Leslie Ann Vivian 2 years Old taken in Carrizo Springs, Texas

This is me, when I lived with my Grandma and Grandpa, Otho Dee Vivian, Sr and Singne Olivia Nordberg Vivian.  I was 2 years old.  Grandma was sick at the time.  She died not long after. 

Carrizo Springs, Dimmit County, Texas 1913 - 1914 Old School Photo

Here is an old Black & White Photo taken in Carrizo Springs, Texas 1913/1914

ONE QUESTION- DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO THE OLD FELLOW IN THE MIDDLE IS?

1. Sitting: 1:Mabel Bell
2. Lenora Frazier
3. Thelma Bell
4. Blanch Bell
5. Mary Frazier
6. Clara Mae Bell
7. Alta Owens
8. Susan Bell
9. Ida Mae Bell
10. Margaret Owens

Seated:

1. ? Owens
2. Gladys Frazier
3. Velma Frazier
4. Blanch Frazier
5. Helen Frazier
6. Lucille Frazier
7. Donia Bell
8. Lula Bell or Stacy Bell

Catarina FANTASY FICTION FACT (The rest of the book)

(a little note this morning before I start typing up the book, Leslie E. Vivion is my great Uncle and whom I am named after, except I am a girl. :)  Leslie Ann Vivian. )
               
  pages 30 and 31

            HERBERT WARD ---- A Lifetime of Service

  In 1980, The Texas Chapter of the National Wildlife Society presented Mr. Herbert Ward its highest honor, the Wildlife Conservationists Award, for his lifelong dedication to the wildlife resources of South Texas.
  Mr. Ward began his career early when at 16 he was placed in charge of all aspects of wildlife management on the 235,000 acre Taft-Catarina Ranch.  In 1923 he joined the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as one of only 19 game wardens.  He married Miss Mamie Hinds of Asherton in 1925 and soon thereafter was promoted to Captain, covering a vast area of South Texas.
  After deciding that public education was the best way to promote wildlife conservation, Ward obtained special permits to gather bird specimens for scientific study.  He painstakingly mounted each one himself and these became the foundation for a program of "public relations" talks which Ward began delivering all over the state and continued doing for the rest of his life.
  Retiring from the state at 61, Mr. Ward took on the management of wildlife on the Briggs Ranch for another ten years.  Even then, he stayed busy giving talks all over Texas and continued along with his devoted wife, his lifelong hobby of collecting arrowheads and other Indian artifacts.
  We don't find many like Mr. Ward any more.  He was a "man of the old school" who knew his business and really stood by his convictions.  I am very proud to have known him.

Leslie E. Vivion ---  A Real Cowboy

  The first two-story wooden house built in Carrizo Springs by his grandfather, Ed. English, Sr. is where Mr. Leslie Edward Vivion was born and he spent his early years as a cowhand on his grandpa's ranch.   This "outdoors" beginning became his way of life.  

  Being the oldest (at age 12) when his Ma and Pa died, he took over the rearing of two brothers and three sisters with the help of Grandpa and Grandma.  They all concede that "Yup, Les hangs up the moon."

  Prevailed upon to go to college, Mr. Les graduated from Droughan Business College in 1910 with a diploma in banking.  His first --and only-- job indoors lasted only four months.  Cowboying was the only life for him until he finally got a spread of his own in Catarina which he later called "-the best improved ranch in Dimmit County--MINE!!!"

  In his fifties, Les met elementary school teacher, Miss Emma, and they decided to "git hitched".  He reluctantly bought a pair of "store" shoes, at eh insistence of "Miss Emma", but come time for the ceremony, he wore his boots -- but he did concede to wear his trousers outside his boots.  This, too, at the insistence of Miss Emma.  "No way for a cowboy to do.  -- tucked in is the only way any self- respecting cowhand would --".

  Adjusting his Stetson, letting that coiled spring of silver hair spring loose, he chuckled, "Nope, - never wanted to be a city dweller, - nor a sea trader, never wanted to be a builder of monuments, machines, nor empires.  --Just build my own fire, carve out my own life, worship my own God --".  Here was a real man, a breed of man disappearing rapidly.

  I enjoyed many cups of coffee with this friend, mine from a cup, his from his saucer!

Pages 32 and 33 

        Burns

  In 1907 - 1908, the W. L. Burns family moved from Caldwell County to Dimmit County with their cildren, Ira, Walker, Irma, Cecil, and Weldon.  While the family farmed near Asherton and later at Holland, below Cotulla, Ira established residence on land that became the Burns Ranch, now the Coffield Ranch.

  Eventually land was cleared and a water well was drilled by Floyd Trim of Big Wells (later moved to Catarina).  IN the early 1020's three homes were built -- the first one at the present site of the Coffield house and it was the parent's home.

