By
Norman Lowell McCarver, Sr. & Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr. Used with permission of Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format by other organizations or individuals. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the written consent of McCarver family relatives or contact William Kent Brunette, Robertson County TXGenWeb coordinator.
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Biographical Sketches - B
BACKSTONE,
WILLIAM DENNIS
was born in Georgia, October 8, 1880 and came to Hearne, Texas to make his home
in 1912. His first employment in
Hearne was with R. R. Cole's General Merchandise Store and this employment was
continued until 1919.
In 1919, in partnership with
Herman W. Wilkerson he went into the retail grocery business for himself, this
firm being located on Magnolia Street. He
later bought his partner's interest in this business and continued in the retail
grocery business until 1943. After
discontinuing his retail grocery business he was a traveling salesman for a
wholesale grocery firm for several years.
Always
active in all phases of civic life, he served on the Hearne City Council for 22
years and was later County Commissioner of Precinct No. 2.
He
was married to Miss Fanny Wilkerson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wilkerson.
The following are children of Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone: William Dennis
Blackstone Jr. Ralf Blackstone, Alan Blackstone, Billy Blackstone, and Frances
Blackstone Wood.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone were members
of the Methodist Church where he served for many years on the Board of Stewards.
He was a former member of the Hearne Rotary Club, served as chairman for
the Robertson County Red Cross Chapter, and a Director of the Hearne Chamber of
Commerce. He was one of the most
ardent sports fan in the the community and followed the Hearne High School
athletic teams for many years.
William Dennis Blackstone died in
1952 after serving a very useful life to the Hearne community.
BANKS,
CHILDRESS F. SR.
was born in Wayne County, Tennessee in 1854, and came to Hearne in 1893.
He and his family settled on their farm located about five miles east of
Hearne near the Blackjack Community. In
the late years of his life he moved into Hearne where he spent his remaining
years.
He acquired considerable farm land
in Robertson County and for many years engaged in farming, cattle raising, and
vegetable farming.
Childress F. Banks was married to
Miss Melinda Fuller who was also born and reared in Wayne County, Tennessee.
Children born to Mr. and Mrs. Banks were: Jess C. Banks, W. Otis Banks,
C. E. Banks, Clarence F. Banks Jr., Ollie Banks Tullous, Ethel Banks Dotson,
Maude Banks Harrigan, and Cornelia Banks Barlett.
Childress F. Banks died August 8,
1933 and is buried in the Bethany Cemetery.
BARLETT, JOHN RALPH,
was born in Forest, Ohio, May
1, 1882. His parents were pioneer settlers in Ohio and were formerly from New
York. His father constructed one of the first lime kilns in the state of Ohio.
He moved to Hearne, Texas in
1906 and worked as a switchman in the Hearne yards for the H. & T. C. Railroad
Company. In 1914 he moved to Boyce, Louisiana and went into private business.
Later in that same year he returned to Hearne and worked for the I. & G. N.
Railroad Company.
In 1915 he was employed as a
salesman for a flour company and traveled throughout Central Texas in this work.
During the 1920's, in
partnership with Max Dotson, he owned and operated one of the first drive-in
service stations in Texas, this business being located on the corner of Market &
Fourth Streets in Hearne. In the late 1930's he owned and operated the Mecca
Tavern in Hearne and later constructed and operated the Acme Tourist Courts on
Brown Street.
After the death of his first
wife he was married to Cornelia C. Banks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Banks
of Hearne. Cornelia Banks Barlett was born January 22, 1883 and died August 9,
1932. A daughter, Beth Barlett Campbell, was born to John Ralph Barlett and
Cornelia Banks Barlett. Two other daughters, Dorothy Barlett West and Pauline
Barlett Hornsby were born to John Ralph Barlett and his first wife. After the
death of Cornelia Banks Barlett, John Ralph Barlett was married to Ruby Dodson
Long, a widow. Ruby Dodson Long Barlett has a son, Raymond Long.
John Ralph Barlett was most
active in the Masonic Lodge. He first joined the Masonic Lodge at Boyce,
Louisiana, October 2, 1914 and his membership was transferred to the Golden Rule
Lodge of Hearne, Texas, November 12, 1914. In the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of
Hearne he served as Senior Deacon, junior Warden, Senior Warden, Senior Deacon,
and Worshipful Master. He was made a Life Member of Golden Rule Masonic Lodge
of Hearne, Texas in 1948. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Galveston,
Texas and a Charter Member of the Ben Hur Shrine of Austin. In 1949 he was
Shriner of the Month and served as Deputy Potentate of the Ben Hur Shrine Temple
of Waco in 1953.
John Ralph Barlett died May 27,
1954.
BEAUMONT,
HARRY DAVID
was born at Cuero, Texas, March 4, 1880. His
father was David Greenleaf Beaumont of Mississippi and his mother was Emily
Lipscomb Beaumont. She was born in
Alabama.
Mr. Beaumont attended private school
in Cuero and later attended the public schools in that city, His father died in
1890 when Mr. Beaumont was a very young boy, so he had to go to work to help
support the family. His early
employment was in a bank in Cuero and he worked for ten dollars per month.
This job lasted for three years and then he worked the next ten years in
the office of the Cuero Oil Mill. He
worked for two years for the Cuero Telephone Company, four years for the Buchel
Light & Power Company of Cuero, and in 1909 came to Hearne and worked for
the Hearne Light & Power Company, a privately owned company, for two years and
then returned to Cuero to work for the Western Electric Company installing
equipment. He also worked for this
same company at Mart, Texas. In
1912, he worked for the H. & T. C. Railroad Company in Hearne and in 1913
began working for the City of Hearne as Superintendent of Utilities.
This employment lasted for 37 years, Mr. Beaumont retiring January 1,
1951.
Mr. Beaumont became a member of the
Hearne Masonic Lodge in 1910 and served for 22 years as secretary.
During his time of membership in this organization, he has held every
office in the local lodge. He was a
member of the Hearne Volunteer Fire Department from 1913 through 1942 and also
served as Fire Marshal for the City of Hearne for 37 years.
He
was married to Miss Bertha Gode at Beaumont, Texas, August 6, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont have two daughters: Marjorie Beaumont Quick and
Louise Beaumont Richards.
Mrs. Beaumont attended Incarnate
Word Academy in Houston and Texas State Women's College in Denton, Texas.
She served as secretary to Judge J. Felton Lane, a Hearne attorney, for
20 years, and since 1939 has been Secretary of the Hearne Building & Loan
Association.
BECKHAM,
BEVERLEY W. "BEV"
was born in Hearne, February 15, 1885, the son of Beverley W. Beckham and Sidney
Carr Beckham, and spent his entire life in Hearne and the Brazos Bottom.
His parents were early planters in the Brazos Bottom.
He attended private school in Hearne
and in his later boyhood attended school at Bingham College in North Carolina.
He was married to Miss Lillian
Easterwood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Easterwood.
Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beckham: Bevely W. "Beck"
Beckham and Henry Lawrence Beckham.
