Gregg County Bios C-F

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BIOGRAPHIES

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Callahan - Rev. James P. Callahan arrived in Longview from Chicago, Ill., where he had been born and raised. He was ordained on June 7, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo. by Archbishop Glennon. He became pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Longview and watched it steadily grow. In 1931 St. Anthony's was a small church, which soon grew to a membership of over 500 regular members. They soon needed a new church which Rev. Callahan spearheaded in 1938.

Campbell - Thomas Duncan Campbell, Sr. was one of the first mayors of Longview, having moved to the area in the late 1850's. . We also know he was one of the first officials elected, as he became the first peace justice of Precinct 1 for Gregg County.

Campbell - (1856-1923). Thomas Mitchell Campbell, governor of Texas, was born at Rusk, Texas, on April 22, 1856, the son of Thomas Duncan and Rachel (Moore) Campbell. He attended common schools at Rusk before entering Trinity University (then located at Tehuacana) to study law in 1873. Lack of finances forced him to withdraw after a year, but he got a job in the Gregg county clerk's office and studied law at night. In 1878 he was admitted to the Texas bar and began his practice in Longview. In the same year, he married Fannie Irene Bruner of Shreveport, Louisiana; they had five children.

Campbell practiced law in Longview until he was appointed a master in chancery for the troubled International-Great Northern Railroad in 1889. Financier Jay Gouldqv had allowed the ailing railroad to default on its debts in 1888 and then forced it into federal receivership in order to gain eventual control of it. Campbell soon found himself deeply involved in guiding the railroad's recovery. He became its court-appointed receiver in 1891 and moved his family to Palestine. The next year, after lifting the line from bankruptcy, he remained in Palestine as the general manager of the railroad.

However, Gould managed to gain control anyway, and Campbell found his own attitudes clashing with the business practices of his employer. Campbell distrusted monopolistic big business and sympathized with organized labor. He shared many of the reformist political views of his lifelong friend, former governor James Stephen Hogg.qv In 1897 Campbell resigned from the railroad, returned to private law practice in Palestine, and became active in Democratic partyqv politics. He attended several Democratic conventions and subsequently, at Hogg's urging, decided to run for governor. Though Hogg died before the campaign got underway, Campbell used his endorsement and promised to resurrect his friend's antitrust policies. His campaign gained added impetus when Senator Joseph Weldon Baileyqv threw his support to the Palestine lawyer, and Campbell was elected governor in 1906.

In his two terms in office, 1907-1911, Campbell initiated a number of reforms involving railroad regulation, antitrust laws, lobbying restrictions, equitable taxation, and pure food and drug laws. Under his administration the Robertson Insurance Law (1907) brought to a halt the insurance companies' practice of realizing large profits in Texas without investing policy reserves in the state. The most significant legislation centered on prison reform, as Campbell's administration ended the contract lease system for inmates and implemented more humane treatment of prisoners. Under Campbell many state agencies also came into being, including the Department of Insurance and Banking (see DEPARTMENT OF BANKING), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (see TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION), the State Board of Health (see TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH), and the Texas State Library.qv

Upon leaving the governorship Campbell returned to private law practice in Palestine but remained active in Democratic politics. In 1916 he ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate. In 1917 he served on the exemption board for World War I.qv He died in Galveston on April 1, 1923, and was buried in Palestine.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Thomas Mitchell Campbell Letters and Papers, Texas State Archives, Austin. Thomas Mitchell Campbell Papers, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Ross Phares, The Governors of Texas (Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican, 1976). Janet Schmelzer, "Thomas M. Campbell, Progressive Governor of Texas," Red River Valley Historical Review 3 (Fall 1978).

Janet Schmelzer

Canida - Ruby Canida, a Longview native and a member of the Jerusalem Baptist Church. A tireless social service worker and has served at least 2 terms as president of the East Texas District Congress of Parents & Teachers of the Texas State Congress of Negro Parents & Teachers. She has received numerous honors throughout the state of Texas for her work with parent & teacher groups. A wonderful example of leadership and has helped many to strengthen their personal lives. (This information was found among loose papers at the Longview Library in the Genealogy Dept.)

