nail apron on and tools in hand when he dropped
dead one day in
September 1985 while mom was gone. He had pulmonary edema.
Until the end,
dad had always enjoyed good health.
The deacons of Cedar Creek finished the steeple and asked
all of us to come
to the dedication which we did. They were wonderful people
like Reaganites.
June Wyatt Nesbit resides in San Antonio, Texas with
husband, Adrian Nesbit.
Dorothy Evelyn Brown Wyatt lives with them and in their
good care will be 90
years old this October 2005.
Jean Wyatt Kemp resides in Salado, Texas with husband Leroy
kemp.
Jane Wyatt Davis lives in a nursing home in Tyler, Texas.
Jessie Wyatt Innmon resides in Austin, Texas.
Joan Wyatt Bradley resides with her husband, Richard in
Arlington, Texas
part of the year and on a farm in Linn Creek, Missouri the
remainder of the
year.
We gave dad and mom seven grandsons and five
granddaughters. There are
nineteen great-grandchildren".
Jessie Wyatt Innmon
For more information,
contact Len Kubiak at:
E-mail:
lenkubiak.geo@yahoo.com
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