Bev Beckham was one of
Hearne's "old timer's" and operated large farming interests in the
Brazos Bottom for many years. He
was prominent in business circles in Hearne.
For
a number of years he owned and operated an automobile agency in Hearne, later
selling this business but continuing in this type of business with another firm
up to the time of his death.
He
became a member of the Hearne Masonic Lodge upon reaching manhood and held
several offices in this organization. Bev Beckham was the quiet,
unassuming type of person who went about attending to his own affairs and
accumulated a legion of friends in this area.
The
passing of Bev Beckham, October 4, 1951, marked the end of a career long
prominent in the great Brazos Valley, his family having been among the original
planters and settlers that accumulated and put into cultivation large acreages
of cotton.
Mrs.
Beckham died in 1944.
BECKHAM,
SIDNEY CARR,
the daughter of Lewis Whitfield Carr and Sidney A. Westbrook, was born in
Mississippi in 1857 and came to Hearne in childhood with her family to make her
home. She was educated at Nazareth College in Kentucky and was
married to Beverly W. Beckham, a native of Virginia.
Her husband, Beverley W. Beckham, was born in Virginia, April 11, 1845
and died in Hearne October 5, 1888.
Three children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Beckham; a son Beverly W. Beckham, and two daughters; Floy Beckham Robinson
and Lee Beckham Grogan.
Mrs. Beckham was a member of
the Baptist Church, the Woman's Missionary Union, and a charter member of the
Norwood Cemetery Association. She
possessed a sweet and Christian disposition and was greatly loved by family and
friends. Mrs. Beckham died in 1930.
BERRYHILL, ROY EDWARD,
son of Frank Berryhill and Gertha
Morrison Berryhill, was born May 7, 1912 at LaRue, Henderson County, Texas. He
was reared in Corsicana, Texas and attended the public schools of that city,
graduating from Corsicana High School with the Class of 1929.
Upon graduating from high school
he attended horology schools in Oklahoma and Illinois. In 1939 he established a
jewelry store business in Tishimingo, Oklahoma and continued his business in
that city for three years.
In 1941
he moved to Hearne, Texas and established a jewelry store and watch repairing
business. In 1942 he entered the U. S. Army Air Corps as a private. He served
in the European theater during World War II and received his discharge from
military service as a staff sergeant in January 1946.
He was married to Eulala Jayroe,
daughter of James I. Jayroe and Lela McDonald Jayroe of Corsicana, Texas, March
24, 1932.
Roy Edward Berryhill has been a
member of the First Baptist Church of Corsicana since 1924. He has served as a
member of the Board of Education of the Hearne Independent School District; is a
former member of the Hearne Rotary Club; is a member and Past Master of the
Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne; is Past President of Norwood Cemetery
Association; a member of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post of Hearne; a
member of the Scottish Rite at Austin; Vice President of the Scottish Rite
Association at the Sul Ross Lodge of College Station, Texas; served on the Board
of Tax Equalization for the City of Hearne; served as a deputy sheriff of
Robertson County, Texas; a member of the police force of the City of Hearne; and
a member of the National jeweler's Board of Trade.
BISHOP,
ANNIE LAURIE KIRKSEY
was born in Talladega, Alabama, January 11, 1876, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs.
William Kirksey.
Her
family moved to Dawson, Texas when she was a small girl and lived in that city
during her girlhood. The family
then moved to Hearne shortly before the turn of the century in 1898 and it was
here that Annie Laurie Kirksey met William Charles Bishop.
On February 11, 1901, Annie Laurie
Kirksey and William Charles Bishop were married at Corsicana, Texas and made
their home in Hearne. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop had two children: John Kathryn Bishop and
Thomas W. Bishop.
With the exception of the period
between 1909 and 1917 when the family moved to Palestine, Texas, Mr. and Mrs.
Bishop resided in Hearne during the remaining years of their lives.
Annie Laurie Bishop was a long time
resident of Hearne and for many years was a familiar figure in the business and
social life of Hearne. As a member of the staff of the Hearne Democrat for 23 years
and as a correspondent for several of the state's daily newspapers, she was
widely known as a newspaper woman of unusual ability.
She was a resident of Hearne for more than 50 years and she had a large
number of friends in church circles and women's clubs in Hearne.
She was actively engaged as associate editor of the Hearne Democrat until
January 1, 1948, at which time she retired due to failing health.
After her retirement she retained her interest in newspaper work and
continued to serve as correspondent for some of the state daily newspapers. Her church membership was with the Methodist Church.
During World War I, she taught a kindergarten school in Hearne.
Annie Laurie Bishop died August 8, 1950.
BISHOP, LONNIE CALVIN, son of Webb Bishop and Losia Guynes Bishop, was born February 13, 1892 at Bishopville in Robertson
County, Texas. He attended the rural school at Elliott, Texas. When
he was a boy, he farmed with his father.
In 1921, he began cotton farming on his own at Elliott
and farmed at this location until 1935. In 1935, he moved to Hearne and
farmed on the Wilkerson farm on the Blackjack road east of Hearne. In
1940, he returned to Elliott and farmed there through the latter part of 1945.
In 1945, he moved back to Hearne, Texas and on May 8, 1946 accepted employment
with the U.S. Post Office.
Lonnie Calvin Bishop married Morine Murry, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Murry, December 13, 1921. The marriage was performed in
Moody, Texas. The following children were born to Lonnie Calvin Bishop and
Morine Murry Bishop: Emily Jo Bishop, who married Glenn West; Mary
Elizabeth Bishop, who married Jack Seelye; and Calvin Webb Bishop.
Both Lonnie Calvin Bishop and Morine Murry Bishop are
members of the First Baptist Church of Hearne.
Lonnie Calvin Bishop entered the U.S. Army, Company C,
359 Infantry, April 22, 1918 and served during World War I. He served 10
months overseas duty and saw action in France. He received his discharge
from military service April 7, 1919. He is a former member of the Miles
Scriviner American Legion Post of Hearne.
BISHOP,
WILLIAM CHARLES
was born February 2, 1872 at old Boonville, a few miles from where the present
city of Bryan, Texas is now located. He
was the son of Peter Bishop of Kentucky and Catherine Golden Bishop, a native of
Louisiana.
He
came to Hearne as a mere youth, and his fine intellect and excellent clerical
ability aided him in securing employment with business concerns as bookkeeper
and clerk, prior to his entering railroad clerical employment in his early
manhood.
William
Charles Bishop was married to Miss Annie Laurie Kirksey, daughter of Dr. and
Mrs. William Kirksey, February 11, 1901. Two
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, a daughter, John Katheryn Bishop and
a son, Thomas W. Bishop.