Cargill, Robert & Pauline - This bio is too long to include on this page so please click on their names to be transported to the actual bio page.

Carlton- J.S. Carlton operated the Longview Spring and Frame Company in Longview. It was one of the most modern plants in East Texas for repairing automobile springs and other specialized automobile work. His business has done so well that he has enlarged it several times, each time adding new equipment. His business installed one of the first wheel alignment machines in the East Texas area.

Carmack- Butch Carmack was a native Texan having been born in 1910 in Bivins, Texas. He attended school in Atlanta, Texas and graduaded from High School there in 1928. He returned to Bivins and worked in a grocery store for awhile, then became the Post Master for the next 3 years. He arrived in Longview in 1931, working for the Packing House and Cutrate Grocery for several years. He married Bernice Dancer of Greggton ca. 1938. Butch and Ray Howard decided to go into business for themselves and opened the Fairway Food Store in October of 1937. They opened a second Fairway Food Store in Greggton one year later in October of 1938.

Chaffin- C. E. Chaffin was a civic worker and outstanding businessman of the Longview & Kilgore areas. He was widely known for his superservice food stores, Big Grocery, in Longview, Greggton & Kilgore. His success was contributed to the fact that he was able to buy in large volume and have a quick turnover.

Chandler - Jim Chandler came to Texas in 1865 at the age of 16. He and William "Bill" Skipper migrated down from Alabama. Jim married Mary Baton who was born in Rusk County. Their children were: Emily Chandler (married Hillyer Dickerson), Bryan Chandler (married Ras Mercer), Loddie Chandler (married John Henry Laird), Oren Chandler, Kate Chandler (married Ben Laird) and Alf Chandler (married Zonie Lacy). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Clements, V.A. Jr. & Sr. - This bio is too long to put here so please click on the name and you will be transported to the actual bio.

Cooksey- Jon Douglass Cooksey, a native Longview man he received his education at Butler College of Tyler, Bishop College of Marshall and Berkeley Divinity School of California. He served for over 20 years as a minister, and numerous years in employment personnel. His activities included: Bethel Baptist Church of Longview, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, photography, and the Advisory Board of Womack Cosmetology Department. (This information was found among loose papers at the Longview Library in the Genealogy Dept.)

Craig- Lonnie Craig Jr. was a native Texan, being born in Tatum, Texas. His formal education came from Texas Southern University of Houston, Bishop College of Marshall, and the Gupton-Jones Morticians School. He served the Longview community as the insurance agent and manager for the Lewis-Craig-Garrett Funeral Home of Longview. He was a Baptist, a member of the masonic Lodge, the Voter's League, and a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Crane - Dr. James Madison Crane came to Kilgore in 1906. He married Mary Ann Bartlett and their children were: Nettie Lee Crane, James Bennett Crane (Dr. and married Lucy Esquridge Brown), Nannie Crane (married John Visage), James McMurray Crane (married Faye Patrick), Nannett Hodges Crane (married William Kenneth Wickham), Marian Crane (married Langston Smith), Joe Bartlett Crane and Lucretia Crane (married to Leo Carothers). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Crim- Wiley N. Crim was married to Dora Culp, whose parents came from Tennessee to Texas when she was only one year old. Their children were: Mable Crim, Gladys Crim (married will Utzman), Grace Crim (married Homer Sparks), Aline Crim, Lois Crim, Louise Crim (married Charles K. Huffman, Connally Crim (married Mildred Henderson) and Reuben Crim (married Lilliebell Hineman). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Crim- William Riley Crim, born in 1859, came to the now Crim's Chapel, Texas from Alabama with his parents in a covered wagon in 1870. He married Lou Della Thompson on March 13, 1888, the daughter of Captain & Mrs. John M. Thompson, who were born at Laird Hill on a farm...the very farm that the all important oil discovery was made in 1930. William and Lou Della met while students at the Alexander Institute. Their children were: Pauline Crim (married Verner Florence 1st & P.K. McIntosh 2nd), J. Malcolm Crim (married Katie Mae Birdwell, John T. Crim (married Maggie Lynn Brown), Robert Lee Crim who died in WWI, William Phillip Crim (died young), Liggett N. Crim (married Johnnie Ruth Elder and Ben Franklin Crim who died as a baby. (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Culp - John Franklin Culp arrived in Kilgore in 1907. He was married to Mary Jeanette Brown. Their children were: Frankie Malvin Culp (married Preston Allison) and Lucy (married William B. Ainsworth). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Culpepper, Cody - This bio is too long to put here so please click on the name to be transported to the actual bio.

