George McVey Bickett

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks was born about 1824 in Alabama, and died June 6, 1864, in Frio Co., TX, at about age 40, in the hands of a vigilante committee. Buried in Phair Cemetery, Brazoria Co., TX. He is the son of Lemuel Franks of North Carolina, and Hulda Jane Gann of South Carolina.

Martha P. Spears was born about 1826 in Mississippi, and died January 31, 1865, in Atascosa Co., TX, at about age 39. She is the daughter of William S. Spears of Mississippi, and Lucinda Williams of Edgefield Co., SC.

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks and Martha P. Spears were married about 1844 in Walker Co., TX.

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks and Martha P. (Spears) Franks had seven children:

A Twentieth Century History of Southwest Texas, Illustrated, Volume II, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907

D. G. FRANKS, the popular proprietor of Hotel Franks at Del Rio, was born in Caldwell county, Texas, December 1, 1848. He was reared upon a ranch and his early educational privileges were limited, but as the years have passed he has acquired a good practical education and has worked his way upward financially. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Martha P. (Spears) Franks, both of whom were natives of Alabama but were married in Walker county, Texas. The mother was a daughter of Mrs. Lucinda Spears and she and her husband were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. Mrs. Spears was a daughter of Mr. Williams, who married into a Pennsylvania Indian tribe. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Spears they made their way southward and settled in Alabama, where Martha Spears was reared. The father died there and Mrs. Spears afterward married a Mr. Knight, who removed with the family to Texas at an early day, settling in Walker county, where his death occurred. The members of the Spears family were John B.; Martha P., who became Mrs. Franks; Lemuel; Mrs. Anna Young; Bethenia, and Elizabeth. The last two married men of the name of King and resided in Walker county.

Benjamin F. Franks (father) was born in Alabama and when about four years of age was left an orphan. He had no one to care for him and went to live with strangers but became dissatisfied with the people by whom he was reared and the treatment they gave him, so that he ran away and joined some emigrants coming to Texas. He was then but a small boy. He grew to manhood upon the frontier amid the exciting experiences incident to the settlement of Texas. Deprived of all parental training, he made good use of his opportunities in many ways, becoming a broad-minded, intelligent man of strong determination and progressive spirit. He became one of the highly respected and prominent residents of his part of the state. He owned a number of slaves and was a successful stockman and farmer. In Walker county he married and began raising stock and after the birth of three of his children he removed with his family to Atascosa county in 1852. The range was free and grass good and he carried on business successfully there until 1861, when he established a ranch on the Leona river in Frio county, which is yet known as the Franks ranch. He was active in all matters pertaining to the county and state and was a friend of Sam Houston, and with Houston and others strenuously opposed secession. When the final vote was taken he was one of only two voters in Atascosa county who stood for the Union, his companion being Calvin Musgraves. When the state did secede he removed to Frio county, where he established his ranch and was quietly pursuing his private business interests when in 1864 a "vigilance committee of regulators" arrested him on a false pretext and started for San Antonio, supposedly to place him in prison. Instead of doing this they brutally and cowardly hanged him. He died a martyr for his principles. When told of the fate that awaited him he replied that he was in their power but that he had nothing to retract and that all he had said and done he owed to the Union. He predicted, too, the failure of secession. He was a man of firm purpose, unfaltering in a course that he believed to be right and his honorable manhood was widely acknowledged. Six feet tall and of athletic build, he was very powerful and fearless, especially in defense of what he believed to be right. He died June 6, 1864. Calvin Musgraves. his friend, who voted with him to support the Union, fearing that their lives were endangered, had gone to Mr. Franks and tried to persuade him to go to Mexico but the latter refused, saying that it was his duty to remain with his family. Mr. Musgraves, however, went to Mexico and when the war was over returned to Texas, where he remained until his death twenty years later.