Six years of his married life was
spent in Palestine, Texas in the employment of the I. & G. N. Railroad
Company, in clerical lines. He returned to Hearne to accept employment with the H. &
T. C. Railroad and this employment continued for the remainder of his life.
In addition to his railroad work, he
found time for various other activities, having served two years as editor of
The Hearne Democrat, during the time this paper was owned by his brother, Judge
John E. Bishop of Hearne; served two terms as justice of the Peace of the Hearne
precinct; served as a member of the Hearne School Board and as Secretary of the
Board; served the local K. P. Lodge as Chancellor Commander and as Keeper of
Records and Seals. He was a member
of the Methodist Church. Mr. Bishop
was one of the most scholarly and widely read men who ever lived in Hearne, his
reading covering a wide range, extending from classical literature and ancient
history, down to all of the latest topics engaging the public mind.
During his editorship of The Hearne
Democrat, his vigorous editorial policy and discussion of public questions, and
his activity in combating local evils and corrupt local and county politics
which were in vogue in that day, made his paper widely read and discussed
throughout the county. His paper wielded a wide influence for good government and
for civic betterment. He was a
quiet and modest man, and in his passing November 6, 1934, Hearne lost one of
its noblest and best citizens.
BIVIN,
HARRY,
son of William Worth Bivin and Elizabeth Peel Bivin, was born January 12, 1874,
at Hearne Texas.
He
began his work with the railroad as a mere lad, continuing with the same
company, the Houston & Texas Central Railroad which later became the
Southern Pacific Railroad, over a period of 52 years, said to have been the
longest record of continuous service known to the company.
In
his railroad career he never left the Hearne yards in his operation of
locomotives. He held the throttle
of all types of yard engines ranging from the locomotive 30-tonners of the early
days to the giant locomotive of the 1940's.
Wood, coal, lignite and oil had been
the fuels used in engines up to the time of his retirement in 1941.
No accident more serious than a derailment occurred during his long years
of service at the throttle.
He was married in August of 1909 to
Miss Annie Cook, daughter of Professor Jacob E. Cook and Augusta Cook.
Mr. Bivin brought his bride to Hearne that same year.
Mr. and Mrs. Bivin had one child, a daughter, Dorothy Bivin Murchison.
Mr. Bivin was a member of the Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, and
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He
died July 24, 1946 and Mrs. Bivin died in 1936.
BIVIN,
WILLIAM WORTH
was born at Monroe, Alabama, December 21, 1849.
In early manhood he came to Hearne, Texas where he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Peel. His wife passed
away in 1907.
After the death of his wife he
continued to reside at the family home on the corner of Easterwood and East
Fourth Streets with his daughter Mrs. Clara Shaw.
During the more than half a century
of Mr. Bivin's residence in Hearne, he filled many positions of trust.
For thirty years he was an employee of the H. & T. C. Railroad. In 1921 he retired from the railroad to give his entire time
to the office of City Secretary, which office he managed for a number of years
along with his railroad duties. Altogether,
Mr. Bivin looked after the City's affairs as city secretary for thirty years,
serving also at different times as a member of the City Council and a member of
the school board. He was cited in
the local newspaper just prior to his death for his many years of faithful
public service.
He was known to everyone of
Hearne and was affectionately called "Judge" Bivin by his many
friends. Judge Bivin was a pioneer member of the Hearne Methodist Church.
He passed away November 28, 1924. He
was the father of W. Harry Bivin and Clara Bivin Shaw.
BLACK,
DR. JOHN W.
was born in 1888 at Dallas, Texas and came to Hearne in 1911 and practiced
medicine in Hearne until 1919, then moved to Bryan, Texas where he continued his
practice for 18 years.
In
1912 he was married to Miss Mattie Belle Scott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A.
Scott of Hearne. Children born to Dr. and Mrs. Black were: Mary Martha Black,
John Black, and Albert Scott Black.
Dr.
Black was more nearly the type of what has been termed the 'family' physician
than many of the present-day members of the profession he honored.
He was a physician rather than a specialist.
While a busy man, he still had time for longer visits with his patients
than only medical advice required, and the psychological effect of his kindly
and cheery manner and of his encouraging words and attitude has been of
inestimable value to many of his patients.
The character of the man was reflected, too, in the confidence children
showed in him. He had that quality
which made them unafraid when in his care, regardless of what new experience
they might be facing.
As a citizen of the community, Dr.
Black had an abiding interest in its upbuilding and he was active in many
movements for economic, social and cultural improvements.
He was a firm friend of the public school system and had been active for
many years in the Rotary Club.
He was one of the organizers of the
Brazos-Robertson County Medical Society, which he served as President and
Secretary, doing all possible to develop this organization into a service not
only to the membership but to the clientele of the members.
He was a member of the Methodist Church and served on the Board of
Stewards as well as being active in the church choir.
In all the relations of life, Dr.
Black was a man of charity and was quick to respond to calls for help.
Though he passed away in the prime of life in 1937, at the age of 48
years, he left his family and friends the legacy of years well spent and of a
service to his fellow man that always was sincere and unselfish.
BLAKE,
CHARLES EDWARD,
son of Fred G. Blake and Alma Kurtzmann Blake, was born at Trinity, Texas,
February 8, 1913.
He
attended the public schools of Houston, Texas and later attended Texas A. &
M. College. In 1933 he moved to
Hearne.
He was married to Miss Naomi
McMillian of Houston in 1932 and Mr. and Mrs. Blake have two sons: Thomas
Charles Blake and Richard Edward Blake.
After serving thirty-five months
active duty with the U. S. Navy during World War II, he returned to his home in
Hearne and formed a partnership with A. E. Malone known as the Blake-Malone
Insurance Agency. Prior to his
entry into naval service he operated a service station and a freight delivery
agency in Hearne along with his interests in the agriculture and cattle field.
In addition to the operation of his personal enterprises, he served as
Assessor & Collector of Taxes for the Hearne Independent School District.
During his entire residence in
Hearne he has been a tireless worker on many projects for the benefit of the
general public. He is a former
Secretary of the Hearne Rotary Club and is incoming President of this
organization in 1958; a Past President of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; Past
Worshipful Master of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge; and Past District Deputy
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Charles Edward Blake is active in
American Legion Work: President of the Navasota River Improvement Association.
Of all the honors that have been bestowed upon him he is particularly
proud of having been made an honorary member of the Lone Star Farmers of Texas
due to his untiring work with the Future Farmers of America organization.
BOGUSKIE,
DR. WILLIAM MICHAEL,
son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Boguskie, was born March 10, 1900 at Anniston, Alabama
and at the age of 12 his family moved to Kingsville, Texas where he was reared.
After
graduating from high school in Kingsville, he attended pre-medical school at
Southern Methodist University at Dallas where he was a member of Delta Sigma Chi
fraternity. He attended Baylor
Medical School and was graduated May 27, 1929.
At Baylor Medical School he was a member of Phi Chi Medical fraternity.
His internship was at Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas.
He
was married to Miss Thelma Stovall, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Robert Stovall of
Abilene, Texas, May 29, 1929. Mrs.
Boguskie received her nurse training at Baylor Hospital at the time Dr. Boguskie
was receiving his medical education.