Dalston - Jeptha William Dalston was married to Sharlie Tabler and they had four children: Jeptha (died young), R. Turley, Elizabeth Dalston Anderson & Loraine Dalston Sweet. He wore many hats in Longview through the years. He was manager of the Magnolia Hotel, was on the Longview School Board, was a member of the City Commission, was Mayor of Longview for about 10 years, was a State Game Warden (the oldest and longest in service), gave lectures in schools and universities, got deer from the state and brought them into East Texas, and got quail from the state and brought them into East Texas. He was known for many reasons, but his best asset was that of being a man of integrity and compassion. He cared about humanity and used his influence to improve the conditions in the black schools.

Dalston - Sharlie Tabler Dalston was a typical southern lady in most respects; pretty and ladylike. But then you might think differently when you saw her strolling in downtown Longview in the late 1800's being followed by a 9 foot pet alligator like a pet dog. She inherited the love of nature and animals from her father and married J.W. Dalston, a game warden. She kept her own horses in the stable behind the Magnolia Hotel and delighted in riding wild horses. She loved swimming and continued to swim until she was 80. She was blessed with 4 children: Jeptha (died young), R. Turley, Elizabeth Dalston Anderson & Loraine Dalston Sweet.

Daniel- Oliver Daniel arrived in Longview in 1906 and became a well known oil and lumber man. He was owner of the East Texas Lumber Company, one of Longview's leading businesses. His activities included: Director of the Rembert National Bank, Directory of the First Federal Savings & Loan Association, a member of the Rotary Club, on the Board of Stewards of the First Methodist Church, President of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and President of the East Texas Exhibit Association.

Davies- In the 1890's Rev. & Mrs. Davies lived in Kilgore with 2 daughters. He was the Presbyterian minister. (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Davis- Jimmie Davis, born in Kilgore, a true Gregg County girl. She received her Master's degree from SFA and used her education to teach our youth. She was a member of the Texas State Teacher's Association, the National Education Association and the Classroom Teacher's Association. A true Baptist who worked with the Missionary Society at Bethel Baptist Church. A few of her accomplishments include past President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and working with 4-H Club and the Gregg County Adult Leaders Association. (This information was found among loose papers at the Longview Library in the Genealogy Dept.)

Davis - L.B. Swifty Davis was a Marshall, Texas born Longview businessman. He was a Mortician that managed his own business for many years. He was a Baptist, a member of the United Political Organization of Texas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Texas Church Ushers, President of the East Texas Ushers, President of the Longview NAACP, a 33° mason, a professional baseball player, the first Bronze Mayor of Longview and the organizer of the first Negro cab company in Longview.

Devall - Lyde Williford Devall (1909-1986), publisher and University of Texas regent, was born on December 14, 1909, in Dallas, the daughter of Herbert L. and Lyde Williford. She attended Highland Park High School and Southern Methodist University, where she received a B.A. in 1931 and an M.A. in 1932. She also did graduate work at the University of Texas (1935), the University of Southern California, and Oxford University. From 1933 to 1939 she taught at Highland Park High School. She married Charles K. Devall on July 15, 1939.

The Devalls owned several Northeast Texas newspapers, including the Kilgore News Herald, which they published from 1940 to 1979. From 1942 to 1946, while Charles was serving in the navy, Lyde served as acting publisher of the Kilgore News Herald, Mount Vernon Optic-Herald, Morris County News, and Hughes Springs New Era. Her weekly column, "Kilgoround," which she was still writing in 1955, won awards from the Texas Daily Newspaper Association.