Mrs. Franks survived her husband until January 31, 1865, when she passed away. Her brother, John B. Spears, who had lived with the family many years, continuing with them after his marriage, took charge of the children who were thus orphaned and with his aid and advice the sons did all they could to save the stock and property but much of the stock got away. During the war the Mexicans, abetted by the white thieves, were stealing all of the best stock throughout the country and running them into Mexico. Dan G. Franks, then but a boy, yet a born leader, devised a plan and with his brother and nine companions made many runs after the thieves and brought many of them to justice, over thirty Mexicans being killed. This put an end to cattle thieving in that locality. At times the party went for two and a half days without food or water and all were about exhausted, but they persevered in their undertaking and at length succeeded in ridding the county of the bad men who infested its borders. In 1865, John B. Spears, the uncle, removed with his family to San Marcos in order to give his children educational privileges, after which he returned to the ranch and took care of the family property. He remained in the same county until his death in 1887. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church and a grand, good man.

The children of Benjamin F. Franks were seven in number, five sons and two daughters: John B., who died in 1869; Lemuel A., a stockman of Atascosa county; Daniel G.; William M., a stockman who died at Eagle Pass in 1882, leaving a wife and five children; James M., a stockman of Maverick county, who died leaving four children; Mrs. Lucinda Williams, of Atascosa county, who died leaving one son, Benjamin; Nancy A., the wife of R. Turner, a resident of Atascosa county.

Dan G. Franks spent two terms in school at San Marcos and returned to the ranch in 1867. He made himself useful in many ways, going and returning to the ranch at intervals, and with a brother he spent much time in the brush. In 1868 he married and commenced farming with his wife's mother, who had five children. He reared them all and did a good part by them. Following his marriage he purchased land certificates, securing in this way ten thousand acres, after which he established a ranch ten miles north of Cotulla, where he engaged in the stock business successfully until 1877. He then sold out and returned to Atascosa county, where he built a fine home, remaining there until 1881. During this time the family remained at home and Mr. Franks went to LaSalle county, purchasing and driving large herds of cattle to Kansas for market, but prices were low and he lost all that he had invested but the homestead to which he returned. In 1881 he engaged with a Mr. Camp in sheep industry, purchasing and driving the sheep to Menard county, where he herded. The number of sheep increased until 1883, when he sold out at a loss. He and Mr. Camp then returned to the old homestead in Atascosa county on which he had left a bunch of growing cattle, and he then bought thirty-five hundred cattle and drove them to Pecos county, where he established a ranch and continued until 1885. He then sold out to the Pecos Land & Cattle Company for one hundred thousand dollars, after which he worked for a salary for the Pecos Land & Cattle Company. In the meantime his cattle at home had been doing well and he removed his family and stock to Pecos county. A fine herd was coming up, but during the drought of 1892-3 many of them died. He then sold the remainder for twenty-one hundred dollars, giving the money to his children. He removed from Pecos to Cedar Springs, where in 1885 his wife passed away. The same year he removed with the children and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elkins, to Wilson county, where they remained until 1888, when Mrs. Elkins died.

In 1887 Mr. Franks was married again and after the death of Mrs. Elkins he took his children to Pecos county, where he lived until 1893, engaged in the stock business. He then accepted a position with the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas, covering the territory from San Antonio to El Paso to protect cattle raisers. He continued in that position until 1905, or for twelve years, when he resigned. When he took charge of this work, there was much thieving and smuggling at that time and Mr. Franks did much detective work, in which connection he rid the country of many criminals. So effective was his service in this direction that for four years previous to his resignation there was not a single case of thieving to report.

In 1897 his wife came to Del Rio and opened a hotel, while Mr. Franks remained in the employ of the cattle association until 1905, when he returned home and has since given his attention to the management of the hotel. He has built up a large business, which has so increased that he has been compelled to erect two additions, and the Hotel Franks is the pride of Del Rio. In this, as in all other things which he has undertaken, Mr. Franks has displayed a spirit of strong purpose and successful accomplishment that has made him a leader among men.

Mr. Franks was first married to Miss Zezrilda J. Elkins, who was born in Guadalupe county, Texas, and was a daughter of Preston and Jolly Elkins. Her father was a farmer by occupation and died in 1864. His children were: Mary, the wife of J. W. McMains; Zezrilda, who became Mrs. Franks; James W., a stockman; Margaret, who married J. Elkins and died two years later; Miles, who died in childhood; Queen, the wife of James Franks; and Breckenridge. It was these children that Mr. Franks reared, doing a father's part by them. His own marriage was blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters: Alonzo V., who is now conductor on the Mexican Central Railroad in Mexico; Artie and Arrie, twins, the former the wife of H. A. Neal, of San Antonio, and the latter of John M. Doak, a prominent rancher; Lela, the wife of L. F. Hurd, a stockman of Midland, Texas; Oscar, who is paymaster for the International & Mexican Railroad with headquarters at Diaz, Mexico; and Dannie, now Mrs. T. Shields, of Monterey, Mexico.