  Following World War I, Ira married Marguerite Owen of Carrizo Springs.  After first living in  Valley Wells and then in Big Wells, they moved to the ranch in 1923 when the second home was built.  Cecil married Wilma McCarley of Valley Wells and they moved to the ranch when the third house was completed a short time later.

  In addition to the Burns onion farming, Cecil had a dairy on the ranch.

  During those early years the nearest post office was in Valley Wells.

  When the promoters came in to create the town of Catarina in 1925, the Taft ranch house became the "Club House".  Charles Ladd was the colonization agent and both Ira and Cecil drove their cars in the excursions that were organized to take the prospective land buyers all over the area.  they enjoyed telling the tall tales that were told to the people who had come down from the North.  One was about the ideal climate and in the middle of his spiel the promoter turned to a young boy and said, "You have always lived around here.  Have you ever seen it snow?"  the boy answered, "No, sir!  But I saw it rain once."  A frequent statement at the end of some exaggerated statement was "You know I'm lying!".  People believed everything the were told --- because they wanted to.

  The Burns families moved from the ranch to town during the years 1929 and 1930.  Marguerite became the Postmaster and Ira went from farming to being a beekeeper.  Cecil continues with his dairy business after moving to town.

  While the well was being drilled on the Burns Ranch, over 100 rattlesnakes were killed!!

  The water well at the Vivions was the first well drilled in the area and so it was always called "Number One". 

  Sims Dairy was outside of town -- other side of Artesia road.  About a half mile or so further was Mr. Benjamin's (Englishman) chicken farm.

 pages 34 and 35

Guerra

  

  Brigido S. Guerra, a native of Rialitos, Texas, was born to Eugenio Guerra and Isabel Soto Guerra in 1916.  Brigido came to Dimmit County in 1940.  He stared working at Briscoe Ranch fixing fences and later as a cowhand.  He recalls making one dollar a day working from dawn to dusk, or at least ten hours a day.

  One funny incident he recalls was when Merced Zamora, a very close friend, and a fellow by the name of Jose and himself were "chaparriando" (cutting brush) close to a pond.  Brigido acted like he was going throw a cup of water at Merced but he didn't because Merced pushed him into the pond.  Brigido got out of the water and ran after his friend Merced.  Merced thought his buddy was pretty upset, but Brigido wan't angry.  He started laughing and told Merced, "That's fine, because now you are going to keep on working and I am going to build a fire to dry my clothes!"  Which he did, and while his clothes got dry, Brigido stayed hid behind some bushes.

  Brigido recalls they were clearing this pathway near the pond which is now in the Stumberg Ranch.  This pathway was used to drive the cattle either to load them onto the train or unload them off the train and drive them to the ranches.  The cattle would be unloaded or loaded off the cattle pens which still stand off of Highway 83 and Farm to Market Road 2688 two miles north of Catarina.

  Brigido also worked for Mr. Alonzo Gates, Sr., Albert Gates, Lonnie Gates and Anita Gates Elliott's father.  This was at the Old Espejo Ranch.  He also recalls working at the Piloncillo Ranch for Mr. Dan Harrison, II.

  While he was working a Piloncillo Ranch, he moved his wife Guadalupe and four children to the ranch.  They lived on the ranch off of Highway 83 for eight years.

  Brigido later moved to Catarina and went to work for Mr. H.H. Coffield at the Diamond H. Ranch.  A job  he held until his retirement in 1978.  At that time he was making minimum wages.

  For a pastime Brigido has made many a quirt (horse whip).  A hobby he started when he was about fifteen years old.  In 1940, Former Governor Dolph Briscoe would pay him a dollar a quirt.  Brigido made the quirts for Mr. Briscoe's cowhands.  The quirts today sell depending on size for up to $50.00 each.  In the photo you can see Brigido at his stand in 1992 during the Camino Real Festival here in Catarina.  He displayed and sold a few quirts to our local cowhands.

  Brigido lives with his wife Guadalupe at the old telephone house near the Diamond H. Shed.  Their children are now married and/or live by themselves.  Florita Castro lives in Uvalde, Lupe Perez, Miguel Guerra, and Susie Ortiz live here in Catarina.  Margarita Barrerra also lives in Catarina and has been the Postmaster for 24 years.

pages 36 and 37

DOCKERY

  

  Mr. A.A. Dockery brought his family to the Catarina area from Uvalde in 1945.  He leased the Friday ranch first, and then the Dillon country.

  Legend has it that years ago Indians got after a wagon load of gold and the drivers buried it out there around Loma Dinero Hill.  When Allen was U.T., he and a group of friends brought gieger counters out to try to find the gold.  If they ever found any, they aren't telling anyone.  --There's also tales of a headless rider out around Catarina Lake which was on the Friday Place.