In the 1940s or early 1950s Mrs. Devall was a member of the state Democratic executive committee. Following the 1952 national Democratic convention, to which she was a delegate, she served on the executive board of Democrats for Eisenhower. Governor Allan Shiversqv appointed her to the first Texas Commission on Higher Education, in which she served from 1953 to 1955, and to the University of Texas Board of Regents, where she served from 1955 to 196l. She was also a member of the University of Texas Development Board from 1962 to 1968 and the University of Texas Centennial Commission.

Before her appointment as UT regent, she served as president of the Kilgore Garden Club, Kilgore Women's Club, and United Church Women of Kilgore. In 1953 she was selected "First Lady of Kilgore." In 1986 the Devalls donated to UT seven pieces of nineteenth-century oriental furniture, which were placed on exhibit in the Hoblitzelle Room of the Flawn Academic Center. Lyde Devall also helped to raise funds for the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Centerqv in Houston. She died on April 17, 1986, in a Tyler hospital after suffering a stroke. Services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore, and burial was in the Kilgore City Cemetery. She was survived by her husband and a sister.

Dickson- James Monroe Dickson, with his wife Madora Jane Wilson Dickson, came to Danville in 1890 from Gastonia, North Carolina. From Danville they moved to Kilgore in 1912. Their children were: Star Dickson (married Maria Cox), Kelly Dickson (married Fay Wood), Spark Dickson (married Leon Griffin 1st & U.H. Fouche 2nd), Crown Dickson (married Josie Henderson), Dwight Dickson (married Ray Beall), Iris Dickson (married Virgil Barton), Madge Dickson (married Dan Lawrence), Evelyn Dickson (married Lester Barton) and Olive Dickson (married Kyle Bates). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Dickson- The J. Mack Dickson's were residing in Kilgore before the 1885's. Their children were: Kate Dickson (married Frank Osborne), Bell Dickson (married Dr. Gordon Buffin), Patty Dickson (married Walter Beall) and Carrie Dickson (married Henry Wallace). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Dorfman- Sam Y. Dorfman was one of the most outstanding businessmen in the oil circles in the entire southwest. He was widely known as a leader in his field. He was head of the Louisiana Iron & Supply Company of Greggton, El Dorado, Ark., Shreveport, Rodessa and Zwolla, Louisiana. This company was founded in 1917 and handled a large assorted line of new and used oil field pipe equipment. He was very active in business and club circles in numerous states and was very influential in the Longview area.

Duncan - Alexander Duncan, a native son of Alabama he received his education at Talladega College. He has served his community well by being the District Scout Executive for over 2200 boy scouts and 400 adults. A member of the Bethel Baptist Church, East Texas Area Council, past president and secretary of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the East Texas Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was given at least 8 outstanding awards in professional scouting, which included wood badge training. (This information was found among loose papers at the Longview Library in the Genealogy Dept.)

Elder- From Georgia to Texas Henry Trip Elder Sr. & wife Sarah Marshall came. A train trip carried them into Longview and from there they settled near Kilgore close to relatives. Later on the community was named Elderville. Henry Elder made his living in the saw mill business. Their children were: John Samuel Elder (married Camie Carter Wilkins), Frank Elder (married Minnie Willoughby), Nancy Elizabeth Elder (married Bud Walker), Mattie Eudora Elder (married Dozier Skipper), William Wesley Elder (married Nancy Victoria Spinks), Henry Trip Elder Jr. (married Orian Choice), James Z. Elder (married Zipporah Harris) and Sallie Elder (married Jim Hearne). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Elliott - D.M. Elliott was co-owner of the E-Tex Cafe, established in 1931 and located at 105 E Tyler St. in Longview. D.M. Elliott and John Held, Jr. made this one of the most popular restaurants in East Texas. One of the cafes drawing cards was that it did not close for a single hour since it was established.

Estes, Carl - See related article: Carl Estes Honored

Evans- J.H. Evans was a native of Alabama and was the manager of the Royal Crown Bottling Company of Longview, located near Greggton on the Gladewater Highway. The Royal Crown Bottling Company was introduced to the Longview area in the late 30's. J.H. Evans was prominent in civic affairs of Longview and a member of the Kiwanis Club.