Upon completion of his interneship
in 1930, Dr. and Mrs. Boguskie came to Hearne where their daughter Janis
Boguskie was born October 13, 1931. Janis
married Lawrence David Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brady of Hearne.
Dr. Boguskie took over the practice
of Dr. S. J. Alexander during the time the latter was attending medical clinics.
In Hearne, Dr. Boguskie served the town as a doctor during the depression
of the 1930's and gave his services whether he got paid or not to deserving poor
people.
In 1943 he built Hearne's and
Robertson County's first hospital on Third Street and later made several
additions increasing the capacity for caring for the sick and injured.
He always kept pace with advances in the medical profession and his
hospital was equipped with the latest type of equipment for anything other than
major surgery.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army at the
age of 17 and served as a Corporal in World War I. At the outbreak of World War II, he offered his services and was ordered to duty with the 45th Division,
which was in training then at Camp Barkley in Abilene, Texas.
While undergoing the strenuous training there, he suffered a heart attack
which led to his hospitalization and eventual medical discharge from the army.
At the time of his discharge, he held the rank of Captain.
It was one of the greatest disappointments of his life, that he could not
serve his country in its armed forces in World War II.
However, he returned to Hearne, and despite his physical condition, drove
himself to continue to serve the people of his community throughout the critical
period.
Dr. Boguskie was a prominent citizen
and widely known, both in his professional field and as a Hearne civic leader.
He had many hobbies but he loved practicing medicine most of all.
The fact that he was loved and
respected by the citizens of this area is evidenced through the many honors and
public positions he held. He served
as President of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce after serving several years on
the Board of Directors of that oganization; President of the Brazos-Robertson
Medical Society; City Health Officer; Member of the Board of Stewards of the
Methodist Church; President of the Hearne Rotary Club; Division Surgeon in
Hearne for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company; Resident Physician for the
Missouri Pacific Railroad Company; and was a licensed civilian pilot and member
of the N.A.P.A.
Dr.
William Michael Boguskie, affectionately known to his many friends as "Dr. Bill," died suddenly of a heart attack November 15, 1947
while he was on a deer hunt in San Saba County, Texas, thus ending the career of
a great man and doctor who had a very sympathetic and understanding attitude
toward his fellowman. He had the
capacity for making friends and being a friend. His courage was unwavering in the face of the knowledge of
his physical condition as he carried on to the end looking after the physical
welfare of the citizens of the Hearne community.
BOSWELL,
RICHARD
was born on a farm between the line of Milam and Burleson counties April 12,
1847, and continued to live at the farm home until he was sixteen when the Civil
War called him into the Confederate Army as a volunteer under the command of
Captain Murray of Bonham. Later he
was assigned to Carr's Company, Giddings Batallion for service on the
Texas-Mexico border. His record
shows that he was at Brownsville, Texas under Lieutenant Means, guarding cotton
wagons from the interior, seeking markets at Matamoros, Mexico and in various
other positions of trust. Much of
this cotton was shipped from the Hearne area during the Civil War. While
never on the firing line in battle, his post of duty forced him into rough and
exciting conditions which as a patriot he met with the courage the time
demanded.
Returning from the war, he sought
the home of his parents, which during his absence had been changed to Robertson
County, where he claimed a home for the remaining seventy years of his life.
He engaged in farming and stock
raising at his new home at Elliott. In 1879 he was married to Miss Eugenia McGaw.
He was very successful in his chosen field of work, and, when with his
wife and children he moved to Hearne in 1902, the family was able to enjoy
advantages that were denied at the farm home.
In later years, he was known
affectionately to his many friends as "Uncle Dick," and was a number
of times honored by Robertson County citizens and Hearne citizens in his
election to offices of public trust and responsibility.
As County Commissioner, Flotorial Representative in the Thirty-First
Texas Legislature, member of the Hearne City Council, and member of the Hearne
School Board, he demonstrated his ability and worthiness of office in all his
dealings.
For many years as the last survivor
of Camp Moorman United Confederate Veterans, in which he registered as a charter
member along with Dr. W. H. Kirksey, Captain C. C. Stone, Major R. H. Martin, T.
W. McNeel and Judge Albert G. Cobb, he held dear the memories of the lost cause
and his association with comrades of the 1860's.
Mr. and Mrs. Boswell had five sons:
Ancil Boswell, Ran Boswell, Norman Boswell, Raymond Boswell and Henry Boswell;
daughters, Inez Boswell Biggerstaff and Estelle Boswell Lacy.
"Uncle Dick" Boswell passed
away January 5, 1930 ending the life of a great and noble Texas and Southern
gentleman.
BOUNDS, THEOPHILUS HUBBARD, son of Henry
Oliver Bounds and Sarah Ella Tilley Bounds, was born August 1, 1892 at Rusk,
Texas. His family moved to Hubbard in Hill County, Texas and he attended
the Hubbard public schools.
On October 1, 1913, he moved to Hearne, Texas and
accepted employment with the R. A. Allen & Son Hardware Company and worked as a
combination plumber and sheet metal worker. Early in 1918, he left his job
and went to Ellington Field and worked during World War I.
Later, he returned to Hearne and went to work as a
mechanic at the Brazos Valley Garage which was owned by Randle Miller. In
January 1921, he moved to Cameron, Texas and went to work for Hubert Hefley
Motor Company. During the latter part of 1921, he returned to Hearne and
worked as a mechanic for J. W. Sanders Doge & Buick Dealer. In 1925, he
went to work for Charles Merchant Ford Dealer in Hearne. In 1926, he
entered into business with Charles Merchant, Dr. H. W. Cummings, and Charles
Griesenbeck and established the Brazos Chevrolet Company in Hearne. This
firm was located on Fifth Street. In 1929, he formed a partnership with
Houston L. "Lightning" Tidwell and opened a garage on the corner of Magnolia and
Fifth Streets in Hearne. He sold his interest in this business October 1,
1930 and moved to Baytown, Texas. He owned and operated a garage in
Baytown until June 15, 1937. On that date, he went to work for the city.
On March 1, 1942, he was appointed Fire Marshall of Baytown.
He married Anna Millicent Ward, daughter of James
Alyosisous Ward and Elizabeth Bickett Ward of Hearne, Texas May 27, 1917.
The marriage was performed in Hearne. Anna Millicent Ward Bounds was born
at Hearne Texas, January 21, 1896. The following children were born to
Theophilus Hubbard Bounds and Anna Millicent Ward Bounds: Millicent
Elizabeth Bounds, James Henry Bounds, Robert Hubbard Bounds, and William Hatch
Bounds.
Theophilus Hubbard Bounds is a member of the Baptist
Church; a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge; a charter member of the Baytown Y.M.C.A.;
a member of the Baytown Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Corps; and formed
served as Red Cross First Aid Insructor at Baytown.
BOYD,
ALFRED BOYCE
was married to Miss Della Hitchins, daughter of M. Hitchins and Martha Jane
Hitchins.
Mrs.
Boyd was born at Rusk, Texas. After
their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd made their home at New Birmingham, Texas near
Rusk. New Birmingham was a
"boom" town and at one time produced minerals in large quantities.