Mr. Franks' second marriage, in 1887, was to Mrs. Alva Brite, the widow of Charles Brite. By her first marriage she had four children: John W., a section foreman; Mattie, who married Mr. Friesen, by whom she had a son, Carl, and for her second husband married Mr. Crew, by whom she has one child, Gedney; Bennie and Dan H., both married.

Mrs. Franks was born in Bexar county, Texas, in 1856, a daughter of Rev. H. L. Thompson, a worthy minister of the Methodist church for over forty years. He was one of the pioneer preachers in Texas and was also a stock farmer. He spent the last seven years of his life in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Franks, where he was surrounded with loving care and attention. His children were Mrs. Rosa Renshaw; Mrs. Roana McMains; Mrs. Julia Neal; Mrs. Kate Kurrey; Alva A., now Mrs. Franks; John H., and Florence, who after the death of her first husband, Mr. Clark, married Dr. Barnwell, of Bell county, Texas. Rev. Thompson was twice married and had two children by the second union, Charles and Hiram, both residents of Bell county, Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Franks have been born three interesting children : Alva, Bob Ingersoll and Penny.

Mr. Franks is an enterprising and public-spirited man and has done much good in the world, being charitable to the needy, while to many children he has taken the part of a father as well as friend. He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Elks. He has lived through the period when lawlessness and strife were very common in the state, when the Indians and thieving white men took the stock and often the lives of the settlers, and has borne his part in ridding the country of such characters. He was a strong supporter of the Democracy until President Cleveland's second administration, when he decided that the nation was too great a thing for the Democratic party to handle and he has since given his support to the Republican party. He is highly esteemed for his many good traits of character and has a genial, jovial, hearty manner which makes him popular with many friends.

UP THE TRAIL TO NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

By L. A. Franks of Pleasanton, Texas

I was born in Guadalupe County, Texas, on the San Geronimo Creek, February 21, 1847. Moved to Atascosa County in 1853. My father, Ben F. Franks, being a cattleman from his boyhood days, I was raised a cowboy from the cradle up and spent my boyhood days in Atascosa County. My father, having passed away in 1862, myself and brother were left to take care of our mother and sisters. I worked cattle and fought Indians for several years, and in 1867 I settled on a ranch of my own in La Salle County. Was married in 1870 to Miss Caroline Chapman of Bell County. After several years raising cattle I started up the trail with my first herd in 1872 for G. W. Chapman and myself. I left La Salle County in March for the Wichita (Kansas) market, and went by way of San Antonio, Austin and Fort Worth and straight on up the trail. We left with 1,000 head of steers and, with plenty of water and grass, we had a good trip and lost only a small number of steers on the way, arriving at the Wichita market in June. Returning to my ranch, I remained there until 1886 and started up the trail again for Presnall, Withers & Co., this time for Northern New Mexico. I left Presidio County in April and this trip was full of hardships all the way out to Roswell, New Mexico. We went by way of Alpine and Toyah and struck the Pecos River at Hash Knife Ranch, and the night we got there our herd stampeded early in the night and we did not get them checked until early morning. Again at Toyah we had a stampede that lasted all night and until sunrise the next morning, and this time we lost 22 head of steers. We went up the Pecos to Seven Rivers and on up. Striking the Pecos again, we followed it as far as Roswell, New Mexico. We had a tough time getting there, with no grass and no rain. We suffered heavy losses all the way up the Pecos, pulling and digging cattle out of bogs every day and losing some each day. We were a dilapidated looking bunch, cattle, horses and men, and when we arrived within five miles of Roswell we had a glorious rain and storm that made our trip the balance of the way very good. We left the Pecos at Roswell and went up by old Fort Sumner, crossed over to the Canadian River and by the old Bell ranch, then went on up the Goodnight Trail through the mountains and reached the market in July with 1,600 head of steers out of the 2,200 that we left Presidio County with in April. This was my last trip up the trail and I came back to Atascosa County and am still here.