Everhart- A Longview native, Jerone L. Everhart was a dedicated educator in Longview. He received his formal education from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee. He was a member of the St. Mark CME Church, active in numerous religious and civic activities, was on the Longview Parks & Recreation Board, was a member of the area, state and national Education Associations, and on the Board of Directors of the Longview Mental Health Association.

Ferchill- Pat Ferchill was co-owner of the Ohio Auto Parts and Accessories in Longview, located at 326 West Tyler Street. Pat and co-owner Earl Robson opened the auto parts store in July of 1931 and both played active roles in the business, making it was one of the oldest and largest automotive parts stores in East Texas.

Finch- Grover C. Finch was by trade, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Longview Building Loan and Savings Association. He was a leading citizen of Longview who worked zealously to help better the Longview area. He was president of the Pine Crest Country Club, Chairman of the Better Housing Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and a President of the Longview Rotary Club.

Finley- Wayne Finley was born October 28, 1900 in Longview. He attended local schools, fished and hunted the area lakes and woods, and grew up in the Christian Church. He worked a the Crain Corner Drug for several years. In the mid 30's he went into the automobile business, Whitehurst-Finley Motor Company located at 214 West Tyler Street. He was a member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

Flannery - L.S. Flannery was well known in the East Texas oil fields, having developed much of the world's greatest oil field. He was a staunch supporter of fair practices in the control of the natural resources of Texas and spared no time or money in seeing that peoples rights were protected and that fair dealings were there for all to benifit from.

(Left Picture: JJ & Ada Virginia Johnson Flewellen. Right Picture: JJ Flewellen Home in 1907.)
Flewellen- Junius Jefferson Flewellen was the son of T.A. Flewellen and arrived in Longview in 1871 with his family. He was married to Miss Ada Johnson in 1877 and they had 8 children. She had moved to Longview in 1872 with her family from Minden, La. J.J. helped to start the first Electric Co., the First National Bank and the Longview Cotton Oil Mill. He was a partner in the Brown & Flewellen Lumber Co., which also had a woodworking plant. This is where most of Longview's "gingerbread", mantles, bookcases, etc. came from. Both died in Longview, J.J. dying in 1934 and Ada dying in 1941.

Flewellen - We do not know exactly when T.J. Flewellen arrived in East Texas but the Flewellen name appears in the earliest of East Texas records. Thomas Jefferson Flewellen served as a captain in the Confederate Army and was the father of J.J. Flewellen.

Florey - Charles Robert and Ida Penny Florey arrived in Kilgore around 1900. Their children were: Ruth Florey (married Sam W. Ross), Mary Florey (married W.D. Love), Ralph Florey (married Lois Lacy 1st & 2nd Martina Christian), Jesse Florey (married Rena Browning), J.W. Florey (married Frankie Stark), Frank Florey (married Louise Taylor) and Charles Donald Florey (married Margaret Reed). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Fowler- In 1872 Rev. Littleton Morris Fowler came to Texas from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He ventured on to East Texas in 1876. He lived in Kilgore in the 1880's and made a meek living by being a Methodist circuit preacher. He was married twice, the first to to Isabella Lynch and they had the following children: Mary Belle Fowler (married Jackson Conner Howard), Littleton Augustus Fowler, Cannie Lynch Fowler (married Tom Buttrill 1st & Dr. Gray second), Ethel Fowler (married William F. Woodard), Sally Fowler (married Harry Lovelace) and Gilbert Fowler.

The Rev. Fowler was married a second time to Regina A. Walker and they had one child, Laura Fowler. (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

Frederick - Thomas M & Sallie M. Frederick were in Kilgore in the 1890's with the railroad. He worked for the International & Great Northern railroad as Section Forman. Their children were: Arthur Frederick, Oscar Frederick, Cora Frederick and Minnie Frederick.

After the death of Sallie, Thomas married a 2nd time to Josephone Mathews Reynolds. (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

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