Mr. Boyd established a drug store in this town and operated it for
several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyd moved to Hearne in
the early 1890's and for 53 years Mr. Boyd owned and operated Boyd's Drug Store
that was located on the corner of Magnolia and Third Streets.
Boyd's Corner was one of the most popular gathering places for Hearne
citizens for many years. It was a
very common expression in Hearne to hear someone say, "OK, I'll meet you on
Boyd's corner."
Children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd
were: Alfred B. Boyd Jr. and Ruth Boyd Welborn.
Grandchildren were: Robert Boyd, Arthur Boyce Boyd, and Betty Ruth Boyd.
Mr. Boyd died in 1946 and Mrs. Boyd
died in 1957.
BOYD,
DR. ELVIN MARVIN,
son of Carroll E. Boyd and Luc Whitener Boyd, was born December 2, 1914, in
Dawson, Texas.
He
spent his boyhood in Oklahoma and attended public schools in that state. Entering the University of Texas in 1939 he attended this
school through 1943 when he received a B. S. Degree in Pharmacy.
From 1943 through 1947 he attended the University of Texas School of
Medicine at Galveston and here received his Medical Degree.
His internship was at Wichita Falls Clinic-Hospital at Wichita Falls,
Texas.
He
enlisted in the U. S. Army in October 1942 during World War II and was
discharged in March 1945. Since
1949 he has served in the Texas National Guard as Medical Corp Officer, and in
1958 was serving on the Staff of the Commanding General of the 49th Armored
Division as the Division Psychiatrist with the rank of major.
He
moved to Hearne in December 1947 where with Dr. Henry C. Guynes he purchased the
Hearne Hospital that had been established by Dr. W. M. Boguskie.
Later, in 1952, he and Dr. H. C. Guynes built the Hearne General
Hospital.
He
was married to Miss Vera Ione Reagan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Reagan of
Marquez, Texas, August 20, 1941, the marriage being performed in Austin, Texas.
Two children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Boyd: a son, John Reagan Boyd; and
a daughter, Nancy Ann Boyd. Dr. and
Mrs. Boyd and their children are members of the Hearne Church of Christ where he
serves as a teacher.
Dr.
Boyd, a physician and surgeon, is a member of the Medical and Surgical Clinic of
Hearne where he is associated with Drs. Gallagher, Cruse, and Varvel.
He is a partner in the operation and ownership of the Hearne General
Hospital with Dr. H. C. Guynes.
He
has served as Robertson County Health Officer since 1949, is a member of the
American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the Brazos-Robertson
County Medical Association, the American Academy of General Practice, Fellow
American Geriatric Society, and a former member of the Hearne Rotary Club.
In 1957 he helped to organize the First State Bank of Hearne where he is
a stockholder and a member of the Board of Directors.
He is also very active in the Hearne Parent-Teacher Association.
BRADY, ALFRED BERNARD,
son of Peter Louis Brady and Jessie Mathews Brady, pioneer citizens of Hearne,
was born November 18, 1901 at Hearne, Texas.
During
his boyhood he attended the Hearne Public Schools and was graduated from Hearne
High School with the Class of 1921. When
he was a young boy he worked at his father's mill and cotton gin becoming
acquainted with the cotton business which he later found employment as a cotton
buyer.
After graduating from Hearne High
School he attended the University of Texas from 1921 to 1924.
In 1924 he was employed by the firm of Adkisson k Martin Cotton Buyers at
Hearne and was connected with this firm until 1928.
In 1928 he organized a retail
grocery business that operated under the name of Brady Brothers, a partnership
being formed with his brother E. M. Brady.
The firm of Brady Brothers also operated a cotton gin at Valley junction
for several years. After a serious fire completely destroyed the grocery store
located on Fourth Street, he built a modern super market on the corner of Fifth
& Cedar Streets, this business being the largest retail grocery business
establishment in Robertson County.
In 1935 he was honored by the
citizens of Hearne in being elected to serve on the Hearne City Council, and in
1938 he was further honored by Hearne citizens in being elected to the office of
Mayor of the City of Hearne, he being the second member of his family to hold
this office, his father having been in this office for many years.
Many of Hearne's improvements were planned and constructed during his
administration as Mayor of Hearne.
Alfred B. Brady has always been
active in the civic, religious, and business affairs of Hearne, having served
several terms as a Director of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce, a former member
of the Hearne Lions Club and a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
He was elected Robertson County Democratic Chairman in 1946 and again in
1948. A further honor in his
political career came in 1948 when he was elected a delegate from the Sixth
Texas Congressional District to the National Democratic Convention which was
held in Philadelphia.
He was married to Miss Alice
Ballerstedt of Manor, Texas, June 15, 1926.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brady: Alice Claire
Brady, Anne Therese Brady, Genevieve Brady, Alfred B. Brady Jr., and Mary
McGovern Brady.
BRADY, BURT OLIVER LAWRENCE,
son of Abner Charles Brady and Andrea Anderson Brady, was born July 26, 1905 at
Georgetown, Texas.
He attended the Georgetown public
schools and after completing his schooling he became associated with A. C. Brady
& Son, Contractors, in Georgetown. His association with this building
contracting firm began in 1925 and continued through 1938. During 1938 he moved
to Hearne, Texas and went into the building contracting business in his own
name. He served as general building superintendent on the construction of the
Hearne City Hall building; the Municipal Clubhouse and other construction work
in the building of the Hearne Municipal Park and Golf Course; the construction
of the Hearne High School gymnasium; the remodeling of the Hearne Municipal
Power Plant building; and other public buildings.
In 1947 he purchased half interest
in the C. & S. Grain & Lumber Company of Hearne in partnership with Willie F.
Sander.
He was married to Dollye Baker,
daughter of William Elsworth Baker and Sabrina Simmons Baker of Georgetown,
Texas, March 27, 1925. A son, Lawrence David Brady, was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Brady. Lawrence David Brady married Janis Boguskie, daughter of Dr. William M.
Boguskie and Thelma Stovall Boguskie. A son, William Lawrence Brady, was born
to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence David Brady.
Burt Oliver Lawrence Brady is a member of the First Baptist Church; a member of
the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Hearne Golfer's Association; and
a former member of the Odd Fellow Lodge of Georgetown, Texas. He also has
served on various local boards of tax equalization.
BRADY,
EDWIN MATHEWS SR., son of Peter Louis Brady and Jessie Nora Mathews Brady,
was born at Hearne, Texas, November 27, 1893.
He attended the Hearne public schools and farmed with his
father during young manhood.
In 1911, he took over the bookkeeping and seed buying job at
his father's gin in Hearne. During 1914 he worked with the county engineer
in the good road program for Robertson County.
In 1918, he entered the U.S. Army during World War I and was
stationed at Camp Travis in San Antonio, Texas. He was attached to the
Depot Brigade.