  After graduating, Allen joined his Dad in the cattle business.  They shipped most of their cattle out by train then.  This picture shows th last of the cattle being loaded onto the cars.  JoAnn helped her father drive them in from the ranch, about twelve miles away.  This was the last train to eave from the Catarina Station.

        Gardner

  Tom and Ethel Gardner came to Catarina in 1926 after working at the mines on the River Road between Delores and Eagle Pass.  He worked for Paul Giles and later for C.W. Beck.   Alice says "Papa was the first one to plant broccoli here."!

  Son Bill had the cafe here.  (the one the tornado exxed out.)  Mr. and Mrs. Gardner took over running it when Bill went into the service.  He was killed in action.

  Howard served in the Air Force during World War II.  He operated heavy machinery around the Catarina area for many years.

  Alice Gardner retired from her post as Postmaster in 1966 after serving 27 years.  Kathryn and her husband Kelly Vivion ran a grocery store here.  They one daughter, Sharon.

By Jim Parish Times Staff Writer Catarina - A small new post office painted in light spring colors adds a cheerful note to Catarina's palm lined main street.

  The concrete block structure was opened Nov. 1.  The cost of construction was only $4,000.00. However, the cheerfulness and good taste Miss Alice Gardner put into planning the building are winning compliments from both visitors and local residents.  Miss Gardner has been the postmaster the past 21 years.  She built the new post office and is leasing it to the government, under a program in which local investors are encouraged to construct post offices.

pages 38 and 39 

Garza

  Jorge Garza married Juanita Villarreal on May 31, 1918.  They had nine children.  1. Delfino (Sr.) 2. Victor 3. Secundino 4. Vicente 5. Margarita (Barrera) 6. Martin 7. Maria (Cisneros) 8. Rafael 9. Tomasa (Berry)

  The four oldest were born in Mexico, and the other five in Artesia Wells and Catarina, Texas.

  They left Mexico on August 11, 1928, first moving to Artesia Wells and finally to Catarina.

  First born Delfino (Sr.) married Aurora Garcia and they had eight children.  1. Domingo 2. Juanita 3. Delfino, Jr. 4. Miguel 5. Ernesto 6. Ruben 7. Diana (deceased) 8 Carlos

  Delfino, Sr. worked a a mechanic and welder before he operated the Texaco garage, which he had until the late 1950's.  They moved to Carrizo Springs in 1963.

Espinoza

  Leon Hale writing in the Houston Post, 1968 about a trip to Catarina ---

"Chester and I wandered over and looked in the padlocked front door of the Royal Palms Hotel.  WE struck up a conversation with a woman carrying a paper sack full of little palm trees, to plant in her yard.  I remember her because of her name Eulogia Espinoza.  I asked her to write it out for  me in my notebook.  The way she pronounced her given name just beautiful: Eh-oo-Lo-hee-ah.  First time I ever ran into that one.  The gringo way to pronounce it, I guess, would be Yew-Lo-gee-uh, which is ugly.  When Spanish names like that are gringo-ized, all the music goes out of them."

Schumann

  Adolph and Nettie Schumann left Albert, Texas in 1929 to move to Moore and start farming.  Chester (then working in Laredo), met them at Moore.  They still hadn't paid the rent on that big house there, so next morning, they just up and left.   Moore was so hot and dry, even the broom grass was dead.  At least, they knew they could get financing if they went on to Catarina.

  Schumanns first moved onto the old Fowler Place "--ways past Beazley's!"  Over the years, they farmed many different places growing mostly onions.

  When the "new" highway to Laredo was being built, Adolph dug the ditches for the culverts with his mules and a fresno.

  Having children and then grandson, Sonny in school here, Mr. Schumann felt drawn to serve on the school board.  He was president of that board for several years.

  Adolph and son, Carl ran the Texaco station and then he and his wife operated the John F. Grant Lumber Company here for several years until he retired.

pages 40 and 41 

  Long

  Jess Henry Long, Sr.  bought a piece of land just south of Catarina in 1929.  When he brought his wife, Lida Potts Long, and their children down here in 1931 they traded that for the place still owned by Jess, Jr.  Jess and four of his five sisters were born in Duncan, Oklahoma.

  Thanks to a very good sweet water well drilled on the place, the large orange orchard they planted in 1932 flourished.  Theirs, along with many others succumbed to the hard freeze on 1951.  

  The family moved to Carrizo Springs in August of 1936.  Later, Jess, Jr. came back to Catarina to the ranch to raise his family.

Photo is famous icicles of 1951

Burton

  Mr. Burton was known by many different names.  --As a young man running a trucking company, he was called "Buckshot".  Some called him Everett, and some called him E.L., but over the years, most people knew him as "Pete".