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks and Martha P. Spears were married about 1844 in Walker Co., TX.

Daniel Gandy "Dan" Franks was born December 1, 1848, in Plum Creek, Caldwell Co., TX.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on October 28, 1850, shows Benjamin F. Franks (age 26) born in Alabama, and with real estate worth $600 is a Farmer, and is living in Caldwell Co., TX. Living with him is Martha P. Franks (age 24) born in Mississippi. Also living there are three children, all born in Texas: John B. Franks (age 5); Lemuel A. Franks, (age 3); and Daniel G. Franks (age 1).

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on September 11, 1850, shows Preston Elkin (age 27) born in Tennessee, who cannot read or write, is a Farmer, and is living in Travis Co., TX. Living with him is Nancy Elkin (age 24) born in Indiana. Also living there are two children, both born in Texas: Mary Elkin (age 3); and Zerilda Elkin (age 1). Living on the adjacent farm is the James Jolly family.

Alva Allison Thompson was born March 6, 1856, in Oak Island, located on the Medina River in Bexar Co., TX.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on August 17, 1860, shows B. F. Franks (age 36) born in Alabama with personal estate worth $5,000 is a Stock Raiser,, and is living near Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Martha P. Franks (age 35) born in Mississippi. Also living there are seven children, all born in Texas: J. B. Franks (age 15) a Stock Raiser; Lemuel Franks, (age 13); Daniel G. Franks (age 11); Wm. M. Franks (age 9); James M. Franks (age 7); Lucinda M. Franks (age 4); and Nancy A. Franks (age 2). Lucinda Knight (age 56) born in South Carolina, also lives in the Household.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 20, 1860, shows Press Elkins (age 50) born in Tennessee who cannot read or write, with personal estate worth $398 is a Farmer living in Caldwell Co., TX. Living with him is Nancy Elkins (age 35) born in Indiana. Also living there are six children, all born in Texas: Mary E. Elkins (age 13); Julia J. Elkins (age 12); Margaret Elkins (age 9); James Elkins (age 6); Q. Ellen Elkins (age 4); and Miles Elkins (age 2).

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on July 24, 1860, shows Hiram L. Thompson (age 42) born in Missouri with real estate worth $6,000 and personal estate worth $4,000 is a Farmer living near San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. Living with him is Louisiana Thompson (age 41) born in Louisiana. Also living in the household are Thompson children all born in Texas, with John being the only Male: Rosana Thompson (age 16); Ro Anna Thompson (age 13); Julia Thompson (age 11); Allis Thompson (age 8); Alva Thompson (age 4); and John Thompson (age 1).

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks died June 6, 1864, in Frio Co., TX, at about age 40, in the hands of a vigilante committee. Buried in Phair Cemetery, Brazoria Co., TX.

The children of Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Franks were seven in number, five sons and two daughters: John B., who died in 1869; Lemuel A., a stockman of Atascosa county; Daniel G.; William M., a stockman who died at Eagle Pass in 1882, leaving a wife and five children; James M., a stockman of Maverick county, who died leaving four children; Mrs. Lucinda Williams, of Atascosa county, who died leaving one son, Benjamin; Nancy A., the wife of R. Turner, a resident of Atascosa county.

Martha P. (Spears) Franks died January 31, 1865, in Atascosa Co., TX, at about age 39.

Daniel Gandy "Dan" Franks and Zezrilda Julia "Zerilda" Elkins were married February 7, 1868, in Atascosa Co., TX.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 15, 1870, shows D. G. Franks (age 21) born in Texas with real estate worth $300 and Personal estate worth 2,500 is a Stock Raiser living near Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him is Sarilda J. Franks (age 21) born in Texas who is Keeping House. Also living there is a male child, Alonzo V. B. Franks (age 6/12, Feb).