After his discharge from military service, he returned to
Hearne and farmed on the Adams Plantation in the Hearne Brazos Bottom. He
continued his farming and cattle raising business and worked at the Brady Gin
until December 1928 when in partnership with his brother, Alfred B. Brady, he
purchased the grocery store and gin owned by the R. O. Demming Company at Valley
Junction in the Brazos Bottom. This gin was remodeled into one of the
finest in the Brazos Bottom and in the fall of 1942, this gin won first prize
for making the best grade and staple in ginning for the six surrounding
counties. The first cotton dryer in this district was installed in this
gin. In 1931, he purchased the Branchville Gin in Milam County and
operated it until 1946 when it was sold.
During 1932, the Brady Brother's firm established a grocery
store on Fourth Street in Hearne. In 1936, this partnership opened Brady's
I.G.A. Store. After his father's death in 1935, Edwin Mathews Brady became
the owner of Brady's Gin located on the corner of Fifth & Cedar Streets in
Hearne.
During 1946, he sold his interest in the Brady Brothers
business and purchased the E. R. Vaughan farm on Little Brazos River. At
this location, he expanded his farming and ranching activities. During
1950, his gin in Hearne burned and he purchased the Woodall-Fagan Gin at
Calvert, Texas. In 1958, he is one of Hearne's biggest cotton and cattle
raisers.
He was married to Evelyn Catherine Darnell, daughter of
Edward Franklin Darnell and Maggie Nanny Darnell of Stamford, Texas, April 26,
1932. The marriage was performed at Walters, Oklahoma. Evelyn
Catherine Darnell Brady attended the public schools at Wichita Falls, Texas.
The following children were born: Ruth Marie Brady, who
married Earl White; Edwin Mathews Brady Jr., who married Josephine McNeil; Jesse
Edward Brady; John Alfred Brady, who became a Baptist minister and married
Yvonne Scott; and Charles Darnell Brady. The following are grandchildren
of Edwin Mathews Brady and Evelyn Catherine Darnell Brady: Edwin Mathews Brady
III, Paul Bernard Brady, Nancy Marie Brady, Scott Lloyd Brady, and John Alfred
Brady Jr.
Edwin Mathews Brady is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic
Church and Evelyn Catherine Darnell Brady is a member of Grace Methodist Church.
All of the E. M. Brady children are graduates of Hearne High
School.
BRADY,
PETER LOUIS JR.
was born at Hearne, October 20, 1886, the son of Peter Louis Brady and Jessie
Mathews Brady, his father being born in St. Louis, Missouri and his mother in
Alabama.
"Uncle
Pete," as he was affectionately known to one and all, attended school in
the Hearne public schools, and during his boyhood and young manhood he worked
with his father in the Brady Gin and helped with the work around the Brady
farms. He was also employed at his
father's light plant from 1902 until the plant was sold in 1906.
During 1906 he obtained a working
interest in his father's gin in Hearne and this employment along with his
farming interest was carried on until 1912.
On May 13, 1906 he was married to
Miss Olive McWilliams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. McWilliams of the
Blackjack Community. The following
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brady: Peter Louis Brady 111, Robert
McWilliams Brady, Patrick Brady, Eleanor Brady Reed, and Alice Brady Schwethelm.
He was in the grocery business from
1912 to 1919, this firm being located on the corner of Fourth and Cedar Streets
in Hearne, this firm being operated along with his farm interest.
During the year 1921-22 he moved to
Rogers, Texas with his family and operated a gin and an ice plant in this town,
returning to Hearne in 1922 and farmed in the Brazos Bottom from 1922 through
1934. It was also in 1922 that he
leased the White Switch Gin in the Brazos Bottom and in 1928 he bought this gin
and continued to operate it until 1938. During
1938 he leased the Brady Gin in Hearne and operated this business from 1938 to
1943.
"Uncle Pete" was honored
by the citizens of Hearne in 1941 by being elected to serve on the City Council.
During the time he was serving as a member of the City Council, he was
elected by the people to the office of County Commissioner of Precinct No. 2,
Robertson County, and upon the expiration of his term of office as city
councilman took over the new duties as county commissioner January 1, 1943.
He was further honored by the
citizens of Hearne when he was elected to the office of Mayor in 1953, becoming
the third member of his family to be so honored; his father P. L. Brady Sr. and
his brother Alfred B. Brady having served as Mayor of the city prior to his
election to this office.
"Uncle Pete' was a member of a
pioneer family of Hearne, his parents and grand-parents having moved to Hearne
in the early days when Hearne was just a "boom town" railroad station.
Peter Louis Brady Jr. died February
24, 1957.
BRADY,
PETER LOUIS SR.
was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 31, 1859 the son of Daniel and Mary
Brady. With his parents he came to Hearne, Texas to make his home in
1869 and lived here for the remainder of his life.
He was married to Miss Jessie
Mathews and to this union was born four sons; Peter Louis Brady Jr., Dr. Jesse
J. Brady, Edwin M. Brady, and Alfred B. Brady, and four daughters; Mary Brady
Carson, Sister Irene Brady, Katherine Brady Hughes, and Elizabeth Brady
Thompson.
An outstanding figure in Hearne, he
was a worthy, upright, conscientious and forward looking citizen.
He was called to various posts of honor and responsibility during his
long and useful life, serving the City of Hearne as Mayor from 1896 to 1919 and
for many years serving as Precinct Chairman of the Democratic Party.
In his private business, Peter Louis
Brady devoted his attention to his farming and gin interests.
He built the first electric power plant in the city under private
ownership and was Mayor of Hearne at the time the city built the first municipal
power plant.
Mr. Brady was a Communicant of St.
Mary's Catholic Church in which faith he was reared by his parents, and in which
he was followed by his family. The record of many years of public service makes Peter Louis
Brady stand out among Hearne's pioneer citizens.
He died as he sat by his fireside at
his colonial home December 4, 1935. This
home was very near the site where the Brady family settled upon coming to Hearne
in 1869. Mrs. Brady died in 1933.
BRADY,
WILLIAM,
son of Daniel and Mary Brady, and brother of Peter Louis Brady, was born in St.
Louis, Missouri in 1868.
He
came to Hearne with his family to make his home in 1869 when Hearne was in its
infancy and was a part of Texas considered a mecca for many who envisioned
bright prospects for the future.
William
Brady, affectionately known to all as "Uncle Big Willie," adopted the
trade of machinist, and for many years followed this trade in connection with
his work at cotton gins. He was
considered an expert in both of these lines of work.
Mr. Brady, a bachelor, lived in
Hearne from the time he was a boy until his death that occurred March 30, 1935.
BRASHEAR,
ALBERTA WADSWORTH
was a native Texan, born in Matagorda, September 16, 1855, one of eight children
of the household of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wadsworth, Texas pioneers who succumbed
during the Yellow Fever scourge in 1862.
The
male members of the Wadsworth family being at that time engaged in the Civil
War, the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth made their home with friends until
the conflict was over and the home re-established.