  He worked many jobs.  He helped build the new Highway 83 to Laredo when that was a W.P.A. project.  Two different times he was janitor for the local schools.  Back in '33 or '34 when one of his duties there was to mow the lawn, he was so blind that Wilma or Oeena would lead the mower around with a rope.

  Pete and Henry helped build the gym onto the High School after that end of the school had burned.  Wilma helped Pete when one of his jobs was to seal up the railroad cars after the cattle had been loaded.

  Henry delivered ice around Catarina when most households had "ice boxes" instead of refrigerators.

  Mrs. Viola Burton made many beautiful quilts and taught  many of us how to make them also.  She always kept a very pretty yard, too.

Cstilleja

  The Castilleja family moved her in 1935.  For nearly thirty summers, most of the family would go off to work in Colorado, leaving in early May and returning in October.

  Cirilo, Sr. and his wife had a very large family.  --Lorenzo, Ruperto, Margarita (and a twin sister), Ysabel, Trini Maria, Cruz, Hermenejilda, Manuela, Martin, Alberto, and Cirilo, Jr.   Most of these still live and work in the Catarina area.

Lansford

  The Ira Lansford family has been an important part of the Catarina community for many years.  Long ago when they worked on other ranches and on the Piloncillo, Julia would help bring the cattle to the railroad.  They would often drive them in in the morning, bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy after the loading was done.

  More recently, Harvey and his wife Jean operated the Catarina Grocery Store for several years  They and their children often come to visit Julia.

  Jula has been a member and very active participant in the Catarina Homemakers Club and also in the Catarina Community Club.

Los Perricos

  Vicente Barrera, Sr., born in  Santo Thomas, Texas in 1915 recalls playing on a baseball team name "Los Perricos", -- "The Parrots".  Every player wore a yellow cap.  Their coach was Francisco "Pancho" Lira.  Jose "Guero" Salazar was their pitcher.  Vicente played catcher.  His twin brother, Manuel, played center field and his brother Donicio "Nicho" was a catcher also.  Andres and Adan Lira, sons of "Pancho" Lira were part of the team too.  Their shortstop was Ramon Raosales.  Telesforo adn Antonio Gonzales, brothers, were players also.  Jesus "Guero" Barrera another brother of Vicente, was part of this team too.  Vicente also recalls tht Felix Trevenio played with their team.  They would get together and play against Asherton, "Cheto", Cotulla, and Millet.  Vicente was about nineteen years old during this time.

page 47

We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed information to this booklet.  We're sure there are many more stories around.  If you'd consider adding yours for a possible sequel next year, please write to Louise Schumann, P.O. Box 6, Catarina.  78836

sources:

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots, Chapter 15

Catarina Pictorial News, Catarina Chamber of Commerce, @ 1929

A History of Dimmit County, printed in the Carrizo Springs Javelin, May 31, 1979 Crystal Williams

Mesquite Roots Column, Javelin, April 24, 1980 Laura Tidwell

Treasure of Dimmit County Senior English Classes. C.S.H.S

Catarina:  Desert Dream Town - Houston Chronicle June 24, 1956 -L.A. Wilke

Corpus Christi Caller-Times mid 1960's

Leon Hale - Houston Post - November 1, 1968

"Portrait of a Texans"  Carrizo Springs Javelin Nicholas Volpe

Mildred Burns Gilbert

Wilma Burton Weyant

Oeena Burton Allaire

Margarita Guerra Brrera

Marjorie Burnett Parsons

Jess Long

Vicente Barrera, Sr.

Dick Dobie

Alicia (Mrs. Fino, Jr.) Garza

Julia (Mrs. Ira) Lansford

Merle Burns

JoAnn Dockery Ryan

Kathryn Gardner Vivion

Lawrence (Sonny) Schumann

My Great Grandmother Ollie Lee Rice

My mother, Kay Frances (Roberts) Vivian passed away this Nov.1, 2017.  She actually died at home on October 31, 2017 at 11:43 p.m but the hospice nurse didn't get here until after Halloween to pronounce death until the 1st of Nov.  So legally, they say she died on Nov. 1, 2017.

  I had seen this old photo before, when I was very young.  I remember my Grandmother showing it to me.  Her mother, my grandmother, was named Lettie Mae Collins. She married Kelmar Swann Roberts, then divorced him and married a man named John Johnston. Then they divorced.

This is a photo of my great grandmother, Ollie Lee Rice.  She was born Feb. 28, 1876 in Bedford, Virginia.  She married John Henry Collins on Sept 29, 1897.  They had 10 children.  She died on December 15, 1963 in Lychburg, Virginia.  She was 87 years old.

