Biographical Sketches - O

OLANDER, GEORGE, son of Tony Olander and Fanny Nuche Olander, was born September 29, 1906 near the Tabor Community in Brazos County, Texas.  His parents were born in Italy and came to the United States to make their home.
     He attended the rural schools at Tabor and Mumford in Robertson County.  With his family, he moved to the Mumford community in the Brazos Bottom in 1918.  In his early years, he farmed in the Brazos Bottom on the Stone White plantation with his father and his brother Sam Olander.
     In 1927, he began farming and ranching on his own when he purchased farm land in the Hearne Brazos Bottom from the Demming Investment Company.  At one time, he farmed and ranched over 600 acres in the Brazos Bottom.  He purchased a farm in Grimes County, Texas and farmed in that area for several years, selling this farm in 1955.  In 1958, he continues his farm and ranch business in Robertson County.
     George Olander is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church; a member of the Robertson County Farm Bureau; and a former member of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post of Hearne.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
    
     OLIVER, JOHN PRESTON, was born May 20, 1850 at Wilmington, North Carolina.  He came to Texas when he was a young man traveling with the "Yankie" Robertson Circus.  The circus traveled over the country in those days in wagons.  When the circus had a performance in Columbus, Texas, he quit them there and secured employment in a cotton gin in that town.  Later he took up the trade of watch maker and moved around from town to town, finally settling in Caldwell, Texas.
    During the early 1880's he moved to Hearne, Texas and established a jewelry store and watch repair shop.  He continued to operate this business in Hearne until his death on February 29, 1924.
    John Preston Oliver was married in Caldwell, Texas and the following children were born: Eugene "Bullett" Oliver, Seth R. "Tuff" Oliver, William Lynn Oliver, Foyle Oliver Woodall, and Anna Oliver Myers.  After the death of his first wife, John Preston Oliver was married to Sallie Warlick who was born October 10, 1888.  The following children were born to John Preston Oliver and Sallie Warlick Oliver: Thelma Oliver Gafney, Ruth Oliver James, and Louise Oliver Hartman.  Sallie Warlick Oliver died November 8, 1941.
    During his many years in Hearne, John Preston Oliver was one of Hearne's most respected citizens and business men.  In addition to his jewelry and watch repair business he was an official watch inspector for the H. & T. C. Railroad Company.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hearne and a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge.

    OLIVER, WILLIAM LYNN, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Preston Oliver, was born in Hearne, Texas, October 10, 1889.  He attended the public schools of Hearne.
    During his young manhood he was employed as an electric construction lineman for the City of Hearne and also worked for the Webb Cotton Compress Company in construction work and machinery installation.  This company had headquarters in Minden, Louisiana and his work carried him through all of the southern cotton states.
    On October 28, 1917 he went to work for the H. & T. C. Railroad Company as a switchman in the Hearne, Texas yards.
    He entered the U. S. Army March 28, 1918 and was stationed at a replacement camp at Camp Gordon, Georgia during World War I. He held the rank of Sergeant and was a gas instructor.  He was discharged from military service at Camp Bowie in Fort Worth, Texas, December 24, 1918.
    William Lynn Oliver married Ida Martha Massey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Massey, May 4, 1919.  The marriage took place at the First Baptist Church of Houston, Texas.  Ida Martha Massey Oliver was born in Lexington, Texas and died May 1, 1952.
    William Lynn Oliver retired from active duty with the railroad on October 15, 1956 after serving 39 years.  He became a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne when he was a young man and was voted a life membership in this lodge in 1957.  He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.

 O’NEAL, CLINTON WAYNE, son of Thomas Dudley O'Neal and Alice Maude Nickelson O'Neal, was born March 14, 1920 at Ennis, Texas.  He attended the public schools of Ennis and was graduated from Ennis High School with the Class of 1940.  During his high school days he was a member of the Ennis High School football team.
    After finishing high school he was employed by the Foley Brothers Company of Houston, Texas.
    He moved to Hearne, Texas, January 27, 1942 and began his employment with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a clerk.
    On June 7, 1942 he married Virginia Ellis, daughter of Obie Farrar Ellis and Ethel Lorrene Alexander Ellis of Dallas, Texas.  The marriage was performed at Ennis, Texas.  Virginia Ellis O'Neal was born in Dallas, Texas, November 25, 1922.  She attended the Ennis public schools and was graduated from Ennis High School with the Class of 1940.  Since moving to Hearne she has been employed with several business firms and is now employed in a clerical position with the City of Hearne.
    Two children were born to Clinton Wayne O'Neal and Virginia Ellis O'Neal: Gary Wayne O'Neal and Stephen James O'Neal.
    Clinton Wayne O'Neal and Virginia Ellis O'Neal are members of the First Baptist Church of Hearne and both are members of the Hearne Parent-Teachers Association.  He is a member of the Hearne Volunteer Fire Department.