In
1868, Mrs. Brashear, then in her early teens, came to Hearne with her sister,
Miss Mollie Wadsworth, to visit with another sister, Sarah Wadsworth Wilkerson,
who shortly after the close of the Civil War had married Jonathan Gideon
Wilkerson.
It
was during 1868 that the H. & T. C. Railroad was built through Hearne.
Mrs. Brashear did not return to Matagorda after the Civil War.
She was married to James F. Exum who died three years after their
marriage, leaving the widow and one daughter, Sallie Exum Smith.
The second marriage was to T. F.
Brashear and was solemnized in 1880, and shortly afterward Mr. and Mrs. Brashear
moved to Calvert where two sons and a daughter were born to them; Ghent Brashear
McNabb, Thomas F. Brashear Jr., and William C. Brashear.
Some years later they returned to Hearne with their family and it was
here that Mr. Brashear died and he is buried in Norwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Brashear was
affectionately known as "Grannie" and she helped to organize St.
Philips Episcopal Church and was one of its most active Communicants.
She also helped to organize Norwood Cemetery Association, being a charter
member of this organization and the President for many years.
Mrs. Brashear died August 12, 1935.
BRASHEAR,
THOMAS E.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Brashear, was born in Cameron, Texas, March 17, 1924.
He
attended the public schools in Cameron and was graduated from Yoe High School in
Cameron with the Class of 1941.
Upon
his graduation from high school he entered the U. S. Navy and served during
World War II, receiving his discharge in 1946.
He entered Duke University at Durham, North Carolina in 1946 and attended
for two years. In 1948 he accepted
employment as a bookkeeper in the First National Bank in Cameron.
He was promoted to assistant cashier and later was made cashier.
During 1952 he resigned his position with the bank and accepted
employment with the Shell Oil Company at Pasadena, Texas where he worked for two
years. In 1954 he returned to
Cameron and went to work for the Industrial Generating Company at Rockdale,
Texas. He worked for this company
until July 1, 1957 when he accepted employment with the First State Bank of
Hearne, Texas as cashier. He
assisted in the planning of the new bank that opened September 6, 1957.
He
married Harriet Dodson of Cameron, Texas, January 14, 1950. Mr. and Mrs. Brasher have two children; Linda Brashear and
Thomas E. Brashear Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brashear are members of the First
Baptist Church. He is a member of
the Masonic Lodge; is District Finance Chairman of the Arrowmoon District of the
Boy Scouts; and is a member of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce.
BRASHEAR,
THOMAS F.,
the son of Thomas F. Brashear and Alberta Wadsworth Brashear, was born July 13,
1882, and was a resident of Hearne the major part of his lifetime.
He
was married to Miss Annie Griffin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Griffin of
Hearne. Mr. and Mrs. Brashear had
two children: a daughter Ann Brashear Newton, and a son, Thomas F. Brashear.
Until his retirement, he had been a
representative for the Frost Lumber Industries for over fifty years, traveling
out of Hearne and Austin.
During his many years of residence
in Hearne, he was active in community affairs, was a member of the Hearne
Masonic Lodge, and a communicant of St. Philips Episcopal Church, serving many
years on the Vestry.
Thomas F. Brashear died in
1955 and is buried in Norwood Cemetery in Hearne.
BRAZELTON, ANDREW JACKSON,
was born November 2, 1903 at
Houston, Texas, the son of Enos William Brazelton and Mollie Mills Brazelton.
Later his family moved to Palestine, Texas where he attended the Palestine
public schools and was graduated from Palestine High School with the Class of
1921. After completing high school he attended Texas A. & M. College for three
years and the University of Texas for six years. While attending the University
of Texas he played the piano in the Steve Gardner orchestra.
In 1930 he returned to Palestine,
Texas and engaged in the insurance business until 1940. During 1940 he moved to
Houston, Texas where he served as an accountant with the Houston Shipyards,
Crown Central Petroleum Company, and Knox Drilling Company. He also worked as
an auditor for the LeBlanc General Contractors and later joined the W. S.
Bellows Company as field accountant. In 1951-53 he worked for the W. S. Bellows
Company in San Antonio, Texas. During 1953 he moved to Harlingen, Texas where
he became Chief Accountant for McKelvey Industries. During the latter part of
1953 he accepted employment as an accountant for the Lucien Reed Motor Company
in Hearne, Texas but made his home in Franklin. On August 1, 1957 he moved to
Hearne, Texas.
Andrew Jackson Brazelton married
Annie Ruth Bush, daughter of Judge Henry A. Bush and Annie Mae Powell Bush of
Franklin, Texas, August 24, 1930. A daughter, Janis Carroll Brazelton, was born
to Andrew Jackson Brazelton and Annie Ruth Bush Brazelton. Janis Carroll
Brazelton married Louis Grinnell Gray of Franklin, Texas. Two children were
born to Janis Carroll Brazelton Gray and Louis Grinnell Gray,: Rena June Gray
and Joyce Ruth Gray.
Mr. and
Mrs. Brazelton are both active communicants of St. Philips Episcopal Church; Mr.
Brazelton being a member of the Vestry and Superintendent of the Church School.
He is a member of the Hearne Lions Club and while attending the University of
Texas was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Mrs. Brazelton is active
in church work and is also a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club and the
Hearne Shakespeare Club.
BREEDLOVE,
IVERSON D.
was born at Florence, Arkansas, November 1, 1871 and attended school at this
location. On February 31 1892, he
was married to Miss Mary Catherine Aycock who was also born and reared at
Florence, Arkansas. Mrs. Breedlove
was born November 22, 1872, and her parents were Sam E. Aycock and Elizabeth
Aycock.
In 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove
moved to Hearne to make their home, Mr. Breedlove being employed by the H. &
T. C. Railroad Company.
In 1918 he moved to Houston where he
entered the retail furniture business and continued in this business until his
retirement in 1940.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove were
members of the Methodist Church and Mrs. Breedlove was a member of the Royal
Neighbors of America.
Four sons were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Breedlove: Neuland Breedlove, Garland Breedlove, and Roy Breedlove, all
of whom died in infancy. The fourth
son was Iverson D. Breedlove Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove also had two daughters;
Elizabeth Breedlove Easterwood and Eddie Breedlove Biggs. Mr. Breedlove died August 5, 1944 and Mrs. Breedlove died
March 27, 1949.
BROCK, JOHN WASHINGTON was born Calvert,
Texas, July 14, 1872, the son of Richard Brock and Fanny Strong Brock.
In 1890, he moved to Wheelock where he farmed and
ranched. In 1898, he farmed at Fairview, in Wilson County, Texas. In
1899, he farmed in the Brazos Bottom near Bryan, Texas. In 1902, he was
employed as overseer on the Hubert Lewis plantation on Little Brazos River near
Hearne. During the flood of 1913, he was caught by the flood waters and
was marooned in the Adams farm home for nearly a week. In 1914, he was
employed by Fred L. Wood and was the overseer for the Glass plantation in the
Brazos Bottom. He returned to the Hubert Lewis plantation at Valley
Junction in 1915 and was overseer for this plantation un Hubert Lewis until
1919. During 1919, the Hubert Lewis plantation was acquired by the Demming
Investment Company of Oswego, Kansas. After this plantation was purchased,
John Washington Brock continued to be the overseer until his retirement in 1944.