Digging For Your Roots

Digging For Your Roots  is a page I created to start finding families and ancestry for other people for a low fee.   I am currently researching 7 families. I am researching Fortune, Mullins, Emory, Spahn, Callahan, Simmons, and Phillips families.  Plus I am still doing some on my own.  I enjoy doing research and have spare time to do others.  You can contact me at pearapple@gvtc.com if you would like to hire me to research your family.  Please put Family Research in the subject line.  I will need all and as much information as you can about whoever you know of in your family to get started.  The more information you have to give me, the less time I spend looking and that is cheaper for you.

Say you want to find your great-grandfather, but don't know his name.  Start with yourself, send me your name, date of birth, where you were born, then go with parents and send me all their info on birth and death and places of birth and death.  I am happy to look.  Even if you just want me to find one person or information on one person, I am happy to do so for a modest fee.

Leslie

John B. O'Meara

John B. O'Meara

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots Sal A. and Lillie Cude Armstrong page 137-138

Sal A. and Lillie Cued Armstrong on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary on August 10, 1948.  (photo courtesy Dolly Cramer Armstrong)

  Sal A. Armstrong was born in Somerset, Texas on April 8, 1880.  His father, George W. Armstrong, died when Sal was nine year old.  His grandfather William "Billy" Armstrong raised Sal and his three brothers on the San Miguel Ranch near Pearsall, Texas.
  Billy Armstrong was born in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1823.  His parents were George and Theresa Rice Armstrong.  William left home at an early age.  He went to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where he hunted, trapped, and traded furs and skins on Lake Pippin for winter.  He came to Austin, Texas, where he joined the ranger service as a member of Captain Katy's company and served three months.  Then he joined Captain Ross's company for six months.  In 1884 he married Zaruah Fulcher, a native of Arkansas.
  After they were married the Armstrongs moved to Lavaca County, Texas, where Billy farmed and did stock raising.  In 1864 Zaruah died, leaving him with five sons and a daughter.: Sam, Tom, George, Bill, Jim, and Theresa.
  Bill Armstrong married Nancy Ryan the following year.  In 1868 he moved to Bee County, Texas and bought a ranch below Beeville.  He came to Frio County, Texas in 1882 and owned the 6,000-acre San Miguel Ranch on the McGill Creek, 12 miles from Pearsall.
  Sal A. Armstrong grew up in this household.  He married Lillie Cude on August 10, 1898.  She was born October 17, 1880 near Seguin, Texas and moved to Frio County, within 15 miles of Pearsall, when she was seven years old.  She was the daughter of Willis Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Harrell Cude.  Her brothers and sisters, in order of age, were Milvern, Elmer, Lillie Lee, Pink, Alice, Scott, Bessie, Sydney, Roy, Jack, Mamie, and Tim.

The SAl A. Armstrong family.  Left to right: Lillian (Little), Sal Alvin, Marie (Huffhines), Jewell (Kincaid), George, Edythe (Rosenberry), Earl, and parents, Lillie Cude and Salt A. Armstrong. (Photo courtesy Dolly Cramer Armstrong)

  In 1906 Sal and Lillie arrived in Dimmit County from Pearsall.  They had three children then.  In 1910 Sal Armstrong helped organize and name the town of Big Wells.  In 1912 he was elected commissioner of Dimmit County Precinct No. 3 for two years.
  In 1922 Sal was elected commissioner again.  He resigned in 1924 when he bought a ranch and moved over the county line to Zavala County.  From 1923 to 1939 he was a partner with Charles H. Hoyle, establishing the Hoyle-Armstrong Cattle Company.  Hoyle was a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.
  In 1930 Sal Armstrong moved to Carrizo Springs and built the house on the Eagle Pass highway that is now owned by the James B. Catletts.  Sal served as director of the Citizens State Bank in Carrizo Springs during the 1940's.
  Sal A. and Lillie Cude Armstrong had eight children:  Earl of Crystal City, Texas; Edythe Armstrong Rosenberry of Wichita FAlls, Texas; George of Uvalde, Texas; Marie Armstrong Huffhines of Wichita Falls; Jewell Armstrong Kinkaid of Uvalde; Sal Alvin on Big Wells, Texas (see separate story); Lillian Lee Armstrong Little of San Antonio, Texas; and Travis, who died in 1920 at the age of four years.
  Sal and Lillie were known and loved by all.  Sal was an enthusiastic participant of rodeos and ropings, and was instrumental in staging them in Dimmit County.  Harry Williams of the San Antonio Light wrote of him in column "Trails," reprinted in the Carrizo Springs Javelin on July 31, 1930.  "A rodeo in that country without Sal at or around close to the head of it would be lacking something."
  In a similar article reprinted in the Javelin May 1, 1930, Williams said,
   A word about this Sal Armstrong.  You know how these old cowboys are about nicknaming one another.  Well, around 35 or 40 years ago when Sal was just beginning to step out in this world and put on white collars and go to dances, some wag just had a fancy to call him Sam around the ranch and round-up, and the name stuck.  Really, he's one of the Great Big Guys of the ranch world of the great Brush County.
  He's handsome as any Helen, Maria, or Apollo that ever went into a drug store, for part of it, and then just a regular fellow for the rest of it, and big and able after that.  
  Sal Armstrong was dedicated to civic improvement.  He helped start the rodeo grounds, ballpark, football field, and airport in Dimmit County.
  Florence Fenley wrote stories about Sal and LIllie.  They were first printed in the Cattleman magazine, then in Fenley's book, Oldtimers of Southwest Texas (Uvalde: Hornby Press, 1957).  Fenley brought out Sal's sense of humor and storytelling ability.  The following is from her book, quoting Sal's description of courtship of Lillie Cude.