ORTS, GEORGE NICKLAUS SR., son of Albert Ludvig Orts and Louise Hoeper Orts, was born at Paige, Texas, April 22, 1895.  His father was born in Germany and his mother was born at Houston, Texas.
    He attended the rural school in the Paige community and farmed with his father until 1924.
    In October 1924, he moved to Hearne, Texas, and was employed by the Humble Pipe Line Company.  In February 1925, his family moved to Hearne to join him.  He continued his employment with the Humble Pipe Line Company through December 1925.  On January 17, 1926, he was employed by the City of Hearne as an engineer in the city electric power plant, was later promoted to chief engineer, and is serving in that capacity in 1958.
    George Nicklaus Orts married Louise Zander, daughter of Frederick Zander and Adeline Jantzen Zander, December 29, 1915.  A son, George Nicklaus Orts Jr., was born June 29, 1918 to George Nicklaus and Louise Zander Orts.  George Nicklaus Orts Jr. married Donnie Whitfield and two children were born to them:  James Michael Orts and Georgia Carolyn Orts.
    Both George Nicklaus Orts and his wife Louise Zander Orts are members of the Five Points Baptist Church.  He is a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne and was an active member of the Hearne Fire Department for over 20 years.

ORTS, JOHN, son of Karl G. Orts and Annie Orts, was born in Hearne, Texas, July 4, 1921.  He attended school in Hearne, graduating from Hearne High School with the Class of 1939.
    Upon graduating from high school in 1939, he was employed by the State of Texas in Austin and worked in this position until 1942 when he went to work in Hearne for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.
    In 1945 he gave up this position and took over the management and operation of the Texas Company filling station on the corner of Market and Brown Streets.
    He was married to Miss Mildred Fikes of Cameron, Texas, April 27, 1941, the marriage taking place in Austin, Texas.  Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Orts, a daughter, Janet Orts who was born in 1942 and John Orts, Jr. born June 9, 1958 and died in infancy.
    Both Mr. and Mrs. Orts are members of Grace Methodist Church and Mr. Orts is a member of the Hearne Lions Club, a Director of the Hearne Building and Loan Association, and a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge.
    Mr. Orts, a leader in Hearne's business and civic activities, has served several terms as a member of the Hearne City Council.  He is the second member of his family to serve on the Hearne City Council; his father Karl G. Orts having served in this same capacity during the 1920's. 

ORTS, KARL G. was born at Paige, Texas, May 12, 1890, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Orts, pioneer farmers in Bastrop County, Texas.
    His early boyhood days were spent at Paige where he attended school.  In early manhood he moved to Hearne to make his home.  He was employed by the Allen Hardware Company from 1910 until 1918 when he left this firm to organize the hardware department of the firm of Wood & Hervey.  He later organized the Hearne Hardware Company and served as manager of this firm until 1932 when he returned to Allen Hardware Company.
    He was married to Miss Annie Carr, June 17, 1913.  Mr. and Mrs. Orts had the following children: Elnora Orts, Jonelle Orts, Nona Beth Orts, Julia Ann Orts, Karl G. Orts Jr., and John Orts.
    Mr. Orts was active in Hearne's business and civic activities during his entire lifetime.  He was a Past Master of the Hearne Masonic Lodge and also served as Treasurer of this fraternal organization; was a member of the Board of Stewards of Grace Methodist Church and Church Treasurer; served as Chief of the Hearne Fire Department for many years and was later voted the honor of Honorary Fire Chief; and was a member of the Hearne City Council for 6 years.  Karl G. Orts was one of Hearne's most loved and respected citizens.  He died June 13, 1952 and Mrs. Orts died January 24, 1950.
    
     OTTEA, MATHIS MARION SR., son of Mathew Ottea and Virginia Nigliazzo Ottea, was born November 21, 1899 on the Sims Plantation in Brazos County, Texas.  He attended the rural school at Bryan, Junction.
     After finishing his schooling, he assisted his father in farming from 1914 through 1923.  In 1924, he began farming on his own in Brazos County and continued farming at this location through 1926.  In 1927, he moved to the Hearne Brazos Bottom in Robertson County, Texas and established a general merchandise store and also purchased part of the old Beckham plantation in 1927 and established his home.  In 1958, he continues to operate his farming and ranching business and operates his general merchandise store in the Hearne Brazos Bottom.
     He was married to Louise Viviani, daughter of Lee Paul Viviani and Janie Scardino Viviani of Bryan, Texas, October 25, 1924.  Louise Viviani Ottea received her education in the Bryan public schools.  A son, Mathis Marion Ottea Jr., was born to Mathis Marion Ottea Sr. and Louise Viviani Ottea.  Mathis Marion Ottea Jr. married Melva Louise Jackson, daughter of Taylor Jackson and Calli Herod Jackson of Houston, Texas.  The following children were born to Mathis Marion Ottea Jr. and Melva Louise Jackson Ottea:  Mathis Marion Ottea III, Justina Louise Ottea, and Monica Maria Ottea.  Mathis Marion Ottea is a graduate of Hearne High School.
     Louise Viviani Ottea is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church; a member and Past President of St. Mary's Catholic Church Altar Society; a member and Past Secretary of the Hearne Garden Club; a member of the Mumford Parent-Teacher's Association, and serves as a news correspondent for the Hearne Democrat.
     Mathis Marion Ottea Sr. is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church; a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church Men's Club; a member of the Robertson County Farm Bureau; a member of the Mumford Parent-Teacher's Association; is associated with the Wood Switch Gin Company; is associated with the Brazos Valley Dehydrating Company; served as Justice of the Peace of Precinct No. 7 at Mumford, Texas for 15 years; has been a member of the Mumford Independent School District Board for 20 years.
     Mathis Marion Ottea Sr. and Louise Viviani Ottea have served in just about everything connected with the welfare and benefit of their community for a number of years.