The retirement of John Washington Brock as an overseer, brought to a close a
career in this profession that lasted over 40 years.
After his retirement, John Washington Brock moved to
his country home on the Blackjack road east of Hearne. He does no farming
but continues to raise livestock.
John Washington Brock married Nancy Ellen Merchant,
daughter of John Henderson and Amanda Tullous Merchant, July 11, 1895. The
marriage was performed at Wheelock in Robertson County, Texas. Nancy Ellen
Merchant Brock was born in Wise County, Texas near Decatur, January 6, 1878.
She moved to Wheelock in Robertson County, Texas with her family in 1890.
No children were born to John Washington Brock and Nancy Ellen Merchant Brock,
but they reared two nieces and nephews; Merchant Wheeler and Wally Smitherman.
Their nephew, Merchant Wheeler, was killed when he was struck by lightning while
rounding up cattle in the Brazos Bottom on the Lewis plantation in 1927.
In the 1921 flood, he had to drive a team of mules over
the railroad bridge at Little Brazos River in order to escape the flood, the
wagon bridge being covered by the flood water. John Washington Brock and
Nancy Ellen Merchant Brock have had rich experiences in their many years in the
Hearne Brazos Bottom and are typical of the pioneers of the Brazos Bottom
country.
He attended the Morgan rural
school during his boyhood. With his family he moved to Wheelock, Texas in
1893. He continued his work in farming until 1910 when he became a rural mail
carrier from Hearne to Wheelock. He was rural mail carrier for 19 years.
During the time he was employed as a mail carrier he had a very unfortunate
experience in the fall of 1926. As he was on his route he stopped at a rural
mail box to deliver some mail and two masked men stepped out of the bushes near
the mail box on the roadside and attacked him and robbed the mail sacks he was
carrying in his Model T Ford. He retired as a rural mail carrier in 1929.
Sam B. Brock married Maggie Jane
Melton, daughter of William Melton and Nancy Jane Garrett Melton, December 18,
1898. Her parents were pioneer citizens of the Wheelock community. The
following children were born to Sam B. Brock and Maggie Jane Melton Brock: Annie
Mae Brock Roberts; Bertie Brock Boyd; Aubeatrice Brock Wilson; Katie Brock
Hairston; William Worth Brock; Woodrow Wilson Brock; and Jane Brock Clark.
Sam B. Brock and his family moved
to Hearne in 1924. After his retirement as a rural mail carrier in 1929 he
continued his farming and stock raising activities until 1940 when he retired.
He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Hearne and serves on the Board of
Deacons. He is a former member of the Woodmen of the World.
BROCK,
WILBURN WORTH,
son of Sam B. Brock and Maggie Jane Melton Brock, was born July 4, 1916 at
Wheelock, Texas. His parents were
pioneer citizens of the Wheelock Community in Robertson County.
He
attended grade school at Wheelock and when the family moved to Hearne, Texas in
1925 he entered the Hearne Public Schools and was graduated from Hearne High
School with the Class of 1933. He
was prominent in athletics and was Captain of the Hearne High School football
team in 1932.
Upon
graduation from high school he was employed by the Pat Hall Company, an
automobile agency in Hearne and worked for this firm until 1939 when he opened a
service station on the corner of Market Sc Brown Streets.
In
1944 he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served 13 months in the Pacific area
during World War II. Upon receiving
his discharge from military service in 1945 he returned to Hearne and operated a
service station on the corner of Market and Fifth Streets.
He
married Elaine Campbell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Campbell, of Rogers,
Texas, July 21, 1940. Children born
to Mr. and Mrs. Brock are: Linda Katherine Brock, Robert Neil Brock, and Charles
Benton Brock.
Mr.
and Mrs. Brock are members of the First Baptist Church of Hearne and Mr. Brock
is a member of the Hearne Lions Club, the Hearne Chamber of Commerce, the Miles
Scriviner American Legion Post, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Brock was a member of the committee that organized the Little League
Baseball program in Hearne. He is
very active in this organization and other youth work of the community.
BROWN,
CHARLES E.
was born in Halletsville, Texas, July 17, 1877 and his family moved to Robertson
County in 1880 when he was three years old.
He attended school at Wheelock during his early boyhood.
When he was 13 years of age he went
into the cattle business for himself and did a lot of riding and roping for
George Dunn and Sam Cavitt, two prominent ranchers of the Wheelock community.
He helped build the first home on
the old Cavitt Ranch in 1904. In 1915 he left the county for the next twenty years during
which time he served on the police forces at Beaumont, Texas City and Port
Arthur, Texas. He returned to his
home near Hearne in 1934 where he re-entered the cattle and farming business.
In 1954, at the age of 77 he moved
into Hearne to establish his home and on September 15, 1954 he took over the
duties of Constable for Precinct No. 2.
Upon assuming the duties of
Constable, on account of his pleasing and cordial disposition, he immediately
was referred to by all as "Uncle Charley" Brown.
In talking about his many years of
experience as a police officer, "Uncle Charley" said that be never
killed a man, had never lost a prisoner, and had never gone after a man that be
did not bring in.
On September 10, 1924, he was
married to Miss Eva Chapman in Galveston, Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are active workers in the Hearne Church of Christ.
"Uncle Charley" has three children: Mrs. Beuna Brown Lawson,
Charles E. Brown Jr., and Mrs. Ruth Brown Huedepohl.
BROWN, LEONARD S. SR. was born October
28, 1908 a Madisonville, Texas, the son of Simpson J. Brown and Willie Estell
Leonard Brown. He attended the public schools of Madisonville and
Madisonville High School.
After his high school days, he became employed with the
State Highway Department as an inspector. He moved to Hearne, Texas in
October 1935 to continue his employment with the Texas Highway Department and in
1958 is the Chief Inspector for the State Highway Department in the district.
Leonard S. Brown married Christine Connor, daughter of
Ruben Westmoreland Connor and Minnie Mael Nichols Connor of Madisonville, Texas,
July 22, 1911. She attended the public schools of Madisonville and was
graduated from Madisonville High School with the Class of 1928. She later
attended Sam Houston State Teachers College at Huntsville, Texas.
A son, Leonard S. "Pat" Brown Jr., was born to Leonard
S. Brown and Christine Connor Brown. Leonard S. Brown Jr. attended the
Hearne public schools and was a member of the Hearne High School Eagles football
team for three years, playing in the quarterback position. He was
graduated from Hearne High School with the Class of 1950. He enrolled at
Texas A&M College and was graduated with the class of 1954 with a degree in
Civil Engineering. Leonard S. Brown Jr. married Wanda Frost, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Frost of Hearne, Texas. Two children, Cara Lynn Brown and
Steven Dean Brown, were born to Leonard S. B