  "She had a bunch of brothers." said he, "and I used to buy this Mexican candy at ten cents a pund and bring it out to their place for the boys.  I sure had 'em on my side after I fed 'em candy for a while and I had 'em trained to steal the other fellow's candy he brought out and eat it up before he could get to give it to her.  That was usually nice chocolate candy.  Once I brought a lot of that Mexican candy out to the boys and had it tied up in a flour sack.  I didn't know the sack had a hole in the corner and I scattered candy all the way to her home.  When I got there, it was nearly all gone, but them boys took the trail and picked up candy all the way to Frio river."

  Sal A. Armstrong died on April 16, 1949.  LIllie Cude Armstrong died on July 29, 1969.  Both are buried in Uvalde.
                                   Sal Alvin Armstrong
                                    Big Wells

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots - Andrew Jacob and Armenta Jo Redus Armstrong Family page 137

  Andrew Jacob Armstrong was born March 15, 1930.  His parents were Clarence Avery and Vera Aylese Ballard Armstrong.  Clarence was born in Gaston County, North Carolina in 1898.  Vera was born in Stanley, North Carolina.  Andrew was born in Gaston County.
  Armenta Jo Redus was born in Pearsall, Texas on May 22, 1929.  Her parents were Delma Schmidt and Lora Rumfield Redus.  Delma was born in Hondo, Texas in 1898.  Lora was born in Covey Chapel, near Dilley, Texas.  Delma's father, George Redus, herded sheep in Dimmit County in the early 1900's.
  Andrew and Armenta Jo first met in 1949.  Andrew was in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.  Armenta Jo was attending Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas.  They were married May 27, 1950, and spent two years in southern Germany with the U.S. Army of Occupation.
  The Armstrong's traveled in Austria, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland.  Andrew served in the military for six and one-half years.  He served as personnel sergeant major and instructor in the Adjutant General's School, with one year in Korea and Japan.
  The Armstrong's lived in Dilley, Texas, Armenta Jo's home town, from September of 1953 until November of 1958.  At that time they moved to Carrizo Springs and bought a home from Sam Branbo at 103 South 12th Street, where they reside today.
  Andrew and Mr. Redus purchased the Wilson-Speed Chevrolet Company, formerly Al Vivian Chevrolet, at 307 Nopal Street.  This business was sold to Carl Schmidt in November of 1970.  Andrew, a former president of the Dimmit county Chamber of commerce, was employed as the full-time manager in February of 1971.
  The Armstrongs had four children:  David Redus born May 31, 1951; Michael Andrew born in Germany on December 13, 1952; Joe Andene born May 11, 1956; and Kyle Forrest born January 20, 1960.  All graduated from Carrizo Springs High School, with David and Michael leading the golf team to district, regional, and state honors and securing scholarships in that sport at Howard Payne College and the University of Houston, respectively.  Andene was a delegate to Girls State and honor student in high school and at Texas W omens University.  Kyle is now attending Southwest Texas Junior College at Uvalde, Texas.
  All members of the family are members of the First Baptist Church of Carrizo Springs.  Andrew has served in all areas of civic service, including District Governor of Lions International District 2-A2, covering the San Antonio and south Texas area, with 72 clubs in all.  He has attended six international conventions.
  Armenta Jo has taught in the public schools for over 27 years.  She served as Worthy Matron of Sarah Chapter 353, Order of the Easter Star, and is president of Delta Kappa Gamma society.
  Andrew is twice Past Master of Dimmit Lodge #566,  AF&AM and served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1973-1974.  He has held all offices of the Lions Clubs in Dilley and Carrizo Springs and has 25 years of perfect attendance.  Also he has served and Commander and Adjutant of Clarence Mobley American Legion Post 359; trustee of Dimmit Memorial Hospital; chairman of the Building Committee for the Dimmit County Medical Center; chairman of the Industrial Team to promote the clothing factory; president of South Texas Chamber Managers Association; Eagle Scout scoutmaster; precinct chairman and election judge; president of the Golf Club during construction of the new course in 1963-1964; member of San Antonio Commandry, Knights Templar; and Worthy Patron of Eastern Star.
                                 Andrew Jacob Armstrong - Carrizo Springs.