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows John B. Spears (age 45) born in Alabama, and with Real Estate worth $200 and Personal Estate worth $3,000 is a Stock Raiser, is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are: Elizabeth M. Spears (age 34) born in Alabama, who is Keeping House; Bethema Spears (age 8) born in Texas; Leonard W. Spears (age 7) born in Texas; Martha L. Spears (age 1) born in Texas, and L. A. Franks (age 23) born in Texas.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows Sarah E. O'Brien (age 44) born in Tennessee, and with Real Estate worth $500 and Personal Estate worth $15,000 is Keeping House, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with her are: a male, William O'Brien (age 10) born in Texas; a female, Cornelia O'Brien (age 9) born in Texas; and a female, Nancy O'Brien (age 7) born in Texas.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 15, 1870, shows W. M. Franks (age 19) born in Texas, and with Personal estate worth $500 is a Stock Raiser, and is living near Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are: Sallie Franks (age 16) born in Texas, who is Keeping House; James M. Franks (age 17) born in Texas; Mary L. Franks (age 14) born in Texas; and Nancy A. Franks (age 12) born in Texas.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows Maggie Franks (age 21) born in Missouri, and with Real Estate worth $200 and Personal Estate worth $900 and who is is Keeping House, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with her is William A. Franks (age 1) born in Texas.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows G. W. Chapman (age 54) born in Ohio, and with Real Estate worth $580 and Personal Estate worth $15,000 is a Stock Raiser, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are: a female, Caroline Chapman (age 48) born in Louisiana, who is Keeping House; a female, Ann N. Chapman (age 24) born in Texas; a male, John Chapman (age 21) born in Texas; a male, H. W. Chapman (age 19) born in Texas; a male, George Chapman (age 17) born in Texas; a female, Caroline Chapman (age 16) born in Texas; a female, Emma Chapman (age 14) born in Texas; a male, Robert Chapman (age 12) born in Texas; a male, Thomas Chapman (age 10) born in Texas; and a female, Laura Alice Chapman (age 4) born in Texas.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 31, 1870, shows J. A. Doak (age 55) born in Mississippi, with Real Estate of $500 and Personal Estate of $4,000 and who cannot read and cannot write, is a Stock Raiser, and is living in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are the following, all born in Texas: a female, Mary E Doak (age 34), who cannot read and cannot write, who is Keeping House; Josephine Doak (age 16), who cannot read and cannot write; W. A. Doak (age 14), who cannot read and cannot write; Josephine Doak (age 16), who cannot read and cannot write; John M. Doak (age 12), who cannot read and cannot write; Boyd M. Doak (age 4); Martha Ann Doak (age 5/12, March); and Adam Zumolt (age 18), who cannot read and cannot write, a Farm Laborer.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 12, 1880, shows Daniel G. Franks (age 31) born in Texas to Alabama-born parents is a Farmer living in Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Gerurlda Franks (age 30) born in Texas to Tennessee and Indiana-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his children, all born in Texas to Texas-born parents: son Lonzo V. Franks (age 10) who Works on Farm; daughter Artie Franks (age 8); daughter Arrie Franks (age 8); daughter Lealei Franks (age 6); son Oskar Franks (age 3); and daughter Daniel G. Franks (age not given). Also living in the household: wife's unmarried brother, Brackenridge Elkins (age 19) born in Texas to Indiana and Texas-born parents, who Works on Farm; and mother, Nancy Elkins (age 54) born in Indiana to Kentucky-born parents. A laborer also lives in the household. Living on the adjacent farm is married daughter, Alva (Franks) Brite, wife of Charles Brite. Andrew McMains live on another adjacent farm. Roana Thompson (Alva's sister) had already married Andrew's son, Abraham McMains, in 1864.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 12, 1880, shows Charles Brite (age 24) born in Texas to Missouri and Alabama-born parents is a Farmer living in Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Alva Brite (age 30) born in Texas to Missouri and Alabama-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his children, both born in Texas to Texas-born parents: son William Brite (age 7); and daughter Mattie Brite (age 3/12).