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots pages 136-137 The Samuel Henry "Sam" Anderson Jr. Family

Samuel Henry (Jr.) and Doris Culver Anderson.  (Photo courtesy Sandra Anderson Wetzig)  Baby in chair:  Samuel Miles Anderson Sr. at age two in 1918,  (Photograph courtesy Sandra Anderson Wetzig)

The Samuel Miles Anderson Jr. family.  Left to right, rear; Sammy, Miles, and Jackie.  Front:  Lynn, Debby, and Mark.  (Photo courtesy Sandra Anderson Wetzig)

Samuel Henry Anderson Jr. was the son of Samuel Henry Sr. and Mary Lee Williams Anderson, early Dimmit County residents.  Sam Jr. was born in Carrizo Springs on February 5, 1894.  He was in France during World War I, and in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.

Sam married Doris Culver, who was born April 16, 1896 in Naugatuck, Connecticut.  Sam and Doris had two children, Samuel Miles and Doris Margaret.

Doris Culver Anderson died on March 10, 1922.  She buried at the Mission Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Sam H. Anderson Jr. later married Mary Alarcon, who was born in 1908.  They had one child, Robert Henry.

Samuel Miles "Sammy" Anderson Sr.  was born in San Antonio on December 7, 1916.  He married Virginia Fain on July 15, 1939.  Virginia was born July 15, 1920 in Ancone, in the Canal Zone.  Sammy and Virginia Fain Anderson had two children, Samuel Miles Jr. and Sandra Louise.  Samuel Miles Anderson Jr. married Jackie Priour and they have four children: Miles, Lynn, Debby, and Mark.  The family lives in Corpus  Christi.  Sandra Louise Anderson married Donald Wetzig (see separate story)

Doris Margaret Anderson was born in San Antonio on December 20, 191.  She married W. C. "Bill" Davisson and they had four children (see separate story).

Robert Henry Anderson was born in 1934.  He married Carrie Lee Harrbison in 1956.  They had four children:  Robert Clyde born in 1957, Jennifer Lorraine born in 1958, Meredith Leigh born in 1960, and Alice Louise born in 1965.  Carrie Lee Harrbison Anderson died in 1965.  Robert married Barbara Ann Steadman in 1968.  They had three children:  Benjamin Alexander born in 1969, Elizabeth Siobhan born in 1973, and Samuel James "Sammy" born in 1975.

Mary Alarcon Anderson died in 1960.  Samuel Henry "Sam" Anderson Jr. died in December of 1960.  He is buried at Mission Cemetery in San Antonio.

Margaret Anderson Davisson Spring, Texas 

Sandra Louise Anderson Wetzig Carrizo Springs.

Irish family history page. O'Meara's, O'Mara's, Originally O Meadhra.

Ó Meadhra O'meara O'Mara Clan Irish Family Roots. Please Join

Click link above to join the clan.  Interested in your Irish Roots and it's history?  Free to join, and free to post.

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots page 134, James Granger Sr. and Forrest Alean Richardson Anderson Family

 James Granger Anderson Sr. was born on July 27, 1895 in Jackson, Tennessee.  He was the son of William Madison and Sarah Knott Lotta Anderson.  He was a student at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
  Forrest Alean Richardson was the youngest of five children born to Asher and Mary Isabelle Votaw Richardson of Asherton.  Forrest was born in 1895.  She attended the Kidd-Key Conservatory of Music and Art at Sherman.  It was while they were in Sherman that Granger and Forrest met.
  After Granger returned from serving overseas as a first lieutenant aerial observer in the 345th Field Artillery in World War I, he and Forrest were married.  The wedding took place in San Antonio on August 20, 1919.
  Granger worked in the Richardson Family businesses in Asherton for a few years.  Asher Richardson, the founder of the town of Asherton, had built what he described as a "bungalow" in Asheron for each of his children.  The wooden houses, built in 1909, are still in use today.
  The Andersons had two children, Forrest Isabelle and James Granger, Jr.  After their children were born, Granger and Forrest moved the family to Dallas, Texas, where Granger worked as a district agent for an insurance company.
  Granger died of heart disease on February 12, 1936 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Dallas.
  About 1929, Forrest Richardson Anderson moved back to Asherton with her children to live with her widowed mother, Isabelle Richardson, and her widowed sister Lula Richardson Dean.  The all lived together in the Richardson home, Bel-Asher.
  Forrest Richardson Anderson died of a heart attack in the Richardson home on December 30, 1941.  She is buried in the Richardson plot in Mission Cemetery in SAn Antonio.
  Forrest Isabelle Anderson was born February, 19, 1921.  She married Robert W. Hemphill of Chester, South Carolina.
  James Granger Anderson Jr. was born December 16, 1922.  He married Jimmie Lee Barker (see separate story).
                                         Jimmie Lee Barker Anderson
                                          Asherton