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 25, 1880, shows H. L. Thompson (age 62) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents is a Farmer living in Bell Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Chrystiana E. Thompson (age 47) born in Tennessee to Virginia and Tennessee-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are: son, Charles Thompson (age 12) born in Texas to Missouri and Tennessee-born parents; son, Hiram D. Thompson (age 9) born in Texas to Missouri and Tennessee-born parents; unmarried son Greo. H. Thompson (age 21) born in Texas to Missouri-born parents, who is a Farmer; and unmarried Mary F. Thompson (age 17) born in Texas to Missouri-born parents, who is At Home. Two boarders are also in the household. On the next farm lived Roana L. (Thompson) Mc Mains and family.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 25, 1880, shows A. F. McMains (age 37) born in Missouri to Kentucky and Missouri-born parents is a Farmer living in Bell Co., TX. Living with him is his wife, Roana L. McMains (age 34) born in Texas to Missouri and Louisiana-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are five children, all born in Texas to Missouri and Texas-born parents: Hiram F. McMains (age 13); Effie A. McMains (age 12); Horace E. McMains (age 10); Grace L. McMains (age 8); and Lewis A. McMains (age 1). On the next farm lived H. L. Thompson and family.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 28, 1880, shows William Franks (age 30) born in Texas to Alabama-born parents is a married Saloon Keeper who is living alone on Main Street, Maverick Co., TX.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 19, 1880, shows William A. Franks (age 27) born in Texas to Louisiana and Alabama-born parents is a married Stock Man who is living in Zavala Co., TX. Living with him are: his wife, Theodocia Franks (age 18) born in Texas to Louisiana and Alabama-born parents, who Keeps House; and his daughter, Mary J. Franks (age 9/12) born in Texas to Texas and Alabama-born parents.

In the early 1880s, two years before the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad lines, John Camp and Daniel G. Franks, foreman for the Pecos Land and Cattle Company, settled in of near Dryden, a small community just a few miles from the Mexican border in the southern part of Terrell County.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1900, shows William A. Franks (age 31) born October, 1868, in Texas to Texas and Louisiana-born parents is a married Farm Laborer, and who is renting his home, and is living in Atascosa Co., TX. Living with him are: his wife of 9 years, Julia E. Franks (age 38) born January, 1870, in Texas to Louisiana and Texas-born parents, with both of the children born to her still alive; his daughter, Vollie F. Franks (age 8) born May, 1892, in Texas to Texas-born parents; and his daughter, Lela Franks (age 3) born September, 1896, in Texas to Texas-born parents.

1900 census
John M Williams Justice Precinct 3, Dimmit, Texas abt 1853 Arkansas White Head

1910 census
Stephen Taylor Marlin Ward 1, Falls, TX abt 1846 England White Male Head
Phoebe Taylor Marlin Ward 1, Falls, TX abt 1846 England White Female Wife
Ruth Taylor Marlin Ward 1, Falls, TX abt 1892 Texas White Female Daughter
J M Williams Marlin Ward 1, Falls, TX abt 1854 Arkansas White Male Son-in-law
Nellie Williams Marlin Ward 1, Falls, TX abt 1879 England White Female Daughter

Shiloh Cemetery, Atascosa, Texas
Williams, John M. 2/27/1853 12/3/1928 Opressed by grief, yet cherished by faith and hope

He is buried in Shiloh Cemetery near Leming, Atascosa County, Texas. Also buried there are his first wife, his second wife, and their two infant sons.

When John Morgan's wife Lucinda died (he was only 27 years old), he and the tiny son, Ben, came to live with Wright Williams, Sr. and the family for a time. Here's what my (Dawn Gore) Aunt Dollie, John Morgan's niece, wrote in her letter to her sister, Lola, years later (letter in possession of Margaret Dawn Williams Gore, 2605 Evans, Plano, TX 75075 - April 1997): ".....Uncle Morg and Ben then lived with them as his wife died when Ben was a tiny weenie baby and weighed so little - Grandmother and Aunt Julia handled him on a pillow for a long time....."

He later moved to Cotulla, and his brother Daniel and Daniel's wife and family moved to Cotulla to help him. They lived with John Morgan for a long time until Morg married again--a woman 26 years younger than he was (Nellie Tayear). Daniel and family then moved to San Antonio. (This info came from Paul Williams, Poteet, Tx. -- April 1997)

Atascosa Co., TX - Cemeteries - Shiloh Cemetery

Williams, M. L. ?/?/1856 ?/?/1880 Wife of John M. Williams.
Williams, John M. 2/27/1853 12/3/1928 Opressed by grief, yet cherished by faith and Hope
Williams, Infant Sons no dates no dates Infant sons of John M & M.L. Williams. Two
Footstones: Baby

Index to Probate Cases of Atascosa County Texas

September 28, 1857 to March 6, 1939