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots pg 133-134 Thomas Jefferson and Lillie Louie Beach Allen

The Thomas Jefferson Allen Family.  Left to right: Othella "Annie Lee," Marion, Lillie Louise Beach Allen holding Ruth, Orrene (back), J. B., Thomas Jefferson Allen, and Ona B. (Photo courtesy Charles Allen)

  Thomas Jefferson Allen was the son of James and Mary Ann Key Allen.  He was born in Gonzales County, Texas on August 30, 1865, and came to Dimmit County with his family in 1883.
  The Allens had homesteaded a number of ranches in Dimmit County, but gradually each of the older sons had moved away, selling their property to the other members of the family remaining in Dimmit County.  Thomas, the youngest of the seven children, eventually came to own all of the Allen land.
  Thomas's mother, Mary Ann Key Allen, developed poor health and went to Van Horn, Texas to live with her daughter Laura Allen Hall and her family.  While visiting his mother there, T.J. met Lillie Louise Beach, daughter of one of the founders of Van Horn.  Rosa Lee Wylie, author of HIstory of Van Horn, describes J.H. Beach as "a very influential man, one might refer to him as the father of Van Horn as he started so many enterprises...and the Beach mountains were named for him."
  T.J. and Lillie were married August 30, 1898.  The Tom Allen Family lived on the Dimmit County ranch until 1918.  The they moved into Carrizo Springs.  Tom traded some of his land to Tom Gardner for a home, the one on Houston Street presently owned by Kirby and Billie McAlister, and other property, including: service station, garage, machine shop combination; one truck; one Maxwell car; and two jitneys - a taxi service.  Later Tom sold his business to Houston Marney and Warren Holmgreen.  He traded the balance of his ranchland for a farm west of Carrizo Springs.
  The Allens had eight children:  Oma Orrene, Ona Blythe, Marion Thomas, twins Othella and Ozella "Annie Lee,"  James Beach, Nannie Ruth, Reba Elizabeth, and Charles Carroll.
  Oma Orrene Allen was born August 2, 1899 in Cotulla, Texas.  She married I.J. "Ikey" New on November 25, 1920. Ikey came to Dimmit County in 1910.  The couple had tow children, Laxton and Gwendolyn.  They moved to the Pearsall, Texas area in the 1940's.
  Ona Blythe Allen was born August 26, 1903 in Cotulla.  She died in January of 1929.
  Marion Thomas Allen was born April 3, 1905 at the ranch.  He married Bertha Mae Pierce on June 21, 1927.  Her parents, George and Dona Bell Pierce, were early residents of Dimmit County.  Marion and Bertha Mae had four children: Marion, George, Douglas, and Camilla.  They lived in Pleasanton, Texas.
  Ozella and Othella Allen, twins, were born September 29, 1906 in Cotulla.  Othella died in infancy and is buried in the Church Yard Cemetery in Prairie View.
  Ozella's name was changed to Annie Lee Allen.  She married Robert B. Landrum Jr. Robert Sr. died November 12, 1958.
  James Beach "J.B." Allen was born July 30, 1909 in Van Horn.  He married Vera Estelle Barnes on October 6, 1934.  They had two sons, Thomas J. and James B. H. B. Allen died October 19, 1968.
  Nannie Ruth Allen was born February 28, 1913 in Cotulla. She married DAvid Grider on August 28, 1938.  They had two children, DAvid J. and CArol Ann.  DAvid and David J. Grider are both deceased.  Ruth lives in Hemet, California.
  Reba Elizabeth Allen was born July 24, 1914 at the ranch.  She married Alvin W. Christ.  They had three children: Allen, Winetta, and CAtherine.  Reba Allen Christ lives in Hemet, California.
  Charles Carroll Allen was born August 30, 1920 in Carrizo Springs.  He married Faydelle Box (see separate story).
  Tom Allen was a deacon in the Baptist Church and all of his family were members there.  Tom and another man hauled in a gave to the Catholic congregation a load of lumber for the original Catholic Church in Carrizo Springs.
  Tom Allen died on March 11, 1926.  Lillie Louise Beach Allen died on July 6, 1936.  All of Tom and Lillie's children have moved from Dimmit County except for the J.B. Allens, Annie Lee Landrum, and Charles Allen.  Annie Lee Landrum and Vera Allen live together on the J.B. Allenfarm in Dimmit County.  Charles lives in Carrizo Springs.
                                               Charles Allen
                                                Carrizo Springs.